Cole glanced at Ben, who stood silently across the room with his mouth set in a tight light, and realized that his partner had come to the same conclusion as he had. This wasn’t their guy.
“It really sucks when the past comes back and rears its ugly head, doesn’t it, Doctor,” Cole said softly, his eyes narrowing.
“Dr. Drake,” Ben interjected, and there was a hint of disgust in his voice as he said the words. “You told Agent Spencer that you believed that Ms. Chastain was just looking for attention.”
“Yes,” Drake said, looking at Ben in what had to be relief and Cole knew that his face was showing his anger. His fingers were itching to grab the asshole by the collar and belt him one. Yes, Cole thought with a scowl, it had been a very good idea bringing Ben. “She’s delusional and her opinion of her importance is highly impaired,” he offered smugly and Cole sprung from his chair.
“And did you come to that conclusion before or after you tried raping her, you filthy son of a bitch,” he growled, and he felt Ben move over to him and grab his arm.
“Easy, Cole,” Ben warned, although Cole could see the tensing of Ben’s jaw that belied his own anger.
“Is that what that lying bitch is saying?” he practically screamed, once again springing from his chair, his complexion taking on a slightly green hue. “I…I told you! She’s delusional! There is a whole list of issues with that woman!”
Cole snapped. He pulled his arm from Ben’s hold and strode over to Drake, grabbing him by his suit jacket and slamming him up against the wall. The doctors eyes widened in surprise and what had to be pure fear as Cole stared him down, his eyes blazing. His body practically vibrated with his anger.
“Cole!” Ben warned, but Cole just he ignored him.
“You listen to me closely, you pretentious bastard,” Cole hissed. “I know what you tried to do to Katherine. And you’re damn lucky that I don’t just beat the ever loving shit out of you right here and now like I want to do. So, if I were you, I’d think twice about ever trying to lay a hand on another patient without their consent. Think long and hard about it, asshole.”
“You’re just as crazy as she is,” he choked out, and Cole glared.
“That may be,” Cole chuckled, although his voice was devoid of any humor whatsoever. He was furious and trying desperately to keep his anger in check. “Just know that we’ll be paying close attention to your…behavior from here on out. You won’t be able to shit without us knowing about it.”
Cole’s lips twitched with a grin when the man blanched. Yes, he had gotten his point across loud and clear. He released his hold and the man practically slid down the wall; keeping himself braced up against it in what Cole was certain had to be an attempt to keep his knees from giving out on him.
“This…this is harassment,” he sputtered indignantly, he face turning beet red, and Cole burst out laughing.
“No, Doctor,” he growled. “This is far from harassment. This is a promise. You fucked with the wrong lady.” With that, Cole turned and stormed from the office.
Ben stepped over to where Drake was leaning against the wall and tossed a card at the man. “I’d be damned sure to listen to my partner,” he said evenly as the card fluttered to the floor at the man’s feet. “You really don’t want to take your chances and cross that man. Trust me on that one. Have a good day, Doctor.” Ben turned and left, finding Cole standing at the elevator, that muscle in his jaw twitching with a vengeance.
***
The two of them remained silent until they had settled themselves back in the car. Ben finally looked at Cole and chuckled. “I’ve got to say, partner. You had more restraint back there than I thought you’d have. I’m impressed.”
Cole started the car and slammed down on the gas, his lips turning up in a lopsided grin. “I have never wanted to pound someone in the face more,” he admitted softly. “That smug, arrogant piece of shit deserves to have his ass handed to him.”
Ben nodded his agreement, his face growing serious. “Yeah, but you don’t make him as our guy either, do you?”
Cole shook his head and sighed. “No. He’s got the morals of a snake, but he’s much too self-absorbed to be our stalker.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much my take on it. Sorry, Mac.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll find the son of a bitch,” Cole promised quietly, and Ben had no doubt that he would. One of the things that made Cole such a good detective was his tenacity. Once he sunk his teeth into a case, there was no stopping him, and this one was personal. Ben knew that Cole would move heaven and earth to catch this asshole.
“Oh, believe me. I know more than anyone else that you will, Partner.” Ben laughed with a shake of his head.
“You never did tell me how it went with Katherine’s employee,” Cole said, turning and heading onto the highway. He wanted nothing more at the moment than to get home. He just needed to hold Katherine.
“Not really that much to tell,” Ben replied, taking the last swig of his coffee…which was ice cold by now and tasted just a little bit like cat piss. He grimaced and set it back into the cup holder. “He said that he didn’t see anything. Just that Katherine showed up and he went in back. Next thing he knew the lights went out and he was hit from behind.”
Cole nodded and stared straight ahead at the highway, his mouth tightening. Shit! Another dead end. He was beginning to lose his patience. There had to be something that he was missing! And…he only hoped that he could figure it out soon. Katherine deserved a life.
***
Katherine was on her way to the living room, a cup of coffee in her hand, when her cell phone rang. She rushed over and snagged it, hoping it was Cole. She had woken to find him gone already and that ever present black and white cruiser sitting out front.
“Hello?” She was greeted by only silence and felt her body tense. “Hello?” she repeated. Her hands began to shake and she felt the sting from the coffee in her cup as it splashed over her fingers.
I’ll be seeing you…in all the old familiar places…
Katherine felt her body begin to tremble as hot, angry tears stung the backs of her eyes.
“Mine…”
Katherine ended the call and threw her phone across the room, trying to force back the sob that was choking her. She heard a crash as her mug slipped from her trembling hand and hit the floor. Like a cornered animal, Katherine’s eyes darted around the room, settling on the front door to make sure that it was locked.
“Breathe, Katherine,” she whispered to the empty room. “He can’t get in here. He doesn’t know where you are.”
On shaky legs she walked over to the window and looked out, feeling a wave of relief wash over her as she spotted the patrolman in the car parked outside. It was all right! He was just trying to mess with her. There was no way that he could know where she was. This was just another play in his sick, twisted game. He was trying to throw her off balance.
She straightened her spine and went into the kitchen to grab something to clean up the mess she had made. Breathe, she reminded herself over and over as she grabbed a towel and a dust pan. She was done letting this animal frighten her! She was so done.
By the time she had everything cleaned up, the rapid beating of her heart had settled down and she felt the tension leaving her. She retrieved her phone and noticed with a small sigh that it had practically shattered when she had thrown it across the room.
“Shit!” she grumbled, praying that Cole wouldn’t try and call her. She didn’t need him going off the rails because he couldn’t reach her.
***
Katherine was asleep on the couch as Cole walked through the door. She sat up with a jerk, her eyes wide, and Cole felt a tightening in his chest. Jesus, she shouldn’t have to live jumping at every damn little noise!
“It’s just me, Sweetheart,” he called, a smile touching his lips as he looked at her bedraggled appearance. Her hair was tossed carelessly into a pony-tail at the top of her head and she wore one of his t-shir
ts and a pair of cutoff shorts. His eyes took her in from top to bottom and he thought that she had never looked more beautiful. Her sleep laden face had that soft, natural glow that was all Katherine, and he felt his body instantly take notice. God, but he loved her.
***
Katherine stood and walked over to Cole. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she laid her head against his chest, taking comfort in the steady beat of his heart against her ear. She had felt like a trapped animal all morning with him being gone. Her nerves shattered by that bastards game. She had ended up cleaning things that hadn’t even needed cleaning…just to burn off some of her nervous energy.
“How did it go?” she asked, not sure if she even wanted to know the answer to that question. She was bringing up more of her past that she would have happily left packed away.
Cole kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s not him,” he whispered against her hair. “He’s an asshole…but not your stalker. And you’ll be relieved to know that I didn’t beat the shit out of him like I really wanted to do.”
Katherine looked up into his face and completely melted at the sight of the grin on his lips. This man had her…body, mind, and soul. She was so far gone that she couldn’t even see straight! There was comfort in his eyes…the feeling of peace, and the events of the morning slipped away as she stood up on her tiptoes and brushed her mouth against his.
“I’m glad to hear that,” she murmured against his full, sweet lips. “He’s not worth it.”
Cole lifted her up into his arms and walked over to the couch, settling himself down with her held securely on his lap. Her scent enveloped him with its heady essence, making his body tingle with that awareness that was purely Katherine. He just couldn’t get enough. He nuzzled her neck, but only a moment later spotted her broken cell sitting on the table.
“What happened?” he asked, reaching over and grabbing it.
Katherine’s face flushed, her eyes glistening slightly. “He…he called...and I…”
“Shit!” Cole barked, his mouth tightening and his body instantly going rigid. “When?”
“Cole,” Katherine whispered, her eyes holding his. “It was just a call…”
“I don’t care, Katherine,” he bit out, his jaw clenching, and she knew that he wasn’t angry at her. He was angry that he wasn’t any closer to finding this animal.
She reached up and cupped his face, her mouth turning up in a smile. It was soft…knowing…resigned. “He doesn’t know that I’m here,” she reassured him softly.
“Damn it, Katherine, how did he get your cell?”
Katherine paled slightly. Oh, God! He had always called her on her land line; never on her mobile. How could he have gotten that?
“I…I don’t know,” she stammered, at a complete loss. She closed her eyes and took a breath, willing herself to stay calm. Her number at home was unlisted, and yet he had gotten it; why couldn’t he be savvy enough to get her cell?
Cole pulled her closer, burying his face against the curve of her neck. He breathed in her scent greedily, his body relaxing slightly as her warmth enveloped him. He needed to find this bastard. And he needed to do it now.
“We’ll get you a new phone in the morning,” he whispered against her skin, and he felt her nod. “I hate this,” he admitted harshly, the tension rolling off him in waves. “I hate that you have to deal with this shit. I hate that I’m no closer to finding him…” he took a long, ragged breath. “I hate it all.”
Katherine remained silent, her eyes welling with tears. She wouldn’t have been able to speak if she had wanted to. This man meant so much to her, and to know that he cared so deeply was like a band around her heart. His love had set her free in so many ways, and she promised herself to cherish it with every fiber of her being. She never would have believed that such an all-consuming love was possible, but this man had proved her wrong.
“I love you, Cole,” she managed to say, the truth of her words wrapping around him like a warm embrace. “So, so much.”
Cole leaned back slightly and looked into her eyes, his expression gentle. “Katherine,” he whispered, his gaze not wavering. “You came into my life completely unexpectedly and turned it upside down, but in such a fan-freaking-tastic way. I promise to keep you safe and to do my damnedest to make you happy every single day for the rest of our lives. I love you too, Sweetheart, more than I ever thought possible.” His mouth lifted slightly, and those blue eyes gleamed. “Now, how about I take you out to dinner? I’m starving and we’ve never gone out on an official date,” he chuckled, using his fingers to make air quotes.
Katherine broke out into laughter. “No, I guess we haven’t. But I’m a mess.”
“You’re perfect,” he replied and Katherine shook her head, a small part of her wondering if he just might need his eyes checked.
“Give me twenty minutes,” she said, jumping from his lap and rushing toward the bedroom. Cole watched her disappear and wondered how in the hell he had gotten so lucky.
***
They walked into the small bistro and Katherine couldn’t help but smile. It seemed as if it had been forever since she had just gone out. Felt normal. Being with Cole made her feel safe, secure…loved. And it was a feeling that she never could have imagined. It was warm and soothing.
They were led over to a small table and Cole pulled out her chair, leaning down and quickly kissing her lightly on the lips as he did. Oh, Lord, Katherine thought, would she ever get used to this? It was as if she were suddenly living someone else’s life. Someone who was happier than they ever thought they could be. Someone who hadn’t been looking over her shoulder for what seemed forever. She could almost believe that she was normal. And the concept of it all was staggering.
Cole watched Katherine, his brow quirking up. “What’s going through that beautiful head of yours?” he asked, those full, perfect lips of his lifting at the corners. The man seemed to be able to read her like a book, and the mere fact of it calmed her. Made her feel…wonderful.
Katherine sighed, gracing him with a small smile. “I was just thinking about how happy you make me,” she admitted softly, her cheeks flushing pink. Might as well be honest. “I don’t feel so much like a freak show any more, and it’s really nice.”
Cole’s smile faded as he leaned forward and captured her gaze. “Katherine, you are anything but a freak show,” he spoke the words evenly, with conviction. “You are stronger than you think. Most people would have broken by now with all the crap that you’ve had to deal with. I am absolutely amazed and in awe of you.”
“Thank you, Cole,” she whispered, willing the tears that were stinging the backs of her eyes away. No more crying, she told herself. For the first time in her life she felt like she actually had a chance. She didn’t merely exist anymore, just waiting for the ball to drop. She was living.
***
As they left the restaurant, Katherine felt that all too familiar chill sweep over her. She glanced around at the nearly deserted street, a small shiver running over her. There were a few other couples walking along and nothing seemed amiss–yet she still felt that familiar tingle.
“Are you all right?” Cole asked, his hand on her arm stilling her. Katherine forced a smile and nodded.
“Yes, just a little chilly,” she lied, not wanting him to worry if she were only jumping at shadows. It had been a very long time since she had actually been out for the evening, and wondered if it was just throwing everything off kilter. She glanced around once again and decided that she was. Nothing seemed out of place at all.
Cole shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, leaning forward to nuzzle her neck a moment. He wrapped his arm around her waist and began to usher her down the street. “What aren’t you telling me?” he asked quietly, that knowing set of his jaw telling her that he was picking up on her unease. Damn. The man was too good!
“I think it’s just being out,” she replied, choosing her words carefully. “I…
I really haven’t done this much,” she explained, and she felt Cole pull her against his side a little closer. They got to his car and he opened the door for her, his eyes meeting hers before she could sit.
“You deserve to,” he whispered. “You deserve to live, Katherine. You deserve to be wined and dined.” With that he kissed her gently, his warm lips melting whatever unease she felt away in an instant. It was as if the past ten years had all been someone else’s nightmare. Not hers.
“Katherine?”
Katherine jerked back slightly and turned to find Jeff walking up to them. He looked tired and Katherine once again felt that pang of guilt hit her in the gut.
“Jeff!” Katherine moved past Cole and hugged her friend briefly. “How are you? How’s your head?”
“I’m good. It’s just a little bump, really. I was just meeting some friends for a bite. How are you doing?” His eyes lifted from her face and he glanced at Cole quickly before going back to Katherine.
“Jeff, you remember Detective McKenzie?” Katherine asked as Cole stepped up beside her.
“Of course. Detective,” Jeff replied, giving Cole a quick smile. He looked back to Katherine and the smile slipped from his lips. “Are you sure everything’s okay? Are you really closing the shop? I mean, the last few days have just been…insane, but I can’t believe that after all your hard work you’re just going to shut down.”
Katherine chewed her lower lip as she gazed at him, her eyes misty and apologetic. “It’s for the best, Jeff. Really. You just need to trust me on this.” As she said the words, her mind began to spin with everything that she needed to do. Oh, Lord! She had to fix the order that was wrong, get the right one…make sure that everyone who was waiting for their things got them. But, the last thing she wanted to do was to go back to the shop. The memories of His hands on her made her physically ill.