“Sure. Might cost you a pair of Yankees tickets.”
“My die-hard Mets fan heart might not make it through a Yankees game, but I’ll suck it up and go with you. This situation is too important.”
A moment of silence stretched. “You okay, man? If you need help, you know you can ask me.”
“I appreciate it. Beers on me when I come back. Thanks for having my back.”
“Anytime. Take care, Leo.”
Next, I called Sarah and told her I was taking the rest of the week off. She seemed a bit shocked since I rarely called out, but put my time off in the calendar and said she would inform Daniel.
Locating Dad’s number, I dialed and waited for him to answer.
“Hey,” he said, worry evident in his voice.
“Hey, Dad. Everything’s fine, and I’m going to be bringing Katia home for a few days. There will be times when I’ll need to leave the house and investigate the people who kidnapped her. Can you come over while I’m out for the next week or so?”
“Of course. I know your house is secure, but I understand wanting peace of mind. Should I be armed while I’m there?”
Sighing, I nodded. “Yeah. I hate getting you involved in this, but we need to be smart.”
“All right, then. Just call me when you need me. Retirement is pretty boring, so I’m happy to be back on the beat.”
I breathed a laugh. “Okay, I appreciate it. Talk to you soon.”
I returned to the living room, noticing Alexis typing away on her laptop as she sat in the plush chair beside the couch. Katia slept peacefully, and my eyes roved over her battered face. Rage welled deep within, and I vowed to bring Marco and Oskar to justice for hurting her.
“Wow, you look like you want to kill someone with your bare hands,” Alexis murmured. She glanced over at Katia. “She’s a tough cookie like most women are. She’ll be okay, Leo.”
I nodded and slowly unclenched the tight fists I’d formed.
“You really care for her,” Alexis said, smiling. “I’m so glad. Just an FYI that you’re going to be her plus one to my wedding. I’m going to send one invitation to you both. Every little bit of time saved helps my sanity.”
Grinning, I rested a hand on my hip. “I’m honored to be invited at all. Not so long ago, I was pretty sure your mother hated my guts.”
“Eh, she’s over it.” Alexis waved her hand. “You’re a good egg, Leo. We both like you. We like Katiamore, but we like you too.” Her dark green eyes sparkled as she teased me.
“I’ll take it,” I said affably.
After Bianca, Michael and Chris returned with Katia’s clothes and toiletries, I gently shook her awake. Leading her outside, I helped her into the car and drove to my house.
She was quiet during the twenty-five-minute drive, but reached over to take my hand. “Thank you, Leo,” she whispered, her fingers entwined with mine.
“You don’t have to thank me,” I said, tightening my hold on her hand. “And you don’t have to do this alone, Katia.”
Tears welled in her eyes as her head rested against the seat. “I think I’m finally starting to believe that,” she said softly.
When we arrived home, I hit the remote that unlocked my driveway gate. I’d installed it along with several other security measures due to the dangerous nature of my job. Once we were parked with the gate firmly locked behind us, I helped her out of the car and slung the bag Bianca had packed over my shoulder.
I led her inside and showed her the downstairs, which consisted of the living room, kitchen and a small den. A meow sounded and Sonya darted toward her as we stood in the kitchen.
“Oh, my sweetheart,” Katia said, picking her up and nuzzling her nose. “Did Leo take good care of you?”
Looking at me, she grinned. “How are you surviving? You’re not sneezing.”
“Lots of allergy pills,” I said, arching a sardonic brow. “And I made an appointment for next week to get some allergy shots. Those should preclude me needing to take pills.”
Her smile deepened beneath her swollen skin as she nuzzled Sonya’s fur. “That’s quite a long-term solution for a cat who’s not yours.”
