Page 7 of Witch's Promise

"Missed me, Drake?"

Sean turned around and saw Katelyn. She looked like she'd just stepped off the set of some badass biker movie, all leather and attitude. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, and her blue eyes scanned the room with a predator's intensity before landing on Sean. The moment their gazes met, her face broke into a wide grin.

Sean allowed himself a moment to relax into the embrace, to feel something other than the constant weight of guilt and regret that had become his constant companions.

"Like a hole in the head, Cross," he retorted, but there was no heat in his words.

As they pulled apart, Sean couldn't help but marvel at his best friend. Katelyn Cross was a force to be reckoned with, a jaguar shifter with a fierce loyalty and an even fiercer right hook. He'd seen her take down men twice her size without breaking a sweat, her human form belying the predator that lurked justbeneath the surface. It was one of the reasons she'd risen so quickly through the ranks of his father's organization – that, and her razor-sharp intellect.

"You look like shit, Sean. When's the last time you slept? Or ate something that wasn't liquid courage?"

Sean waved off her concern, gesturing for her to take a seat. "I'm fine, Kate. Just been busy, you know how it is."

Katelyn snorted as she slid into the booth across from him. "Yeah, I know how it is. That's why I'm worried. You've got that look again, like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Sean signaled the bartender for another round, buying himself a moment to compose his thoughts.

"I'm doing okay," he said finally, meeting Katelyn's skeptical gaze. "Could be better, but hey, we can't all be as put together as you, right?"

Katelyn's eyes narrowed, clearly not buying his bullshit. But before she could call him out on it, Sean pressed on. "So, what's with the urgent meeting? Not that I don't love our little rendezvous, but you sounded pretty serious on the phone."

For a moment, Katelyn looked almost nervous? It was an expression Sean wasn't used to seeing on his badass best friend's face. She took a deep breath, her hand moving to rest on her stomach in a gesture that was so subtle, Sean almost missed it.

Almost.

His eyes widened as the pieces clicked into place. "Kate," he breathed, hardly daring to hope. "Are you..."

Katelyn's face broke into a radiant smile, all trace of nervousness vanishing. "Six weeks along," she confirmed, her voice thick with emotion. "Ricci and I, we've been trying for so long, and finally..."

Sean felt a surge of joy so pure it was almost painful. After everything Katelyn had been through, all the danger she'dfaced as his inside source in the organization, she deserved this happiness. "Holy shit, Kate. That's amazing. Congratulations!"

He reached across the table to squeeze her hand, his own eyes suspiciously moist. For a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the warmth of her happiness, to feel something other than the constant gnawing guilt that had become his constant companion.

"Thanks, Sean," Katelyn said, her smile softening. "We're over the moon. Ricci's already talking about converting the spare room into a nursery. I swear, I've never seen that man so excited about interior design before."

Sean chuckled, picturing Katelyn's laid-back human husband suddenly turning into a home decor enthusiast. "I bet. He's going to be a great dad, Kate. And you're going to be an incredible mom."

A shadow passed over Katelyn's face, and Sean felt his protective instincts kick into overdrive. "What is it? Is everything okay with the pregnancy?"

Katelyn shook her head quickly. "No, no, everything's fine. It's just I had to request some time off from the organization. To take care of myself and the baby, you know?"

"Kate," he started, his voice low and urgent. "Maybe this is a sign. You should get out now, while you can. Start fresh somewhere your old man can't find you. I can help, set you up with new identities, money, whatever you need."

Katelyn's grip on his hand tightened. "Sean, stop. We've been over this. I'm not running."

Sean wanted to argue, to tell her it wasn't worth the risk. Not now, not with a baby on the way. But he knew that stubborn set to her jaw. Katelyn had made up her mind, and nothing short of knocking her out and dragging her to safety would change it.

“How did the old man take it? I can't imagine the old man being thrilled about losing one of his top operatives, even temporarily."

"That's the weird thing. He was understanding. Almost suspiciously so. Gave me all the time off I asked for, no questions asked."

Sean felt his stomach drop. His father, being understanding? Generous, even? No, something wasn't right here. Viktor Drake didn't do anything out of the kindness of his heart. Every move, every decision was calculated, part of some larger strategy.

"You need to be careful. My father, he doesn't just give people what they want without expecting something in return.” He cautioned her.

Katelyn nodded, "I know, Sean. Believe me, I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out his angle. But so far, everything's been business as usual. Well, as usual as things get in a secret assassin organization."

"I'm sorry, Kate," he said, the words feeling woefully inadequate. "I never meant for any of this to touch you. If I'd known..."

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