She fumbled with the bed sheet. “The truth. Tell them I wanted to spare them the pain.”
“Are you sure about this?” he asked with a heavy heart. The pregnancy was something her parents had every right to share, as much as he had.
“Don’t you agree? Wouldn’t it be dangerous bringing them here or to Paris?”
She was right. They would be at a bigger risk, knowing more than what was needed, and if they were brought here, it would have to be done with a hell of a lot of safety measures. What he didn’t say was that they were already monitoring her parents’ home, phones, and computers. Not just for their protection, but also because her parents could be watched by anyone wanting to get his hands on Katherine, or the baby, or the team, or Cain, for that matter.
He regretted it more than he could ever express when he said, “I agree. It’s better this way.”
A single tear fell from her eye and ran over her cheek.
He kissed it away. “You can call them on the secure line, every day.”
It was a sorry compromise, but it was all he could offer.
She squared her shoulders. “I’ll make the plans today. I already told them we’re coming home for Easter. We’ll just arrive a few days early. They’ll want to fetch us from the airport. Are we taking a commercial flight?”
“Too risky. We’ll go by private jet. I’ll go speak to Joss now to see how soon we can leave.”
“Thanks,” she said, offering him a meek smile.
He pulled a shirt over his head and went in search of Joss. He told him what Kat had decided about her parents. Together, they went over the necessary safety measures for the better part of an hour.
When Katherine appeared in the door of the library, her hair still wet from her shower, Lann said, “We’re leaving tomorrow morning, krasavitsa.”
“For how long shall I pack?”
He couldn’t answer. It was Joss who did the unwelcome task for him.
“I’m sorry, Kat, but we can only let you stay one day.” His silver eyes were apologetic. “More than that becomes too big a risk to handle, even for me.”
Katherine gave a resigned nod. “We’ll travel light then.”
She could hide it from Joss, but she couldn’t hide her pain from Lann.
Chapter 11
A few blocks from her childhood home, Lann parked the car on the curb. He covered Kat’s hand with his.
His voice was tender, but the color of his eyes was pale behind his glasses, like when he was upset. “Ready?”
She took a deep breath and nodded.
He tugged a strand of hair behind her ear, studying her for a while. “You’re sure about not telling them you’re pregnant?”
He agreed with her. There were things she couldn’t explain to them. This way was best for everyone—her, their baby, Lann, and her parents. Lann would only tell them once his son was born, but he needed her reassurance that she was fine with it.
“It’s how I want it,” she said.
Leaning over, he kissed her briefly. “I’m right here with you.”
She tried to ignore her trepidation as Lann started the engine and steered Cain’s company car the remaining distance to the house in which she’d spent all of her years up to a few months ago.
It was a simple, wooden house in a middleclass suburb. There was no fence. The garden with the big oak tree recalled memories of her playing on the lawn while her dad, John, did the mowing. Her mom would prune the roses. She’d help Dad, and he’d ruffle her hair and propose a reward for their hard work that usually included cookies and milk.
As soon as the car came to a halt, the front door opened. She pulled herself from her reverie. Mom would’ve waited by the window in the lounge, keeping an eye out for their arrival. Lann got out and came around to get her door. He offered her a hand, and led her to the front door.
Felicity held out her arms as they mounted the stairs. When had those gray highlights crept into her mom’s hair?
Kat stepped into her mom’s embrace. John stood behind his wife. He waited until mother and daughter had said their greetings before he took Kat into a bear hug.
“Daddy,” she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder, “I missed you.”
She straightened and turned to Lann. “Mom, Dad, this is Lann.”
Felicity extended her hand. Lann took it, but instead of shaking it, he pulled her into a light embrace and kissed her cheek. “Mrs. White, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Felicity seemed flustered. “I … it’s … welcome.”
Kat couldn’t blame her. After Mac, Lann had to come as a shock. He wasn’t exactly the type of guy she normally brought home.
John shook Lann’s hand next, giving him an uncertain tap on the back. “Welcome.” There was a tinge of animosity in his voice, but it was gone when he addressed his daughter. “Well, are we going to stand here on the porch all day, or are we going inside?”