"It was a blue car, a Ford, I think," Steve said for what felt like the thousandth time since Roman had arrived a few minutes prior. "That's all I know, Roman. It all happened too fast."
Steve saw Roman glance over to where Kimberly was sitting, with Andrew on her lap. Then Roman lowered his voice and whispered, "And you're sure the car was trying to hit Kim?"
"It's the only thing that makes sense," Steve said. "I was still on the sidewalk, so he couldn't have been after me."
"All right, partner." Roman sighed in frustration. "Thanks for saving my sister and nephew."
"Hey they're my family too, you know," Steve said. Standing up gingerly, he added, "I need to try and call Kayla again."
Steve and Roman both turned towards the door as they heard it open. Kayla ran in, followed closely by Shane. Steve's eye narrowed. What the hell is she doing with him? Kayla ran straight to Steve, while Shane went to Kim and Andrew.
"Are you okay?" Kayla asked, the concern etched on her face.
"I'm fine," Steve said, still looking over at Shane.
"What happened? All Ma told Shane was that there had been some kind of car accident."
"I'm afraid it was no accident, Sis." Roman responded before Steve could answer. "From what we can tell, it looks like your husband here saved Kimmie and Andrew from a deliberate attack."
"What?" Kayla said, covering her mouth in shock. Steve looked again at Shane, who had Andrew in his arms and a look of pure anger on his face. For the first time, Steve noticed the fading bruises on Shane's face. Someone had done a number on him.
Steve stepped forward to comfort Kayla and could not help but grimace. Kayla grabbed his arm. "You're hurt, aren't you?" Looking down at his torn pants and the blood on his shirt, Kayla gasped. "We need to get you to the hospital and get you checked out."
"No hospitals," Steve said sharply. Then he looked at Kayla and softened his tone. "I don't need a doctor, Sweetness. It's just some scrapes and bruises."
"Okay. . . . If you're sure," Kayla said. "I'll get those scrapes cleaned up as soon as we get home."
"See. . . ." Steve grinned. "All I need is a little tender, loving care from my wife. No hospital and no doctor can fix me up like you can."
Kayla rolled her eyes, but also smiled back at Steve. "You're impossible, you know?"
"So you've always told me, Sweetness," Steve said.
Turning to Roman, who was talking to Shane, Steve called out, "Hey, Roman . . . can we go home now?"
Roman walked over and nodded. "Sure, Steve," he said. "Just call me if you remember anything else - no matter how minor."
"I will," Steve said.
Steve and Kayla walked over to where Kim was still sitting. Kayla sat down next to Kim and gave her sister a big hug. "I'm so glad you and Andrew are okay, Kimmie. I don't know what I would do if-" Kayla stopped, her voice choking with emotion.
"Hey, Kay," Kim said softly. "I'm fine and so is Andrew. . . . Thanks to your hero of a husband."
Steve smiled down at Kim. "I'm no hero. I'm just glad I was there." His voice grew more serious. "You be careful from here on out. I know Roman and Shane will take good care of you, but if you need anything, just holler. Okay?"
"Okay," Kim said.
Kayla hugged Kim again and then stood up. Steve took her hand and headed for the door. He stopped as he heard Shane call his name.
"Steve." Shane walked towards them. "I just want to thank you for . . . well for what you did today."
"You don't have to thank me, Donovan. Like you told me once, it's what family does."
"Right," Shane said. Looking at Kayla, he gave her a soft smile. "You two take care then."
"We will," Kayla replied.
Steve felt his anger rise again and knew he was being unreasonable. You have to let this go. Taking a deep breath, he put his arm around Kayla's shoulders and again turned for the door. As they walked outside, he was surprised to see Kayla's car in the parking lot. Turning to her, he said, "I thought you rode over here with Shane. I mean . . . I saw you come in together, and you said you were with him when Caroline called."
"We did come in together, but we drove separately," Kayla said, avoiding his eye. "I guess you want to know why I was at Shane's?"
"The question did cross my mind," Steve replied as they reached the car.
Kayla did not answer as she helped him into the car and then went around to the driver's side. Inside, she fastened her seat belt and started the car. Then, she turned to him. "I went over there because I wanted information about your rescue and what was going on when they found you." She put the car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot.
Steve wanted to be angry at her and, in some way, he was, but he also was not really surprised. Kayla's determination and tenaciousness - particularly where he was concerned - were part of why he had fallen in love with her, and pretty much the entire reason they had ever got together in the first place. Sighing, he said, "So what did Mr. ISA tell you?"
"Nothing," Kayla said, obviously frustrated. "All your secrets are still safe from me."
"Baby, I'm not keeping secrets. I told you that. I'm just not ready to talk about all of this with you. Not when there is any chance I might lose control." Steve sighed, his own frustration breaking through. "I wish I knew how to make you understand that."
"I wish I knew too," Kayla said softly. "I just feel like there is this invisible wall between us and I don't know what to do about it."
Steve did not know how to respond. He knew she was right, but he did not know how to fix it either. They finished the rest of the drive in silence. When they reached the apartment building, Kayla parked the car and got out and helped Steve out of the passenger side. Steve grimaced as he stood, feeling the muscles tightening more with each passing minute. He limped into the house and let Kayla lead him into the bathroom. She gingerly removed his shirt, her eyes narrowing at the bruising on his side. She gently probed his abdomen and ribs.
"It doesn't feel like anything's broken," she said. "But you're going to have some really pretty bruises for a few days."
"It's hardly the first time," Steve joked.
"True," Kayla said as she began removing his pants. In other circumstances, Steve would have thoroughly enjoyed that experience, but he knew now was not the time. His eye narrowed as Kayla reached for the first aid kit and poured some antiseptic on a gauze pad. Bracing himself, he managed to stifle a yelp when the antiseptic touched the scrape on his leg. Looking down, he could see Kayla trying to suppress a grin.
"You think this is funny, Sweetness?" Steve asked through gritted teeth.
The smile left Kayla's face and she looked up at Steve. "No," she said in a serious tone. "I don't think this is funny at all. I could have lost you today."
"Hey. . . . " Steve stroked Kayla's cheek. "It's just some scrapes and bruises, nothing more. Please stop worrying about me."
"I'm never going to stop worrying about you," Kayla said. Standing up, she gave him a gentle kiss. "I'm going to get you some clothes and then call Jennifer and ask her to bring Stephanie home. She's probably wondering what happened to me since I told her I wouldn't be long, and that was hours ago."
Steve nodded and gave Kayla another kiss before she left. He stood in front of the mirror looking at the bruises forming on his side and felt a chill run through him. He was not worried about himself. He was worried about his family. Somebody had tried to kill Kim today, and Steve had a feeling that whoever it was would not be stopping after a single attempt.