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“Then run like ye are the wind, dear boy. Speak soon.”
“Yeah, speak to you later.”
I end the call. While I pack my briefcase, I call Sam and ask him to meet me at the airport. I change into jeans and an All Blacks shirt and throw the rest of my clothes into my bag, and my suits into the suit carrier. Then, having one final check around, I take my bags down to the foyer and check out.
In the Uber on the way to the airport, I call Catie. It goes to voicemail. Cursing, I call Kip.
“Yo,” he says, obviously having seen my name on the screen.
“Kip, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Sure.”
“Kennedy’s just called me. She’s been with Catie and just dropped her off at her apartment. Apparently there’s a dude in a silver Toyota that Catie says has been following her. And there’s also a guy in her block who’s giving her trouble. I’m on my way home, and I’ll be there around eight, but I wondered if—”
“I’ll head over there now,” he says.
I blow out a breath. “Thanks.”
“No worries. Will she let me in?”
“I don’t know. She’s not answering her phone. She might be asleep. Kennedy said she’s in her apartment, so I don’t think she’s in trouble, but even if you just wait outside or something…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll try and get hold of her. And I’ll sort out the fuckers who are bothering her.”
I smile. “I’ll see you in about ninety minutes.”
“Safe travel.” He hangs up.
I feel a sweep of relief. There’s nobody I trust more than Kip. If I can’t be there right now, he’s the next best thing. Now all I can do is wait.
I look out of the window at the buildings flashing past. I’ve tried to give Catie space, and let her come to terms with what’s happening at her own pace. But something tells me it’s not working. I understand that she wants to be independent, and I have no doubt that many women take having twins in their stride without batting an eyelid. But frankly I don’t care about other women. Catie is vulnerable and Dad’s right—she’s been abused. It’s not a weakness to ask for help. It takes courage to admit you need it.
I’ve grown up with the safety net of family and friends, but Catie’s had to cope on her own almost her whole life. And if she won’t ask for help, maybe it’s time I did the white knight thing and rescued her.
Everyone needs saving sometimes.
Chapter Eighteen
Catie
I try to doze, but it’s impossible with the pounding music from next door, and the yelling which has started upstairs again. Also, the young couple that lives opposite with a toddler arrive home, and soon the little girl’s yells join in with the general hullabaloo.
Rolling onto my back, I rest my hands on my bump and look up at the ceiling. I wonder what Saxon’s up to. Out in a bar somewhere? Maybe he even has someone in his hotel room right now. My eyes sting, and this time I don’t try to stop the tears. I roll onto my other side, facing the wall, and let them soak my pillow.
In the end I doze a little, and I’m just coming around when there’s a knock at my door.
I sit up, my heart racing and my mouth going dry. I don’t say anything, hoping whoever it is will go away. Then, a male voice says, “Catie? Are you there?”
Inhaling sharply, I go over to the door and look through the peephole. He’s looking away, down the corridor, but the sight of him still makes my heart leap. I wrench the door open, my face lighting up… and then I stop as he turns to face me, and I see he’s wearing glasses.
“Oh. I thought it was Saxon,” I murmur.
Kip smiles. “Sorry to disappoint.”
I lean against the wall tiredly. “What are you doing here?”
“Saxon’s flying home,” he says. “He’ll be here around eight. He asked me to make sure you were okay.”
