Savior

Chapter 56

-xx-

Lunch seemed to drag on as Derek fought with the thoughts in his mind. He knew that Cate deserved to know – she should be aware of the type of person Savannah was, as well as his hesitation to become a father. He explained that he threw himself into work following the lie coming to light and pushed every thought of family from his mind.

Derek looked down at their hands; Cate kept a tight grip on his as they walked along the boardwalk. He smiled as her thumb drew circles against his skin. He apologized repeatedly over their meal, and was reminded each time that he had nothing to be sorry for. Cate said over and over again that she was not upset with him in the slightest, but was furious with Savannah.

"She took this amazing man, and pulled something so asinine. In no way, shape or form should you be apologizing for anything," she had reminded him.

The black man was not sure how he was so lucky to have Catherine Johnson in his life, but he thanked his lucky stars every day for her. Bumping in to her at the bar was the best thing that could have ever happened to him. Scratch that – her agreeing to go to dinner with him the following night was the best. And things only seemed to get better from there.

He could only laugh at the photo booth pictures in Cate's right hand. She had convinced him – though it did not take much convincing – to go in the photo booth with her. She had two copies of the photos, one for each of them, and knew full well that his would probably sit on his dresser, never to be seen again.

She was making the best out of their last minute lunch date. The work sitting on her desk at home could wait as she spent much needed alone time with the man to her left. As she reflected on the past two weeks, she realized they had not gotten much alone time together and she was determined to change that while he was out of work for the week.

Between their trip to Chicago, where they spent almost every minute with family or friends, to the 4th of July cookout at her parents and then her trip to Miami, they never got much alone time. Even with both of them in their own thoughts, they were enjoying the fresh air together.

Cate knew her work would be waiting for her when they got back to the apartment, but they never knew when they could take an afternoon away like this next so she was going to relish the moment.

"I don't want you to hate her," Derek began.

Cate cast a glance upwards to the blank man as her eyebrow rose. "How could I not?"

He pursed his lips and stopped walking. He turned to her and placed his hand to her waist. "It was four years ago, Cate."

She nodded. "And it's still fresh for you," she replied. "That's bullshit that she would even stoop that low."

He bowed his head. "Catie," he said softly.

She pursed her lips into a tight smile. "I won't treat her any different – if that matters, because I barely know her. But I won't go out of my way to be nice."

Derek could only laugh. There was no changing her mind, so he wasn't going to fight it. "Easy, tiger," he said with a chuckle. "Just do as I do, and ignore her."

"I doubt I'm her favorite person right now, anyways," Cate said as she placed her hand to Derek's cheek. "I could see in her face the other night that she still cares about you."

"It's too late for that," Derek replied sharply. "And quite frankly, I've found someone much better."

Cate smiled as she felt the blush rise in her cheeks. "You make me out to be some sort of princess, or something," she replied as her grin grew.

"Queen," he corrected. "You're my queen."

If it wasn't for the words almost taking her breath away, the look he was giving her most certainly did the trick. She felt like she was on a constant cloud 9 when she was around Derek and the adoration that dripped from his voice almost sent her over the edge.

Cate sighed contently as Derek pulled her close and kissed her forehead. She wrapped both arms around him the best she could and rested her head against his good shoulder.

"Ready to head home?" he asked softly. She nodded against his arm.

-xx-

"What the fuck," Cate mumbled as she stepped through the doorway from the parking garage.

Derek heard her as he held the door open for her and followed her into the lobby. Instinctively, he stepped in front of Cate as she started towards the seating area at the front of the building. "Cate," he warned as she attempted to step around him.

A roll of her eyes led her to lifting her eyebrow in his direction. "Please," she asked, her eyes pleading for him to step out of her way.

Derek squared his jaw and slowly nodded, slowing his pace to let her pass. He kept a step behind her as she crossed her arms and continued towards the couch.

"Freddy," she said harshly as she stepped next to the man sitting on the couch in his suit and tie. She rolled her eyes as he slowly looked up at her. "You should not be here."

She could feel Derek standing behind her, giving her just enough room. He edged forward as the older man stood from the couch. "You've been ignoring me, Catherine."

She scoffed. "And yet here you are," she replied sarcastically. "Why?"

"He needs your help," Freddy said softly. "We've already talked the defense down to eight months, but your help can get him out in six."

Cate licked her lips as she contemplated his words. She could feel her skin getting hot as Freddy took another step towards her. "No," she said and lifted her hand in his direction. "I'm not helping him, Fred. He wanted to kill me!"

She tried to keep her voice down, but saw sideways glances from people walking through the lobby. "He never would have, Catherine. He loves you too much."

Cate could have sworn she saw Derek clench his fist diagonally behind her. "I've seen what a knife can do to that disgusting body of yours," she recited, her eyes flaring in Freddy's direction, "I wondered what bullets could do." Only she could hear the sharp intake of breath from behind her. "Is that love, Freddy? Or is that a sadistic asshole who you think is perfectly fine? He's mentally unstable. Help your son!"

The older man was taken aback as she slowly raised her voice. "I always thought you knew that you had the best thing when you were with Cole." The smirk on his face made Cate want to vomit right there on the spot. "But if this," he gestured to the apartment building, "Is what you want, then by all means. It's where you belong."

Derek was about to take a step forward but noticed the slight shake of Cate's head as she watched him out of the corner of her eye. "I could be in a gutter and I'd be better off there than with the abusive son you raised. He learned from the master, after all."

Anger flashed in the older man's eyes, and Derek took one step to stand next to Cate. He had just about two inches on the graying man and made sure to stand straight to show off the difference. "These accusations will get you nowhere, young lady. No one will believe a whore like you, anyways."

Derek stepped in front of Cate and pointed towards the front doors. "It'll be best if you leave, now," he warned, never once backing down. He turned towards the reception desk. "Carl," he began as the man behind the desk lifted his head, trying not to show that he was watching the entire interaction. "Can you call for a police escort for this man?"

The older man across from the pair held up his hands. "I'm leaving." Derek never let his shoulders sag once under Fred's watch. "Good luck with this one," he said motioning to Cate. "It'll be tough knowing you're second in her life."

Cate lost herself in laughter. Derek fought the smirk crossing his face at her reaction. "Wow, you've got quite the imagination, Fred." She took a moment to get her laughter under control. "Here's a quick refresher – Cole is nothing. There is no comparison. He does not exist in my mind any more. You and your son need to accept that fact." She stepped next to Derek. "I will say this one last time – I will not help your son in court. If you bring it up again, I will make damn sure I am at the next court date and make sure he spends every minute in jail that he deserves." She tightened her arms across her chest. "Am I understood?"

Fred nodded and pursed his lips. Without another word, he stepped back from the twosome and started towards the front doors. When he made it a few feet away, he turned back to say something, but thought better of it when he noticed Cate's cold expression.

The pair watched him walk through the front doors and Cate released a sigh. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves before slowly turning her eyes up to Derek.

He threw his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him, placing a kiss to the side of her head. "I think it's time to move," Derek said with a laugh as they started towards the elevator.

-xx-

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