A Pound of Flesh (A Pound of Flesh #1)(189)

“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.

[page]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.”