Page 28 of At Last

Duke would know.

I need to call him.

Calmly, so as not to worry my girl, I walk into the living room, over to the coffee table to fish my cell from my purse then immediately hit Duke’s contact. “Doc?” He answers without a hello. “Just need to get a few more things done before I can make—”

“Someone broke into my house.” I cut him off.

“What the fuck?” he barks.

“The… the latch on my patio door was unlocked, and Jade’s school picture is missing from the refrigerator.”

“Get Peaches. Get out to the truck. Now.”

“No one’s here, Chief.”

“Lock the doors.” He talks over me. Not listening. “I’m on my way. Calling Tommy. Doc?” He prompts, when I say nothing, then, “Caitlin.”

I jolt. “Yes. I’m here.”

“Know you’re there. Where you should be is in the truck. Now.” He reiterates.

“Okay,” I whisper. “Jade, sweetheart. Come here.”

Since it’s only been the two of us for so long, even though she’s young, she reads me and doesn’t argue, knowing I mean business.

Grabbing up my purse and the keys, I swing my girl into my arms and move outside into the, thankfully, bright sunshine to the cab of the truck. Where I lock the doors and wait. Houdini took a picture of my daughter. My daughter. I’ll die before I let him hurt her. My Hippocratic Oath be damned, he’ll die by my hands if he tries.

It takes everything in me not to vomit, swallowing back the bile rising in my throat about once a minute. After six swallows, Tommy’s cruiser rolls up to the curb in front of our home and only seconds after that, the rumble from pipes cuts the air. Although Duke shows up in his old pickup, not his bike. The pipe rumbles come from all the brother’s rallying.

I jump out of the truck, a trembling Jade still in my arms, and rush to him. The closer we get, the more I can’t control the fear or my rapidly beating heart. A stupid sob rips through me as we collide, and his strong arms wrap around us. And maybe that’s why the sob comes, because in Duke’s arms, my daughter and I are safe. Nothing can touch us, not with his strong hands holding us to him, stroking up and down my back. So big, he engulfs the two of us. A mountain of muscled power.

“Shh…” he coos, so soft. “I got you. I got you both.”

I hiccup then laugh at my own stupidity. And face-plant against his shoulder.

“Doc.” Although his tone remains soft, he’s put more power behind it to get my attention. I don’t respond verbally, but look up so he knows I’m listening. “Here’s what’s gonna happen. You and Peaches pack a few bags, ’cuz you’re coming to stay with me in my house.”

“We can’t stay here?” I ask, lamely. Clearly the fear making me not think straight.

“My house is on the compound. It’ll be safer for you. At least ’til we get that patio door replaced. The easiest doors to break into. Jesse’s driving my old truck back, so I can ride with my girls. Your escort starts today. If I ain’t with you, Jesse’s carting you around. He’s a good man. A good recruit. You can trust him.”

I open my mouth to agree, but Duke mistakes my intentions. “Please don’t argue. I need you and Peaches safe.”

Heneedsus safe?Needs,not wants.

“I wasn’t going to argue. Actually, I was about to say, ‘okay.’ I need us to be safe as well.”

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