"Yes." She sent him a pleading look that did nothing to sway him. "I thought it was harmless. Yes, he's been following me, but it meant nothing."
She spread her arms, tamping down the resentment. She hated explaining herself and apologizing, especially for something she didn't do. "I'm not used to any of this and never asked for it."
She pouted. "My so-called fame has escalated ever since we got together and I'm not saying it's your fault..."
She blew out a breath at the ominous look on his face. "All right, the guy or whoever the hell it is, has gone too far."
"You think?"
His caustic tone had her bristling. "I'll just be more cautious when going out and you can add security to the place."
"Oh, I'm going to be doing better than that." He strode to her desk and picked up the phone.
"What're you doing?"
"Calling in reinforcement. Hey Margo. Hope I haven't caught you at a bad time. How's Merrick?"
He listened for a minute, eyes never leaving hers. "Sounds about right. Listen, I wonder if you could do me a favor and pop by my place? We have a situation. All right, thanks."
He hung up. "She'll be here in ten minutes."
Putting the phone down, he walked over to the window to look out.
He lingered there for a moment, his shoulders tense, silent as he watched the world outside their window. The gravity of thesituation pressed on both of them, heavy and unspoken. A quiet resolve settled over him, and she could sense that things were about to change, no more brushing things off or letting them slide.
Whatever was lurking beyond their doors, he was determined to face it head-on, and this time, together.
"You're upset." She could not bear the silence anymore.
"I would say that's quite a bit of understatement." He remarked without turning around. Darkness had yet to come, the sun still high, casting its gilded light over the gardens and reflecting on the brilliant blue of the pool. The grand opening of the pub was slated for Saturday, something he was looking forward to.
"I'm used to handling things by myself."
He turned then and had to force himself not to show the pain, her statement had evoked.
"But you're not alone anymore are you?" he asked evenly. "We're a couple, have been one for more than a year. More than that, you're pregnant with my babies. What if this psycho decides he wants to take a swing at you or worse, drag you into a vehicle? What then?"
Refusing to allow the fear to surface, she lifted her chin. "I'm not helpless. It so happens I can defend myself."
"I keep forgetting how independent you are." The trace of bitterness had her in the defensive.
"You're twisting my words and yes, I'm independent, something you love about me."
"Being independent and being selfish are two different things."
Her brows lifted, eyes flashing. "Selfish? You think I'm selfish?"
"Yes, damn you to bloody hell!" he snapped. "You kept this from me. We're supposed to be a team and yet I had to find out that this, this asshole has been sending you letters from six months ago."
Turning away, he headed towards the door when he heard the bell chimed. Making sure to check it on his phone, he noticed Margo standing on the porch.
"I'll be in the living room, if you want to join us." Without waiting for her to respond, he turned on his heel and left.
Hissing out a breath, Kiara sat where she was for a full two minutes as she tried to assimilate what had just taken place between them. No doubt she had insulted his sensibilities and undermined his authority. She had kept something from him, had broken a sacred part of the couples rule.
He should know that she was not good at relationships and sometimes things like that slipped by her. Who the hell was he to be angry with her? She had every intention of telling him, didn't she?
That's the reason she had stacked the damn letters on her desk in the first place. If he had just waited instead of checking in one her every five minutes, she would have...
