Freak of Nature

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sunlight filtered through the blinds. Kaitlyn loved the weight of Lucas’s arm wrapped loosely around her waist as he slept. She breathed in his wonderful musky smell, running her palm over his bare chest. 

They had stayed up most of the night, unable to keep their hands off each other. The evening had been magical. She had been worried that the removal of pain sensors were linked somehow to pleasure, but it certainly seemed that was not the case. At least, not where Lucas was concerned. 

A shrill ring broke through the calm silence and Lucas jerked awake. He reached for his phone on the nightstand, accidentally knocking a book to the floor in the process. “Hello,” he said hoarsely. 

Kaitlyn shifted away as Lucas sat up and looked anxious.

“Yeah, you woke me. What’s up? I’m not due in to work for a couple of hours.” He smiled reassuringly at Kate, caressing her arm as he listened on the phone. 

She felt a charge of electricity run through her anytime his skin touched hers. She knew she could face anything with Lucas by her side. 

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said. “Can you come to my house? There’s something I would like to talk to you about in person. It’s private, and I’d rather discuss it here. Alone.” 

He clenched his jaw. “I know I work for you and not the other way around. Believe me, you will want to hear this. It’s about Kaitlyn, but I’ll only talk to you at my house.”

Kaitlyn watched the play of emotions cross his face as his eyebrows knitted together. Every move he made fascinated her.

“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I know how valuable your time is.”

Another pause. Kaitlyn wondered if it was Harrington on the other end.

“An hour is fine. Your time won’t be wasted.” Lucas ended the call and rubbed his eyes. “Harrington is coming. I think it’s best if we talk to him on our turf, not his. I don’t want him to have the chance to lock you away before he hears us out.” His heart rate had increased and his body was tense.

“What was he calling about?” Kaitlyn scooted up to lay her head on his shoulder.

“He wants to have a meeting to see if we should shut down the project since you haven’t been found.”

Her eyes widened. “I can’t believe he would do that. Do you think we can talk him out of it?”

“I do. Harrington didn’t get this far in life without being a shrewd businessman. Plus, deep down he doesn’t want to hand you over. Once we explain to him, I think he’ll see things our way. And if not … Well, you’ll just have to subdue him, and we’ll go on the run. Together.”

“He might bring more guards with him.” 

“I don’t think that would be a problem for you, but it could make things difficult. Hopefully, he shows up alone.”

“Should we tie him up when he gets here so he’ll have to listen?” Kate asked. 

“I’d rather not. That will be a last resort. Harrington is a reasonable man, and he’s well aware of your talents.”

The doorbell rang.

Sitting at the kitchen table, Kaitlyn tensed, but her sensors quickly relaxed her muscles again. 

“He’s not alone. Two others are with him,” Kaitlyn stated. 

Lucas leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “It will be all right.”