“Late as usual, and for that I apologize.” Cain shook her head as she explained to the man in the cabin, who looked a little shocked. “I know you just closed it, but could you?”
With quick efficiency the crew opened and closed the door so they could admit their last passenger. Merrick was the first to wonder what the woman was doing on board, but now wasn’t the time to start questioning Cain about anything.
The late arrival walked over to Cain and kissed her cheek. A well-tailored jacket hid the two Glock 9 mm pistols she always wore but did nothing to conceal her athletic body and long legs. Katlin Patrick had worked for Cain since her graduation from college with a business degree, an education her benefactor had insisted on and paid for. Having worked her way through Cain’s business, she now was in charge of security for their shipments and also the day-to-day operations of Cain’s legitimate entities.
They were seldom seen together, and Cain doubted anyone other than Muriel and Jarvis knew they were kin. Their family ties had been kept out of the police files for good reason. Cain had trusted Katlin on more than one occasion to represent her at various meetings and never feared betrayal at the hand of the woman, who, like Muriel, shared her blood.
“Sorry I’m running late, Cain, but there was a problem at the warehouse, then at the hospital, that I had to take care of.”
Cain nodded and pointed to an empty seat. “And is it a problem still?”
“You know better than to ask.”
“Emma, do you remember the black sheep of the family?” Cain pointed to Katlin.
“I think we’ve met, but I’m sorry…I can’t recall the name.”
“Not to worry, Mrs. Casey. Cain keeps me well hidden among the grunts. Helps to keep a low profile when I’m the designated watcher.” The plane had started to move, so Katlin just smiled and waved. “I’m Katlin, Cain and Muriel’s cousin a couple of times removed.”
“You know everyone else, so let me introduce you to the newest member of our family.” Cain took Hannah’s hand in hers. “This is Hannah Casey, our daughter.”
“Pleased to meet you, Hannah,” Katlin said with a smile.
Emma looked on, amused. Katlin might have been a couple of relatives removed, but once again the Casey genes had won out. She had the characteristic dark hair and height, but one difference made Emma think she might be able to give Cain something she’d wanted from the time they’d met.
Instead of being the same incredible blue as Cain’s, Katlin’s eyes were a shade darker green than Emma’s. When they’d started talking about having children, Cain had told Emma she wanted to hold a baby with her shade of blond hair and beautiful green eyes. Perhaps that would be possible since here was the proof.
The flight ceased to fascinate the kids, and they drifted off to sleep before they were over Tennessee. Cain doubted the other passengers were sleeping, but all of them had their eyes closed and their breathing was relaxed. To her surprise Emma hadn’t said anything after greeting Katlin and asking Hannah if she had to go to the bathroom. Unless they’d been apart for so long she’d forgotten Emma’s moods, she was thinking about something pretty hard.
“What’s making that frown line appear in the middle of your forehead, love? Is something wrong?”
With a sigh, Emma folded her legs under her and rested her head on Cain’s shoulder. “You never forget anything about me, do you?”
“We’ve only been apart four years, but it could’ve been forty and I’d still remember all those little things that make you who you are. Or at least I’d like to think so.”
The line Cain had spoken of disappeared with Emma’s smile. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just thinking about something.”
She kissed Cain before the question of what could pop out. “Would it be all right if we talked about it later?”
“It’s nothing I can help you with?”
“Oh, it’s definitely something you can help me with.” She laughed when Cain smirked and leered at her. “Trust me, I’m looking forward to that too, but what you’re thinking about right now isn’t it.”
“Then you take your time and leave me to my lascivious thoughts.” With a slight bend of her neck Cain placed a kiss on the tip of Emma’s nose. “But if you need to talk to me about anything, you know where to find me.”
“Actually I have one question. Where can I find you for the next couple of weeks? We’re in the air, so it’s safe to tell me now.”
“I didn’t tell you because I wanted to surprise you, not because I didn’t trust you with the information.” She twirled a strand of blond hair around her finger, loving the way Emma smelled. It wasn’t often that she ran across anyone with the same scent.
Hayden’s head shifted away from the window at that moment, and he woke up without either of his mothers noticing. It was a good opportunity to study the reality of the love the two shared and compare it to the memories he relived late at night when he was alone in his room. Not since Emma had left had he seen Cain’s face so relaxed or anyone sitting that close to her. He was glad to see he hadn’t just made up something unrealistic to help him accept what had happened. Here before him was the love he remembered seeing for as long as he had memory of being alive.
“Will you promise me something if you can?” The injury was an inconvenience since Emma wanted to sit in Cain’s lap and be as close to her as possible.
“Sure.” The thoughts of the gunshot wound were going through Cain’s mind as well. “I’ll give you anything I can if it’ll take that frown off your face.”
“Tonight, when we get to wherever we’re going, will you sleep with me?”
“I’d like that.” A pain from moving her arm made Cain grimace, but she brought her hand up anyway and cupped Emma’s cheek. “You haven’t gotten used to sleeping alone, have you?”
