Chapter 10
Kane finished his fourth scotch and put down the glass. He could feel the faint buzz of the alcohol in his brain but knew it wouldn’t last.
Everyone else had gone to bed hours ago.
He’d been waiting for Kaitlin to finish. When Jake had finally left him—with strict instructions to leave Kaitlin alone—he had moved to a small sitting room. If he left the door open, he had a view to the library. He could monitor when she went to bed.
Then he’d go. Exhaustion was tugging at him.
He’d gone along with her wishes, though personally, he didn’t think she should be alone at a time like this. He’d been in her mind, before she had forbidden him. He’d seen and understood the depths of her loss. And her anger. This could only stir up all those emotions.
What the hell was she doing in there?
Finally, he couldn’t wait any longer. He’d just do a brief check and then, if it was what she wanted, he’d leave her alone again. But he had to know she was all right. If she’d agree to let him into her mind again, it wouldn’t be an issue. But that was one promise he would not go back on.
He opened the door quietly and peered inside. For a moment, he thought the room was empty. Then he caught a glow of light from a table across the room. He saw her a second later. She lay on the sofa, her head on a cushion, her body wrapped in a throw.
Moving silently, he crossed the room to stand behind her.
On the computer screen was a picture of a boy—her brother, Sam.
Her fingers touched the screen, but her eyes were closed.
She was deep asleep. Emotional overload, he guessed.
Even in the dim light, he could see the tear tracks on her cheeks. And anger congealed in his stomach.
The need to punch someone—anyone—rode him hard.
The trouble was this was on him as much as anyone else. He could have helped her. Back then, he’d stood at a crossroads. If he’d gone in when he’d first sensed their presence, maybe he could have saved her brother. Or done what was needed and at least saved Kaitlin from having to do it.
She groaned in her sleep and rolled over onto her back, wrapping the throw tighter around her. The fire had gone out, and the room was growing cold.
He heard a sound at the door and turned. Jake stood there.
“Is she okay?” he asked in Kane’s head.
“She’s asleep. But no—she’s not okay. She’s been crying.” Did his words sound like an accusation? Probably. Jake had been in charge of their group. He should have kept them safe.
“You think I don’t know that?”
He could sense the anger in Jake’s words. The pain. And some of his own fury drained away. They all shared the guilt for this one.
“I’ll carry her to bed,” Jake said. “It’s getting cold in here.”
“I’ll do it.”
Jake studied him for a moment but gave a quick nod. “She’s in the first room on the right at the top of the stairs. I’ll see you in the morning.” Then he turned and left.
Kane stared at the open door for a moment, then came around to stand beside Kaitlin.
Reaching down, he gently closed the lid on the laptop.
She looked sweet in sleep; the harshness wiped away.
She was always on guard, so afraid of allowing people to see her real feelings.
Jake had told him that as a child, she’d been open, would let anyone into her mind. Now she closed off her inner thoughts.
He waited a minute to see if she would awaken, but she was deep asleep, and he leaned down and slipped his hands beneath her. A shudder ran through him.
What was it about her that moved him?
It had been the same from the first brush of their minds all those years ago.
He straightened, holding her against him.
For such a tall woman, she didn’t weigh much, and he held her easily.
She snuggled close, resting her head on his chest as he carried her out of the room and up the stairs.
Someone had left her bedroom door open, and a lamp was lit on the table by the big four-poster bed.
Kane held her with one hand while he stripped the covers back, then laid her down gently.
She was wearing boots, and he bent over her, unzipped them, and tugged them off…all the while expecting her to wake and snarl at him.
He straightened her legs and covered her.
For a second, she half emerged from sleep.
“Sam?” A sweet smile curved her lips. Then she rolled over and snuggled into the pillow.
He should move. Instead, he sank down onto the bed beside her and sat there for a long time just watching her breathe.