by Kay Edwards
Chapter Eighteen
It was Friday night and work duty called. Wendy stood beside Stefan scanning the group of people in front of her for the client he had wanted her to talk to. She glanced up at him and smiled. “I will be okay on my own. You don’t have to stay beside me.”
Stefan glanced down at her. “I think we will agree to disagree on this.”
Wendy frowned up at him. Her voice held her annoyance. “I do not concede to that at all. I know you are just trying to keep me safe but what is going to happen in a room full of people? I'll be ok Stefan.”
Stefan knew what she was saying made perfect sense. He also knew that he would never forget the terrified look on her face when she had run into him Labor Day weekend. Looking down at her he reluctantly yielded. “You go ahead and do your thing. Just make sure you stay in here.”
Wendy squeezed his hand. “I love you.”
Stefan touched her cheek. “I love you too. I’m sorry for being so bossy.”
Wendy laughed as she walked away. “You are allowed to be. You are my boss.”
Stefan watched her walk up to the client he had assigned her. He knew she would be all right but couldn’t bring himself to go and speak to his client. He watched as Malcolm made his way toward him.
Malcolm followed Stefan’s gaze. He chuckled. “You have got it bad my comrade.”
Stefan looked at his friend. “I have it really bad. I asked her to marry me.”
Malcolm glanced at Wendy’s hand. He shook Stefan’s hand. “I can see she said yes. Congratulations. You are one blessed man.”
Stefan watched as Wendy ended her conversation and walked toward him. His voice was thoughtful. “I certainly am blessed. She is one exceptional woman.”
Wendy smiled at the men. “What are you two talking about?”
Malcolm looked pointedly at the ring on her finger. “We were talking about the great news. I am happy for both of you.”
Wendy leaned into Stefan’s side when his arm went around her. She smiled up at Malcolm. “Thank you.”
The three watched as Liam walked over to them. He had a worried expression on his face. Wendy instinctively leaned into Stefan’s side more deeply.
Stefan gave Wendy a reassuring squeeze. “I’m right here. You are ok.”
Liam looked at Stefan. “Darlene is here with Damian, Eric, and Gordon. Keep her close to you.”
Wendy shuddered. She had been more prepared to run into her ex-boss. “Why are they here? This is more of a business party.”
Malcolm answered Wendy’s question. “The clients tend to bring their families during the holiday parties. It is not unusual to run into them. My guess is the Blackhart brothers are here with Eric. Darlene is like Jessa. She will one day be taking over the family business. She is almost always at these things.”
Wendy had been aware of that. What she had not counted on were the three men. They didn’t even know her but seemed intent on hurting her. She was ready to leave but knew she couldn’t. They all still had work to do.
Stefan could feel Wendy trembling. “I know this is not fun, but I’m right here. No one is going to hurt you.”
Wendy saw her next client. “I guess I need to go talk to them. I know you’re watching. I'll be ok.”
Stefan winked at her. “I find I like watching you. Go ahead I'm right here.”
Malcolm spoke as he watched her walk away. “I’m trying to understand why they are so fixated on her. It is like Darlene gave them a bone.”
Stefan shook his head. “They showed up at her apartment. She lives in the penthouse now with her roommate and the boys. She is more than a conquest to them now. They know she is innocent. It drives them for some reason.”
Wendy focused on the business woman in front of her. She listened as the woman spoke of different designs she had for the new spas she was opening.
Sherrill Miles was thrilled that Stefan Felix’s new assistant had sought her out before she had left. She had been talking with Eve Cantu. From what Eve had said this woman was brilliant with her designs. “What would you think of my office calling Mr. Felix and setting up a meeting this week? I would love to see what you would do with our blueprints.”
Wendy smiled. “I am sure my boss would be thrilled with that idea. I positively enjoy my job. I love the challenge of making something safe and sleek all in one.”
Sherrill grinned. “From what my associate Ms. Cantu says your designs certainly are one of a kind.”
Wendy looked at her hands. “It is just how I see things.”
Sherrill observed Wendy’s demeanor. “You may be uncomfortable with the compliment, but from what I hear it is a well-deserved one. I am looking forward to seeing what you can do for me. I’m opening seven new spas in four different cities. That means I have four different safety regulations to deal with for the exits.”
Wendy knew that would be a challenge. The thought thrilled her. “I am absolutely looking forward to it now.”
The two woman talked for a few more minutes before Wendy walked back over to Stefan and Sherrill left the party.
Stefan put his arm around Wendy. He knew she was still troubled. He kissed the top of her head. “I’m here.”
Wendy nodded. She didn’t say anything as her eyes darted around the room. Knowing the men were there was wreaking havoc on her emotions. She decided to talk business in hopes of getting her mind off of the worry. “Ms. Miles will be asking for a meeting this week.”
Stefan looked down at her surprised. “Really?”
Wendy glanced up at him. “You didn’t think I could do it?”
Stefan was blunt. “She does not give me the time of day. I was not sure that she would even want to talk to you. I knew she wouldn’t want to speak to me. I have been bidding on her projects for over a year now.”
Wendy giggled. “You have? I am so glad you didn’t tell me that. I would have been so nervous when I was talking to her. I guess she finds you as homely as Carla does.”
Stefan chuckled. “Now you are just being a brat. You and I both know that was a diversion.”
Wendy laughed. “It was a hysterical one. She really thought it was going to work too. Like I was just going to ignore her black eye.”
Stefan stiffened as he watched Darlene making her way toward them. He knew Wendy had seen her as well when she started trembling.
“Stefan, I want to go. I don’t want to see her.” Wendy’s voice shook.
Stefan knew the worst thing they could do was run. He pulled her closer to his side. “I’m here. We need to face this. You know running from her is going to give her more power. We can’t do that. Trust me, Wendy, I won't let them hurt you.”
Wendy nodded as she observed Trevor and Liam also heading their way. She whispered a prayer under her breath.
Darlene frowned at the way Stefan seemed to be guarding Wendy. When she walked up to them, she snickered. “You sure are protective of your new assistant. You should be careful Mr. Felix people may start talking.”
Stefan looked down at Wendy. He smiled as he touched her cheek. “I’m not worried about that. I asked her to marry me. She said yes.”
Darlene’s mouth dropped open. Her eyes went to Wendy’s hand. When she took a step toward Wendy, Liam blocked her path. Glancing at Stefan, Darlene hissed. “Will you still want her if the boys get to her?”
Stefan didn’t hesitate to answer that question. “There is nothing that could make me love her less, but I will make sure anyone involved in harming my fiancée is brought to justice. That includes you, Darlene. Unless you like orange jumpsuits, it is time to end this. Even if Wendy were not in the picture, I would not consider you anything but foul. I have never been attracted to you even before I married Deanna when you were throwing yourself at my brothers and me.”
Darlene was livid. She hissed. “Maybe I’ll have her hurt now just to h
urt you.”
Stefan stepped forward as he put Wendy behind him. “I’m filing a police report tonight. If anything happens to her, you will be their first suspect. Thank you for opening your mouth in front of witnesses.”
Darlene looked around the room. Stefan was right. Everyone within earshot had heard her threat. Their host was among them. It was obviously time for her to leave. She turned and stormed toward the exit.
Eric Stine’s father was also one of the witnesses. He nodded at Stefan before turning to find his son.
Stefan watched Darlene leave. He turned and pulled Wendy into his arms. He knew they were being watched, but he didn’t care. Wendy was terrified. Anyone watching could see her shaking.
Malcolm looked at Stefan. “You need to go file a restraining order. I’ll get the names of those that heard her threaten Wendy’s safety.”
Stefan was grateful. “Thank you. I’ll call you later.”
The crowd of guests watched Stefan leave with Wendy. They buzzed among themselves at what they had witnessed. The scandal of the evening was not that Stefan Felix was marrying his assistant. The scandal of the night was the threatening words used by Darlene toward Wendy.
