“Kat,” Carter said firmly, interrupting what he knew was going to be something toxic and unhelpful. He fixed her with a level stare and shook his head minutely. The anger never left the rigidity in her body, but, to her credit, she shut up.

Carter turned to Eva, whose eyes were flickering between the pair of them, and gradually dropped his hand. “Kat didn’t put me up to this,” he said. “I was the one who wanted to come here today.”

Eva remained silent, cautious, and expectant.

“I wanted to come here and talk to you.”

“About what?”

Kat shifted at his side. Still watching Eva, Carter reached out his hand, finding Kat’s, and wrapped his index finger lovingly around her pinkie.

“I wanted a chance to explain.”

“Explain?” Eva scoffed. “Explain what, exactly? Are you here to explain why you’re endangering my daughter’s future? To explain why the hell I should trust you with her when you’re a convicted criminal? To explain what prospects someone like you could possibly have with a woman like Katherine? What exactly are you here to explain, Wes Carter?”

Her voice rose in volume with each word. Carter didn’t miss the quiver behind it, though, and allowed that to ease his temper rising with each slice of her tongue. Kat’s hand shook. She was aching to blow up at her mother, resisting only because he’d asked her to and he loved her all the more for it.

“I can explain all of that, if that’s what you want,” he offered in a tone more clipped than he’d intended. And, without knowing why, he took another step toward her. He saw Eva’s eyes widen infinitesimally, though her chin rose defiantly.

“But I came here to explain that, despite what you think of me, or whatever conclusions you have come to about me and my intentions, I’m in love with your daughter. And no matter what you say or do, I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

Carter could have sworn he saw shock tease at the edges of Eva’s mouth. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” he answered with a sharp dip of his head, determination once again flowing freely through his body.

Kat moved closer, and he indulged in the warmth and security her gesture brought. Eva saw it, too, which conjured up another intense frown. She stared at her daughter, but Kat’s eyes were on Carter, branding him as hers.

“I love you, too,” she said, loud enough that everyone heard.

32

“What time is your flight, darling?” Nana Boo asked, shattering the quiet enveloping the sitting room.

“We need to be at the airport in a few hours,” Kat answered from her seat at Carter’s side. She drew invisible circles on the back of his hand encased in hers on her lap.

Eva, seated in the large, plush chair opposite, glared as though Carter had asked her to give up her only virgin daughter for a public human sacrifice. He simply looked back, strong and patient, waiting for her to combust with everything he knew she wanted to say.

Fleetingly, Carter wondered what she saw as she glowered at him.

Did she see the love he had for her daughter? Did she see what conflict he’d gone through to be at her side? Did she see how he would lay down his life to keep her safe? Or did she see his list of crimes? Did she see him as a poster boy for the major fuckups of society? Did she regard him in the same way she regarded the animals who’d stolen her beloved husband?

Yeah, he thought pessimistically. That’s exactly how she saw him.

“I know you have a lot to say,” he muttered. “I know you have strong opinions of me.” He raised his eyebrows. “I’d rather you tell me so that maybe I can change them.”

“That won’t happen,” Eva hissed back.

“You don’t know that.”

“Don’t you dare tell me what I do and do not know. I know exactly who and what you are.”

Carter held Kat’s twitching hand fast. “Could you explain to me?” He sat forward. “Everyone deserves a chance to plead their case.”

“You’d be fairly practiced at that,” Eva remarked smarmily.

“Eva.”

Everyone’s head snapped toward Nana Boo, who was gaping at her daughter in a way that made Carter sink farther into his seat. Eva glanced at her mother before her eyes dropped deferentially.

“Yes,” Carter said. “I’ve done time.”

“More than once,” Eva countered. She shook her head, bewildered. “Do you truly believe that I want my daughter with a man who considers spending time in prison an extended summer vacation?”

“I don’t see it that way.” Carter was resolute. “I’m not proud of my past.”

“Maybe so,” Eva snapped. “But the past did happen.”

“Like Dad’s past?” Kat interjected sharply.

Eva stared at her daughter for a beat, tears filling her eyes. “Don’t you dare compare him to your father,” she growled. “Your father … your father …” She bit her lip, and wrapped her arms around herself. “He may have done things he wasn’t proud of,” she continued before her eyes landed back on Carter, “but he did something to make up for it. He became someone who people admired, respected, loved—”

“Carter’s done things I admire and respect,” Kat seethed. “You have no idea what he’s overcome, what he’s fought against his entire life. You have no idea about the night that Dad died, about how Cart—”

“Kat,” Carter interrupted.

He didn’t want Eva to know about his role on the night the senator died. Not yet, anyway. This wasn’t about winning points. A muffled sob came from across the room. Carter turned from Kat to see Eva’s devastated face and Harrison stroking her hair.

“You think I have no idea about the night your father died?” she repeated breathlessly. “How can you … Katherine, that night …” She shook her head, at a loss for words. “The night your father passed was the worst night of my life,” Eva said. Tears fell down her face. “I have no idea?” she repeated, giving a harsh snort of laughter. “I have never felt fear like I did when I received that phone call: debilitating fear that grips your very core, Katherine.”

Kat dropped her chin to her chest and closed her eyes. “Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“And it wasn’t just because I’d lost my husband,” she choked, “as much as I adored him, loved him. No.” She stared at Kat with shimmering eyes and the devastating memories lining her face. “The time when I was most scared, Katherine, was when I thought I’d lost you.”

Kat squeezed Carter’s hand, chewing the inside of her mouth.

“I knew your father would never let anyone hurt you, Katherine,” Eva continued. “He would have destroyed anyone who tried. But when the doctor at the hospital looked at me … with those sympathetic eyes, I was sure you were …” She clutched her teacup. “I was sure those monsters had taken you from me, too.”

“They didn’t,” Kat murmured, wiping at her left eye. “I’m here.”

“Yes, you are,” Eva countered. “With him.”

“It’s different. Carter isn’t a murderer!” Kat snapped.

“No, he’s a drug dealer. I’m so relieved,” Eva replied, disdain dripping from every word. Before Kat could respond, she continued, “Do you think your father would be happy that you took a job in a prison, working with the type of men he died saving you from? Do you think he’d be sitting here giving you two his blessing? If you do, you’re wrong.”

Before Carter could stop her, Kat shot up from her seat, eyes blazing, the tears and gentle words forgotten. “He gave me his blessing, Mom! He gave me his blessing the day we visited his grave.”

Despite Harrison’s hand and urging not to, Eva stood. “Don’t be ridiculous, Katherine. Your father wouldn’t stand for it. I am not going to stand for it! You are so much better than this.”

“You don’t have any say in my life, Mom. I’m twenty-five years old!”

“You are my daughter, and I want you safe!”

“I. AM. SAFE!”

“How can you say that?” Eva shoved an accusatory finger toward Carter. “He’s a convict, put inside for possessing cocaine, stealing cars, carrying dangerous weapons. He is not safe, and he is not who I want you with!”