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Richardson assumed she’d agreed to help him. She couldn’t process what he was telling her. She didn’t believe it.
“Get your hands off her,” a voice said from the door.
Kat looked up quickly. Lann’s tall figure filled the frame. His eyes were pale, narrowed on Richardson with deadly calm. His stance was relaxed, but Kat knew him well enough to know under that tranquility lurked a fighter who wouldn’t hesitate to attack.
Richardson dropped his hand from her shoulder and shifted to the other end of the sofa. “She’s not feeling well.”
The bastard lied effortlessly.
Lann crossed the floor, his gaze trained on her. “Is that true?”
She swallowed. The last thing she needed was a fight in her parents’ house. On the last day she’d ever see them in her life. She jumped up. “I need some air.”
Hurrying to the French doors that opened onto the veranda, she pushed them open and escaped into the cold. Fog had settled over the lawn, covering the backyard in a humid cloud of opaque white.
Lann exited behind her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he pulled her back against his chest.
He whispered in her ear, “Did he touch you? If he did, I’ll kill him.”
It couldn’t be true. What Richardson had said was a cruel, sick joke.
He turned her to face him. “Katherine?”
His eyes shone with a dangerous glint. The situation was going to get out of hand.
“It’s hard for me,” she said, burrowing her face in the fabric of his shirt. “I just want to enjoy the last hours with them.”
He stilled. His heart sped up under her palm on his chest.
“Of course,” he said. “You’re right.”
Lifting her chin with a finger, he planted a kiss on her lips. It was a chaste kiss, but she parted her lips, silently asking for more. He didn’t hesitate. He took advantage of the invitation, tangling their tongues together and giving her what she needed. She leaned against him, letting his heat warm her and his strength make her feel safe. He slipped a hand to the small of her back and groaned as he pressed her harder against him. As if suddenly remembering his place, he brought the kiss to a slow halt before pulling away.
“Kat?” Felicity called from inside. “Lunch is ready.”
Lann took her hand and led her back inside. Richardson’s gaze slipped to their intertwined fingers when they entered the dining room.
“You know, John, I’ve just had a call from an aunt I haven’t seen in years.” Richardson turned to Felicity. “Will you mind terribly if I skip lunch?”
“Of course not,” she said, stammering over the words. “I understand.”
Richardson thanked her for the tea, offered his apology, and saw himself out.
Kat made a visible effort to relax during lunch. Her mom had cooked her favorite meal, beef roast with potatoes, green beans with bacon, and corn on the cob. Comfort food. Lann helped by managing the conversation for them all, involving and drawing out John and Felicity until they even managed a few jokes over coffee.
Too soon, it was time to leave.
Kat placed a hand on Lann’s arm. “May I please have a moment alone?”
He thanked her parents for lunch and said his goodbyes before kissing her hand. “I’ll wait outside.”
When he was gone, Kat hugged her mom and then her dad. “Nothing of what agent Richardson said is true. You have to believe me.”
John didn’t look convinced. “Who is this man?”
“He’s a good man, Dad.” Kat gave him a pleading look. “Just trust me when I tell you I’m happy.”
“Are you safe?” Felicity asked, folding an arm around her stomach.
“Agent Richardson had no right to come in here and make you worry like this,” Kat said, suddenly angry. “I don’t know where he got his facts, but they’re wrong. Come on, Mom, you’ve spent the afternoon with Lann. You’re not a bad judge of character.”
Felicity seemed to consider her words. “But why make up such a terrific story?”
“Lann is a powerful man. He’s wealthy. There are many people who’d like to see him go under.”
Felicity relaxed a bit, but then her eyes turned wide. “That makes it dangerous for you to be with him.”
“Lann can keep us both safe, Mom. Please, just say you’re happy for me, and no more talking to agent Richardson.”
She looked expectantly at her dad.
After a beat, he said, “I trust you, Kat. I’ve raised you well. If Lann is good enough for you, he’s good enough for us.”
She hugged him. “Thank you.”
He kept her at arm’s length. “Just promise me you’ll call us if you’re in trouble.”
“I will. I promise. I love you. So much.” She loved them for giving her a happy childhood and for making her feel cherished, but she couldn’t say all of that, lest they worry. She tried to sound cheerful. “I’ve got to go or we’ll miss our plane.”
