Chapter 18 - I Love You
Cat struggled to breathe as the water filled her lungs. Someone was holding her underwater. She started kicking her legs and swinging her arms. She couldn't open her eyes to see the monster that was holding her down. Tears were running down her face while she shook in fear. Suddenly she heard someone softly saying her name and felt a hand stroking her head.
Trey was in bed with her holding her tight, trying to calm her down. He kissed Cat's forehead when he saw her eyes were open. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing. Atlas purred loudly against her ear. The nightmare had seemed so real she could still feel the burning in her throat and lungs.
"It's ok. I'm here." She clung to Trey feeling the warmth from his skin seep into her as she began to relax. She focused on his hand moving up and down her back while Atlas' purred. She pressed her face against Trey's bare chest to feel the soothing rumble.
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't apologize. You just relived the worst parts of your life."
Trey was speaking softly, still rubbing her back and kissing her forehead. He'd been concerned with the amount of terror he'd seen on her face a few minutes ago. It made him want to kill Leo repeatedly for causing her so much pain.
Cat shimmied her way up until they were face to face. She raised her mouth to his and kissed him gently. He was surprised, but he wasn't going to deny her. The sparks that flew between them when their lips touched were getting stronger each time. Trey pulled back while they still had their senses.
"Feeling better?" He bent down to kiss her again briefly.
"Much better. Thank you for not running away from me. You were right. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders." Cat smiled at him while rubbing her hand over his chest.
"I'll never leave you. I love you." Cat gasped at his words. Did he just say what she thought he did?
"Did you say you love me?"
Trey hadn't planned on blurting it out, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to say how he felt and hoped he didn't scare her with his admission.
"Yes, I did. I love you. I know we've only known each other for a couple of days, but that's how I feel. You're like the sun and moon to me. I need you like I need the air to breathe. Please don't think I expect you to say it back." Trey held her to him, not wanting to ever let go.
Cat stared at the beautiful man before her while her eyes filled with tears. No one had told her they loved her since her mom died. Now this man she had known for two days had said the words she never thought she'd hear. Cat felt a warmth fill her body as she looked into his eyes, knowing she felt the same about him.
"I love you too." She watched his face light up in pure joy.
Trey leaned down and kissed her deeply, pushing his tongue into her mouth. She met it eagerly with her own and wrapped her arms around his neck, putting her hands in his hair. Cat felt a burning ache between her legs and knew she needed to stop before embarrassing herself again.
They held each other in happy silence. Trey couldn't believe Cat said she loved him too. He held onto her a little tighter, wanting to keep her in the safety of their own little bubble.
Cat leaned back, looking at him with a smile. As he looked into her crystal blue eyes, Trey's heart was a puddle. He knew from that moment on there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her.
"Trey, you've changed everything in my life. I'll never be able to repay you for all that you've done, but I'll spend the rest of my life trying. I really do love you with all my heart."
"The only thing I want from you is your promise that you'll never leave me. That would be a pain I could never get over." Trey kissed her forehead.
"You don't have to worry about me leaving. Now that I have you, I never want to be without you." Cat leaned up to kiss him.
They decided they better get up and see if there were any new emails. While Trey logged onto the laptop, Cat went into the bathroom to freshen up. She was so happy she thought she was dreaming.
How was it possible that something good could come out of such a bad situation? If Leo hadn't come after her and Trey hadn't been assigned to her case, they would've never met. Cat was excited to see what new possibilities her future would hold because of Trey coming into her life.
When she came out of the bathroom, Trey was still only in his boxer briefs and was dialing a number on the burner phone. He looked furious. She saw the laptop open on the table and went over to see what it said. Cat felt her blood run cold at what she read.
New plan. May need subject back in Sac for bait. Call me.
"What do you mean you want to use her as bait? I won't allow it. She's been through enough. You can't make her do this."
The anger Cat heard in Trey's voice as he yelled into the phone brought her out of her trance. She looked over at him and was sure he saw the panic on her face. How could she face Leo?
She had come all the way across the country, so she'd never have to see him again, and now they wanted to use her as bait. What if he was able to get to her before they caught him? Trey rushed over to Cat, putting the phone on speaker as he laid it on the table and wrapped his arms around her. Now she could hear the person on the other end of the phone.
"We may not have a choice. Putting Caterina out in the open may be our only option."
"Roger, there's no way you can make her do this. Do you know what you're asking and the chance you're taking with her life?" Trey was so angry he was almost crushing Cat while speaking through clenched teeth.
"What has gotten into you? Baiting the suspect is usually your idea. Don't tell me you're getting soft." Roger sounded angry now too.
"I wouldn't ask you to jeopardize your wife, so don't ask me to do this. There has to be another way."
"She isn't your wife or even your girlfriend, for that matter. She's an assignment, and you have a job to do."
"Not anymore. You're wrong. I love her and won't let any harm come to her. If you push this issue, I'll take Cat away, and we'll disappear where no one can find us."
Trey was yelling into the phone while still holding onto Cat. She began thinking as she listened to him. They couldn't be on the run forever. What kind of life would that be? If they faced this now, they could get on with their lives, and Leo would be behind bars.
Cat felt a new strength inside her that she knew came from all that Trey had given her. She had to help them catch Leo and the others. She pulled slightly away from Trey and looked into his eyes.
"I'll do it. I can't hide while these men are hurting children. I don't want to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. Let's finish this now." Cat could see the pain in his eyes and knew he wanted to argue, but she was determined.
"Trey, now that she's agreed, I expect you to be on standby. I'll let you know if it comes to that. We're still hoping to get him another way, but be ready if we need you to come back." After Roger hung up, Trey was still staring at Cat.
"I can't let you do this. I just found you, and I won't take the risk of putting you in danger. We don't know what Leo's capable of." The fear she heard in his voice gave her more courage because she knew he would do whatever was necessary to keep her safe.
"I need to do this for myself, us, and all those children they're hurting. This is the only way for us to move forward. I never thought I had a future. I thought I would always be on the run and hiding once Leo was released. You've shown me the possibilities of a life I never thought existed for me."
Cat held his gaze while she spoke and saw when he finally gave in. She lifted her mouth up so he would kiss her, and he crushed his mouth to hers. Cat could feel all of his love pouring into her from that kiss. She knew he would give her the strength to face her demons.
"I can't lose you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to you. Promise me that if I feel it's getting too dangerous, you'll let me take you away and disappear." Trey's voice was cracking as he looked down at her.
"I promise. I don't want to lose you either." They spent the rest of the day talking and watching television. Trey was having a hard time keeping Atlas under control. He wanted to shift and take Cat away until the others caught Leo. Trey wanted to do the same but would respect Cat's decision.
Cat was terrified, but she couldn't tell Trey, or he would hide her somewhere. She didn't want to see Leo but would do it for the kids. Leo was a monster she wouldn't wish on anyone. If she had the power to stop him, she would.
