Desire Unleashed (27 page)

Wolf was busying himself in the kitchen when Kathy entered. “Mm, that sure smells good,” she said, inhaling the delicious aroma. “You’ve even set the table, how nice.”

“I’m very domesticated, now sit yourself down and drink this.” He handed her a mug of tea. “Just how you like it, milk with one sugar. Ice said you also like a cooked breakfast on the weekend.”

“Thanks.” Kathy accepted the tea and slid onto a chair. “He shouldn’t have said anything. He pampers me big time, and I should be the one cooking your breakfast.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Wolf said as he dished up the works and set it in front of her. The helping was so enormous Kathy didn’t think she could jump over it let alone eat her way through it, but smiled and accepted it gratefully.

Hungrier than she realized, Kathy ate three quarters of the meal before pushing her plate aside. The tea was too strong and tasted like it had been brewed for a week, but she sipped at it slowly determined to get it all down. Wolf had gone to a lot of bother, and she had no intentions of hurting his feelings.

“Mm, that was yummy, but I feel guilty. I should be waiting on you. After all, Shane roped you into this…”

“Let’s get this straight sweetheart, Ice didn’t twist my arm, or the others either for that matter, we were all concerned for your safety, and with Ice away none of us would sleep easy knowing his woman was in danger.”

His woman.
Kathy blinked. Wolf had verbalized what she’d been thinking. Yes, she was his woman, his team obviously thought so too. The knowledge thrilled, sending a warm glow through her body and had her riding a high wave all the way to Frosty’s house.

Wolf didn’t stay long when he dropped her off, and with the exception of the children, they all walked down the drive to see him on his way.

“Give me a buzz if you need me, okay bro?” Wolf climbed back into his truck, with the birth of Frosty and Sarah’s child imminent every avenue was covered. Kathy and Sarah waved good-bye.

“Later buddy.” Frosty tapped the roof of the vehicle twice as Wolf pulled away. Kathy had guessed right, the family had planned a lazy day at home. Frosty said he was content to work in the garden and keep an eye on the kids while Sarah relaxed on the lounge catching up with Kathy and learning about her ordeal first hand.

* * * *

The following two days proved uneventful. The guys made sure she was entertained as well as safe. On Monday night, Wolf arrived on time to take her to the movies. He seemed to like Anne but was offhand with Len. When she asked why, he said Len was a try-hard, and try-hards and yes-men never impressed him. He was also wary of anyone who couldn’t look him in the eye, and Baker did his best to avoid eye contact all night. Wolf conceded that his opinion also plummeted when they went for coffee afterward, and Len kept vying for her attention. She didn’t think that was true, but it explained Wolf’s intimidating behavior. Shane wasn’t there to stake his claim, so Wolf did it for him. He’d shifted his chair nearer her and leaned in close, effectively blocking Len out as they discussed the entertainment value of the movie. When Len wanted to buy them all another coffee, Wolf refused and whisked her off home.

* * * *

Kathy was keyed up when she woke next morning, ecstatic that the evening would see Shane back. She’d missed him more than she could say. He filled her dreams and consumed her thoughts, and tonight she’d make his homecoming special by showing him just how much she’d missed him.

Up and dressed before Wolf had a chance to prepare breakfast, she had just started scrambling eggs when he appeared all tousle haired and dreamy eyed.

“You beat me this morning,” he said scratching his bare belly.

“It’s my turn to cook. Do you want tomatoes with your eggs?”

“Yeah sure, throw some on.”

“How did you sleep?” she enquired.

“Not as good as you it seems. You’ve lost that peaky appearance, and you’re positively glowing, and all because the Iceman’s coming home would be my guess.”

“You could be right.” Her face brightened into an infectious grin. She set a plate before him and one for herself, and they both tucked in.

Kathy and Wolf passed a harmonious hour together until it was time for him to drive her to school. She locked the apartment and followed him onto the street where he’d parked the night before. Ten minutes later, she bid Wolf a cheery good-bye and entered the school grounds heading for her classroom. The sooner the day was over, the sooner Shane would be home, and she’d be in his arms.

Although it had been a tedious day where not everything went according to plan, nothing could dampen her spirits. The clock was winding down. Havoc was already at the gate waiting to escort her home when the bell sounded. Easily recognizable in his Akubra, he looked like a gentle giant, but appearances were often deceptive and he wasn’t a SEAL for nothing. He towered over the women who flirted with him while waiting to collect their offspring. Amused, Kathy watched him nervously shuffle from one booted foot to the other—surprised he seemed out of his element. More than one pair of eyes raked him suggestively, and as she approached the group, relief erupted across his face.

“Well it’s been a pleasure chatting with you ladies, but if you’ll excuse me now, I’ve got an appointment with the teacher.” He tugged the brim of his hat in a gesture of farewell and taking her arm, ushered her toward his pickup.

“Quiet a fan club you’ve got going there.” She chuckled as they walked along.

“Only being neighborly.” His reply was sheepish, as if he was uncomfortable with all the attention thrown his way.

“What is it with you SEALs, did you get a bulk discount on pickups?” she asked changing the subject. “You all seem to be driving the same sort of vehicle.”

“I guess you could say we all decided to update at the same time, and yeah, we did negotiate a good deal. So, how was your day?”

“Surprisingly fast.” Her bright and bubbly response couldn’t quite conceal her underlying excitement at Shane’s imminent return.

“I told you, Ice would be back before you knew it.”

“Yes you did, and of course you were right, but I’ve missed him something fierce,” she admitted.

Havoc was noncommittal.

They stopped in front of her apartment building just as another car pulled up behind. She closed the passenger door and stiffened as she recognized Detective Jesse McKenzie step onto the pavement.

Havoc jumped between her and McKenzie, shielding her with his body, and ready to do battle on her behalf. For such a big man he moved with lightning speed, taking them both by surprise.

“It’s all right Havoc. This is Detective McKenzie, the officer handling my case.” She laid a gentle touch on his arm to set his mind at ease.

“You must be one of Jackson’s men.” McKenzie offered his hand.

“Lucas Kincaid.” Havoc confirmed, shaking the other man’s hand and sizing him up in the one action.

“There’s been a development, can we talk inside?”

Kathy nodded and led the way upstairs, her stomach churning anticipating bad news.

Havoc sat on the couch, wrapping his arm protectively around her as she sat rigid, waiting for McKenzie to speak.

The news he brought was both good and bad. “The DNA results identified Charles Dawson of San Diego as the perpetrator.” McKenzie told them. “When the arresting officers arrived at his apartment, they were confronted by neighbors claiming Dawson hadn’t been seen for days. Even though it was a rough and tumble neighborhood, he was a familiar figure in the complex, and his absence was noted.” McKenzie explained as Kathy and Havoc listened in silence. “The neighbors also complained of a bad odor coming from his apartment and claimed it had been getting worse as the week wore on. The officers drew their own conclusions and broke in. Dawson lay dead on the floor from an apparent overdose, he was a known user, so the sight that greeted them wasn’t all together unexpected.”

Kathy’s mouth formed a silent circle. Havoc squeezed her shoulder supportively as McKenzie continued.

“Of course there’ll be an autopsy to confirm the cause of death. Dawson lived alone. Kathy, your photograph was found in his apartment, which would suggest for one reason or another, he became fixated on you. The case for all intents and purposes is closed,” he concluded.

Kathy and Havoc walked the detective downstairs and saw him off. Relieved that the nightmare was over, and positive that Havoc would want to get back to his own life now that there was no threat to her, she turned to him and said, “I guess you’ll be going too, but before you do, thanks for taking such good care of me, it must have been a pest.”

“You’re not a pest, and if you don’t mind I prefer to wait until Ice gets back. Tell you what though, how about I pick up some fried chicken and a couple of beers to celebrate.”

“Now you’re twisting my arm,” she agreed with a laugh.

* * * *

Sonny watched the scene unfold undetected from his vantage point across the street. The cop and the big bodyguard left, and Kathy re-entered the building alone. His plan had worked a treat. Chuckie was out of the picture for good, the heat was off, and he was home free.

Her bodyguards though were a joke. They’d posed no threat to him or his plans. He was smarter than all of them combined on any given day. What he wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall when he snatched her from under their arrogant noses. Their egos were so inflated they wouldn’t see it coming if it was gift-wrapped and labeled Christmas.

Sonny was confident his identity was safe; the small glitch in his plans had been corrected. Socrates would be delighted he was back on track, and he’d be in his good books once again. Anxious to have her by his side where she belonged and eager to get things in motion again, he stepped from his hiding place in the shadows and hurried down the street to where his car was parked.

On the short drive home, he fantasized about calling her. He’d had her new number for days, but couldn’t risk those losers catching on, that would be a disaster and would jeopardize the whole operation. No, best to keep her in the dark a bit longer and strike when they least expect it.

* * * *

It was nine-thirty when Ice knocked. He hadn’t even had time to drop his hand when the door was flung wide, and Kathy launched herself into his arms.

“I’m so glad you’re back, I’ve missed you.”

He caught her to him, hugging her body close as their lips connected. He felt the urgency for her still. It hadn’t faded and was as intense as ever. She looked incredible, but goddamn it, where the fuck was Havoc? He scowled, annoyed that she’d been the one to answer the door and not his buddy, but before he could raise the question, Havoc appeared behind her.

“Relax Ice, McKenzie’s been here, everything’s cool.” Havoc reported. Ice followed them inside and took a seat on the couch, pulling Kathy onto his lap.

“The DNA turned up a perp but when the cops went to investigate they found that the dude had OD’d days ago. That he was a user was common knowledge in his ‘hood, so it wasn’t totally unexpected. And for whatever reason, he’d fixated on Kathy. Who knows what goes through these scumbags’ minds. Anyway, the cops found her picture in his apartment, so it seems we can stand down.”

“That’s a load off,” Ice agreed. But when the big fella eased back into the couch and looked like settling in for the night, he decided to give him a nudge. “Does the rest of the team know?”

“Nah, not yet.”

Ice pressed home his advantage. “Do me one last favor man, and call them on your way home, give them the low down and tell them I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”

Havoc tossed him an I-could-so-ruin-your-plans look. He sent back a not-if-you-know-what’s-good-for-you glare.

Havoc sighed and stood. “Well, seems I’m not needed here, so I think I’ll head on down to Shenanigans and see if I can’t find some sugar of my own.”

“Good idea, we’ll talk tomorrow.” He slid Kathy off his lap and couldn’t shove Havoc out the door fast enough.

Kathy kissed Havoc’s cheek, “Thanks again, I do appreciate it.”

“Anytime you wanna watch scary movies, I’m your man.”

“I owe you bud.” Ice closed the door firmly behind him.

Chapter 16

The days passed without incident and merged into weeks. Kathy settled back into her normal routine. She was doing her best to put the attack behind her. Liz had been outraged when she’d learned of all the dramas that had taken place, and extracted a promise from her never to be so secretive again.

Shane was wonderful and had filled the void in her life. So much for casual, they were always together except when he was working away. She harbored the secret belief that his feelings for her went way deeper than casual, and that at any time now he would ask her to move in with him. She’d already started packing a few of her belongings in anticipation. It seemed a foregone conclusion. His friends accepted her, treating her like family, and it made more sense from a financial perspective, not that Shane needed money, but she could pay her rent to him rather than some faceless landlord. Yes, life was bliss. Her work was fulfilling, the other teachers had been friendly and supportive after the attempted kidnapping, and the principal even hinted at renewing her contract. Sarah was home after having given birth to a son, and Patrick couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. If only she and Shane had a baby, her life would be complete.

Kathy refocused. Shane was picking her up after school, and they were going to the beach for a couple of hours relaxation.

* * * *

“It’s time for lesson number two.” Shane ran an index finger down her cheek.

She’d changed into her swimsuit after class, and had just settled on her beach towel after peeling off her work clothes.

Rolling onto her stomach, she rested her head on her folded arms and moaned, “I don’t want to.”

“As much as I like looking at that cute ass of yours, you gotta learn to swim. It’s a life skill that everyone should know. If you can’t swim you can’t dive, you can’t kite surf, you can’t body board, you can’t snorkel…”

“Blah, blah, blah.”

“We are going to do this, Kat.”