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“Okay, I’m calling him first thing.”
“Good. You know that we’re doing everything we can to get him back on our radar. If something comes up, I’ll let you know. For now, I think we should have someone with you 24-7. When you’re at work, you’re with me or the guys, and when you’re going somewhere else, Ronan or Duncan will be with you. I must say that I would be happier if your sisters stayed here in Austin. I want to protect her myself.”
Her? “You mean them?”
Donovan shook his head. “Yeah, sorry, both of them.”
Kayla had noticed the way Donovan had reacted to Kate. Kate always hated meeting new people; it messed with her head, as she often said she thought of herself as the quiet, perhaps even the boring sister. With Errin and Kayla as her sisters, people could easily mistake Kate for someone less bubbly or challenging. What Kate failed to see was that her virtues weren’t any less valuable than her sisters’.
Kate was the sweetest, most loyal and trustworthy person you could ever meet. She cared with all of her heart, and she would do anything for the ones she loved. And when she was comfortable, she was so full of life and humor that she could give Kayla and Errin a run for their money.
At high school, other girls made snide remarks, saying Kate was stuck up, that she chose to not interact with them and thought she was better than them. It was a load of crap, but it made it even harder for Kate to open up.
Donovan was so out there, so self-assured, and Kayla liked that he wanted to take her sister under his wing when they’d met. Kate had smiled at Donovan as they softly spoke to each other at Lucky. Neither of them even noticed when Pops and Maureen had gone to sit next to Bree at the bar.
Kayla had left the table by that time as well, and when it was time to go home, Donovan offered to take Kate home. She’d jumped from her chair and said she wanted to leave with Kayla. Kate said goodbye to Donovan and walked away from him at record speed. She’d also seemed to hit it off with Bree, who even invited Kate to her workplace so she could have a look at St. Helena’s Kindergarten, as there would be an opening in two months’ time.
“Did you know Kate applied for a job at St. Helena’s?”
Donovan scowled. “Yes. I know.”
Kayla was fed up. “Donovan, what’s up with the look?”
Donovan turned his chair so he faced the window. His voice was even when he said, “Kayla, I told Duncan already, I don’t want to talk about it.”
Hmm, what in the world? “I don’t know what you’ve discussed with Dunc, Donovan. I’m only wondering what’s been bothering you. Ever since....” And then it clicked. “Donovan, I respect that you don’t want to talk to me about Kate.” He opened his mouth to say something, but she kept on talking. “No need to deny it. I know Kate, and I’d like to think that I know you as well. Please, just look after my sis.”
Donovan nodded briefly, and Kayla walked out of his office. Now that Tom had fallen off their radar, fear was creeping back in. A shudder raced down her spine, and she had to remind herself that there was nothing she could do about that. After taking a deep breath, she dialed Duncan’s number.
“Hey, beautiful. What’s up?”
“Have you heard from Donovan about Tom?”
“No. What’s going on?”
“He’s gone, and they don’t know where he is.”
Kayla heard something breaking in the background before he cursed out loud. He growled, “What the fuck? How did this happen? I’m going to knock my brother out for this. How could they lose him?”
She sighed and said, “I don’t know, Dunc.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not helping here. I’m coming over and taking you home.”
“No, no need, Dunc. I’m safe at the office, and he might not even be here in Austin. For all we know, he’s lying in a ditch somewhere.”
“If only we’d be so lucky.”
“It’s all going to be okay.”
“Isn’t that supposed to be my line? Shit, Kayla, I’m sorry. I—”
“Stop it. I’m going to hang up so I can start my workday. You do your stuff at the dojo, and I’ll see you at my apartment. Donovan arranged for Ronan to escort me from work to my apartment, so I’m covered.”
“Hmm. I don’t know....”
“Come on, Dunc. You can’t stay with me during the day. You’ve got your dojo, and I’ve got my own work to do.”
“Hmm, if there is anything, anything at all, you call me. Okay, wildflower?”
