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Later, they were in the middle of shopping when Tiffany’s cell phone rang. She retrieved it from her purse and answered it.
“Hello?” She glanced at the screen. It was another blocked call. Tiffany hung up and shoved the phone back into her bag.
“Wrong number?”
“I have no idea. It was a blocked call. I’ve had several lately.”
Ivan stopped walking. “Does the person say anything?”
“No. I’ve had a few voice-mail messages, but nobody says anything, and after a while they just hang up.”
He frowned. “When did this start?”
“I don’t know. Last week, I guess.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She shrugged. “It didn’t cross my mind.”
His jaw clenched. He set the produce that he had picked up back in the basket and guided her to a more secluded area.
“What’s the matter?” she asked once they were alone.
“Someone is playing on your phone, and it didn’t cross your mind to mention it?” he said.
“Honestly, no.”
Ivan shook his head. “The next time it happens, I want to know.”
“Why? It’s not like you can do anything about it.” She stared at him. “Why are you getting upset about this? It’s just a phone call.”
“How would you know? It never crossed your mind for a second that it could be more than that? Not everyone around you is harmless, Tiffany. You’re a single woman living alone in a busy city. You need to be concerned about a person who doesn’t want you knowing their identity calling you repeatedly and hanging up.”
“Well, you’re the security expert,” she snapped. “What would you have done?”
Ivan retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and dialed a number. “Mike, I need a favor.”
He relayed Tiffany’s cell number to his friend, and instructed him to call him later with a report. He ended the call and shoved his phone back into his pocket.
“When I find out who’s been calling your phone and harassing you, I’ll let you know.”
He stalked off, leaving her alone. Tiffany stood there and waited. Finally, Ivan turned around, let out a harsh breath and walked back over to where she was standing. “I’m sorry for losing my temper,” he said in a quieter voice. “It’s just that I’ve seen a great deal of bad in the world, Tiffany. I’ve also seen what happens to women and girls who are misfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a man’s anger, lust or both, and be powerless to defend themselves. I…I don’t want that to be you.” He struggled to maintain his composure. “And when you’re dismissive about the possibility that you could find yourself in a situation that you can’t get out of—”
“I get it,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry, Ivan. I forget sometimes that you’ve seen a world that I know exists, but that I’ve never seen, and probably never will. I shouldn’t have gotten snarky with you about it. If anything, I should’ve been more receptive to your concern. I just got angry at you thinking that I couldn’t take care of myself. I realize now that in certain situations, that may be true.”
“When have I ever said that you can’t take care of yourself?”
“Maybe not verbally, but your actions say it loud and clear.”
A confused expression crossed his face.
“You check my apartment every time you bring me home.”
“And you think that translates to me thinking you can’t take care of yourself?”
“Sometimes, yes. I’ve had to fend for myself a lot. Well, it was more by choice. I saw how much my mother relied on my father to do things for her. He made all the decisions in our household. Though my mother worked, she deferred to him in all things. I didn’t pay it any attention because we were fine. But when they began having problems and it grew worse, and he left, that’s when I saw it.”
