Page 16 of Undefeated Love
Knowing she couldn’t drive around much longer without Guardian Security vehicles finding her, she quickly created a plan of escape.
She’d ditched the car at airport long-term parking and seriously considered flying back to Washington right then. But she was too exhausted and needed sleep. If she walked into the terminal and bought a commercial ticket, what would she do with Damnit? Instead, she jumped into a taxicab. The driver about threw her out when Damnit jumped in beside her. Katlin didn’t give a shit but dug out his red vest and clipped it on him. He wasn’t a service dog, but neither were most of the animals who wore them. At least she hadn’t gotten hers from the internet. Tanner had given it to her for her oversized pet and he was a certified service dog trainer.
She had the cab drop her off at a large uptown hotel where she’d arranged to meet an Uber at a different entrance. Once she found military base housing, she had a different service take her there.
Katlin set her heavy duffel bags on the floor and unclipped Damnit from his leash. She glanced around the small efficiency suite she’d been able to snag at the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters on a Los Angeles military base.
She didn’t believe that Alex could get to her on a base. She doubted he was looking for her at all. He’d be too busy with JJ and her premiere. Probably all night. The thought of Alex beside the gorgeous star made her stomach churn and grumble.
They hadn’t gotten to eat the beautiful charcuterie platter she’d created. Good thing she still had some cheese crackers and Power Bars in her gear. She dug out food for both her and Damnit then lay down on the bed. She turned on the television, hoping it would take her mind off Alex for at least a few minutes. While channel surfing, she came across a video of Alex on one knee in front of JJ. “Of course I’ll marry you, Alex.” It flipped to a shot of Alex and JJ kissing. The voiceover was promoting the two of them on the show the next morning.
Katlin ran to the bathroom and threw up.
She had no idea how long she sat on the cool tile floor, throwing up and crying. She’d guessed right. That had been her final fuck goodbye. No doubt all those voicemails and text messages were Alex trying to let her down easy, but breaking up with her nonetheless.
She’d done the right thing by walking out on him first.
Why the hell then did it hurt so bad?
Damnit had joined her, laying his big head on her lap, often licking away the tears.
She’d been so wrong. Again. She would never believe a man’s words when it came to matters of the heart. It was Ty all over again, a hundred times worse. She thought she knew Alex. Could trust him. Then seeing it with her own eyes, along with millions of others, that he’d never really loved her.
Katlin needed to pull herself together and decide on her future. Most of it was predetermined. She still had a military contract that she had to complete. She was still temporarily assigned to Section 7 at Homeland. Since she was no longer with Alex, she had no reason to be in Los Angeles. She was stationed in Washington and needed to get there as fast as she could.
Katlin stood up, brushed her teeth, and rinsed her mouth out before repacking the few things she’d taken out of her bags. It only took a few minutes to find a redeye flight on the executive flight service they used.
“Come on, Damnit. Let’s go.” She rubbed her dog’s head and scratched behind his ears. It made her feel slightly better. “Everyone on the flight is going to appreciate you much more on the way back home.”
She was all cried out by the time she and Damnit boarded the plane in the small hours of the morning. She hadn’t been able to sleep on the flight, but she was able to tap into Homeland Security’s assignment program. She shot off a quick note to General Standish:
I’m sure by now you are aware that Alex is engaged to someone else. I saw on the assignment board a request for arm candy for the delegation headed to China. Please assign me that solo duty. The other members of my team have been promised two weeks at home and I want them to enjoy that time with their loved ones.
She’d also had time while flying from coast to coast to think about her relationship with Alex. She had been a terrible fiancée. It was her own fault that he’d found another woman. Her job called her away far too often, and at the last minute. She could never tell him where she was going or how long she’d be gone.
Over the last few years they’d been together, they had rarely seen each other. What kind of engagement was that? One in which she’d come home, hop into bed, have a lot of sex for a few days, then get called back out on another mission. The few short months while she was grounded because of her TBI, they had been closer to a normal engaged couple than ever before. As long as she was in the Navy, doing what the Ladies of Black Swan did, she and Alex could never have a normal relationship.
It was better this way. Alex was better off without her. He had obviously come to the same decision. He was already over her, if he’d even ever loved her. She would have to do the same. She wasn’t destined to have a steady man in her life. They wanted, and needed, more than she could offer them. Since multiple short-term encounters went against her very fiber of being, Katlin needed to accept the fact that she would always be without a man in her life.
She could do that. She’d gone years after Ty died and before she’d reunited with Alex. She could do it again.
Years ago, she’d planned on making a career out of the Navy. That’s exactly what she would do now. She would throw herself into her work.
By the time she landed at dawn in D.C., she’d been granted her requested assignment.
After dropping Damnit off with Tanner, Katlin went straight to Langley to catch the plane heading halfway around the world. As soon as she was in the air, she sent a group text to her team.
I’m sure by now you’re aware that Alex is engaged to someone else. I’ve taken a single assignment as arm candy for the delegation headed to China. Enjoy your time at home with your loved ones. See you when I get back.
CHAPTER8
Early Morning Hours,Los Angeles
“Can we now, please, go home?” Alex begged as the entire JJ entourage settled once again in the back of the limousine.
He pulled out his phone, which had been off during the party, not that he would’ve heard it ringing over the deafening music and conversations that continually surrounded him. It seemed as though everybody wanted to congratulate the two of them.
Praying that Katlin had answered his texts or returned his phone calls, he was once again disappointed. All he wanted to do was track down Kat and make her listen to what really happened tonight on the red carpet...and beg forgiveness for being an ass earlier that evening.
