Chapter 6 Breaking News #2
I groaned in frustration for her. I was pretty confident Darren would believe me if I had come forward with something like that, though I knew he would likely review whatever security footage there was to confirm my story.
But for Daniel to automatically think that way of his wife had my blood boiling.
“Why would Daniel blame you? Doesn’t he trust you?” I asked.
I didn’t want to say it, but I was pretty certain Katherine was far too fearful to ever cheat on Daniel.
My kiss with Jason in Rome had nearly caused a panic attack for me, my body recognizing the betrayal that my heart could not.
I had to imagine it must be ten times worse for Katherine, given the way she was raised and how Daniel treated her.
Katherine’s eyes glazed over as a sorrowful breath left her lips.
“A long time ago, long before you were here, I had a bodyguard named Hugo. He was sweet and kind to me, always respectful, and always careful. I considered him a true friend, but I wouldn’t allow it to go any further.
I just couldn’t,” she murmured, her voice taking on a note of longing.
“One day, Hugo confessed that he was in love with me. He wanted to take me away from everything and start a whole new life. I, of course, told him none of that was possible, but he was still determined.” She sighed again as she shook her head, her eyes squinting like she was in pain.
“But somehow, Daniel found out. He killed Hugo right in front of me—shot him in the chest three times. And after what Daniel did to me later that night, I wouldn’t even dare look at another man for the next six months. ”
I released a deep breath of my own, attempting to empty some of the rage building in my chest. “So even though you did nothing to encourage Hugo’s affections, this attack by the guard was still enough to actually make Daniel believe that it was happening again? And it was still your fault?”
Katherine said nothing, just nodded softly.
“That man is a goddamn fool,” I snapped, huffing out my frustration with the idiotic men in this family. At least that stupid-ass guard was no longer breathing.
Katherine shrugged her shoulders, but the look of hopelessness cast over her glassy eyes.
“I accepted the things I can’t change a long time ago, and I’ve grown accustomed to this life, to marrying into this family,” she murmured.
“That is, until you dropped that bombshell about Daniel’s childhood. Now I find myself lost again.”
I pursed my lips as I looked back at her with regret. “I’m sorry you found out that way. My intention wasn’t to hurt you,” I murmured.
Katherine sniffed before shaking her head. “No, I’m glad you said something. I would have never known until it was too late.”
I doubted it would even make a difference then anyway. My ears caught the sound of Sloane’s earpiece, her attention refocusing on her orders as she stepped away to the other side of the room to listen.
“Well, the only bright side I can offer is I don’t think Ella will have to experience it since it seems it’s only meant for the boys. I’m not sure if you want more kids, but if you stop with her, you can rest easy,” I offered, hoping it might relax her a little.
Katherine’s gaze slid up to mine, her eyes glossy with the kind of sadness that made you fear for the worst. “I wish that were so,” she whispered, tears beginning to build behind her eyes.
I found myself inching closer, suddenly nervous for her. “What do you mean?” I asked quietly, watching Sloane from afar.
“Daniel wants more children, especially boys, and I…” Katherine started, fast tears now dripping down her face, one after the other. I felt my heart breaking for her. “I think…I might be pregnant.” Her voice was that of a broken whisper, and she quickly swiped her tears away.
Oh shit.
“How do you know?” I asked.
She licked her dry lips, then sucked in a breath. “I’m almost a week late. And my periods are always pretty regular,” she carefully answered. “Daniel doesn’t know. No one does. And all I can think about is, what if it’s a boy this time?”
More tears spilled down her cheeks as she buried her face in her hands. I scooted closer to her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders and holding her tightly. Nothing I could say would make her feel any better. Everything was out of our hands, and we both knew this.
“I’m sorry, Katherine,” I whispered, gently rubbing up and down her arms. “I’m so sorry. But we’ll get through it together.”
Lifting her chin, her watery eyes met mine, and an icy resolve suddenly set in. “Yes, we are going to get through this together,” she emphasized, sniffing back her tears. “And I will be here every step of the way for you and your baby for as long as I can be.”
She took my hand and clutched it tightly, the warmth of her gesture a welcoming comfort that made me smile softly back at her. “You have no idea how much I appreciate that.”
Returning my grin, she nodded and then quickly wiped her tears away just as Sloane returned to our side of the room. She looked down at Katherine with concern.
“Is everything alright?” she asked, her eyes bouncing back and forth between Katherine and me.
“It will be,” I answered for us both, and Katherine nodded in agreement.
“Yes, there’s just been so much going on lately, and I’m worried. That’s all,” Katherine added.
Sloane paused as she watched us, her eyes harboring something I had a difficult time placing, but it was quickly replaced with hardened resolve. “You should not worry. You are both perfectly safe here with me. As is your daughter,” she assured, her voice firm with conviction.
Sloane might have meant for it to come off as reassurance, but it sounded like an oath to me. And for some reason, I actually believed her. Except Sloane would never be able to protect Katherine from her shitty-ass husband. Or mine.
“Thank you,” Katherine murmured, a shy smile on her face.
Sloane nodded and then turned to me. “I’ve been informed that Mr. Davis does not intend to return until much later. You are to remain inside for the rest of the day and not go near any windows.”
My heart rate increased dramatically, but I quickly composed myself to get the truth while I still could.
“If I still can’t go outside or near the windows, then Darren hasn’t caught them yet,” I stated, hoping Sloane would give me some kind of confirmation.
Sloane studied me for a moment, quickly gauging what I was after, and calculated her answer. “You know your husband will take no chances concerning your safety until all threats have been defused.”
Subtle, Sloane. Very subtle.
I nodded then, trying not to look too relieved over the fact that the threat had not yet been defused, and hopefully, it stayed that way.
But Jason wasn’t out of the woods yet. I wouldn’t know for sure until Darren came home to either gloat or brood for the rest of the night.
Which meant I wouldn’t be getting a break from my anxiety any time soon.
I just had to remain confident that Jason knew what the fuck he was doing.