Page 15 of Coveting Catherine

“Eat, and I want all the juice gone.” He stumbled on his way to the couch and plopped down. He ran his hand through his hair and shot dirty glances in her direction.

Catherine's cheek throbbed, and her heart pounded as she tore off a tiny piece of the burger and began to chew. Hoping her stomach didn’t reject the cold, tasteless food. The gulps of apple juice after each chew sort of helped. It seemed like it took hours to get the food down. Tipping the glass back, she finished the rest of the apple juice and folded her hands in her lap. Her mind tried to work around what she involved herself in. The only thing she came up with was her own sheer stupidity. She already lost her brother; she refused to lose Leo.

Catherine yawned as she waited for Ash to say or do something. He never moved as if he waited on something…

At two in the morning, Catherine woke to a snoring Ash. Her bladder beckoned, and she slowly rose from the bed, careful not to wake her new husband. Spying her things on the dresser, Catherine grabbed her phone and locked the bathroom door. After finishing, she washed her hands and splashed water on her face. An angry purple bruise marred her swollen cheek. Catherine wet a cold washcloth and held it to her face as she sat on the toilet lid. Her fingers desperately scrolled to Leo's name. Catherine hit his name, and her finger hovered over the send button. What could she say? Help, I made a mistake and slept with Ash, and I'm now pregnant with his kid. Come rescue me.

Her hands began to shake as a tear rolled and splashed over his name. For the first time, she saw Leo's ravaged face in front of her and realized she had made the biggest mistake of her life.

Tears threatened to spill, and when she opened her eyes to see Claire taking her in, she whispered, “I want the man I love to come home to me.” Claire would never know how true the statement rang, but to Catherine, it meant everything.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Leo rang the doorbell and scanned the area while he waited for someone to answer the door. The team rotated check ins with Whiskey and Ash daily. In addition, Leo ordered Shadow, Taco and Saint to surveilling Ash and Catherine’s house. Matthew found a few leads concerning Ash after he transferred from the team. Leo urged him to follow them, hoping it helped to connect the dots of what Ash hid from the team.

Ash opened the door and rolled his eyes. A cigarette hung loosely from his mouth as he turned back to the couch and sat down. Leo’s gaze fell into the kitchen. Something baked in the oven and children’s music played down the hallway in Melody’s room, signaling Catherine and Melody’s presence.

“I stopped by to check on you. How did the counseling session go?”

Ash pierced Leo with a stare. “I thought my sessions stayed private. You know between me and the shrink.”

“Don’t get your panties in a wad, Ash. I’m merely asking. You seem agitated. Can I help you in any way?” Leo watched as Ash’s knees bounced up and down as he played with the lighter in his hand.

“You don’t give two shits about me. You came to check on them.” Ash jerked his head down the hallway in the direction of the music.

“We stop in on Whiskey too. You’re part of the team Ash. We help each other,” Leo explained.

Ash grunted his reply as he stared at the TV. “Catherine.” he bellowed.

Leo stood as he heard the patter of little feet as Melody came running into the room.

“Uncle Leo.” she exclaimed.

Leo swung her up in his arms and tossed her gently in the air. Melody’s eyes widened in horror as she started to squeal her pleasure at getting tossed in the air. She abruptly stopped, glanced in Ash’s direction, and pushed away from Leo. Catherine appeared and Melody glued herself to her mama’s side. Melody rubbed her daughter’s back soothingly.

“Did you need me, Ash?” Catherine asked. Her voice sounded pleasant, yet Leo knew her long enough to sense the tension in her question.

“Leo wanted to see my wife. Here she is, Leo,” Ash smartly replied.

Leo frowned.

Catherine’s smile never made it to her eyes. “Hello, Leo. Thank you for stopping by. Melody, let’s go into the kitchen and you can help me set the table. Then we’ll pack your bag to see Gram Carol tomorrow.” Melody turned toward the kitchen, quiet as a church mouse.

Leo waited until they fully entered the kitchen. The clanging of the silverware drawer and dishes getting laid out signaled Catherine occupied Melody.

“What are you doing, Ash?” Leo demanded.

“Not a damn thing, Leo,” Ash answered as he shot a smug smile in Leo’s direction.

Knowing his visit didn’t accomplish anything, he walked to the door. His gaze flickered into the kitchen. Catherine stood at the table with a plate in her hand. He noticed the dark blue circles under her eyes and her drawn mouth as her eyes met his. He slightly nodded and exited the door. Leo brought out his phone. Dialing Saint’s number, he waited for him to answer.

“Yeah, boss,” Saint smoothly replied.

“I’m on point tonight. Send Taco home.” Leo refused to leave Catherine and Melody. From what he felt and witnessed; Leo regretted his decision to step aside for Ash. He didn’t deserve Catherine or Melody.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ash watched Leo leave, knowing his former leader wanted to say more. He smugly smiled to himself. Leo tried to hide his feelings for Catherine, and she remained unaware of her strong hold over the man. Initially, Ash tried to kill Leo. But seeing Catherine married to Ash wounded Leo far more than a bullet to his chest. It worked better than he ever planned.

---