Chapter 5

"That's him! That's the guy who threatened me at the gala and the one who fucked her by the pool. I saw it with my own eyes!"

Patrick, Patrick, Patrick. The guy might as well tattoo "LOSER" on his forehead.

It was supposed to be a chill Sunday at Katherine's home. We already spent the entire morning watching movies on her couch, making out, and eating brunch—in that order.

When someone knocked on the door, we didn't think much of it. After all, she said her parents rarely visited her apartment because they thought it was too shabby for someone with her surname.

But now, we're faced with three furious people—her mother, father, and pathetic Patrick.

With his blonde hair slicked back and his preppy boy outfit—khaki shorts, a polo shirt with a beige sweater draped over his shoulders, and a pair of moccasins—he looks every bit like the spineless old money he is.

Katherine's father, Bill, pushes himself to the front, glaring at me, and shooting a look at my girl that's meant to make her feel embarrassed. "What are you doing, Kate? Aren't you a bit old for this rebellious phase?"

"Dad, no. Patrick was?—"

Patrick, feeling extra brave and stupid, jabs a finger at Kate. "You lying bitch. You hated how I ignored you, so you seduced me. When I refused, you fucked this?—"

He doesn't get to finish his sentence because I rear my arm back and punch him square in the jaw. It's supposed to be a warning to watch his words, but I end up knocking the fucker out. Oh well. He's weaker than I thought he was. Tough.

Bill grabs both sides of his head in shock and fury, baring his teeth at me and looking like he's about one second away from a heart attack. "You idiot! Do you have any idea who he is?"

"He just called your daughter a bitch and accused her of seducing him when she never did anything of the sort. Now you're actually defending him?"

A hollow laughter rings out from him, and he scrubs a hand across his jaw. "You believe Kate? Well, I believe Patrick. He has no reason to lie, and he has plenty of women vying for his attention. Kate trying to seduce him is more believable than him forcing himself on her."

"And you call yourself her father." Disbelief laces my voice, and I reach for Katherine, trying to steady her.

"Patrick is the guy for her, not you. You know what? When Patrick told us about you, we checked the CCTVs at the venue, and I found out you once worked for us as a security detail. Did you really think that if you married Kate, you'd manage to dip your filthy fingers into our wealth?"

This time, I burst out laughing. "What wealth, Mr. Astor? The millions of dollars you owe your investors? The millions of dollars you owe the bank? Isn't that why you're forcing her and Patrick together? So his father can save your ass?" I scoff. "You're basically selling your own daughter."

The color drains from his face. His mouth hangs open, and he presses a fist to his mouth.

I feel Katherine's small hand on my arm, holding on to me. "Daddy, is that true?"

Bill takes a shaky breath and waves her off. "Stay out of this, Kate. You don't know anything."

Katherine's fingers tighten on my arm. "You're trying to arrange my marriage, and I still don't get a say in anything? You're dictating my future and I need to stay out of it?"

"It's for your own good. You get to continue living the lifestyle you're accustomed to. Let me handle it."

"Is this why Patrick acted like he owned me? Like he could command me to do anything?" To illustrate her point, Katherine nudges her chin to the unconscious man lying between us.

"You're getting on my nerves, Kate. Shut your mouth."

"I am done keeping quiet!"

Katherine raising her voice spurs her mom into action. She steps toward Katherine, making sure to avoid stepping on Patrick. "You'll disturb the neighbors, Kate. Why are you screaming like a banshee? Is this his influence on you? A few days with him and you're acting like the people beneath you."

"People beneath me? Oh, God. Mom, that's your take on all this?"

Katherine's mother, Linda, fluffs her hair and flicks an invisible speck from her designer dress. "I don't know what the issue is. Your father and I decided what's best for you."

"You don't know what's best for me. You've ignored me for the past twenty-four years!"

Linda waves her off. "You've always been dramatic."

"Mom, do you hear yourself? You told me how to act, how to speak, how to feel. As if that's not enough, you decided what school I should attend, what course to take, which friends I should hang out with. You never asked me what I wanted. Not once!" Katherine chokes on a sob, and my arms go around her. She takes off her glasses to wipe her tears angrily.

Linda's eyes narrow. "What do you want me to say, Kate? If I let you be, you're gonna end up with people not on your level, those who will just take advantage of you." She looks me up and down, a look of pure disgust on her face. "Like this man."

I steel my spine. "With all due respect, ma'am?—"

"I didn't tell you to speak."

I give her a smile so cold, she steps back. "No one tells me what to do, Linda."

Patrick chooses that moment to stir. His eyelids flutter open slowly, brows furrowed in confusion. I can tell the exact moment when reality crashes back into him, and he sits up straight, pressing a hand against his jaw that's now starting to swell.

His gaze flicks to each of us, and when it lands on me, he points an accusing finger, probably the only thing he's good at. "You fucker! You're gonna pay for this!"

My only response is a smile. It's never not funny to me when rich kids realize they can't get away with everything.

Bill, sensing that neither I nor Katherine will budge, grabs Patrick's arm to help him up. The piece of shit staggers and almost brings Bill to the floor with him before he's pulled upright again.

"You asshole are spending the rest of your life in jail because of what you did to Patrick." Bill tips his head to the door. "Let's go, Kate. Don't make me drag you all the way out."

Katherine lets go of my arm and straightens her back. She glances at me and gives me a soft smile before wiping it from her face and staring at her parents. "Go fuck yourselves."

Linda's hand flies to her chest, shaking her head. "You'll end up on the streets because we're cutting off your cards and allowance. Say goodbye to your trust fund."

With my arm draped on her shoulders, I pull Katherine closer to my side. "You're acting like you're doing her a favor, Linda. You can barely fund your shopping sprees and ski trips."

Bill lunges forward, but I step in front of Katherine. He has the good sense to back away. Good because if he thinks I'm violent, he hasn't seen what kind of man I become when someone tries to hurt my girl.

"Let me make one thing clear, Bill, Linda, Patrick. You touch Katherine, hurt her, or do anything to upset her, and I'll come for you. You think knocking out this guy is the worst I can do? You don't know half of it. The richest, most powerful people pay me hundreds of thousands to protect them. You think I can't do the same to the one I love for free?"

Bill shifts his weight from one foot to the other, unable to look at me anymore.

But I'm far from done. "Those creditors after you, Bill? I'll make sure they all find out you're no longer capable of paying them. And the investors whose calls you've been dodging? I'll send them every piece of paper that proves you have nothing on your name but debts."

I drag my feet forward, and the three collectively step back, Patrick sprinting towards the door and leaving the two. "No one hurts my girl and gets away with it," I continue. "Not even her good-for-nothing parents."

Their backs are on the open door, and I growl. "Now leave."

Bill and Linda can't do it fast enough. With one last glance at Katherine, they spin on their heels and leave.

I'm about to close the door when I see Dina raising her cane at the retreating figures and yelling, "And don't ever come back or I'll unleash hell on you both!"

We both stand in the hallway until we lose sight of the pair. I start to get back inside when Dina raises her cane and rests it on my chest. "Good job, young man. But if you hurt her, I'd have your head on a plate."

As someone who has trained long and hard in assessing threats, I have no doubt this old lady means it. I guess I'm not the only one looking out for Katherine anymore.