Kasey did her best to ignore the fact that Daniel was there.  She had to give him credit though; he’d stayed out of the way and even helped Henry when he got a delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Henry showed him where to store everything and in no time they had everything put away.

Kasey tried not to look at the clock and was happy that the morning was busy with customers coming in for breakfast or their morning coffee.  The regulars helped as she was able to chat with them for a minute or so and before she knew it the morning was almost gone.

Her appointment was for 11.15am, so at 10.50am she spoke to Henry to let him know she was going to get organised to leave.  The bank was only two blocks away, but she wanted to get there early so she’d have time to get her thoughts in order before hand.

Maree gave her a hug as she came out of the back room, “Good luck Kasey.  Come straight back and let us know how things went okay.”

Kasey nodded, feeling suddenly nervous, then smiled as she headed towards the door.  She stopped short remembering her shadow.  “Umm Danny, it’s almost time for my appointment at the bank.”

Daniel stood and looked down at her sensing her nervousness, “I will be coming with you Kasey, I’ll stay well back and let you handle things the way you want, but if you need me I will step in.  Understand?”

Kasey sighed and nodded, “Okay, but you only step in if you really have to.”  Then she headed for the door with Daniel following.

When she got to the bank she spoke to the woman at the help desk and was told to take a seat.  While she was waiting she went over all her paper work and felt confident that this time she’d walk out with a smile on her face.  Daniel waited against the wall just behind her, which she appreciated.

A few minutes later a young woman approached, her name tag said Susan Adams.  Kasey smiled up at her until she told her that Mr Wilson was ready to meet with her.  The colour drained from her face as she stood, “But I requested the meeting be with someone else… not David Wilson.”  Then she remembered the woman’s name, “actually I requested the meeting to be with you?”

The woman looked a little embarrassed and turned towards where David was sitting.  “I’m sorry Miss Drew, but David insisted he assess your application.  He’s my supervisor and I answer to him, so there was nothing I could do about it.”

“No problem,” Kasey replied then forced a smile as she approached David’s desk.  “Hi David,” she began.  “I didn’t realise that I’d be meeting with you today?”

“Come on now,” he smiled and indicated that Susan should leave.  “We have a lot of history Kasey and I’d like to think that we are friends.  If you get a home loan I’d like to be the person to sign off on it.”  He was smiling, a big smug smile like he knew something she didn’t.

This did not put her in a happy place and she struggled to remain calm.  She sensed Daniel behind her and turned her head giving him a look that indicated he should stay where he was.  He didn’t like it but he did as she requested.

Kasey turned back to David and smiled.  “I’ve put in all the paperwork and have copies with me.  I’ve done everything you said I should do.  I’ve been saving as much as possible and have a good amount in my account now.  I’ve been working at the café now for just over three years and you know I still do a few shifts for Gerry when he’s busy.”  She looked at him hoping for the best.

David moved forward across his desk, Kasey had her hands resting there on top of her paperwork.  He reached out and took one of her hands expecting her to let him do so and was none too happy when she pulled away from him.

He sat back a little and smiled at her, “You know Kasey I like you, I really do and if you play your cards right you just might get that loan.”  He smirked at her and looked her over as one would look at a piece of prime rib.  He made her skin crawl, actually he made her feel like she needed a shower, but she smiled back and pretended she didn’t know what he meant.

“So,” she started, “does that mean I get the loan?  You know I’d have no problem with the payments and I’d pay extra whenever I could.”  Kasey’s face lit up, she was getting excited and hopeful that she would get the loan this time.

David could see the excitement on her face and used it to his advantage.  “There is a way to ensure that you ‘do’ get the loan Kasey.”  He paused wanting his words to sink in.  “I like you Kasey, you know that and I’ve always thought that we’d be good together, that you’d realise that you really do want to be with me.”

Kasey looked up at him in shock, “So you’re telling me that if I want the loan I have to go out with you?”

David laughed softly and leant forward again, “I was willing to just go out with you… once.”  Kasey could feel her stomach knot and for a moment she thought she was going to throw up.

“I think you could do a lot more than go out with me Kasey.  You could make me feel wanted and needed…” he smiled again, “I’m sure you could think of a way to make me feel more ‘willing’ to approve your application.”

Kasey couldn’t believe what she was hearing, she knew David was a jerk, but she didn’t think he was capable of being such a sleaze.  “You want me to sleep with you?”

The look of anger and disgust on her face angered him and without even opening her file he told her that her loan was not approved.  She shot out of her seat and stormed off all but knocking over a young woman as she did so. 

The moment they made contact Kasey gasped!  She looked at the woman and saw tears in her eyes.  “He hurt you… he made you…” and the woman burst into tears.  Kasey’s gift of seeing had given her a glimpse of the woman’s life.  She saw David with the woman; he was pawing at her, forcing her to touch him. 

Kasey shook her head trying to clear the image, then turned back to David.  Her anger had turned to fury and she realised that she was not going to hold it back.  She was not going to let him get away with this, because she also knew that he liked what he’d done and that there would have been others that were unable to fight for themselves.  And she knew that he would do it again.

“You make me sick!” she all but screamed at David as she walked back to his desk.  “How many others have you hurt, how many other women have you forced to be with you.  Have you got any idea of the damage you’ve done to them?  Do you even care?”

David stood up looking surprised at what she’d said.  “I have no idea what you are talking about!  How dare you accuse me of being inappropriate with that woman, just because I didn’t approve your application.  You should be ashamed of yourself!”

Kasey put her hands on her hips and glared at him, she heard the woman behind her sob, and also heard a deep growl.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Daniel move up beside her, he didn’t do anything else, just stood close by.

“I didn’t indicate that you’d hurt this woman David; but you did, didn’t you?  You hurt her and you hurt others!  Tell me, did you approve their loan applications once you got what you wanted from them?”

Anger flared in David’s face, especially when he looked around the room seeing that others were listening.  The bank manager came over to them then, “Perhaps we should take this to my office and…” before he could finish his sentence David moved as if to attack Kasey, but he didn’t get close as Daniel had him by the throat on the desk.  Security guards appeared from nowhere and aimed their guns at Daniel.  Susan Adams stepped forward then, “No, don’t hurt him.  He was just trying to stop David from hurting Miss Drew.”

Kasey stepped up to the desk and patted Daniel on the shoulder, “Let him up Danny, I don’t think he’s gonna hurt me now, not with so many witnesses.”

Daniel let go of David and stepped back from the desk, at the same time he made sure that he remained between Kasey and David.  One of the security men moved as if to grab Daniels arm and he growled loud enough to make him and the others take a few steps back.

Susan looked at the bank manager, “Mr Jones, Miss Drew was right in what she said, I know for a fact that David has put the word on at least three loan applicants.  I don’t know how far he’s taken things, but well, he’s pushed hard to get me to sleep with him and that fact that I’m married didn’t put him off.”

Mr Jones glared at David, “Collect your personal items!  As of now you are under suspension until this issue has been investigated.”  David started to argue with him, but was cut off when several police officers came in.

Kasey closed her eyes and scrunched up her face as she heard Jax’s voice booming behind her.  He was all professional wanting to know what had happened but when he saw Kasey she could see both shock and anger play across his face.  “Someone want to tell me what the hell happened here?” he all but growled.

Several people began speaking at the same time and Jax had to quiet them down before nodding at the security guard to have his say.

The guard pointed at Daniel saying that he had attached one of the bank staff.  Jax took a deep breath and turned to Daniel.  “So tell me your version of the events.”

Kasey looked at Daniel and was surprised to see that he was calm; she knew she wouldn’t have been.  She waited for him to speak and noted that when he did he was calm, cool even. “My employer has given me the honour of watching over Kasey, to make sure she is safe.  At first I didn’t think that it was necessary, that is until this morning.

This man,” and he indicated David with a nod of his head, was supposed to be interviewing Kasey for a loan, what he did was inappropriate and when he was called on it he tried to attack her. I put myself between them both and that is why I he ended up splayed out over his desk and also why Kasey is uninjured.”

What he was hearing was not putting Jax in a happy place, “Kasey, what happened?”

Kasey sighed and looked at Daniel, “Like Daniel said I was here for an interview, but I’d organised to have the interview with Ms Adams.  I thought what with our history it would be better not to have it with David.”

She took a breath and continued, “David didn’t even look at my paperwork, he told me that he liked me and that he could do a lot for me if I reciprocated.” She could feel herself blush and turned away from Jax not wanting him to see her embarrassment.

“Bottom line Jax he was coercing me into spending time with him… he gave me the impression that if I had sex with him he’d give me the loan.”

A tear escaped her eye and ran down her cheek, she was trying so hard to stay strong here, after all she wasn’t hurt in anyway and David had hurt others.  “I’m not the only one he’s tried it on with and unfortunately not everyone was strong enough to stand up to him.”

At that moment Jax heard a woman sob and he moved towards the sound.  “Are you alright?” he asked her and she broke down completely.  Kasey came up beside her and put an arm around her shoulder and the poor woman cried her heart out with Kasey holding her close.

“Jax, I’m young and single and on paper at least I don’t have any family.  Applying for a loan I probably come off as being vulnerable maybe even a little desperate.  I’m thinking David looks for women like that, women he can easily manipulate.”

“She’s lying!” yelled David, “Are you going to believe a little whore that’s probably screwed half the customers at the bar she works in!”

Unfortunately it was that moment that Braedon arrived.  Kasey sensed him as he came through the front entrance of the bank and could feel her heart start to pick up a beat.  She had no idea why he affected her this way and this peeved her because she alternated from hating how she felt to not only liking it but wanting more.

A loud growl filled the room and people were looking around for a big dog.  Kasey moved closer to Jax wanting his protection, but was prevented from reaching him when an arm came around her waist pulling backwards. She gasped in surprise but soon realised who had hold of her.

“Detective Gregory, if you don’t do something about this fool I will!”  Braedon pulled Kasey behind him effectively preventing her from seeing what going on.  Even when she tried to push her way around him, she was pushed back out of the way.

David heard what Braedon said and reacted accordingly, yelling loud enough for all to hear.  He wanted to make sure people who knew him would believe he was being set up, that he was the victim here.

Susan Adams stepped forward then, “Excuse me, but I’ve been keeping an eye on Mr Wilson,” she paused here and waited for the bank manager to say something, expecting him to stop her.  When he didn’t she continued, “He tried to get me to go out with him too and when I told him he had no chance he started filtering the clients I saw.

She sighed, “I have checked through all the applicants he has seen for the last couple of years and… well they are all female.” She looked at Kasey then at Jax, “they are all young and for the most part single.  All easy targets!”

David started yelling again, this time aiming his comments at Susan.  Jax had enough, he looked at the bank manager and he gave him the slightest nod.  “Cuff him, read him his rights and take him in.  Put him in lock up and let him calm down, he can tell me his side of the story when I’m finished here.”

As two police officers dragged David out of the bank Jax moved towards Braedon.  “I do not appreciate you butting into my investigation Mr Romanoff!  Kasey!  Come here honey.”  Kasey finally got around Braedon and went straight into his arms.  Braedon suppressed a growl, knowing that Jax was family to Kasey.

“Are you okay Kase?  Come on we’ll get out of here and get you a coffee and some fresh air.”  He lead Kasey towards the entry way and turned his head to let the other officers know that they should take statements and wrap up things there.

Braedon looked at Daniel and growled.  He was about to rip into him verbally when he was stopped short.  Kasey had moved back towards them, “Hey Danny are you still my shadow or what?”  Then she half whispered, “I’m gonna need you to get away from Jax.  He’s way pissed and if he has his way he’ll have me locked up until this whole thing is over.”

She saw the angry look on Braedon’s face and moved over to him, standing directly in front of him.  “Daniel stopped David from attacking me, I had to make him let go of him or he’d have killed him.  So don’t be mad at him okay.” Then she turned on her heel and left him standing somewhat surprised at what she’d said.

Daniel was the first to make a move; he followed Kasey and Jax outside, not wanting to let her too far out of sight.  Jacob thumped Braedon on the arm to get his attention then they both headed out as well.

About ten minutes later everyone arrived at the café and Henry and Maree took one look at Kasey and knew something was wrong.  They organised a couple of tables at the back of the room and organised coffee for everyone.  Once done they made sure that all their customers were taken care of then sat with Kasey and demanded to know what had happened.

Kasey shook her head, she was done in, she’d had more than enough for the day.  She turned to Jax hoping he’d explain, but it was Daniel who spoke up.  He explained what had happened from the instant Kasey arrived at the bank until Jax led her out.

Maree burst into tears and Henry put his arm around her trying to calm her.  Kasey couldn’t stand her tears and got up wrapping her arms around her and holding her tight. “I’m sorry Maree, but I’m okay.  Danny took great care of me and if it makes you feel any better he almost killed David!”

Maree gasped in shock at what Kasey had said and Chrissy yelled out, “It’s a pity someone stopped him!”  To which Henry shook his head at her as if scolding her.  Chrissy rolled her eyes and went to the register to take payment from one of their customers.

Maree looked from Jax to Braedon then back again. “What now?  How do we keep my girl safe? What if that man gets hold of her, I doubt he’ll just walk away now?”

“Now we protect her!” Braedon didn’t wait for Jax to agree, he powered on, “I have more than enough men to make sure Kasey is safe.  Daniel will stay with her at all times. I am almost finished with my business here and then Jacob and I will be with her as well.”

Jax was stunned; he hadn’t really believed what Gary had said about a large group of well built men surrounding Kasey.  “You seriously have enough men to keep watch over her round the clock?”

“Yes!  And they will do whatever they have to do to keep her in one piece.”  Braedon pulled Kasey back and onto his lap.  She looked up at him in surprise but thought better of saying anything. 

Kasey had other things to worry about, like having a stream of men following her around.  And Braedon and Jacob!  “What the hell was all that about anyway?” she thought to herself.  She sighed, knowing that she wouldn’t have any choice it what was going to happen.  It would either be the police or Braedon’s men.  She figured the later would be easier to deal with, so she decided to resign herself to having a body guard or three for the time being.