I’m drawn from my thoughts when Callie huffs. She’s unimpressed that Katarina’s brisk strides are moving her away from us. Aware this is an event that’s undertaken daily, Roger tails Katarina, but he keeps a reasonable distance so our watch won’t be alerted.
I hear Isabelle’s heart smash against her ribs when Katarina climbs the stairs of a well-known charity organization on this side of the country. Just before she enters the big wooden door, she’s greeted by a gentleman with a stout frame and round midsection. They talk for a mere ten-seconds before Katarina hands him the envelope Henry left for her.
When Katarina pivots on her heels and returns in the direction she just came, I instruct for Roger to park in the loading zone next to us before drifting my eyes to Isabelle. “Come on. The rest of the story is inside.”
I unbuckle Callie from her carseat, gather her in close to my chest, then slide out of our transportation for today. I had every intention to help Isabelle out as well, but she’s so eager to ease her curiosity, she’s snapping at my heels before I get the chance.
She squeezes my hand when we climb the five entrance stairs, pleased by the donor badge attached by the front door. Colt Enterprises is solely responsible for the thirty-three point seven million dollars distributed by this charity every year. It’s one of the numerous charities Cormack and I fund.
“Mr. Holt. Good morning.” Rudy jumps up from his chair to greet us as eagerly as he did Katarina minutes ago. “I’m afraid you just missed Ms. Rouse. She won’t be back until this evening.”
“That’s fine. I’m not here on official business.”
After introducing him to Isabella and Callie, I ask him to bring me this month’s ledgers. Since it’s only halfway through July, it will only be partially completed, but that won’t stop Isabelle from understanding the ruse Henry, Sr. and I have been running the past six years.
When Rudy hands me the requested ledger, I smile in thanks before nudging my head at the door. “Could you give us a minute?”
He nods so quickly, the meaty flesh under his skin wobbles. Once he’s mingling with the homeless community he ensures are fed, showered, and housed, I place Callie into his office chair, giving it a good spin for measure before opening the ledger on his desk.
“Every morning at precisely eleven, Henry visits Katarina.”
“Everymorning?” Suspicion highlights Isabelle’s tone, but she’s more chuffed than anything. I guess to an old romantic, it’s the epitome of romance.
“Every single morning without fail, he gives her this.” I hand the envelope she saw Henry place into Katarina’s mail slot. Her mouth falls open when she discovers a check for ten thousand dollars. Although the check was written to Katarina Rouse, it’s been signed over to Noble Wellness, my charity organization.
“She gives it all away?”
The wetness in Isabelle’s eyes doubles when I nod. “Every penny. She doesn’t keep a single cent.”
Isabelle’s mouth falls open, but it doesn’t stop her from saying, “That’s over three and a half million dollars a year!”
My smirk dries some of the moisture in her eyes. “I’m very adept at math, especially when it comes to money.”
She ribs me with her elbow. “Ha-ha, smarty pants. I’m just trying to work out how she can ignore his generosityandlive in New York City.”
Isabelle’s inquisitiveness is answered when I point to a gathering of photographs tacked around Rudy’s office. Most have Katarina in them, and more times than not, she’s front and center. “Although she doesn’t draw a salary, her housing, utilities, and insurance are paid for by Noble Wellness. What it lacks, I make up for.”
I see Isabelle’s brain working a million miles an hour in her beautiful chocolate eyes, but since it will be easier to show her what I mean instead of explaining, I regather Callie in my arms before making my way outside.
“Thanks for your time, Rudy.”
He raises his hand, acknowledging he heard me before he keeps working the line in the soup kitchen to ensure late-comers don’t miss out on breakfast. When the bell above the door chimes, Roger stops reading his paper to peer over at me. When I take a left, he returns to reading, wordlessly advising he understands he is to stay alert. Henry has eyes on every inch of this block, but I’ll forever be cautious. I couldn’t protect Isabelle and Callie before they came into my life, but I sure as hell can now.
The scent of freshly cut meats and cheeses filter into my nose when I guide Isabelle into a free-range market at the end of the block. Kwan greets me with a big shout of my name, startling Callie. She burrows her head into my chest, hiding Kwan’s blood-stained apron from sight. He’s a butcher who has no hesitation getting his hands a little dirty—in and out of his shop.
After adjusting Callie onto my left hip, hiding her from Kwan, I lock my eyes with the man responsible for Callie’s tiny tremors. “Has Katarina’s order gone out yet?”
Kwan shakes his head. “Not yet. Angelo was just about to take it.”
He gestures for Angelo to hurry, worried I’m angry my daily order of groceries is a few minutes late. Usually, I would be, but since this gives me a perfect excuse to show how far a man will go for the woman he loves, I’m not.
“I’ll take it today.”
Kwan stops hacking at a big beast hanging on a hook at the back of the deli. “Are you sure? We don’t mind. It’s part of the service.”
“Still, I’d like to do it myself.” I stray my eyes to Isabelle. “It’s about time a proper introduction is made.”
“Ah…” Kwan joins us on the other side of the deli. “This must be the infamous Isabelle I’ve heard so much about.”
