Family Man

remember?”
    Matt threw Luke a grateful glance. “Yeah, don't worry about me.”
    “Okay, okay, I get the point.” Katy hugged him quickly. “I'll be back tomorrow afternoon.”
    “Right.” Matt followed them to the door. “Have a good time.”
    Katy grimaced. “This is a business trip.”
    Luke smiled wryly as he tossed her bags into the trunk of the Jag. “That doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself, Katy.”
    “Yes, it does.” She slid into the passenger seat of the Jag and waved at Matt and Zeke.
    Luke said nothing as he guided the car out of the drive and onto the road toward Dragon Bay. A few minutes later they were through the small town. Luke took the freeway that headed south toward Seattle. The sky was heavy, and a light misty rain was falling.
    “I take it you haven't left Matt alone very often,” Luke said, breaking the long silence.
    “No. I know I have to get used to the idea that he's almost an adult, but it isn't easy. I worry about him.”
    “He worries about you, too.”
    Katy glanced at Luke in surprise. “He does?”
    “He thinks he's to blame for tying you down all these years.”
    “That's nonsense.”
    “No, it's not. It's the truth, and he knows it. He's afraid that because of your responsibilities toward him, you haven't had enough experience in the real world.”
    “Is that right?”
    “He's worried you aren't sophisticated enough to be able to tell the sons of bitches from the good guys.”
    “I'm sure I'll figure it out,” Katy said. “I've always been a fast learner.”

    The corporate offices of Gilchrist, Inc. occupied one floor of a sleek high rise in downtown Seattle. The view through the bank of tinted windows on the twentieth floor was spectacular. The city hummed with the energy that only a Pacific Rim port could ignite.
    Elliott Bay, slate gray beneath a leaden sky, was dotted with monster ships. Small worlds of their own, the tankers and freighters bore the logos of shipping companies scattered all over Asia and the Pacific. In the distance the snow-capped Olympics were almost lost in the mist that seemed to cover the world.
    “Why did Luke bring you with him today?” Eden asked. “What's going on, Katy? What's he up to?”
    Katy turned away from the splendid view and looked at Luke's cousin. Eden lounged elegantly behind her desk, her body betraying a subtle tension. She was wearing a crisp black suit that emphasized her slenderness and highlighted the stark red of her mouth and nails. Her green eyes were sharp and anxious.
    “I'm supposed to give him my analysis of the people in the various meetings he's holding with management today.” Katy shrugged. “What can I tell you? I'm a glorified secretary.”
    Eden drummed her nails on the polished surface of her desk. “But what is he up to?”
    Katy thought of the computer investigation Luke had launched but said nothing. Luke had specifically told her not to tell anyone, and she was supposed to be working for him now. Like it or not, her business loyalty was to the Bastard.
    “I'm not sure,” Katy said cautiously. “Right now he's gathering data. That's all I can tell you.”
    “He's got something planned. I can feel it.” Eden stared accusingly at Katy. “You've got to let us know what's going on, Katy. There's too much at stake here.”
    “As far as I know, he's doing exactly what he told Justine he would do. He's trying to save the company.”
    “Dad says we can't trust him, and I agree.” Eden gazed into the glowing screen of the computer on her desk as if she could divine the future there. “He makes me nervous.”
    “I think Luke makes everyone nervous. Look, Eden, I really don't know what else to tell you. Justine wanted him. She's got him. All the rest of us can do is hope for the best.” Katy glanced at her watch. “I've got to run. Luke's called another meeting in the boardroom in five minutes. I'm supposed to attend.”
    “Katy, wait.” Eden leaned forward, her expression intense. “You will warn us if you find out Luke is planning anything that will hurt the family, won't you? You owe us that much.”
    Katy hesitated. “I'll warn Justine,” she agreed quietly. “I owe her that much. I don't really owe the rest of you anything, do I?”
    Eden's eyes narrowed. “What is that supposed to mean?”
    “Just what it sounds like. I've always worked for Justine, not the rest of you.”
    “No,” Eden whispered. “It's more than that. A lot more. You've never forgiven me for