Page 4 of Degrees of Control
“Yes, it’s over for her. She will never be at the mercy of Ty’s blackmailing or vicious attacks again,” Chase says.
“It’s hard for me to know what to say. On the one hand, I appreciate that you took care of it and on the other, well, you know…”
The sound of my father’s ringtone on Chase’s cell phone interrupts us and he picks up the call. “Chase here. No, we’ll meet you for an early lunch and then I’d like to discuss something with you privately afterward,” he says. I look up and he is still watching me. “Yes, she’s working with me right now,” he says.
“Your parents will meet us for lunch a little later,” Chase says.
“That will give me enough time to catch up a little bit,” I say, just capturing a glimpse of his upturned brows before lowering my eyes. After a couple hours, I am no longer able to concentrate, so I power down my laptop and decide to ask what has been weighing on my mind.
“What are you and my father meeting about? I know it has to do with Prince Alfreita, but why do you have to talk to him before you tell me what’s going on?” I ask.
He looks at me with a strange intensity and I watch as a mix of emotions play across his features. His jaw is taut and I can feel the tension radiating off of him from across the table.
“Katarina, it is impossible to keep you sheltered from things when you ask me a question like that. You may not want to hear the truth,” he says.
“I’m pretty sure I already know the worst. I just want our lives to go back to the way they were without fear that our family will be kidnapped or come under attack. I know whatever you and my father are doing is for the long term safety of our family, but that doesn’t mean I have to agree with the manner in which things have been handled to this point,” I say.
“You want everyone we love and care about safe, don’t condone what needs to happen to ensure it but still want to know what is being planned?” he asks, eyes raised in challenge and inquiry.
I sigh. “I don’t think that’s too much to ask. I’d like to know what to be prepared for. Right now, I feel like you and my father are making plans that I won’t agree with but that I’ll be expected to be involved in. Chase, for as long as we’ve known each other you’ve told me that I need to be open and honest with you. I’m trying to do just that. I want to be included in the strategy if I’m expected to be part of the plan,” I say.
He nods and I see a moment of uncertainty flash through his eyes. “Let’s eat lunch with your parents and after I meet with your father we can talk about the details,” he says, rubbing his thumb thoughtfully along his bottom lip. It is distracting, and I hope he is unable to tell the effect it is having on me.
He stands up and pulls my chair out for me taking my hand in his. “We are just newly engaged. It would seem appropriate to be holding hands as we walk in to meet your parents,” he says by way of explanation. They are sitting at the table, his arm draped casually around her shoulders and she is softly laughing. My mom is the first one up as we walk into the room and sweeps me into her arms. “Congratulations on your engagement. I’m so happy for both of you,” she says, looking from me to Chase.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say embarrassed by her exuberance. “It’s good to see you, Carlos,” I say, as Chase guides me to an open chair with a hand on the small of my back and then pushes it in for me as I am seated.
“Yes, congratulations to both of you,” Carlos says, pouring each of us a glass of wine from the bottles that are nestled in a basket on the table. “I couldn’t have been more pleased when Chase asked me for your hand. Our families have been friends for years, and I can’t think of a more suitable man to marry my daughter than Chase. Donn and I are ecstatic with the arrangement,” he says, placing his arm on my mom’s shoulder.
I look from my father to Chase trying to sort out my feelings about this. I understand why Chase talked to my dad before he asked me to marry him. The families have been friends for years, and it would probably have been rude not to do that, but I am a grown woman, and I’ve had a father for about five minutes of my adult life. He certainly doesn’t have any right to say yes or no to who I marry. While he probably didn’t mean it that way, having a father is new to me, and I am still unclear of his involvement in the Miami incident. I hope in time to feel less awkward in his company.
A hand on my thigh brings me back to the present. I look up at Chase, and he raises a brow in question as he continues to regale my parents with highlights of our trip. My mother is inquisitive, asking the one question I was hoping to avoid. “So, have you two set a date? We were a little surprised you were coming back so soon, until we learned you wanted to share the news with us before we read it in the papers. That was really sweet of you, Katie,” she says.
“We’re still talking about it, Mom,” I say, trying to avoid the penetrating green eyes that are regarding me warily. Nothing escapes my mother, and she is not to be put off. “So what’s there to talk about?” she asks.
I inwardly sigh and glare at Chase who has left this awkward explanation up to me and does not appear to be coming to my rescue. I don’t want to lie to my parents and decide to take the honest approach.
“Mom, our life is in constant turmoil right now. I just found out that I have a dad and an entire family that I’ve barely just met. I always envisioned needing you to walk me down the aisle having no male relatives in my life. It’s all changed in the matter of a few weeks, and I’d like a chance to get to know my father a little better before our big day. I don’t think there’s any rush,” I explain. I look up and feel guilty as I see the emotion in my father’s eyes and feel the magnetism of Chase’s intensity. I don’t have to glance at him to know the look I will see, it is emblazoned on my memory.
“Katarina, the family is having a gathering at our home Saturday night in honor of your recent engagement and Karissa’s return. I’d like very much for you and Chase to stay the weekend with us. There is plenty of room and Donn and Emily will also be in attendance,” he says.
I glance at my mother. “Mom, how do you feel about that? The last time we spoke you were frightened to death of anyone knowing of your existence,” I say.
“Your dad talked to the family about why I left. Suffice it to say, I am no longer worried and we’ve put that chapter behind us,” she says, glancing at my father. I am embarrassed by the intimate look that flashes between them and avert my eyes, only to have Chase capture my gaze with his own.
“Katarina, Jay, will have teams in place to ensure everyone’s safety if that makes you feel any better,” Chase says.
“While I can’t say I’m a huge fan of all the security, it does make me feel better after the last few weeks, especially with Alfreita still out there. I’d like to stay the weekend if that’s okay. The uncles and cousins I met last week were so busy trying to find out who kidnapped mom that we really didn’t have much chance to talk or get to know each other,” I say.
“Perfectly fine with me,” Chase says.
“Excellent,” Carlos says, squeezing my mom’s shoulders. I feel the magnetism of his eyes on me and look up. Chase is watching me intently and his mouth quirks in that way I have come to know. The tension between us is palpable and raw and it takes a concentrated effort to avert my gaze.
A light lunch of arugula, tomatoes and cucumbers is served with a fillet of grilled salmon that has been lightly marinated in olive oil and cracked pepper. When we finish our meal, Chase pours each of us a glass of wine. “Ladies, Carlos and I have business to discuss. We won’t be long,” he says, before leaving us to catch up.
“So, it appears that you and Carlos have gotten a lot closer during the short time Chase and I were away,” I tease, smiling at the blush rising on her cheeks.
She looks wistful. “We have a second chance to be together, but I need to know that you’re okay with this,” she says.
