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She nodded. "My thoughts exactly. Maybe I should buy a gun."
I shook my head. "I don't want you buying a gun or walking around worrying about being attacked. I'll hire a bodyguard for you when you go out in public. That should be enough until he's in custody."
"Will they put him back in jail?"
I stirred my coffee, remembering my discussion with Russell. "Detective Russell said that for a violent offense, they're more likely to put him back in jail. If I can get you a bodyguard until that happens, you'll be able to relax. We'll hire a limo service to drive you around."
That seemed to upset her. I knew she wasn't yet used to my wealth and the fact that as far as I was concerned, what was mine was hers. For the past eight months, we'd lived simply on The Phoenix, the pomp and ostentatious display of wealth common in my family and their circle was absent. For Alexa, rich meant no worrying about paying bills or buying food. In my world, wealth meant buying a larger yacht or deciding which one hundred and thirty-thousand-dollar car to drive.
"Do you think that's really necessary?"
"I do. I do think it's not only necessary, but long overdue, considering."
"I just feel bad that this has caused so much pain for everyone. My bad relationship didn't just affect me."
"Don't worry. I'll call someone on Monday, and we'll make sure you have a ride to and from Columbia every day. I'll hire a private security company to watch us when we go out."
"How much will that cost?" she asked, frowning.
"A lot," I said but took her hand and squeezed once more. I tried in the past to make her feel more comfortable that I would be spending a lot of money on her. "But to keep you safe, I'd spend a small fortune, Alexa. You're everything to me. I don't want you to even think of the cost, okay?"
She nodded and glanced away, like she felt guilty.
"Don't feel bad," I said and squeezed her hand again. "Would you do it for me if you had the money and worried that someone who had it in for me was wandering around?"
Her eyes widened. "Of course, I would. I just feel guilty. That money is meant for you to invest in the space industry."
"Alexa, what I'll spend on security for you is a tiny bit of interest I'll earn on my principal. You really need to sit down and look at my income statement one of these days. You wouldn't even blink at how much a few weeks of security will cost if you did. I'm serious. Money makes so much money doing nothing but sitting in an investment account that it's almost criminal. I'm glad to put some of that to work to alleviate my concerns about your safety. So, I don't want to hear another word about the cost, okay?"
She nodded.
"I'm serious," I said. "Okay?"
"Okay," she said finally, her voice low.
Our waitress brought our food and I was glad, because it created a reason to change the subject.
"Speaking of things that cost a lot of money but don't really do much of anything to earn it, are you ready for tonight?"
"I'm not looking forward to facing your mother and father..."
"I'll be right there beside you."
"You don't think your mother will invite Felicia’s family and her, do you? Or Jenna's?" Alexa asked.
I shook my head. "I specifically told her not to, so if she does, she's being a first-rate witch."
"Good," Alexa said and exhaled, wiping her brow in exaggerated relief. "I could just see Mrs. Blake marching up to you with Felicia in tow, demanding to know why you were throwing your life away with someone from Oregon." She rolled her eyes dramatically and then grinned.
I laughed at that, glad that Alexa had just the right sense of humor to match mine. We really were a perfect match.
"Mrs. Blake really is a character. She could fill in for Cinderella's wicked stepmother."
"She really could. She's like one of those cartoon characters who can't believe the world doesn't spin according to her needs."
I smiled at Alexa. "Once we're married, if we move away to California or Europe, we won't have to be around those people very often if at all. Frankly, I'll be happy to never see any of them again."
"What about your mother and father?" she asked, her voice soft.
