Dex laughed. “If you don’t mind, while we eat, I’d like to ask you about the inner workings of The Dungeon. Since I arrived only yesterday, I’m still finding my way around the place.”
She remembered that he had wanted information earlier when they were in the VIP lounge, and she had never gotten around to giving him the promised tour. “I don’t mind answering any questions you might have.”
Their food arrived quickly. After making sure both orders were correct, he fell silent, and she realized he was waiting for her to start eating before he dug in.
“Please,” she said as she motioned to the food between them. “Go ahead and eat. If you don’t, I can’t promise there will be any garlic Parmesan fries left for you.”
“Then I’d better try them before that happens.” He reached out and picked up a few of the fries and brought them to his lips.
She waited expectantly as he popped them in his mouth and chewed. “Those are damn good. You get to pick the restaurants from now on.”
Kate knew it was silly, but warmth filled her at his words. She wasn’t used to most of her dates, or her Doms, treating her with such care and respect, which said a lot for the kind of men who acted in both those capacities in her life. None of what it said was good.
After they ate in silence for a few minutes, Dex said, “Do you know who Congressman Fredericks is?”
Caught off guard, Kate glanced up to find him watching her. She wondered why Dex would ask about Uncle Carl. It was definitely out of left field.
Finally, she nodded. “Yes, he’s a longtime family friend and a business associate of my father’s. Why?”
She thought she saw a flicker of something in Dex’s gaze, but she couldn’t figure out what it was. He pointed toward the ceiling, making her realize there was a news report playing over the restaurant’s sound system rather than the normal generic rock music. The current story was about freeway closures, so she must have missed something while she had been eating. “What happened?”
Dex took a sip of his coffee and then set it back on the table. “He was shot earlier tonight.”
Fear flooded her chest and settled like a hard lump inside her stomach. Uncle Carl had been a good friend and confidant, especially as she got older and the relationship between her and her father had become more and more strained. “Oh no. Is he all right?”
“He’s in the hospital, but stable, according to the report. They didn’t give much other information. Is he one of your Doms?”
The thought was so foreign it made her frown, but she shook her head, realizing that Dex probably knew only what everyone else in the local lifestyle knew—she had a few of the political elite as her Doms. So without knowing the details, he could easily assume what he had.
“No. He and I are extremely close, but definitely not in any kind of sexual way. He was at our house so often while I was growing up, I call him Uncle Carl. He’s like the uncle I never had, and his wife treats me like one of their family.”
Her chest hurt as she thought about Carl’s wife, Gloria, and what she must be going through right now. “I have to call Aunt Gloria.” She fished her phone out of her purse. “Do you mind if I try her?”
Dex motioned for her to go ahead, the concern etching his features showing her he was sincere. Normally, she would duck outside to make a call, but being rude was the last thing on her mind right now.
The phone rang, but almost immediately went to voicemail. Her chest tight, she left a quick message, even though her voice shook and cracked. She told Aunt Gloria that if she needed anything at all to call her immediately, day or night. She also told her she would keep them in her prayers, and added that she loved them both, before she hung up with tears streaming down her face.
Fear and frustration at not having any more answers than she had a moment ago constricted her throat. She looked at Dex. “Did they list a hospital on the news report?”
Dex studied her before closing his hand over hers in a silent offer of comfort that she appreciated and basked in.
He shook his head. “They didn’t, but I’m sure it will be a madhouse no matter where he is, with the press vying for a story.”
She hadn’t thought of that, but he was right. Not to mention that Carl and Gloria had several sons and daughters who had probably gone immediately to the hospital. She would only be in the way—a distraction Aunt Gloria didn’t need. So although she ached to see Uncle Carl and reassure herself that he was all right, it was selfish and wouldn’t help him recover. “You’re right. It was just such a shock.”
“I’m sorry, Kate. It sounds like you were very close. Would your father have more details for you?”