Dark Escort (18 page)

Danielle turned her brown eyes on me, and they were colder than the ice burg the Titanic crashed into. She slowly rose to her feet, her shoulders squared and her claws out and ready for a fight. “You hurt Cato.” She stared into my eyes as she paused. “So you hurt me. I suggest you leave him alone and walk out now. Otherwise, I will stab you in the eye with a pen.”

I didn’t call her bluff. Wordlessly, I walked out and wondered what I would do next.

***

I worked from home for the next few days. I was too depressed to head to my office, and I feared Joey would make another appearance. Since I was so angry over Joey, I didn’t trust myself not to stab in the balls with the heel of my stiletto and make him permanently infertile.

I called Cato throughout the day, hoping he would answer. Of course, he never did. Desperate to communicate with him, I started to leave voicemails. “Please call me back…I’m sorry.” I hung up then waited for my phone to ring. It never did.

More hours passed and I tried to brainstorm a way of speaking to Cato. I needed to apologize and make him understand that he really meant something to me, that my behavior didn’t represent the way I felt.

Since I was desperate, I did something extremely unethical. I left another voicemail and lied out of my ass. “Cato, Joey is here and he won’t leave me alone. He picked my lock and now I’m hiding in the bathroom. He’s drunk and I’m scared…” I hung up and swallowed the lump in my throat.

I was a terrible person.

***

Cato practically broke the door off the hinges. It flew open so fast it slammed into the opposite wall and made a noticeable dent. His arms were stiff by his sides and he scanned the room for danger. The wicked gleam of violence was in his eyes, and he looked like he wanted to destroy someone.

His eyes eventually moved to my face. “Are you okay?” I was sitting at the kitchen table, so he kneeled down and examined me.

“I’m fine.”

“Where is he?” He stood up again, looking around like Joey might pop out of the shadows.

I knew Cato was going to be pissed after I told him the truth. I closed the front door and pressed my back to it so he couldn’t get out, unless he picked me up and moved me.

Cato turned to me and watched me with intelligent eyes. “Where is he?”

“He’s not here…”

“He already left?” he asked. “I’ll hunt him down. He better hope he’s on an airplane because that’s the only way I can’t reach him.”

I was about to be the recipient of those angry eyes and I didn’t want to be. “He was never here, Cato. I made that up so you would come over.” I cringed as his face contorted in a strong look of hate.

He took a few steps toward me, his powerful arms hanging by his sides. His strong body was formidable and I hoped I wouldn’t be his next punching bag. He looked mad enough to rip me apart. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“I wanted to apologize…in person.” I continued to block the door so he couldn’t get out.

“You lied to me.” It wasn’t a question or a statement.

“I know…I was desperate. I wanted you to know I was sorry. When I didn’t ask you to stay over that night, it wasn’t personal. I just wasn’t thinking. I’ve never had a guy stay over, and it’s just a habit. You aren’t meaningless to me and I’m sorry for making you think that.”

Cato was still just as angry as before. “You kicked me out, Kat.”

“No, I didn’t. And I assumed you wanted to leave. We both had work the next day.”

“What the fuck does that matter?” He stepped closer to me. “You would have slept with me then kicked me out before the following morning. Good thing I didn’t let that happen.”

“It’s not like that,” I argued. “Honestly. This is knew for me, and I asked you to be patient.”

“I am being patient,” he snarled. “But patience has nothing to do with this. You used me then cast me aside.”

“No, I didn’t,” I argued. “Not at all.”

He shook his head. “Just like last time…”

“Sorry?” I asked, unsure what he said.

“Nothing,” he muttered. “Now get out of my way.”

“No…not until we work this out.”

His eyes darkened. “Move out of the way or I’ll pick you up and move you.”

I flattened my back against the door. “Let me prove it to you. Spend the night tonight.”

“No,” he hissed. “It doesn’t mean anything when you’re only doing it because I’m pissed off.”

“That’s not the only reason why I’m doing it, Cato,” I said. “I really like you and I don’t want to lose you.”

“You already lost me, sweetheart.’ His voice was full of condescension.

“Don’t say that...” I felt my heart kick into overdrive. “This isn’t worth breaking up over. Why are you jumping the gun?”

“Because I’m tired of you doing this to me.”

“What?” I asked. “When have I done it before?”

He ignored my question. “You’ll never change. I’ll always be hung up on you, and you’ll always be indifferent to me. If all you want is a meaningless fuck and someone to waste time with, then just admit it. Don’t drag my heart through the mud.”

“That isn’t what I want!”

“That’s how you treat me.”

He wasn’t making any sense. What was I missing? “Cato, please explain this to me. I don’t understand.”

“You don’t understand how to treat a guy you’re seeing with respect?” he demanded. “You really are a piece of work…” He marched toward the door and tried to get around me.

I tried to push him back and keep him on this side of the door. “Don’t leave.”

“I didn’t want to leave—last week. But now I do.” He grabbed my wrist and tried to yank me.

I pulled back. “No. I’m not letting you leave.”

He ground his teeth as he stared me down. “Move. Or I’ll throw you.”

When he picked me up, I wouldn’t be able to block the door anymore. He was twice my size and height. I had no chance. Instead, I went for the next alternative. I jumped into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist.

Automatically, Cato caught me.

“Don’t go.” I looked down into his face with desperation in my eyes. “I’m sorry, okay?”

He wouldn’t look at me. But he didn’t throw me off either. “I know what this is about. If it’ll get rid of you, fine.”

What was he talking about?

Cato carried me to my bedroom then threw me on the bed. He started pulling my clothes off and his own.

This didn’t feel like a make up session. It felt different, cold and detached.

“You want me to fuck you?” He got his boxers off then leaned over me. Then he opened my nightstand and grabbed a condom like he already knew they were there. He rolled it on.

“What the hell are you doing?” I put my hand against his chest.

“Let’s just get this over with. You want me to stick it to you and never talk to you again. Well, you’re getting your wish. I’ll fuck you like you don’t mean anything and then you can just leave me the hell alone. You win, Kat. I’m not sure why I thought I ever could.” He leaned over me and separated my thighs with his. Then his tip pressed against my entrance.

“Stop!” I pushed his massive chest but nothing happened.

“Don’t act like you don’t want it.”

I didn’t like this at all. “Cato, stop. Now.”

He froze while on top of me then gave me a dark look. Then he got off of me. Without taking the condom off, he put his clothes back on. He didn’t look at me as he did it. “Joey seems like a guy who couldn’t care less if you actually care about him at all. He’s perfect for you.” He left my bedroom.

“Cato!” I had my chest covered.

He opened the front door then slammed it.

***

I went to the bar Cato frequented in the hope I might see him. I searched the booths, feeling out of place for walking around alone. After taking a quick scan, I didn’t see him.

“You look lost.” A guy leaned against the table I was standing next to.

With one look, I recognized him. “Jett?”

“Hey.” He raised his glass to me then took a drink. “On the prowl again, huh?”

So, Cato told him he we were done
. “I’m looking for Cato.”

“Why?” he asked.

“I need to talk to him. Please help me, Jett.”

That smug smile left his face and he seemed uncomfortable. “I can’t help you. Sorry.”

“Don’t be like that.”

He took another drink before he set his beer down. “I pick on Cato a lot because I think he’s an asshole, but in reality, he’s one of my boys and I have his back forever, whether it’s against bros or…the other one.”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

He shrugged. “Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. All I know is, Cato has never been so hung up on a girl before. Now that he is, you keep hurting him left and right. I think he’s finally given up on the possibility of you two being together. Frankly, he should.”

“I don’t hurt him left and right,” I argued. “Where are you getting that from?”

He shrugged and took another drink.

“Give me his address.”

“You’re not really in the position to make demands.”

“What do you want?” I opened my purse and pulled out my emergency funds. It was two hundred bucks. “Will this get you talking?”

He pushed my hand away. “I’m not for sale, sweetheart.”

“Then please help me.”

“I’m on Cato’s side. It doesn’t matter how pretty you are. Those charms won’t work on me.”

“You should help me since you’re on Cato’s side. I can’t lose him. I love—” I stopped when I realized what I was going to say.

Jett’s eyes were wide and he continued to watch me.

Did I just say that? Was that how I really felt? Was it too soon to feel that way? I’d only known Cato for three months. Wasn’t it a little early for those feelings? And what about Ethan? Could I really love another man?

Jett continued to stare at me.

Was I actually pushing Cato away subconsciously because I was aware of this? Maybe I was doing this on purpose? I wasn’t sure. But it scared me either way. Terrified me, actually. It was one thing to date someone new but another to love them altogether. How would Ethan feel about it? “I…I have to go.” I grabbed my purse and ran through the doors like someone was chasing me.

***

Days passed and I didn’t bother calling Cato. I just wanted to be alone after I blurted out those words. I was still processing them, trying to understand exactly how and when it happened.

Sometimes I felt like I already knew Cato. I recognized his body language, the way he held himself and moved. His kiss was familiar, like I already felt it once before. Perhaps it felt familiar because it felt right. Instead of bringing me closer to him, it pushed me away.

I wish I didn’t have to act like this. I wish I didn’t have any baggage like normal people. I wish I could stop living in my own world and join the rest of society.

I wish I could have Cato.

But I was scared. How could this work? Would I really let him in and let Ethan go? It was hard to marry someone and assume they would be by your side forever and then have them savagely taken away from you. How did you go on after that?

But I knew I needed to keep moving forward. And the fact I pretty much already moved on with Cato was terrifying. Even if I felt that way and wanted Cato, there was no way to get him back. He seemed set in his decision. He despised me just like he used to.

I was sitting in the living room when there was a knock on the door. The only person who would visit me unannounced was Joey, and he was the last person I wanted to see right now. Just thinking about him pissed me off.

I grabbed a frying pan before I answered the door, prepared to smack him hard in the face if I needed to. Maybe he needed a wake up call. I’d gladly oblige.

But Joey wasn’t at the door. It was Cato.

He was leaning against the doorframe with his arms across his chest. He didn’t look at me. His eyes searched the hallway like he expected to see someone he knew. He crossed one ankle, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. His hair was a little messy but not in a bad way. And his body looked nice in his clothes.

I lowered the frying pan so he wouldn’t assume I planned to smack him. “Hi.”

“Hey.” He ran his fingers through his hair then stared at the ground.

Silence stretched—awkward silence.

“Do you want to come in?” I asked quietly.

“No.”

“Okay…” I kept my stance. I hoped he came over here with the intention of working out our relationship. I didn’t want us to end over a misunderstanding. I didn’t want Cato to think he meant nothing to me.

“What’s with the frying pan?” He didn’t look directly at me so I wasn’t sure how he spotted it.

“I thought you might be…someone else.” I set the pan on the nearby table.

“Who?” he asked.

“Joey.”

He finally faced me. “Is he bothering you? Or are you crying wolf right now?”