Page 44 of Degrees of Power
“What, did you have someone research this?” I ask, raising my eyebrows at him.
“Yes, this is not like Brian. I’ve known him for years,” he says.
“Serious control freak,” I say under my breath.
“I heard that. Why don’t you call her mother? I need to return a few messages and make a few calls, but will join you later for dinner downstairs. Then we can find some delicious punishment for your insolence,” he says, leaving me to lust after his protruding frame before he closes the door behind him.
I dial her number with apprehension, but elated that I can at least let her know that her daughter is alive. The phone rings quite a few times and I anticipate voicemail coming on when she finally answers. “Hello Mira, this is Kate, Jenny’s friend,” I say.
“Kate.” One word is all she says and the fear and anxiety on the other end of the phone in just that one word is heart-wrenching.
“Mira, she’s alive. We found her. She is on her way back to Chicago,” I say and my eyes tear up once again when I hear the sobs of anguished relief coming through the phone.
“I don’t know how to thank you. What happened, was she hurt?” she says.
“Mira, no thanks are necessary. She’s physically okay, but what you should know is that your daughter may need a little help emotionally. She has been through a rather traumatic experience, but I want her to be the one to tell you about it when she is ready,” I say.
“Okay, I can have someone drive me to Chicago so that I can be with her,” she says.
“Mira, I think she will end up staying with me for at least a little while and I know you’re helping to take care of all of your grandchildren. Why don’t I see how she’s doing when she gets here and then let you know? She may need a little time to deal with this before she can talk about it, but hopefully that time is very soon. Once she’s in a little better place we can have my husband’s private plane pick you up and you are welcome to stay in our home as our guest,” I say.
“That’s so very kind of you, Kate. I didn’t realize Jenny had told you so much about our situation, but yes, I am the caretaker for the grandkids. Would you do me a favor and have her call me when you can? I’ve tried her cell multiple times since I got your call just wanting to hear her voice at the end of the line and every time, the same message, over and over, she doesn’t pick up,” she says.
“She’s in a rather tough place emotionally right now, but it’s clear to anyone how much her family loves her and together we’ll get her through this,” I say.
“Thank you, Kate. Now I know why she cares about you so much,” she says before I disconnect.
I spend the rest of the afternoon reviewing the Vegas and L.A. tower plans and send an updated summary related to the quality scores that have just come in from our work on the Prestian Corp medical center in Chicago. I glance at the time and go in search of Chase. I finally find him in the kitchen delving into a two-layer chocolate cake that looks absolutely sinful.
“You’ll spoil your dinner for certain,” Gaby clucks, shaking her head in mock disapproval as she pulls a pan out of the oven. The aroma of fresh Lake Michigan salmon smells like a mixture of honey and other seasonings.
“Here, have a taste,” Chase says, pulling me into his lap and placing a smattering of chocolate fudge icing on his fingers before he slowly slides it into my mouth. “Suck,” he whispers into my ear so only I can hear, but I blush as Gaby turns around, pretending to go about her business as if she had not just witnessed this private moment.
“I made a new relish, a honey glaze, avocado and citrus salsa,” she says, placing a generous serving of the relish on our salmon before dishing the asparagus and garlic roasted baby gold yukon potatoes onto our plates.
“I’ll put the dishes on the table,” I say freeing myself of Chase’s hold, still slightly embarrassed at being caught in such a compromising position. “It looks and smells amazing,” I say, bringing the dishes to the table.
“I hope you both enjoy it,” she says before leaving us to our meal.
“I haven’t quite yet decided what punishment suits calling one’s new husband a serious control freak,” Chase says smirking, his lips upturned.
“You know there was a time when I did think you were just a controlling asshole?” I say, looking around to make sure Gaby is still in the other room.
“When you first met me?” he asks.
“Oh, way before that, Honey. You were texting me telling me that I had worked enough and that if I didn’t stop working you would renegotiate my contract. Yep, serious control freak,” I say.
“Do you still feel that way, Katarina?” he says.
“That you’re a control freak? Honey, you are the biggest control freak I have ever encountered,” I say, conflicted at the look on his face.
“Katarina, your answers are confusing. Does it still bother you?” he asks.
“Chase, at some point my views have changed. I no longer think of it as a bad thing. When I first met you it seriously pissed me off, but I absolutely love the way you take control in the bedroom, introducing me to knew things, the way you take care of me and our family and our friends, so many things,” I say.
“Baby, I’m always going to want to control certain things, but I don’t ever want to squash your individuality, your ambition, or the drive that makes you who you are.”
“Damn,” he says under his breath, taking my hand just as Jay walks into the kitchen with a swarm of men behind him. “Safe room, downstairs everyone! The team already has Gaby. Alfreita’s men are everywhere!” Jay says.
