Page 27 of Degrees of Control
“Maybe I should go back to bed and pretend I’m still asleep,” I tease.
“Later, now buckle up your seat belt and behave yourself, we’ll be landing soon,” he says as his mouth quirks up in amusement.
CHAPTER TEN
When we land, Jay iswaiting for us in a long black stretch limo. He fills Chase in on the security progress as he heads out of the city and towards my dad’s estate north of the city. Carlos and my mom greet us as we pull into the semi-circular drive in front of his home. He shakes hands with Chase and I hug my mom and then him shyly. It is still all so new to me having this person in my life.
“A lot of the relatives have already arrived, Katarina, but some are still traveling in,” he says, guiding us into the great room. I recognize many who helped Chase and Carlos rescue my mother. They are friendly and warm, inviting me into their conversations, sharing family stories with me and my mother throughout the afternoon. Chase, my father, and many of my uncles have been behind closed doors all afternoon. I am anxious and wonder what they are up to, becoming progressively irritated by late afternoon. The men rejoin us for cocktails before dinner and afterwards many of the family members depart to guest quarters that adorn the property.
“So are you going to tell me what you and my father were doing all day?” I ask as we reach our bedroom suite.
“Not this time, Baby. Give it a little time to play out,” he says.
“What, I am not to be trusted with the information?” I ask, sullenly undressing and climbing into the old fashioned four poster bed.
“Nice view,” he says.
“Do not try to distract me, Chase. I have a right to know. My mother and I are part of this and it could be dangerous. You just give me small bits of information, and you keep major parts of the story out of what you tell me. It sure doesn’t feel like you trust me right now,” I say petulantly.
He watches me warily while undressing. His tie comes off, and he unbuttons his white dress shirt, tossing it carelessly over the chair revealing his long, lean torso as he does. The muscles in his abdomen ripple as he unzips his dress pants and lets them fall to the floor. The dark patch of hair trailing from his navel to the top of his briefs is mesmerizing, and I find it impossible to avert my eyes as he slides them off and steps out of them. He is fully erect, masculine and I will myself to look up and into his eyes.
“Baby, I trust you completely,” he says, sliding into bed. “You really want to know what’s happening?” he asks, leaning on one elbow so that he can look down at me.
“I really do. I was waiting all afternoon for you guys to come out of that stinking study.”
“Jay and his teams got a confirmed lock on Alfreita’s position. He is in the city of Najran and his yacht has been spotted in the Arabian Sea just off the coast of Oman.” I am intrigued and sit up, positioning myself on two pillows.
“I don’t even know where that is,” I admit.
“It’s on the southern border of Saudi Arabia. Our guess is Alfreita is attempting to make his way south through southern Saudi Arabia and into Yemen. We believe he will try to board his yacht at that point. Once he does that, your dad’s men will have him,” he says.
“Are you or my dad in any danger?” I ask.
“No, we have teams positioned in Yemen, Oman and boats in the Arabian Sea with several teams standing by,” he says.
“Do I even want to know what’s going to happen and what they are going to do?” I ask.
“No, Baby you do not. In fact, story time is over. Now I want to tell you another kind of story,” he says, before turning the light out and capturing my lips with his own.
When I awaken, Chase is already up and gone. I look out the window; the sun is shining, and the trees surrounding the property create a majestic backdrop of yellow, orange, red and green as the leaves fluttering to the ground hint at winter around the corner. I am restless and decide to go for a run before breakfast. I send a message to Jay.
Message:Jay, can someone go for a jog with me?
Reply:Any chance we can get you to settle for the treadmill?
Message:It’s BEAUTIFUL outside.
I know it’s not his fault, and it’s for my protection but I want to go for a run. I don my running gear and head downstairs just as I read the incoming message.
Message:Baby, they are just trying to keep you protected.
My anger softens as I reach the bottom of the stairs and see Jay and Chase consulting. I think back to the time on the Aruban beach when I was assaulted by three hoodlums. If Jay had not been following me, I don’t know what would have happened.
“It’s a beautiful day and Katarina wants to go for a run outside. You think it’s safe to have her out there?” Chase asks my father who has just walked into the room.
“There are teams around the entire perimeter, as well as the interior paths and trails. No one is getting onto the property without being seen,” Carlos says.
Chase nods his consent to Jay and I try not to show my displeasure at everyone’s control tendencies. “I know everyone is trying to keep me safe, but seriously, it’s all a bit too much. I promise to stay on the main road,” I say, ignoring Chase’s amusement at my outburst and the look of surprise on Jay’s face.
