Eyes wide, mouth open, her expression pained as she read the unanswered question in Sam’s eyes. “Sam, it wasn’t me.”
He wanted to believe her, he really did, but Kale’s words continued to haunt him. He felt a flash of doubt as he dredged up old fears and insecurities.
She stepped closer and reached out to him, her voice soft. “Sam, I know how this looks to you but trust me, it was Eric Hawkins who put Eugene up to this.”
Hawk? Why would Hawk be on her story? None of this made sense.
“I saw the two of them talking yesterday just before Eugene chased us. I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to worry you more. You had enough on your mind already and I had planned to investigate and get to the bottom of it for you.”
He looked into her honest, honey-flecked eyes and wanted to believe everything she was telling him, needed to believe everything she was telling him. The alternative was too painful to consider.
His gaze brushed across her face as he took a moment to mull things over. Was he really going to believe some asshole protestor over Cat? The only woman who’d ever stood by him, who went against her own best interests for his, and stepped up to the plate to help him complete his assignment. He berated himself for thinking she’d do this, but old fears and insecurities were still far too close to the surface, making him feel far too vulnerable.
“Ask him, Sam.”
Sam spun back around.
Eugene pressed himself farther into the wall. “Yeah, yeah, it was that reporter, Hawk. He’s the guy you want, not me.”
Sam caught hold of Cat’s hand and watched her face relax as he drew her under his arms. “Did you call the police?”
She nodded. “They’re on their way. I also called my boss and he’s on his way to pay a visit to Eric Hawkins, to get to the bottom of this.”
“I need to call my Director.”
A short while later, after the police came and took Eugene to the station for questioning, Sam called and relayed the night’s activities to his Director and then followed Cat back to her place. Armed with this new information, Director Smith planned on contacting the Board of Directors first thing in the morning to get the thumbs up for Sam to resume testing on the serum.
Once inside her condo, Cat turned to him and ran her fingers gently over his. Her eyes filled with tender concern. “Is your hand okay?”
Sam squeezed his fingers. “It’s fine.”
Cat took his hand in hers for a closer examination. As she lightly stroked her fingers over his, his heart swelled. God, he was crazy about her. How could he have believed for a split second that she’d do something so devious? Cat had integrity and character, and the way she stood by him warmed his soul.
“Go put some ice on it while I get changed. And while you’re in the kitchen, pour us a drink. I could use it after that incident. There’s a bottle of wine on the counter.”
Sam dropped a soft kiss on her cheek and then made his way to the kitchen. Ignoring the swelling in his hand, he found the wine and poured two glasses, hoping to meet her in the bedroom before she’d finished changing.
God, she’d only been out of his arms for a few minutes and he already missed her.
Just as he prepared to move down the hall, a letter on Cat’s kitchen table drew his attention. As soon as he saw the words, the Daily Press, his heart pounded in his chest, his mouth went dry, and his bliss disappeared. Even though it was an invasion of her privacy, something compelled him to read the letter. He scanned the words once, then a second time, letting the reality of the situation sink in. A sick knot tightened his stomach. His blood ran cold, penetrating his bones.
A sound at the doorway drew his attention. He looked up to see Cat. His gaze flew to her face. God, how he longed for her. He watched her for a moment, his anger gaining momentum.
Her face tightened when he met her glance. Her lips thinned to a fine line, her eyes opened wide. She stood there, looking at him, gauging his reactions, knowing he’d read the letter from the Daily Press. She stared expectantly at him as though she was waiting for something, but for what, he didn’t know.
Perhaps she was waiting for an offer to help her pack.
He shot her a sidelong glance and balled his fingers as his anger took hold. “How could you do this, Cat?” His voice came out a little unstable, a little gruff.
Seemingly surprised by his reaction, her head jerked with a start. “Do what?”
He cocked his head and struck out at her. “So who really put Eugene up to the kidnapping?” Wine sloshed over the side of his glass as he set it on the table. He grabbed the paper and held it up. “Who was the one looking for a promotion? Obviously you and Hawk had to be working together. Was the plan to cozy up to me to get the story?”
She reacted to the harshness in his voice. Eyes wide in astonishment, she shook her head and flinched at his harsh words. She tossed him a perplexed frown, a sadness in her eyes. “I told you it was Hawk.” She seemed hurt. “I thought you believed that. I thought you trusted me.”
Sam threaded his fingers through his hair, his eyebrows furrowed. “You want to talk about trust when all this time you were using me to get to bigger and better.”
Pain and anger flashed in her eyes. “It’s not true. I was there for you and I never once used you for personal gain. I would think you would know that. At least I had hoped you’d know that after we’d been so intimate
