“I’m gonna take a leave from Ford and start my internship at Harvey and Payne.”
Katherine sighed. Her expression was grim. “I was planning to intern there too.”
“That’s great. What’s wrong?”
She shook her head and looked at him with sad eyes. “Too many ties to my dad. Too many ties to Larry Crane’s family.”
Joseph covered her hand with his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Tomorrow, after your final, we’ll put our heads together over a ton of alcohol and figure something out.”
Katherine giggled and finished her wine. Joseph grabbed the bottle, ready to pour her a refill before she could return her glass to the table. His goal was to get her to relax and forget her family issues, if only for a little while.
“Thanks,” she responded before taking a sip. “You just watch your back. Larry Crane is a vindictive bastard.”
Joseph smirked at the thought of sparring with Larry Crane. No amount of money would save the spoiled rich kid if he fucked with him.
“I’ll be fine, Katherine. Don’t you worry about me.”
Because he couldn’t help himself, Joseph reached over and used his thumb to push a loose strand of hair behind her ear. In the process, his thumb brushed her soft skin. Katherine’s eyes fluttered closed. A soft breath escaped her lips.
“Are you okay?” Joseph asked. “That fight you had with your folks was…”
He really didn’t have the words to describe the things he’d heard. Joseph wasn’t trying to stress her out. He just needed to know if she was okay.
For what seemed like hours, Katherine said nothing. In reality, it had only been about ten seconds.
“It started when I was five, maybe six. At least, that was my first recollection. Who knows, it could have started while I was in diapers.”
Katherine’s eyes turned red and filled with tears.
Joseph slid his chair closer and wrapped his arm around her. He could feel the tears pooling in his own eyes.
“No one will ever hurt you again.”
Joseph made the promise, and it was a promise he would die to keep.
Chapter Ten
KATHERINE
“How do you think you did?” Laverne asked, inquiring about their last final exam.
Katherine shrugged. “I got by.”
Laverne grabbed her arm and turned her until they were face to face. “Are you okay?” she asked with concern.
Katherine forced a smile. “Yes, of course. I’m fine.”
Laverne was a friend, but they never discussed things of significance. It just wasn’t the nature of their relationship.
“Why did you ask if you could stay at my house?”
Katherine sighed. “It’s nothing. My parents have been ragging on me lately. I needed a little space.”
“Okay, I get that. So, where have you been staying?”
Katherine responded with a smile she couldn’t suppress. “I’m crashing with Joseph Storm.”
Laverne’s mouth flew open. With wide eyes filled with questions, she asked, “Are you playing with me?”
