Take Me (Take Me 1)

“You proposed to him?!” Now, her voice jumped.

“Shh!” Kate said on a laugh. “The whole wing doesn’t need to know. In fact, no one knows. Except Charlotte—now you.”

“You told Charlotte before you told me? You traitor!”

“I only did it to placate her. Or more accurately, to let her know we’d still be close despite the bride-bridesmaid relationship being over.”

“Why is this even a secret?” Nikki asked.

“I didn’t want to spoil hers and Denny’s day. The desire to marry Jude just struck me so strongly, I went with it. He pulled strings, we said I do and bam! All legal and official and lovely.”

She actually fought a bout of giddiness. So unlike Kate.

But she was ecstatic over being Jude’s wife—and not having to hide it from Nikki.

“Wow. This is just…so unexpected,” Nikki mused. “You, married. Without any of your teeth having been pulled.”

“Ha. Ha. Yes, the timing is a bit crazy. But I knew all along I’d marry him. And maybe we’ll do the fancy shindig thing. For the moment, this feels significant enough.”

“It is significant. And so fantastic.” Nikki hugged her. “I’m so happy—for both of you.”

“Thanks. I really couldn’t help myself. Everything about that man is just so…hot and sexy and delicious.”

The low chuckle coming from behind Kate made her jump out of Nikki’s loose embrace.

She glared at her friend. “You knew he’d just entered the room!”

Nikki winked. “I couldn’t resist. It’s a nice change of pace to see you lose your shit over a guy, Kate.”

“Will everyone please keep in mind there’s a child present?”

Though, Sophie was off in the corner, bouncing a little ball against the wall. And she didn’t speak or comprehend that much English, anyway.

Still, Kate was prepared to shift her mentality and think more parental-like.

“So what’d you find out, hot stuff?” Nikki asked Jude.

He smirked at her quip. Then more seriously said, “Nothing new. Let’s talk over dinner.”

Kate was reluctant to leave Sophie, but visiting hours were about to end, so she gave her a hug, kissed her on the forehead and promised she’d be back in the morning.

Dining out was a rather somber affair.

Kate said, “We can’t deny something sketchy is going on with Nico. The problem is…is Nico in danger—or does Nico pose the danger?”

“I have some calls into associates,” Jude told them before poring over the menu.

Kate’s brow crooked. “Associates? What kind of associates might help us in Mexico City related to something of this nature?”

“I have my own network, Kate. Investigators, judges, experts in various fields, FBI agents, con-artists, CIA operatives…” He shrugged a broad shoulder. “I’ve dealt with all manner of industrial catastrophes and sometimes it calls for undercover work to answer some of the tougher questions—occasionally with international alliances.”

Kate nodded and sipped her wine. She did know this about his particular legal specialty.

Jude more tensely said, “If Nico has people who tracked him down to the hospital and then got him the hell out of there, chances are, we’ll never hear mention of it. Unless he’s with a cell that wants to take responsibility for the explosions. If that were the case, however…they would have made their claim already.”

“You’re going to share what you’ve gleaned with whomever you think might also be interested in knowing or who might be able to help,” Nikki ventured as she reached for her own glass of merlot. “And then you’ll be done with it.”

He glanced up from his menu. Nikki pinned him with an intent look. His gaze locked with hers and it didn’t waver.