“Wynn,” Kate says softly as tears form in her eyes.
“And you want to play this live on the news?” Maverick asks, and I turn my attention back to him.
“Not yet,” I say and nod to his wife. “First, Juliet is going to get Officer Niks to hold a press conference where Kate will read a statement. I’m going to be there with her to provide photographic evidence of his abuse and show his history of it as the doctor for his late wife. I’m also going to say that I’ve had Kate under a doctor’s care since she feared for her life and ran away from Boris Walton’s home.”
“And he’s supposed to be fine with that?” Maverick looks skeptical as he stares around the table like we’ve all lost our minds.
“No, not at all,” I tell him. “But that’s where you come in. We know that he’ll have no choice but to retaliate, and I want him to know exactly where to find me when it happens.”
“And where is that?” Maverick waits for a beat, and I grin at him.
“Right here.”
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
KATE
“Kate will not be taking questions at this time,” Officer Niks tells the reporters when I’m done addressing them.
Relief fills me that I did it and that part is over. It’s the first step in making sure my father can never hurt another person. Juliet and Wynn helped me draft up what to say. We wanted it to be short and concise and to not show all of our cards. They said it needed to be enough to lure my father out and provoke his anger. Thankfully it doesn't take much to anger him, not when it comes to me.
The statement also needed to strip him of the people that would normally help him out of situations. They needed to know that if they are seen helping him it would be bad for their business. Wynn said the men that prop him up only understand their bottom dollar.
Reporters keep asking questions, but now they’re directed at Officer Niks. While she talks, Juliet takes my hand and leads me out of the space they set up for this in the gym. The guys had to move things around, but it all came together. I'm glad we did it here because I didn't want this at Wynn's home or at the shelter. It felt safer here, and this way, my father can’t taint the other places.
This location also made sense because Juliet's husband owns it. She stood beside me as I spoke, which was a huge comfort. I made sure to mention how kind Juliet and her charity Farrow Haven have been to me. And that since Farrow Haven is a protected place, we did the interview at the gym to avoid reporters showing up and possibly putting other women in danger.
As soon as I turn the corner, Wynn is there and pulling me to him. He cups my face as his eyes search mine, and I feel instant relief.
"You did so good, baby girl," he says, and I smile up at him. I can see how much he loves me even if we haven’t said the words yet.
"Thanks to you," I say, but Wynn is already shaking his head.
"That was all you. I only showed you what you're capable of." Wynn presses his mouth to mine, and I relax further into his warm, hard body. Every inch of him brings me so much peace.
We might never agree on who started this, but I know in my heart that it’s because of him I felt safe enough to step forward and speak. I couldn't stay hidden forever, and I wanted a life of my own. One that would very much include Wynn.
On top of everything, it’s been lingering in the back of my mind that I could possibly be pregnant. Neither Wynn nor I have brought it up, but he's a doctor, and he knows I'm not on birth control.
"You two are so sweet together." Juliet has a giant smile on her face as she watches us.
"It's my girl that's the sweet one,” Wynn tells her, and I laugh.
“Yeah, right.” I pretend to roll my eyes at him, and his arms stiffen.
"Watch it," he warns, and it makes my body heat.
All he has to do is say a few words, and every part of me lights up. I didn't know love could be this way. I’ve never felt cherished, and that's exactly what Wynn makes me feel. Despite his bossy and in-charge nature, it all stems from his desire to care for me.
“What now?” I ask.
The sooner this is done with, the sooner we can go home. But is Wynn’s home now my home too? What will happen after we deal with my father? Will I go back to staying at Farrow Haven and start dating Wynn like normal people do?
“We wait,” Wynn says, sounding more patient than I am, although he’s good at keeping calm. He grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. “There’s no place safer than here.”
I nod, knowing he’s right. Especially because we're ready for my father. I think. It's hard to not fear him. He always comes out ahead one way or another, but even cats only have nine lives.
