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“Oh, come on, Jared, it hasn’t been that long.” Kate’s mouth widens into a delicious smile that stops my brain from focusing. “Is Doc in? I was in the area and figured we’d come by.”
“He is. He’ll be excited to see you. That’s all he talks about, you know. How you are going to vet school and will eventually come back to work here. I think he has you slated to take over when he retires.” The man chuckles, but Kate winces.
I stand there, taking in all the conversation that is making Kate uncomfortable.
“Anyway,” the idiot continues, “he is in exam room four; feel free to go back.”
There is a micro hallway that leads to four examination rooms and Kate knocks on room four, then turns to go in.
“Holy moly, Kate! It’s good to see you!” An older man with a bald head and silver beard stops his inspection of a dog’s teeth to hug Kate.
“You too Dr. Smith. Sorry to stop by like this. Who is this little guy?”
Little is not a word I’d use to describe the large black lab. His tongue is hanging out, and drool is pouring out of his mouth. He is a slobbery mess, his butt shaking as he wags his tail at Kate.
You and me both, bud.
I remember wanting a dog when I was younger, but my father was not keen on the idea, citing that it reflected weakness. To love an animal and subject yourself to taking care of that animal demonstrated weakness to my father. As I take in this large, almost lovable creature, I can’t help but wonder how the loyalty of an animal might have shaped me.
“You’re welcome any time. You know that. And this … is Nick!” Dr. Smith rubs behind the black lab’s ears, and the dog’s tongue lulls out to the side of his mouth. Kate’s eyes flick to mine, sparkling with laughter. Her mouth widens into a massive grin, causing a chuckle to escape me. She steps up to Nick and holds his face between both of her hands. Her high-pitched voice has the dog licking the air and speeding up his tail.
“Well, aren’t you just the cutest boy. Such a good boy,” she coos.
Dr. Smith peers at Kate, adoration easily detectable in his gaze.
“The owners adopted him for Christmas, and the children were able to rename him. They chose Saint Nick, but he goes by Nick. Unfortunately, they had to drop him off to be monitored overnight due to some adverse reactions to his medications.”
“Awe, that’s too bad.”
The pity lining her forehead has me desperate to kiss those lines away and see her smile again.
What the hell?
“And who is this with you?” The doctor gestures to me and I must forget how to interact with people outside of the Bratva, because Kate answers for me instead.
“This,” she nudges me, “is Luka, my boss.”
I extend my hand, but I’m trying to process the word boss coming out of her mouth. Boss? Is that how she sees me now? I wanted Kate to work with me so she would stay with me. I didn’t want her to have a reason to go back to the catering job. It’s a bonus that she gets to spend time learning my business and meeting my men.
“Ah, it’s nice to meet you. You know, I was quite sad when our Kate here had to stop volunteering to go to school, but we are excited to have her back when she’s finished.”
Dr. Smith moves some of his paperwork from the exam table, and I glance at Kate; her face is pale, and she is gnawing at her lip again. I nod at the vet’s comment, but I know Kate is not enrolled in a university for veterinary medicine. Watching Kate furiously chew on her lip and shift on her feet proves that Dr. Smith does not.
Dr. Smith and Kate end up talking for another hour, discussing some past patients and upcoming projects in the office. I utter five words total during the whole visit, content to listen to Kate talk about something that is undoubtedly a passion of hers.
Why doesn’t she go to school? I can guess the answer to that one. However, other questions about what motivates her or how she came to the city—even her favorite color or how she likes to be kissed—all these questions flood my mind.
She is quiet when we leave the clinic. Her head is down, and she watches each step that she takes. I reach into my pocket to grab my phone. Ten messages and three missed calls usher me out of the past hour. Something normal, for instance stopping to talk to someone, is not normal for me. I don’t have a life outside of the Bratva. I never have.
I made it my mission to bring Kate into my world because I can’t leave. But what have I accomplished aside from ripping Kate from hers?
I pause on the sidewalk ahead of the SUV to respond to Nik and Ivan’s messages. Pressing play on a voicemail from Natallia, I listen but don’t comprehend her words. My gaze is on Kate, her back turned to me as she leans against the passenger side door. The words ‘invitation,’ ‘Senator Hope,’ and ‘party,’ shuffle in one ear and out the other as I watch Kate’s hands come up to her face, then fall back away. I click off my phone and head to the passenger door to open it. As Kate turns to slide in, I catch her face. Her eyes are wet, and her rounded chin is quivering.
She is crying, and I hate it.
Chapter34
Kate
