“Sorry?” Calum asked, stepping away from her.
“Only partners on duty. We’re not....” Caitlin’s words trailed off.
“Oh, right. So you’re a cop too?”
Caitlin nodded as she crossed her jean-clad legs. Calum took that as his cue to step even farther away from her. He took a seat in the chair Bree just vacated.
“Please sit down, Kayla. I’ve got some bad news, I’m afraid,” Donovan said, taking the lead in the conversation.
Kayla did as he said and sat down on Declan’s other side on the sofa. Duncan sat on the sofa arm beside her and gently stroked the back of her neck, making it difficult to concentrate. When she shifted away from his hand, Duncan squeezed her shoulder once before releasing her. Kayla immediately missed his touch, so she grabbed hold of his hand. Their eyes met, and Duncan lovingly smiled down at her.
“Tom is being a pain in my ass. I’m afraid he’s savvy with technology, and he knows that we’re on to him,” Donovan grumbled.
“Fuck,” Duncan cursed, clutching Kayla’s hand a little tighter.
“Well, it might not be so bad. Now he knows we’re watching; it could mean that he will refrain from any further stalking or criminal activity,” Caitlin suggested.
Kayla looked at her feet and then back to Caitlin. “Sorry... hearing you talk about Tom makes it all real again. I’m not making sense, am I?”
“Sis, don’t sweat it. I’m sure Caitlin can handle anything you throw at her.” Calum treated her to a wink.
Caitlin jumped from the sofa and rushed toward the kitchen. “Coffee anyone?” She didn’t even stay for them to answer but kept on going. Declan guffawed and shook his head. Even Kayla didn’t recognize her new friend in this behavior. She was always so cool and collected. Her brother sure made an impression on Caitlin.
“What?” Calum asked Declan, looking surprised by his sudden outburst.
“Nothing, Calum, nothing,” Declan said. “Forget it. Okay, so, Don, what’s next?”
When Caitlin reentered the room, without any coffee but wearing a flustered expression on her tanned face, Declan chuckled again. He stopped when Caitlin sat beside him and jabbed him in the ribs.
“Calum, I need for you to get your other sisters here with us,” Donovan said, bringing the conversation back on track. “I don’t want to alarm you, but last night I saw Tom on some old camera footage from St. Catherine’s Kindergarten’s playground. Your sister Kate isn’t in any danger, as I now have someone shadowing her, but Tom went to her work in the past week, and he has to be stopped.”
Kayla didn’t know what to do with all this information. Tom was now stalking Kate? And Donovan had someone shadowing her? Her stomach churned and sweat broke out on her forehead. Swallowing a few times, she let go of Duncan’s hand and placed her head between her hands, crying softly.
“What if he hurts Kate or Errin? We have to protect them. What if this time he’s not interrupted, and—” Kayla sobbed.
Duncan softly stroked her back. “It’s okay, wildflower. We’ll stop him. Your sisters are gonna be okay.”
Calum stood from his chair with his phone in his hand and went into the kitchen. A loud bang was followed by her brother’s swearing. “That motherfucker. Fucking cocksucker. He’s dead.”
Duncan stood up and went into the kitchen, calmly stating, “That door needs to be replaced, Calum. If you need to vent, then come by the dojo today.”
“I’m sorry, man. You’re right, but nobody hurts my family. I need to keep them safe, Duncan,” Calum said.
When Duncan went into the kitchen, Declan had slid into his spot and wrapped his arm around Kayla’s shoulder. He nudged her softly. “We protect our family, Kayla, and that includes you and your family. You’re safe.”
Nodding, Kayla looked to Donovan. She knew him best out of all of Duncan’s brothers. He was her boss, but she felt a connection with him stronger than that. “Donovan, you have someone shadowing my sisters?”
Donovan looked like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It was a look that she wasn’t used to seeing on him. He always seemed so in control. He was calm and calculated in his moves, and he knew what to say to unnerve others, not the other way around.
“I figured with this loose cannon, that’s best. After discovering Tom at Kate’s workplace, I contacted a close friend of mine who lives in New York. He’s a PI and is looking out for Kate as we speak, and his partner is on Errin. They are safe and sound, I promise, Kayla,” Donovan responded.
Calum and Duncan reentered the living room. “I’ve called Kate, and she’s calling Errin. They think I have a last-minute visit planned for the two of them to surprise you, Kayla. At the airport, they’ll find out where they’re flying to. It was a good call that you didn’t tell us where you were, sis,” Calum said.
“What about Evan and Conner, and Mom and Dad? Is it safe for them?” Kayla asked, her voice trembling.
“I know, Kayla, I know. I’m telling Evan, Conner, and Dad about this situation today, after the girls are safe on the plane. Dad can decide if he wants to tell Mom. It’s going to be okay. From what I hear, the fucker is only interested in you and perhaps Kate.”
Donovan growled at the mention of Kate. “We’ll make sure she’s safe.” Donovan seemed to have taken a special interest in her sister. Kayla couldn’t care less. She wanted her family safe, and she knew Calum and the Mills brothers would protect them.