The guy never raised his voice. His tone was calm yet firm. His demeanor showed that he expected to be obeyed. And if not, it was on their heads. I watched both Dad and Sam puff out their chests and put on their fierce faces. They were laughable next to this guy, whoever he was.
“This is a family conversation. Please leave,” Dad told the man.
“He’s not family, so that’s a lie. If he can join, then so can I. The ladies were enjoying a meal together until you disturbed them,” was the stranger’s automatic reply.
“Listen, I don’t know who you think you are, but you have no right to interfere. If you don’t leave, I’m calling the cops,” Sam snapped.
“How rude of me. Ladies, I’m Poe, and I was hired to look out for your safety. I work for Iker, who is a friend of your man, Mr. Caldwell. He asked that whenever he’s not with you, you have protection nearby. I just started today.” He directed all of this mainly at me, while totally ignoring Sam and Dad. Then, he glanced at them.
“You can call the cops if you prefer, but they won’t do anything. I’m not causing a scene or harming anyone. If Dr. Shah wants me to leave, I’ll remain at a distance and let Mr. Caldwell know so he can come join them.”
I was stunned to hear that Reign had hired someone. I hadn’t expected him to hire a security guard, bodyguard, or whatever Poe was. I knew the name Iker. Reign spoke about him being a friend. Since the conversation about the House of Lustz, he had filled me in on those who were patrons or patronesses like him that he regarded as friends.
“No, Poe, you should stay. Dad, you and Sam need to leave.”
My dad’s face was flushed with embarrassment and anger, or maybe it was all anger. Sam was tight-lipped as he projected a look that shouted I wasn’t off the hook. I kept my shiver of unease from showing.
“Kathlyn, come with me. We’re going home,” my dad snarled.
“Savar, I’ll be there when I’m finished and feel like it. You leave. I’m perfectly content where I am. I’m not done talking to our daughter.” Mom’s tone was firm, and she never looked away from his gaze.
Disbelief, maybe fear, overtook Dad’s expression. “Kati, we need to talk. Come home.” His tone was softer, almost pleading.
Mom shook her head. “No, Savar. We’ll talk when I get home, but I’m not leaving now.”
Her tone was authoritative, and I watched my dad struggle to understand. However, after several seconds of silence, he said to Sam, “Let’s go.”
I knew Sam wanted to stay, but he bit his tongue. However, as they turned to leave, Sam said one thing to me.
“This isn’t over, Stasia.”
As they left the bistro, I tried to let the tension ease away, but it wouldn’t, at least not fully. So I focused on Poe, even though Mom addressed him.
“Mr. Poe, thank you. Would you care to join us for dessert?” Mom asked.
“You’re welcome, and thank you, but I must decline the invitation. I’m on the clock. I don’t want the boss to fire me, though getting fired for having dessert with two beautiful women would be the way to go.” His smile and wink were genuine, and his gaze lingered on Mom.
“We thank you, though I had no idea anyone was watching. You’re very unobtrusive,” I replied.
He dipped his head. “I’ll be nearby, but take your time and enjoy your dessert. I recommend the apple tarte tatin. Though you can’t go wrong with any of them here.”
Then, without another word, he gave us a slight bow and made his way through the bistro. He took a seat at a double-seater across the way. Clearly, he’d been here the whole time. A waitress bustled up to him.
“That was a shock. I believe you have some talking to do with your young man. What a sly one.” Mom’s lips twitched.
Even though I was miffed that Reign hadn’t told me he planned to have a bodyguard on me, it had felt nice to have backup in case it was needed. Under Mom’s watchfulness, I had no choice but to burst out laughing.
“Yeah, I think we’ll have a ton to talk about tonight. However, that can wait. We have dessert to get. Let’s check out the menu.” I recommended.
“Yes, let’s do that. Although apple tarte tatin sounds really good right now.”
I saw her eyes dart over to Poe as she said it. Oh my, what had just happened?
Sinner:
I wondered when she’d broach the topic that had to be beating through her brain. I got the call from Poe reporting on the confrontation between Anastasia and Kathlyn when Savar and Sam showed up at the restaurant. Poe said the ladies had been holding their own well when he stepped up. It didn’t take a whole lot to run off the two men. It seemed that Kathlyn was showing defiance and refused to go home with her husband.
A part of me wished I’d been the one there to do it, but I couldn’t always get away, hence why I asked Iker if he had people available. He’d been more than happy to provide someone. After the last confrontation at Anastasia’s office, I wanted someone nearby whenever we were apart.
