Page 3 of Coveting Catherine

CHAPTER TWO

Catherine gripped the bags as she saw Samantha run into Whiskey's arms. The thin man held her back from him as she choked and babbled. Catherine didn’t make out the words Samantha said due to the beating of her heart. Now she knew precisely how Edgar Allen Poe felt when he wrote Telltale Heart. The blood pounded in her veins as Ash slowly slid from the bar seat and laid the cards on the table.

“Hello, Catherine.” His arms encompassed her, and her breath caught in her throat.

“I thought you died. They told me you were killed in an explosion.” Catherine pulled out of his embrace and stepped backward.

“Rebels held us captive for the last three years. They kept us in the same camp, and we didn't know until Leo found us,” Ash explained.

“Why didn't we get notified you were alive?” Bile rose in her throat as nausea threatened. She backed closer to the door, never taking her eyes off Ash.

She vaguely heard Samantha on the phone shouting at someone. She didn't want to yell. She wanted to scream or punch something. The reality of her situation dawned on her. Leo knew. He brought Ash back home.

“Kassie thought it best if we stayed quarantined for a while to stay on the safe side. She didn't want us to contaminate you or the kids,” Ash explained.

“Kassie? Kassie knew?” Catherine struggled to wrap her brain around her friend's treachery. She dropped the bags. How did Kassie know of Ash’s existence and not warn her? Her mind raced to the conversations with Kassie concerning Ash. She felt she told Kassie enough of the situation to warrant her friend to recognize the red flags. Some things she withheld because thinking about what Ash put her through traumatized her to this day.

A minute later, Leo pulled up in his truck. Ash leered at her with a knowing expression, sending a sickening dread running through her body.

Whenever Ash left on a mission, she dreaded getting news Leo didn't make it home. Catherine behaved extremely well before he deployed and never left the house unless she needed to take Melody to the doctor or to get groceries. Her mom’s calls went unanswered. She refused invitations from her friends for outings. Her circle grew smaller and smaller until no one bothered to call or drop by. She didn't know for sure, but she assumed he paid someone to spy on her and bug her phone. Catherine didn't risk anything with Melody or Leo's life at stake. Ash knew this as well and exploited it as much as possible.

Leo made it to the front yard when Catherine reached him. His body radiated tension; his shoulders straightened as he walked toward her. His jaw clenched, yet his worried gaze signaled the only sign of emotion.

“How could you.” Catherine shoved his chest. Leo braced himself. It felt like hitting a cement wall. Catherine's fists balled up as she continued to beat his chest. Hot tears ran down her face at his deception. She didn't get an opportunity to prepare herself or escape. Running sounded so much better. Pain sliced through her at the knowledge Leo unintentionally placed her back into prison and he didn’t fight for her. He stepped aside to allow Ash to reclaim his wife.

Samantha ran toward Leo and wasted no time socking him in the jaw. His body barely wavered. Whiskey grabbed Samantha from behind as she cried out to the sky and sank to the ground. Catherine continued striking out at Leo.

“Kassie knew. The team knew. You didn't tell his wife. I deserved to be the first person informed. Do you even know what you've done?” Catherine railed. Ash finally came behind her and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

Turning her away from Leo, he whispered in her ear, “Calm down, Catherine. I'm sure unfortunate accidents happen even on a mountain.”

Catherine stilled. Her body froze with the familiar threat. Her body slumped in Ash's arms in defeat. Her life of terror for the man she loved, and her child returned with a vengeance. Her heart slammed in her chest at the realization she remained locked in her own worst nightmare.

“There’s my girl.” Ash's hold loosened as he kissed her cheek and wiped the tears from her face.

To an observer, it appeared to be a loving exchange between a wife and her estranged husband. To Catherine, it felt like utter hell.

Samantha wasn't fairing any better. Whiskey stood, covered his ears at the screaming, and walked out of the yard and into the house. Leo bent to Samantha, stroked her hair, and talked soothingly to her until her friend stood on her own and nodded at something he said. She walked inside the house.

Ash took her hand and jerked her in the direction of the cabin. Once inside, he directed Catherine to the opposite end of the couch of Samantha. He sat down next to her as Leo handed Samantha, then her, a wad of tissues. Catherine noticed he avoided her gaze. Her body trembled in anger and fear.

Vaguely, she wished she discussed her marriage to Ash with Leo. Maybe he would've left Ash to die in whatever freaking place he rescued him from. Again, she fucked up everything. She clamped her jaw tightly as her teeth ground together, making her mouth ache. She welcomed the pain against the numbness in the rest of her body. Ash sat next to her as if the three years had vanished. His hand rested on her thigh, and he gently squeezed as he ran his hand up and down her leg. To anyone else, it resembled a comforting gesture after such a shock. To Catherine, it held a warning.

Leo pinched the bridge of his nose as Samantha sniffed into the tissue. “Where did Whiskey go? Doesn't he want to see me?” she asked as she hiccupped.

Leo blew out his breath. “We found Whiskey malnourished and suffering from various torture methods. He struggles with loud noises, screaming, and any fast movement. Kassie made a decompression chamber in each of the bedroom closets. It's soundproofed, and he'll come out once he calms. I'm sure seeing you shocked him as much as it did you.” Turning to Catherine, Leo’s gaze focused above her head. “Ash suffered as well, and they participate in counseling with Claire to manage issues stemming from PTSD,” Leo explained.

“Why didn't we get notifications?” Catherine demanded.

Leo swiped his jawline and waited for Ash to explain.

“We didn't want you to see us this way. We agreed with Kassie we needed to heal and have bloodwork done for a few months to make sure we didn't carry any diseases or anything,” Ash quietly admitted as he held his head down as if he felt embarrassed or ashamed. He didn’t fool her. Ash always held something up his sleeve.

Catherine didn't miss the flinch from Leo at Ash's mention of Kassie. “When did Kassie become part of the team? Did she become employed by you and is now required to keep government secrets?” Catherine questioned him like a dog with a bone.

“No. Kassie suggested they meet with Claire and let her help determine their mental status while Chase cared for their physical needs. I know you're upset about Kassie knowing. In her defense, she was sworn to secrecy before she knew the situation,” Leo explained.

Catherine stood. Ash made no move to come after her. “I need time to sort this out. I can't think straight right now.” She walked past Leo and out the door. She started up the path when a hand came around her arm.

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