“What about the people who work for you?”
“They’re paid handsomely to keep their mouths shut.”
“I know that. But even if they can’t get to you, they might be able to get to your people.”
“My people understand the risks when they get in. They’re all set up so that their families will be taken care of if any of them go down.”
King took good care of Jorge. Just like he took good care of me all those years.
Hell, I’d probably still be in this life if Buck Moreno hadn’t shot me.
A twinge erupts in my shoulder where the bullet struck.
In its way, that gunshot was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I was caught.
I had no choice but to make a deal. Without a deal, I’d be rotting in prison right now. Or be dead on the street, killed by King himself.
I trust very few people in this business. Jorge Herrera is one of them.
He won’t alert anyone that I’m back in town.
I wish he would take my offer. He has a wife and kids. People who depend on him. Funny how I didn’t consider any of this all those years ago when I made him the offer.
Things change. I’ve changed.
“What can I say to make you change your mind?” I ask.
“Nothing. Go on your way, Raven. No one will know you were here.”
26
KATELYN
“Please,” Reid says. “Stop apologizing. It’s okay. You need to go home and tend to your father.”
“I just feel awful. On the first day of a new job.”
“This job will still be here when you get back.”
“That’s just the thing,” I say. “I don’t know how long I’m going to be gone. I can’t expect you to go without a personal assistant for all that time.”
“I’ve been going without a personal assistant since I fired Terrence almost a year ago,” he says. “I’ve been making do with temps, and Alicia and others have been picking up the slack. This isn’t a big deal, Katelyn.”
“It’s a big deal to me.”
“I understand. I totally appreciate your reluctance to leave me in a lurch. But the most important thing to me and to Zee is that you heal fully. That means being there for your father as well as dealing with the rest of your life.”
“I suppose this must be a first for you,” I say. “An employee to ask for leave of absence on the first day.”
He smiles then. “I can’t say that it’s happened before, but your circumstances are definitely unique.”
I sigh. “I can’t thank you enough for this.”
“No thanks are needed. Take care of family first. I would do the same.”
I rise, smile, and shake Reid’s outstretched hand. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“Yes, please do. And if there’s anything you need. Anything your father needs. You know you can just call us.”
I nod and leave his office.
I could probably ask these people for anything, and they’d give it to me. My father is in the tech business, so I know he has good health insurance. I won’t need to ask.
First things first. I head into a pet store and pick up some dog food, a collar, a leash, and a traveling kennel. I drop my purchases off at home and then head back out with the collar, leash, and a cup of dog food secured in a zippered plastic bag.
When I get to the alley behind The Glass House, Jed is nowhere to be found.
Now what? I’m leaving for LA tomorrow, and I want to take the dog with me. I need him as much as he needs me.
I lean against the wall.
This is where Luke first kissed me. I wasn’t ready. I’m still not ready. But the passion and the chemistry with Luke… I didn’t expect it.
I didn’t expect anything so sudden and so provocative. So personal and so necessary.
“I miss you,” I say aloud.
I close my eyes.
I miss him so much. Why hasn’t he called me? Or at least texted me?
I sigh and open my eyes.
Jed is sitting in front of me.
His beautiful brown doggy eyes are staring at me with wonder and pleading.
I kneel and pet his soft face. “There you are, baby. I’m so glad you showed up.” I pull the dog food out of my bag and pour it onto the ground for Jed. He greedily snarfs it up, and I wish I’d brought some water.
While he’s busy eating, I slip the collar and leash around his neck.
He resists at first, but I get him to come with me. Then I take a cab back to my place.
Security stops me, of course.
“Ms. Brooks, I’m not sure about a dog.”
“Is there a hard-and-fast rule?”
“I don’t think so, but—”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m leaving to go visit my parents in LA tomorrow. He’ll only be here for one night.”
“And then he’ll be staying in LA?” the security officer says.
“I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not.”
I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ve got a job here, and I’ve got security here.
I’ve got the Wolfes. Zee and Reid especially.
And little Nora. I’m supposed to be her godmother at her baptism in a few months.
I can always fly back for that.
I’ll return. This is my home now.
Except…
Luke.
“Come on,” I say to Jed.
“Is that dog housebroken?” the officer asks.
“I don’t know. I’ll clean up after him. We’re leaving tomorrow. Please.”
“All right.” The security officer shakes his head. “I’d better not hear any barking.”
“He’ll be fine.”
At least I hope he will be. I don’t know anything about dogs, and Jed’s a stray. He’s not used to following directions. What if he does make a lot of noise?
Doesn’t matter.
He’s mine.
Mine and Luke’s.
I will not let him down. If I let Jed down, it would be like letting Luke down. I can’t do it. Besides, I’m already in love with the little mutt.
“First things first,” I say to Jed. “You need a drink of water. Then a bath.”
Giving Jed a bath proves to be a challenge. I get more suds on me than the dog. But I’m laughing. I’m laughing and having fun. When I try to dry him off, only for him to escape the towel and shake water droplets everywhere, I laugh some more. What a mess!
Well, I wanted a dog.
But Jed is wagging his tail, panting, and…smiling. I know dogs can’t actually smile, but I swear Jed is full of joy.
His belly is full, and he’s clean for the first time in…well, probably a long time.
“Welcome to your new life, Jed.” I laugh as he kisses my face. “I hate the thought of putting you in that kennel and taking you on the plane, but it will only be a few hours. Then we’ll be reunited in LA.”
I put out some more water for Jed and then begin to pack my stuff. After a quick Internet search on how best to prepare your dog for flight, I take as much of their advice as I can and make sure Jed is ready for tomorrow’s grand adventure.
Mom doesn’t know I’m bringing a dog home to her sparkling clean house. I don’t care. I won’t stay in my old room anyway. I’ll stay in the guesthouse.