Page 48 of Undefeated Love
Over the past five months, Katlin had become very familiar with this position. She placed her heels in the paper-covered metal stirrups and scooted to the end of the bed.
“Here we go.”
* * *
Three hours later, Dr. Rustlin stood and stretched her back. “We’re done. You’re all sewed up. Everything is back where it should be and nothing else is in there that’s not supposed to be there.” She walked to Katlin’s bedside while stripping off her bloodied gloves. Once again the doctor took her hand. “You did an amazing job on nothing but a local.” She glanced around the room at the bloody disposable towels that Maria was already gathering and disposing into red bags.
From the other side of the bed, Kiersten wiped Katlin’s face with a cool washcloth. “You have the highest pain tolerance I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been in OB/GYN for two years plus my nursing school rotation. You’re the first woman I’ve ever known to undergo this without any pain medication. Most women these days want to be completely knocked out.”
Katlin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It felt so good, so she did it again. “That wasn’t an option for me.”
Ten minutes later, all evidence of the procedure was gone. The three women approached Katlin’s bedside.
She indicated for Jaysun to join them. He handed her the small duffel bag.
“Thank you for agreeing to do this covertly.” Katlin reached into the bag and handed each woman a thick tan envelope. “Go ahead, you can open them. You’ll find the military orders you requested as well as tickets and cash for the vacation that you’re going to take starting immediately.” She watched as each woman emptied their envelope. The excitement in the air was gratifying.
“Dr. Rustlin, Kiersten, Maria, I was never here. You never met me. You have no idea what happened in this room. When you leave, go straight down the elevator, out the back door, and directly home. Grab your suitcase and head on vacation.” Katlin sat up straight even though it hurt like hell. “Betray the promises you’ve given me today, and you’re dead.” The women glanced at Jaysun.
“He won’t be the one coming after you. I will be.” The women stared at her. “You have no idea who I am, what I’ve done, what I’m capable of doing...and you never want to find out.”
Jaysun nodded. “Don’t let her classy demeanor fool you. She’s one of the most lethal women I’ve ever met.” His phone buzzed and he checked the text before leaning in and whispering in Katlin’s ear, “They’re in the parking lot.”
Katlin focused on the three women. “Thank you all very much but you need to leave…right now.” Her bodyguard guided them to the door and watched them descend in the elevator.
A few minutes later, there was a knock. Jaysun cracked it open. After a brief conversation, her three favorite men walked into the room.
With a huge smile, she called out, “Uncle Francis, Uncle Tom, Daniel.” She held out her arms and hugged each man in turn. “Thank you for coming.”
“Given what you’ve just gone through, you look fantastic,” her uncle, Tom Gillpatrick, complimented her.
Daniel handed her the bundle that was sitting next to her bed. “Jaysun, would you please take a family picture?” The three men leaned in close to Katlin. Her bodyguard took several photographs with each man’s cell phone. He took a few with Katlin’s phone as well.
“How soon are you coming home?” her brother asked. “The kids ask about you all the time.” Daniel gave her another hug. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too.” She looked at her uncles, including them in the statement. “It’s going to take me a while to recover.”
“I spoke with Ava before coming,” Uncle Tom announced. “She’s adjusted your paperwork accordingly.”
“But you are coming back to Washington, right?” Uncle Francis asked.
“Yes. Definitely.” That certainly was Katlin’s intention. She just didn’t have any idea as to when.
“It sounds like it’s going to be a while.” Her uncle the Monsignor gestured for three men to gather around. “I’d like to offer a blessing.” Everyone held hands as the priest spoke a heartfelt prayer.
Uncle Tom’s cell phone rang. He stepped out of the room to take the call. In less than a minute, he was back, his stare fixed on Katlin. “Alex is on his way into the hospital. Do you want to see him?”
“Hell, no. I’m not ready to deal with him. How the hell did he find me?” She could hear the panic in her own voice.
“Your tracker?” Daniel suggested.
“Oh, fuck.” She looked to Jaysun. “Would you please hand me my go bag? I need to check my computer.” As soon as she opened the program, she swore. “Damn it all to hell.” Her fingers flew over the keys. “My scrambler program stopped. Obviously it thought I was under duress and sent out my actual location with my real time heartbeat.” She glanced at Uncle Tom.
“Already calling Ava. I’ve got her handled.”
“What do you want to do about Alex?” her uncle Francis asked in his gentle tone.
“You know, Katlin,” Daniel interjected. “That whole thing with JJ was just a publicity stunt that Alex didn’t know anything about until he was on his knees picking up the shit that flew out of her purse.”
