Chapter 39 Kate
KATE
It’s been four weeks since I last saw Luke. I haven’t heard anything from him since the late-night phone call the day I left his penthouse, which I never answered.
If he wanted to talk to you, he would. If he wanted to see you, he would explain.
I found an affordable apartment to rent. Even if it is in a sketchy part of town and across the street from a strip club, at least it has some privacy. I love Mel, but I would rather sleep under a bridge than go one more night on her lumpy sofa.
I finally retrieved my belongings from the apartment I shared with Maddie.
She and Stephen have let the place deteriorate from slightly messy to downright disgusting.
He was high off his ass when I went by. I was vibrating with rage as I threatened to shoot him between the eyes if he ever tried to talk to my dad again.
Okay, I also threw his precious guitar off of the third-story balcony into the murky pool in the courtyard. I don’t usually go for revenge, but I felt slightly better afterward. I still put him on a no-visiting list at Memory Care to be safe.
It’s my second week at my new job with Greetings from Us, a company that designs and sells birthday cards.
I’m a personal assistant once again, but the designer I’m working for has already asked to see a portfolio of my drawings.
A glimmer of hope seems to be blinking on the horizon of my life even though my crumpled heart feels like it might never recover from falling for Luke and ultimately crashing into a concrete wall.
Will a career doing what I love fill the void of losing the man I love?
The man who might actually be a murderer?
I shove the negative thoughts about Luke aside as I walk through the back exit of the nursing home. Sandra, sitting at the front desk, directed me to the garden and pond area, where my dad is participating in a two-stepping night for the senior residents of the facility.
I immediately spot him among the others because he almost looks like he works here, considering he’s under sixty. He’s up, dancing with a white-haired woman whose head is thrown back in a laugh.
“If my wife shows up and sees this, you’d better run, Shirley!”
I laugh out loud at his statement, shaking my head as I approach. I went home to change after work, so I’m wearing a short yellow sundress I bought because I was sad and it made me feel pretty. My blonde hair is in a loose braid.
“You’re killing it, Shirley,” I tell her as I approach.
She turns with a bright smile on her face as the song ends. My dad is grinning, but his gaze sweeps right over me.
I guess it’s one of those days.
I ignore the stab of disappointment, walking up to tap him on the shoulder. “Can I have the next waltz?”
He smiles, eyes sparkling. “Sure thing, young lady. You remind me of my wife. She’ll be here any minute, and I can introduce you.”
He pulls me closer. The music swirls around us, a slow country song by George Strait. I try to immerse myself in the happy moment despite the fact that he thinks I’m a stranger.
“I love this song. I hope I can have a daughter one day,” he says.
The lump in my throat is overwhelming, so I don’t respond.
He’s smiling at his friends on the sidelines.
A few other couples are up, slow dancing, and if I was less emotional, I would probably giggle at their swaying with canes and walkers.
Jerry has planted himself on the side of the makeshift dance floor, arms folded over his chest.
“Look over there. See that guy with the scowl? He’s my best friend, but he’s such a party pooper.” Dad smiles to himself, shaking his head. “Hey, Jerry, why don’t you get up and ask a lady to dance? Maybe you won’t get rejected—for once.”
I snort a laugh at his jab while Jerry’s eyes turn black.
“You know what? If I did show up on that dance floor, your girl wouldn’t hesitate to abandon your sorry white-boy moves.”
We both crack up, and I turn to taunt him once more before choking on the words in my throat at the sight of the figure standing behind him.
Luke is on the edge of the dance floor, dressed in casual ripped jeans and a pale gray T-shirt stretched across his muscular chest and arms. He’s as handsome as ever with a smirk on his face, green eyes twinkling in the twilight.
He claps Jerry on the shoulder. “Think she’ll abandon him for my sorry white-boy moves?”
Jerry nods with conviction, gesturing toward us. “Absolutely, but if my grandson, Owen, shows up, she’ll leave you hanging, pretty boy.”
Luke nods at Jerry before strutting onto the dance floor, extending a hand out to me and my dad. “May I?”
Dad hands me over. “Of course, young feller, but she’s a little minx who’ll steal your concentration.”
He winks at me before finding a seat next to Jerry to watch us.
My attention is on my former boss, whose arms are wrapped around me in a strong embrace, which is much closer than is necessary for a slow dance at a nursing home. I’m already finding it hard to catch my breath.
“So . . .” I stammer out.
“So . . . I’ve missed you,” is all he says.
I look up at him, enjoying the view of his strong, sharp jawline and clear green eyes.
“I’ve missed you, too, but—”
“But they told you I might’ve killed Reid.”
I nod at his interruption, sucking in a breath as I wait for him to explain.
“Why do you think I hated Garrison so much?”
I shrug. “Because he married your sister and you think she could do better?”
He looks away, a muscle twitching in his jaw. I want to kiss him because I’m a sucker for that profile.
“Well, yes, but it’s much more than that. Fallon was dating Reid while we were working on Steelhart—this is all confidential, by the way. I’m only telling you because I can’t stand to be away from you, but I understand why you need to know.”
His eyes bore into mine intensely, and I lick my lips while nodding for him to continue on. He looks around the scene.
“Would you mind if I took you somewhere more . . . private first?”
I’m about to agree, and then the image the FBI agent showed me and the memory of the elevator girls materialize in my brain. I’ve vowed to be more confident and assertive, so I resist the feeling that rises to say yes without speaking my mind and voicing my concerns to him.
“I have to know first . . . was I just one in a long line of flings? There were these girls talking in your building, and I saw photos of you in this club with this gorgeous blonde, and it’s not like I would blame you for it since you look like you look and you have all that money, but I just don’t want to constantly be worried about—” I could ramble on forever if he didn’t interrupt me, but thankfully, he does.
“Kate, do you have any idea how long I waited before I met you? I’ve done nothing but hunt for evidence for two years. I literally haven’t dated, haven’t seen anyone that entire time. You were my only exception.”
My heart leaps at his gut-spilling speech.
He glances around us. “I can explain the photo in LA, but I need privacy first. I know of a place we can talk, if you’re willing to let me take you there.”
I’ve finally accepted that I’m hopelessly in love with him, so I agree, hugging my father good-bye even though he doesn’t know who I am. He chuckles, returning the hug as he gives Jerry a whatever look. Luke shakes his hand before we turn to leave.
He leads me out the side gate and up to his car. I slide in after he opens the door, butterflies fluttering inside me.
He just wants to talk—that’s it. He’s going to explain everything.
He climbs in and starts to drive us through the city lights. The nursing home staff won’t mind if my car is left overnight—but what if I don’t make it back in the morning? My heart rate is thundering, and I’m unable to calm my pulse.
“Were you, um, able to find another assistant?”
He looks over at me before slowly shaking his head. His dark hair is styled back, as usual, soft waves begging to be touched. “I didn’t, no.”
“Oh,” is all I say out loud. Why not?
He reads my mind. “Replacing you isn’t exactly something I want to do.”
I stare out the window, afraid to turn to see his face. My pulse is betraying me, jumping higher with each passing moment. A horn honks, causing me to jolt.
He reaches over to grab my hand, and I grip his much tighter than necessary.
It’s okay. It’s okay. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
The car finally pulls into a dark parking lot I don’t recognize.
“Do you mind if we leave our phones in the car?” he asks.
I nod, a little confused by the request.
I crawl out of the leather seat, looking around to see if I recognize anything about the area. Luke walks around the car, placing his hand on the small of my back. His touch sends shivers through me, but I realize that I’ve been missing it . . . a lot.
As we approach the building, I stop in my tracks.
“What are we doing here?”
He turns to face me. “I have something to show you.”
“But isn’t it . . . closed?”
“I have a key.”
My feet slowly begin moving again.
“How do you have a key to the Dallas Sea Life Aquarium?”
“I . . . know the owner.”
My brow furrows as I consider who might own it. I’ve always wanted to come here but never found the time. He places his hand back where it was as we continue walking.
“Who owns it?”
“Some jerk who likes the ocean and wants to impress a girl who loves turtles, I guess.”
I pull back as we reach the door. “Luke, are you the owner?”
He starts to unlock the multiple dead bolts and types in a code before it flashes Disarmed.
“As of this week, yes.”
He pushes the door open, and I gasp at the blue light–filled display of fish in the entrance. It’s an enormous cylinder that stretches from the floor up, over two stories high.