Turning Point (The Kathleen Turner Series) (24 page)

My feet touched something solid and I found myself standing alone in the dark. A moment later, Kade dropped beside me. I couldn’t see a thing, the darkness nearly complete.

I heard Kade rustling around. Then a sudden bright light made me squint and shield my eyes. Kade held a battery-operated torch, which gave out a strong, steady glow.

“Follow me,” he said.

I looked at him. “What else would I do, exactly?”

His lips twitched in a near smirk before he started down the tunnel, gun in hand. The fact that he was expecting trouble had me reaching for my gun as well, the cold metal sliding against my sweaty palms.

The tunnel was barely wide enough for Kade’s shoulders, and he had to bend down to avoid hitting his head.

“So what happened?” I asked. “Who blew up your apartment?”

“No idea,” he replied. “They shouldn’t have been able to trace me here.”

“Then how did they?”

“I’m guessing they followed you.”

His words were like a shock of cold water, and I stumbled. Kade grabbed my arm to steady me.

“But how… why—”

“Don’t worry about it,” Kade cut me off. “Let’s just concentrate on getting out of here.”

We walked for a while, the tunnel sloping steeply downwards at points, before Kade paused in front of a hatch in the wall. “Hold this.” He handed me the torch and pulled the metal plate off the wall. “Get in.”

Obediently, I climbed into the hole, big enough only to crawl. It didn’t go far before I hit a grate barring my path.

“Now what?” I asked.

At my words, the grate abruptly swung outward. I could see someone’s legs as they pulled it open. I scrambled back in surprise and fear, grabbing for my gun.

“It’s all right.” Kade’s voice was by my ear, his hand closing like a vise on my arm. “Don’t shoot.”

To my shock, I saw Blane, crouching down to peer inside the opening.

“Kat?” he asked, disbelief in his voice. “What the hell—”

“Go,” Kade prodded me, cutting Blane off.

I swallowed, then scooted forward. There was no graceful way to climb out face-first, but before I could contemplate the particulars, Blane grasped me under the arms and easily pulled me out, setting me on my feet.

I drank him in. He wore jeans and a long-sleeved black T-shirt that fit him closely. With no coat or jacket, I could plainly see the dual-holster he wore, a gun on each side. I had no idea how he’d known to come or why he was even there. I just knew that seeing him meant I didn’t have to be strong anymore.

“Are you all right?” he asked anxiously.

“Fine,” I choked out, tears clogging my throat. His eyes met mine, and I knew he understood all I was hiding, that I was moments away from losing it entirely.

His hand closed around mine, warm, solid, and reassuring.

“Let’s get out of here,” Kade said, having climbed out himself. “See anyone on your way in?”

Blane’s gaze swiveled to Kade. “I counted two that I could see, probably more that I couldn’t.” His hand tightened on mine. “I didn’t realize you wouldn’t be alone.” There was a warning in his voice.

“Let’s argue about it later,” Kade said curtly, avoiding my eyes as he moved past us down the hallway.

Blane kept me tucked close to his side as we followed. He’d taken the gun from my shaking hand, shoving it into the back of his jeans and drawing his own weapon. Both Kade and Blane moved silently and I tried to emulate them, but blood loss and shock were starting to get to me and I stumbled several times, only to be caught by Blane.

“Sorry,” I murmured quietly the third time it happened, blinking hard to clear my vision.

“Don’t fucking apologize,” Blane bit out, his jaw like granite.

Okay then.

Kade stopped at the exit door, which had no window. After a moment of silent communication with Blane, who nodded, Kade slowly pushed the door open. No gunshots sounded and I let out the breath I’d been holding.

We crept through the doorway, sliding stealthily along the rough brick wall of the building. Well, Blane and Kade were stealthy, moving like shadows. I couldn’t say the same for myself. Fear made my heart pound, and a cold sweat chilled my skin.

It was almost preternaturally quiet, and I was reminded that it was the middle of the night. Not even the bars that stayed open extra late or the hookers who hawked their wares could be seen at this hour. It felt like Kade, Blane, and I were the only people alive.

Right up until a gunshot shattered the bricks above my head.

I yelped. My first instinct was to cower in fear, not shoot back. Blane grabbed me by the arm, dragging me along with
him as he ran for cover. A hail of gunfire followed us. Blane shoved me to the ground, turning to shoot back.

Kade made a motion with his hand and Blane nodded. I watched in horror as Kade took off. Blane’s gun spit bullets as he provided cover for Kade’s retreating back.

Blane kept firing, reloading twice as the minutes passed with agonizing slowness. Finally, his SUV squealed to a stop in front of us, with Kade at the wheel. Blane pulled me to my feet.

“Get in!” Kade shouted.

Blane wasted no time in complying. Swinging me up onto his shoulder in a fireman’s carry, he jerked open the back door.

I saw movement. A man stood fifty yards away, a lethal-looking gun in his hand aimed straight at Blane’s back.

Pulling my gun from Blane’s belt, I fired. To my surprise and relief, the man fell.

Blane shoved me in the car and then pivoted, his gun swinging up to face the neutralized threat. When there was nothing more, he followed me into the car.

“Go!”

Kade stomped on the gas and we shot down the street. He drove fast and I barely had time to process all that had happened tonight before we pulled to a stop in front of Blane’s house.

“Kathleen needs to go to the hospital,” Blane said roughly. “She could barely walk back there.”

“Not going to the hospital,” I declared, climbing out of the car. “I’ll be fine. I just need a few minutes of not being shot at, that’s all.”

And I thought it was true, mostly. My head really hurt, but there was no way I was going to get stitches. They’d have to shave that part of my head. That was so not happening. Not to mention that I’d rather pay a visit to the taxidermist than the hospital.

Neither man replied and I walked inside unaided. I felt the need for a stiff drink, regardless of my recent vows of sobriety, so I headed in the direction of the library. The crystal decanter seemed unusually heavy and I had difficulty with the stopper. Then it was lifted out of my hands.

“I’ll do that,” Blane said quietly. “Go sit down.”

I obeyed, heaving a tired sigh as I sank down onto the leather couch. I shrugged off my tattered coat, dismayed at the level of damage done to it. It was the coat Blane had given me months ago. Absurdly, tears stung my eyes. It was just a coat, yet I couldn’t help the sobs that started.

“Kathleen! Hey, it’s okay.” Kade tried to soothe me, his hand gently rubbing my back.

“My c-c-coat,” I babbled through my tears. “It’s r-ruined!” I sobbed harder.

His hand paused, then he gave a snort of laughter. “You’re crying because of your coat?”

“I l-l-love that c-coat!” I felt inconsolable, which was ridiculous. It was just a piece of clothing, but I couldn’t help it.

I felt the eyes of both men on me and knew they were probably stymied at what to do with a hysterical woman sobbing over a coat. Valiantly, I tried to stem the tears until finally I was left with only hiccups and sniffles.

Blane pressed a glass into my hand, a healthy dose of amber fluid in its depths. I drank it down at once, welcoming the heat that burned a path down my throat to my belly.
There was a fire in the fireplace and I watched the flames dance, transfixed. Several minutes of blessed silence passed.

“Well,” Kade finally sighed, “it’s been a hell of a night. But we make a good team, brother.” He lifted his glass in toast to Blane, who merely stood watching him.

“You want to tell me what the hell happened?” Blane’s voice was like ice. “And why you nearly got Kathleen killed. Again. Not to mention why she was even there in the first place.”

Kade stiffened. “Kathleen is fine,” he shot back.

I jumped a foot when Blane’s glass shattered in the fireplace.

“She is not fucking fine!” Blane snarled, grabbing the lapels of Kade’s jacket with both hands and hauling him to his feet. “She’s hurt and in shock. Or are you too much of a selfish bastard to see that?”

“Fuck you,” Kade gritted out. “You think I wanted this to happen? You think I wanted her to get hurt?” He shoved Blane’s arms away, jerking out of his grip.

I watched with growing dismay, my clouded brain struggling to keep up with the scene playing out in front of me.

“I just wish for once you’d think of someone besides yourself,” Blane shot back.

“What’s the fun in that?” Kade sneered.

“She could’ve died!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop it! Both of you! Stop!” I jumped to my feet. The room tilted, but I stoically remained standing. “It’s not his fault, Blane! They followed me.”

Blane’s eyes snapped to mine, then turned to Kade. “What’s she talking about, Kade?”

Kade shrugged insolently. “What the fuck do you care?”

“Don’t give me that martyr shit,” Blane snapped.

Kade’s eyes narrowed. “The same people that tried to kill me in Denver traced me here. I’m guessing they followed her to my apartment. And for the record, I didn’t ask for her to show up tonight, she just did.”

Blane’s hands fisted at his side as he processed this information. “We’ll fix this, with you, but you have to stay away from her. Especially if they know she’s tied to you.”

I would have protested the fact that they were talking about me as though I weren’t right there in the room, but I was too tired and dizzy to form the words. I brushed a shaky hand across my eyes, watching my fingers as though they were disconnected from my body. How odd.

“That’s not going to happen.” Kade said flatly.

Blane was suddenly in Kade’s face. “You want her to die right along with you?”

The menace in his tone made me shiver, and Kade’s was no less threatening when he replied.

“I’m saying I won’t stay away.”

“This isn’t a fucking game, Kade!” The anguish in Blane’s voice made my chest hurt.

“You think I don’t know that?” Kade said.

“Everything I’m doing is for her!”

The tension in the room was so thick I felt as though it was smothering me, pressing against my chest like a leaden weight. The room tilted again and my knees buckled. I heard someone curse, and it seemed like a really good time to close my eyes and let the encroaching darkness consume me.

I woke to a sharp stinging on the back of my head.

“Ow, stop,” I muttered, waving my arm blearily in an effort to halt the pain.

“Shh. If you refuse to go to the hospital, the cut has to be cleaned.”

My arm was caught in a gentle but firm grip and the stinging recommenced.

I gritted my teeth, fully awake now, and stared ahead at my surroundings. Blane had brought me to his bedroom, where I lay on my side while he medicated the wound. I hoped I wasn’t getting the duvet on his bed dirty. I felt gross. My jeans were covered in dust, as was my hair, which had the added attractiveness of being matted with dried blood. Not one of my best looks. Blane had removed my shoes, which was a good thing since they’d been covered in dust, too.

My head was clearer now, and I remembered the argument in the library. What had happened after I passed out? Blane was angry with Kade, but it hadn’t been Kade’s fault I’d been there when someone had tried to kill him. It was my fault they’d even found him in the first place.

“There, that should take care of it,” Blane said quietly. “Feel any better?”

I carefully turned toward him. He brushed the backs of his knuckles against my cheek. I nodded, unsure what to say from here. Tonight had been a strange night.

“Good.” His hand moved down my arm to lightly grasp my palm, slotting his fingers with mine.

“Are you and Kade okay?” I didn’t mean physically.

Blane didn’t answer for a moment, his gaze still on our entwined hands. Finally, he said, “That’s not important right
now.” He lifted his eyes to mine. “What’s important is that you and I are okay.” A pause. “Are we?”

I slowly shook my head. “Not if you and Kade aren’t.”

Blane studied me. “Why are you so insistent on this?”

“Because,” I sputtered. “You’re family. Brothers. I won’t come between you.”

Blane sighed. “We’ve disagreed before, Kat, and I’m sure we will again. That doesn’t stop making us brothers.”

His words reassured me, but I still felt compelled to add, “I don’t feel about Kade the way he feels about me. I just want you to know that.”

Blane looked at me, really looked at me, until I wanted to squirm.

“What?” I asked in frustration. “You don’t believe me?”

“I believe you,” he said. “But your point of view and Kade’s may be… drastically different.”

I held his gaze. “I’m not going to lie to you,” I said firmly. “I care about him. He’s a good man, underneath everything. I don’t want anything to happen to him, not least because of what that would do to you.”