Katherine's Fate

Chapter 15

I can’t believe that Ian would tear my house apart. It looks like he took a chainsaw to everything. I’m going to have to replace all my furniture and fix the f*****g walls. That’s not that big of a deal but it’s the principle of the thing. I looked back at Alex, Kris, and Heather, who all had stunned looks on their faces. This is going to be a pain in the ass to clean. I put my gun away and told Kris and Alex to do the same. There is no need for them right now anyways. I’m going to need to call the police, a clean-up crew, and my repair guys to get this fixed tonight, what a pain in the ass, so much for me cooking dinner. 

I thought about everything that happened today as I called the police and requested a squad car and a clean-up crew. Then I called Lin and told him what had happened and not to bother with getting the stuff for me, instead inform Will and Liam that we were all headed up there once we finished with the police. 

Not even 5 minutes after I got off the phone with Lin, the police and the clean-up crew got there. The police took our statements, then pictures of what happened. Finally the clean-up guys were able to get into the house. I told them they could get started and we all headed towards my car so we could eat. 

I called my repair guys and told them what happened and asked them to come over so they could get started after the clean-up crew was finished. They were more than happy to come over. The head guy was an old family friend and he assured me that it would all be done tonight. 

Everyone piled into the beast and I drove us to Will and Liam’s restaurant. We got there in less than 5 minutes. It was this little hole in the wall place called ‘McDougall’s Inn’ despite the name it was only a restaurant. We walked in and you were instantly transported to Scotland. Rustic furniture, huge fireplace, wonderful scents and sounds. Heidi greeted me with a huge hug when I came through the door. She then led us towards the back and sat me near my usual table right by the kitchen; there were a few to many of us for my normal table. She asked the boys what they wanted to drink and then left us alone. 

Alex looked around on the table for a menu or something and couldn’t find one. He said, “Are we going to get menus?” Heather and I laughed then I said, “No, Will never really gives me a chance to get a menu, for lack of a better term. I’m his test subject. Anytime he has something that he wants to try out or possibly put on the menu, I test it out for him. I lived for a while in Scotland and learned from the cooks there. That’s how I met the brothers to begin with.” 

At that moment I heard a familiar voice behind me say, “I suppose that’s one way of putting it. Although I remember it very differently than you do apparently.” I jumped up and spun around to see Liam standing there. I threw myself at him and he caught me easily for the biggest bear hug ever. It was like coming home again, I had missed him. He set me down just in time for the kitchen doors to burst open and Will to come striding over to the table. He looked at the faces and said, “I heard you were going to make Shepard’s pie tonight, what happened?” 

I looked at the brothers and said, “That’s a bit of a long story, and one of the other reasons for us coming here tonight.” Liam gave me a strange look and spoke in Gaelic, “What has you so scared little one?” I responded in Gaelic, “As I said it’s a bit of a long story, I’ll come back to the office once we have finished our meal. And be prepared for all of us to come back there. I don’t think they will let me out of their sights, especially not Alex or Kris.” At this point Alex and Kris both said in Gaelic, “You’re damn right!!” We all looked at them, why does it not surprise me that they speak Gaelic. I said, “You never told me that you speak Gaelic.” Alex simply shrugged and said, “You didn’t ask.” Kris hung his head and said in Latin, “You really should be more forthcoming with her. She is important to you, is she not?” They didn’t realize that I knew Latin as well.

It’s funny when people don’t realize something and you get to surprise them after they surprised you. I responded in Latin, “Important how Alex?” They both looked at me and Alex drained of all color. He said, “I promise to explain just not now, please be patient with me.” I nodded and allowed the moment to pass. By this point everyone was staring at us, but I owed no one an explanation. Liam just shook his head and said, “Just come on back to the office whenever you guys are done. I have something for you anyways.” 

Something for me, who would give something to him instead of giving it to me directly? I c****d my head to the side and said, “For me, but who would leave something here for me? Not that many people even know that I come here.” Liam looked away as he muttered, “Antony left it.” Ah that makes sense; he would be one of the only ones that couldn’t give it to me directly. There are people who would kill one if not both of us if they knew we knew each other. Alex got this strange look on his face, almost as if he knew the name. 

I said, “Do you know the name Alex?” He shrugged and said, “Depends on the last name.” I thought for a moment then said, “I think his last name is DeLuca. But I’ve heard some people refer to him as Mr. Porter and some even just call him Winter. So is it the same person?” Him and Kris shared a look of amazement before Alex said, “Yes we know who you are talking about. He has been a friend to our family for a long time now. He knew both my parents and Kris’s parents. He was a regular guest at our estate in Scotland.” Kris said, “How do you know him?” I looked to Will and Liam but they both shook their head, letting me know that now is not the time to tell them. I looked back at Kris and said, “Unfortunately now is not the time for that particular story. I promise to tell you guys just not right now. Kris and Alex shared a look that caused them both to glow a little brighter for a second before they nodded and allowed the subject to drop. 

I sat down and waited for my drink as Will said his goodbyes and went back to the kitchen. Liam turned to go back to the office but before he left I said, “Hey I meant to tell you a couple of things real quick.” He motioned for me to follow him away from the table for a moment then lowered his voice to barely above a whisper as he spoke soft Gaelic in my ear, “What is it little one?” I blushed from the nickname he had given me the first time he met me. I also spoke in soft Gaelic as I said, “First off, I need more Scotch, cause I’m almost out.” I pouted my lips a little as I spoke. He chuckled for a minute then said, “Ok I will have Chad take a case out to your truck.” I stopped him with a hand on his arm as I said, “Chad’s here?” He only nodded as I looked towards the bar area. 

That’s when I saw him; he was doing tricks like he always does. He noticed me standing there and almost dropped the bottle he was flipping through the air. I smiled at him and waited to see what he would do. He asked another bartender to take over and he rushed over to me and wrapped me in a hug as he swung me around in circles. I laughed and spoke to him in Romanian, “Hello love, I have missed you so very much. How are you? What have you been up to? How is your wife, and your sister?” He set me down as he responded in Romanian, “Oh darling girl, they are doing wonderful, they ask about you every time I talk to them. They are very sad when I tell them that I haven’t heard from you in so long. You should call Alina she worries about you the most.” 

I looked down at the mention of his sister. I knew she worried about me but I couldn’t call her while I was with Ian. She would’ve had me spilling my guts and I couldn’t lie to her, she would know. I said, “I will call her tomorrow. I really am sorry that I haven’t been in. I need a case of Scotch will you take one out to my truck. You remember the code to get in, don’t you?” He laughed as he said, “Of course I do little fire. I will take good care of you. Do you need any vodka or gin while I’m at it?” I looked over to Liam who just nodded and I said, “Do you have my brands? You know how I am.” 

All three of us laughed as Liam said, “Of course we do little one. I know you. If there is anything you need just tell Chad and he will take care of it.” I nodded to him and told Chad, “I actually do need some vodka and gin. Also will you add three bottles of whiskey, you know which ones.” They both looked down that said in Romanian, “For the fallen, we honor you.” I couldn’t speak it out loud but my soul screamed the words with them. Chad turned around and went back to the bar as I began to think of my brother and all the wonderful things he would have loved to see and be a part of. I know I would’ve been a completely different person if he were still alive.

Liam got my attention as he said, “What is the second thing?” I looked down as I said, “I’m so sorry that I haven’t been in for a while. I was in a bad situation but thanks to those that you see at that table I had the courage to end it and I’m slowly working my way back to the person I was before, back to where I belong.” He looked at me with knowing eyes and said, “And what of this Alex? Who is he to you?” I wasn’t sure how to answer that. Who was he to me? Why do I feel this little pinch in my chest every time I even think of a life without him? I looked at Alex and I saw all the love I never thought I would find, let alone deserve, shining in his eyes. At that moment I knew exactly who he was to me and what to say to Liam. I smiled as I said, “He is the one for me. I don’t know him very well just yet, but I’m going to find out what I don’t know. And despite that I couldn’t imagine my life without him, I feel like I have waited for him my whole life. I just wish I had found him sooner and didn’t allow my stupid pride to get in the way of what I was feeling ever since I laid eyes on him.” 

It seemed impossible for him to have heard me since we were whispering in Gaelic and so far from the table but I saw his eyes widen just a little bit and the glow surrounding him get a little brighter with every word I said. Liam shocked me back to reality by grabbing my arm as he said, “I’m very happy you have finally found the happiness you deserve and that you finally took my advice.” I was confused as I said, “And what advice would that be?” He laughed as he said, “To get yourself a Scotsman.” I smacked his arm but laughed with him. I kissed him on the cheek and went back to the table just as Will was bringing out the first course.

 We all laughed and told stories; it was truly a night to relax. The only problem with that is anytime I relax, the universe decides to test me. I couldn’t help wondering when the other shoe would drop and I’d be fighting again. Although whether I would be fighting for my friends or myself I still couldn’t figure out. But at least this time I would have Alex for backup, and I could almost guarantee that I would have Kris and everyone else at this table to help as well.