If Scott believed there was a need to increase the security presence here, I wouldn't argue with him, but I didn't like it. The vineyard was my sanctuary, and it was starting to feel like a fortress. I could put up with it for a while if it meant Juliet was safe, but I wanted this situation resolved quickly.
Anger rose in me, but I tamped it down. I needed to keep a cool head, especially around Juliet. Letting her see how mad I was at Garrett Kane would place an additional burden on her shoulders. She had enough to deal with.
Closing the file, I cleared the screen and headed to the kitchen to refresh my coffee which had long since gone cold. When I got there, I was surprised to find both Juliet and Eileen. My aunt was mixing something in a bowl while Juliet leanedagainst the counter with a mug in hand. Whatever they were discussing must have been fascinating, judging by the focused attention they were both giving it.
As I walked in, I cleared my throat to announce my presence. Both women turned to me. After her late-night shenanigans, Juliet appeared none the worse for wear. She grinned broadly at me.
"You're up early, Nate."
"I could say the same." I crossed over to the coffee machine. "How long have you been down here?"
"About thirty minutes." She wrapped both hands around her mug. "I don't sleep well past 8 am, even if I've had a late night." She tilted her head as though in thought. "You have your work face on."
Eileen glanced up from the bowl and nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that's his work face."
"My work face?" I repeated.
"Yes, the one where everything is very controlled and calm, and you're totally in charge." Juliet raised an eyebrow as though challenging me to deny it. "That one."
She was perceptive.
"Scott, my head of security, called." I decided he was right that I should level with her. "He's making some adjustments to the security arrangements."
Juliet was quiet for a moment. She rolled her mug this way and that between her palms.
"Has something happened?"
"Nothing for you to worry about."
She pursed her lips. "Nate." Her eyes held mine in a steady gaze. "I'm not a child. If there's something I should know, you need to tell me."
Eileen made a sound that was almost certainly agreement. I brought my coffee to the island and stood across from Juliet.Though I didn't want to tell her any of what I'd learned about Garrett Kane, she had a right to know that he was more dangerous than she'd imagined.
"Kane has been paying close attention to you for longer than you realized," I said carefully. "Scott confirmed that it's no coincidence Kane has been running into you at events. He's been tracking your whereabouts for some time."
Juliet pursed her lips. "How long?"
"About three years."
She absorbed that in silence. Her jaw tightened fractionally then relaxed. "So I didn't imagine he was stalking me, then?"
It was the first time I'd heard her put it in those terms. She'd spoken about unwanted interest but never named it for what it was. "No, you didn't." I cleared my throat. "Scott is also investigating Kane's communications with your mother."
"Good. I want to know how much encouragement she's been giving him." Juliet stared out of the kitchen window and said nothing for a while. It had to sting, knowing your mother was helping a man who was harassing you. "What else did you learn about him?"
"Nothing good." One day soon, she'd learn about all his crimes, but for now, I wanted to protect her from the worst of it.
"Right." She pursed her lips, well aware I was trying to shield her. She turned her back to me and focused on Eileen once more. "Show me what you were doing with that batter."
Eileen smiled and handed her the wooden spoon. I took my coffee and left them to it.
Chapter Nine
Juliet
Though I understood why the security presence on the vineyard had been increased, I still didn't like it. After just two days, the walls were starting to close in. It wasn't that I was forbidden from going outside. Nobody had tried to stop me leaving. It was the logistics of it. Nate had been clear that whenever I left the villa I needed a minimum of three security guards with me. Having to organize that every time I wanted fresh air seemed like more hassle than it was worth.
