Endangered (28 page)
“You think I would ever stop you from doing anything you wanted? Have I ever given you that impression?”
“No, you haven’t. But I can’t risk even the remote possibility. And I can’t risk that kind of heartbreak again. I won’t survive it.”
“Do you have feelings for me, Kate?” He stepped closer to her again. His eyes, haunting in their expression.
She looked away. “I don’t know—I don’t think I’m capable of those kinds of feelings anymore.”
“So what about Mike? Do you love him?”
“In the only way that I can love any man, I think; yes, I do.”
His eyes finally revealed his surrender. “Then you should take that next step with him.”
Kate turned back. “You think he and I should move in together?”
“I think you should do what makes you happy. I would never put you in a position to feel anything but happiness, Kate.”
A sudden wave of relief passed through her. “What about us? Are we going to be okay? I don’t want this to change our friendship. I need your friendship, Nick, I swear I do.”
“I would never abandon you. I will always be here whenever you need me. Please believe that.”
Kate smiled. “I do. I believe you.” She moved closer and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you.” She kissed his cheek.
Releasing from the embrace, Kate stepped away. “I’d better get going.” She reached for her purse. “You’ll be okay?”
“Me? I’ll be fine. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“See you on Monday.” Kate walked out, ignoring that he’d tried so hard to hide the truth. She finally learned how to read him and her heart sank.
Nick locked the door and turned toward the empty living room. His face was pained, his eyes resembled that of a wounded animal. For a split second, he felt euphoric, waiting for her to reveal her feelings for him, but in the end, she couldn’t. And he understood, but it hurt just the same. He gave her his blessing to move forward with Mike Burgess, deputy cop from a hick town in Florida. Soon to be working for Metro police, he suspected. And she would be lost to him forever.
Perhaps that was the way it needed to be. After all, look at what it had done to his relationship with Georgia. One of the best profilers in the BAU and she’d transferred offices because of their split. He couldn’t bear it if something like that happened with Kate. And so, at least he could still be friends with her.
Friends
, he thought. Nick smiled and walked toward the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniels.
» » »
Kate opened the front door and noticed Mike sitting at the kitchen table, laptop open and a few files spread out in front of him. “I’m back.”
“Just in time. I’m finishing up now, then I’m all yours.” He shut the lid of his laptop. “It was a little too warm outside. So, everything go all right?”
Kate sat down next to him. “I had a good talk. Got a lot of things off my chest about this case, about, well about a lot of things.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
She could see the apprehension in his eyes, waiting for that shoe to drop he was sure she held behind her back. Kate reached for his hand as it rested on the table. “Mike, I don’t think we should move in together.”
There it was. His face dropped and his chest appeared to raise higher with each breath more rapid than the last. “Okay. Care to elaborate?”
“I’m just not ready. I tried to be, I really did, and I’m so very sorry to hurt you this way. It wasn’t what I wanted.”
His eyes turned cold. “You and Nick must’ve had quite the conversation.”
“This has nothing to do with him. I woke up feeling this way and I just came to terms with some things that I’d kept hidden from myself. That’s all. I should never had agreed in the first place and for that I am truly sorry.”
“So you just want to keep things the way they are right now? Just seeing each other on the odd weekend and having a little fun?”
“I realize that wouldn’t be fair to you, Mike. You’ve been so good to me. So understanding and so kind.”
“I feel a ‘but’ coming on.”
“But I can’t ask you to wait because I don’t know how long that wait will be before I’m ready.”
“You’re breaking up with me? If you need time, Kate, I can give you time. I’m sorry I brought this up at all. I should’ve respected what you’ve been through and I pushed you. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
“Stop. Please.”
“Do you have a thing for Nick? Please, be honest with me. You owe me that much. Is that what’s brought all this on?”
Kate didn’t know how to answer. Were there feelings in there somewhere? Buried deep where she kept all her true feelings, in a place where no one could expose them or use them against her? “It’s complicated.”
Mike revealed a closed-lip, tight smile. “Well, that says it all.” He stood up to gather his things.
“What are you doing?”
“Leaving; what else?”
“You don’t have to go now. Your flight’s not until tomorrow.”
“I think staying here would just add salt to the wound, don’t you?” He walked toward the bedroom.
Kate sat at the table, confused as a fresh uncertainty about her future reared its ugly head. This wasn’t what she wanted. She did care for Mike a great deal, but it had become obvious he wanted much more than she could give. And perhaps there was more to it than that. But that was something she wasn’t ready to address; now or even in the future.
Mike returned with his bag over his shoulder. “I’ll catch an earlier flight.” He grabbed his laptop bag. “I kind of wish I hadn’t sent you off this morning. Things might’ve been different.”
Kate stood up and opened her mouth.
“I’m just kidding. This would’ve happened sooner or later. I guess I should be grateful it happened before I quit my job.” He walked toward the door.
“Wait.” Kate caught up with him. “I do care for you and I’m so sorry things turned out this way.” She kissed his lips but could feel nothing from him.
“Goodbye, Kate. You take care of yourself now.” Mike opened the door and walked out.
Kate watched him get into the car and drive away. She closed the door and peered around the room. “What the hell am I supposed to do now?”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robin Mahle
lives with her husband and two children in Arizona. She found her passion for writing, which later became her second career, after spending 20 years in the construction industry.
Having always been a lover of books, Robin attributes her creativity to the wonderful overseas adventures she has shared with her husband of 17 years. Traveling throughout Europe and having lived in England opened her mind and with that came a steady stream of story ideas inspired by her author-idols in the mystery/suspense genre.
If you enjoyed Ms. Mahle’s work, please share your experience by leaving a review on
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OTHER WORKS
All the Shiny Things—A Kate Reid Novel (Book 1)
Law of Five – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 2)
Gone Unnoticed – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 3)
Blackwaters – A Kate Reid Novel (Book 4)
The Kate Reid Series Box Set (Books 1-3)
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