Chapter 27
Kat led Mark and the detective into the living room, but decided to stand. It gave her a feeling of equality, compared to sitting down like the little woman.
You sit there and look pretty. Her words to Zac a few moments ago reared back at her, and shame rolled through her. He had to have known it was a joke, surely? But then she’d gone and refused to answer his comment about being her boyfriend. Hell, she’d not even had the decency to look him in the eye. She was failing this incredible man left, right and centre, and just at a time when he really needed her.
The realisation was agonising. So, she was terrified of a relationship. Big bloody deal. What she was doing to him wasn’t only unfair, it was cruel. It was time to be honest with him and admit why she was the world’s biggest coward when it came to giving away her heart.
But that talk would have to wait. From the way Mark was giving her a hard, searching look, and the way the police detective was clearing his throat, there were more important things to focus on.
‘Please, go ahead.’ She smiled at the detective. ‘My niece is upstairs but she’s in the middle of an online game with her friends so I’m sure she won’t disturb us.’
The guy glanced from her, to Zac and back to her, and she realised he was wondering why she was there.
‘Whatever you need to say, you can say it in front of Kat.’ A wry smile crossed Zac’s face. ‘She’ll only drag it out of me the moment you’re gone, so she might as well hear it first-hand.’
Seemingly satisfied, the detective turned to Zac. ‘We received some information from our colleagues in Birmingham earlier today which we believe has direct relevance to you. A man by the name of Frank Sterling was found murdered in his house this morning.’
Zac hung his head before placing his hands over his face.
‘I’m guessing by your reaction that you know why we’re here.’
With what looked to be considerable effort, Zac slowly straightened. ‘How …’ He cleared his throat and tried again. ‘How was he murdered?’
‘A bullet to his head.’
Zac swallowed. ‘Not a slit throat.’
‘No. More like a professional hitman.’
The blood drained from Zac’s face. ‘You think … fuck.’ He reared back, slumping against the back of the sofa. ‘You think my father put a hit on him?’
‘We do.’
Dread, cold and sick, pooled in Kat’s stomach. ‘Who was this guy? Why do you think your dad would want him killed?’
Zac looked to the police detective, presumably giving him permission to talk.
‘Frank Sterling was a drug dealer who used to work for Jimmy McCarthy. He gave evidence at the trial. According to Sterling’s statement, he’d gone into the back of the garage to pick up a fresh load of supplies when he heard shouting. He saw McCarthy slit the guy’s throat and freaked out. Fearing he might be next on the list, he went straight to the police and gave a statement.’
‘And now he’s dead.’ Fear rose again, clawing at her with painfully sharp nails. It didn’t take a genius to work out what that might mean for Zac.
‘It might be he was killed for another reason. He was dealing again, so maybe a rival gang wanted him out of the way.’
‘But it’s likely he was shot on demand. My father’s retaliation.’ Zac’s voice was hard and emotionless.
‘Yes.’
Mark, who’d been quiet up until now, spoke into the grim silence. ‘Vision Films have renewed the contract with us. From now on we’ll be working with the police and providing round the clock security.’
‘Fine.’ Zac kept his focus on Mark. ‘I’ll need a secure place to stay, starting from tonight.’
‘We have a flat free now.’
‘Good. I also want to be assigned another bodyguard.’
Mark raised his eyebrows. ‘As well as Kat?’
‘Instead of Kat.’
She froze. ‘Why?’
Though she willed him to look at her, Zac ignored her question, instead directing his own at Mark. ‘Will that be possible?’
When Mark nodded, yes, Kat felt like she’d been sucker punched. All the breath left her lungs and she struggled to fill them again. How could Zac claim to be falling for her when he didn’t trust her enough, respect her enough, to help him now that they knew the danger was horribly real?
Yet as the pain threatened to overwhelm her, she reminded herself how badly she’d let down the last person she’d cared for. The last man she’d fallen head over heels in love with. It hurt, boy did it hurt, but maybe it was better this way.
‘I’ll pack up my things.’
Dimly she was aware of Zac standing and climbing the stairs. Of the detective having a last few words with Mark before giving her a nod of acknowledgement and leaving the house.
‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’ Mark came to stand next to her, his eyes scrutinising her face.
The idea made her want to laugh – a hollow, bitter laugh. ‘Maybe I have.’
He frowned, squeezing her arm, the gesture both gentle and compassionate. ‘Talk to me.’
‘I don’t need to.’ She couldn’t handle his kindness right now. Not when she still had Zac upstairs, getting ready to leave her. She’d get through that, then she’d shed a tear. In private. ‘You know what I’m thinking. You’ve told me how stupid it would be for me to get involved with another guy, especially if that guy was about to get himself shot.’ Oh crap, she hadn’t meant to say that.
Mark sighed. ‘You crossed the line with him after all, didn’t you?’
‘No. Sort of.’ She huffed. ‘Oh, for God’s sake, I slept with him, that’s all. And only after the contract was terminated.’
Mark’s hand wrapped more firmly around the top of her arm, his expression more sad than angry. ‘I’m not calling into question your professionalism. I’m looking out for you, as a friend. I want to know if you’ve developed feelings for him, and he for you?’
‘You don’t have to worry on that score. Whatever has gone on is clearly in the past. He doesn’t even trust me to protect him anymore.’
‘It’s not a question of trust.’ Zac, jacket on, bag in hand, looked cool and disgustingly handsome as he stared at her from across the open-plan living area.
‘No? The moment the danger is terrifyingly real, you decide my house isn’t good enough for you. I’m not good enough for you?’
The muscle in his jaw seemed to be working overtime as he strode towards them, his eyes flicking down to where Mark continued to hold her arm. ‘That’s nonsense and you know it. I can’t possibly stay here now. It would put you and Debs right in the bloody crosshairs.’ He turned to Mark. ‘I’m ready to go.’
Mark nodded. ‘Okay. Wait here while I check outside.’
As Mark slipped out, the tension between her and Zac grew more and more taut.
Finally, Zac cleared his throat. ‘Would you say goodbye to Debs for me. Please.’
‘Is that goodbye, goodbye or just, you know, goodbye for now and maybe I’ll see you again sometime if I have a spare few minutes and nothing to do?’