Stefan (The Marquette Family Book Three)

by Lockwood, Tressie

  Talicia served and smiled all evening until time for closing. Her feet hurt. She was used to standing on them for hours a day as she made the circuit in the club but Marquette’s added tension wore her energy away faster. When the last customer thanked Damen over and over then drifted out the door, a waitress locked it. All the while Stefan never stopped playing.

  At that point, he tinkled over the keys, making the music dance. Talicia kept her gaze lowered to stacking plates on a table. What she wanted to do was stare at him but didn’t dare. A sharp key brought her head up, and he was looking right at her. He mouthed something she couldn’t understand then signaled with a finger crooked at her.

  Talicia scanned the restaurant, but Creed wasn’t around. She peered back at Stefan and shook her head. Again, he signaled.

  She denied him.

  “Don’t make me come get you.” The bastard’s voice boomed over the mic.

  Talicia grumbled and pointed to the dirty dishes. Stefan half stood, and she relented. The man was stubborn. If he got her fired, he was going to hear it from her. Stefan scooted over on the bench just enough for her to have to squeeze beside him, her thigh pressing against his. He could have done better than that, but he just wanted to touch her. Her pointed scowl at him said so, but he winked.

  “Did you like the music?” he asked.

  “You always ask me that.”

  “I always want to know what you think.”

  She glanced down at his fingers and couldn’t resist touching them as they moved over the keys. Stefan’s hands were far bigger than hers, and she watched as he guided her movements by their touch.

  “You’re brilliant. At least I think so,” she teased, “but not your nephew.”

  “I’m not surprised. Gideon’s got an ear for music.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “You’re not offended?”

  He played with one hand and stroked her cheek with the other. “Why should I be? I’m not playing to be perfect. I’m playing to make my listeners happy. Plus, all I want is happiness, Licia—for me and for everyone around me. I know that sounds like the words of a child.”

  “No, an optimist. That’s you. Dark times come, and they come hard. You can’t avoid it.”

  “And you can’t avoid the sunshine either. It sneaks into cracks and crevices to brighten everything.”

  “See what I said? Optimist.” Talicia scooted closer to him without meaning to, and he stopped playing all together to wrap an arm about her waist. For a few precious minutes, she forgot about impressing the Marquettes and just basked in Stefan’s embrace.

  “I can’t wait to get you home,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m going to make love to you.”

  Talicia shivered in delight. She rested a hand on his thigh and snuggled her mouth against the side of his neck. Her body strained to be naked with his, making love just as he suggested. Weariness washed over her, but she had no intention of giving into it. Once she was alone with Stefan, she was going to enjoy every moment.

  Reality washed over her when she heard Creed’s voice. He wasn’t speaking to them, but just the sound tore apart Talicia’s world where only she and Stefan existed. She straightened and pushed at his chest. He refused to let her get up, but he gave her space.

  Stefan touched a thumb to her bottom lip, but he didn’t kiss her. She swayed a bit toward him and caught herself just in time. Disappointment colored his expression, but then he looked past her. When he narrowed his eyes, she looked too. Creed watched them, but he didn’t make any kind of signals. Damen walked over and said something to Creed. Then Duke reappeared.

  “What’s going on?” Stefan wondered.

  Talicia groaned. “I think I’m about to get fired. “Your cousin will probably get off scot free, but Creed’s not going to give me a second chance.”

  “What happened?”

  “Well, I was outside with Duke and…” She paused, waiting for him to look suspicious or even angry. Nothing. He didn’t dislike Duke as Damen did, but he wasn’t jealous either. The fact annoyed her a little. “We were out too long when it wasn’t time for our break. Creed caught us coming back in, and I just know that’s it.”

  “He’s not that anal, honey. Don’t worry.”

  “Since when?”

  He chuckled. “You just met him.”

  “And all I’ve seen is anal.”

  “Trust me.”

  “Stefan, don’t try to hang onto my job for me, okay? I have to prove myself. If this is it, I don’t care. I can find something else for the time being. If by some miracle it’s not, then let me do things my way. Promise me.”

  “Licia.”

  “Promise me. I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it all these years.”

  “Yes, and you’ve had a hard time.”

  “Because I can’t handle it?” A bite rose into her tone she hadn’t meant to let loose.

  “No, because you were alone. No one should have to battle alone. Period. We all need someone to lean on. I’m here now.”

  The words of his song echoed in what he said this time. “Stefan, you act like we’re going to—”

  “Stefan, I need to speak to you,” Creed said.

  He’d approached them without her noticing. She hoped he didn’t overhear their conversation. The man totally ignored her and focused on his brother.

  “Sure.” Stefan tapped Talicia’s nose. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.” He squeezed her thigh before he rose, and Creed noticed. The two men walked away and joined Damen and Duke near the kitchen. Then the troupe disappeared through that door. She hoped they weren’t going to get into an argument about how soon and the best method of dumping her and her brother on the street.

  Talicia glanced toward the exit and noticed both Jerome and one of the other bodyguards stood there. For some reason, she had the feeling they were given an order not to let her out. That contradicted her earlier thought that Creed was getting rid of her. Stefan didn’t have the chance to order Jerome to block her, but Creed did. Why should he care?

  After stretching her achy muscles, Talicia stood and moved back to the table she’d been cleaning up when Stefan interrupted. Twenty minutes later, Stefan still hadn’t returned, so she finished her personal tasks and changed out of the work clothes into what she had worn to the restaurant. She found a bag no one seemed to be using and put the work clothes inside it. When they were clean and dry, she would bring them back, but tomorrow before her shift—if there was a shift—she would get some clothes that actually fit.

  Testing her theory about whether she was allowed to leave, Talicia gathered the bag and her purse and headed out toward the front. Right away, Jerome moved into her path. “I’m sorry, Ms. Talicia, you need to wait for Stefan.”

  “Move out of the way, Jerome. I’m not going home with him tonight.” She lied to see what he would do.

  Jerome didn’t even look at the second man. He swung his head side to side. “Please, go back into the dining room and wait.”

  She slapped her hands on her hips. “I’m not a prisoner, you know. Plus, you said you work for me too because I’m his wife!”

  “That’s right, and my top priority is your safety.”

  “So what? I can’t travel alone anymore?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying.”

  “What are you saying, Jerome? Stefan definitely didn’t tell you to stop me. He was playing all night.”

  “True, but like I said your safety comes first. Sometimes I don’t do exactly what Stefan tells me if it means going against my primary duty.”

  She blinked at him. “For real?”

  One side of his mouth rose. “Yeah, for real.”

  Talicia glanced at the other guard and realized he was the one that protected Creed. She had no idea of his name, but this monster looked dangerous. “I wonder how that goes over for him when he tells Creed no.”

  She waited for the beast to say something, but he remained silent.

  “Don’t talk much?
”

  Jerome chuckled. “I’m sure it doesn’t happen often, but then again who knows. Mr. Creed is a different breed.”

  The guard came to life and cut a look at Jerome so dark, he should have dropped dead of a heart attack right there. Jerome was apparently not impressed. However, he did quit talking about Creed. They were loyal, she’d give them that, but maybe they were paid a lot to make sure of it.

  “Jerome, look, just tell Stefan or Creed or whoever told you to get in my way that I got the better of you.”

  Both guards’ eyebrows shot up in disbelief. She couldn’t be serious, they said. She moved to the right, but Jerome shifted with her. The door was like inches away, but no dice. Strong arms came around her waist as soon as she was ready to shame Jerome. Stefan’s chin touched her shoulder.

  “Are you trying to leave me, honey?” He kissed her ear, and she blushed. The damn man had caught her.

  “Your bodyguard is stubborn. He seems to think he’s responsible for me.”

  “He is. Come on.” Stefan laced his fingers with hers and nodded at Jerome.

  The other man went into action right away. “Just one second. Let us check the perimeter.”

  Talicia looked to Stefan to see if she could glean what all the subterfuge was about, but his expression remained pleasant but closed. Jerome and Creed’s man disappeared through the door. A few minutes later, the beast returned and held the door for them. Stefan walked her out and led her to the car Jerome had waiting for them.

  Stefan’s arm curved around her shoulders in the back seat, and she snuggled into his side. Once they were underway toward home, she questioned him. “Stefan, what’s all the caution about? I’ve never seen Jerome so wound up.”

  “Don’t worry about it, honey.”

  “Just tell me.”

  “Maybe when we get home. For now, just relax. Oh, and if you were worried Creed will fire you, forget it. He was a little angry, but just don’t go off when you’re not on break.”

  “A little angry?” She snorted.

  He looked down at her, and his expression grew serious. “Don’t go outside alone again.”

  “I was right. There is something going on. You better tell me.”

  He sighed and ran a hand over the side of her face then kissed her. She strained closer, tingles of desire spreading to every inch of her body. All day no kisses and Stefan so near made her a cranky woman in her own right.

  After some time, he raised his head, but Talicia reached up to tug him back down to her. For the moment, she forgot about everything and everyone except for him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Stefan moaned against Talicia’s lips, and he cupped her face so he could raise her chin higher. He kissed along her throat and felt her breasts pushing against his chest. The smallest of tremors rocked shook her, and she shut her eyes in complete surrender to him. Yet, he kept one eye on the passing scenery. If she saw how distracted he was, she would start questioning him again. He managed to make her forget about what was going on when he kissed her and ran a hand over her back down to her ass.

  His wife moaned his name, but he had to pull away. She sidetracked him with his desire for her. There would be time enough to take Talicia once he got her home safe. For now, he couldn’t think straight. Some bastard had gotten close to her on the street, pretending to be drunk. If Duke hadn’t been there, he didn’t know what would have happened. Stefan had never been so grateful for his cousin’s training in his life.

  Earlier, Stefan had approached Creed and Damen expecting to hear complaints about Talicia, which he fully intended to defend her against. “What’s going on with you two?” he’d asked. “If you think you’re going to fire her, Creed, then—”

  “It’s got nothing to do with that.” Creed sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “My office.”

  The four of them had trooped to the back, and Stefan took a seat on the opposite side of Creed’s desk, while Duke and Damen remained standing. Stefan knew he appeared calm, but something told him the situation was serious.

  Creed didn’t keep him wondering for long. “Someone tried to grab Talicia out front.”

  Stefan knocked over his chair as he jumped to his feet. “What?”

  “Calm down,” Creed ordered. “It didn’t look like it to her. As far as she knows, he was some drunkard.”

  “How can you be sure?” Stefan wrestled with the decision to go out to the dining room to look Talicia over for himself. However, he had just left her there. He sat close to her, and she seemed fine.

  “I gave the order that she’s not allowed out,” Creed went on. “Don’t worry. She’s not getting past Jerome, let alone Pete.”

  Stefan was tempted to say Creed didn’t know Talicia like he did, but he changed his mind. Yes, she was strong, but his beautiful wife wouldn’t be able to stand against the bodyguard. He also wasn’t worried that either man would hurt her. She was in good hands while he got to the bottom of what was going on.

  “Anyway,” Creed said, “Duke made sure she didn’t know how serious it was.”

  Stefan faced Duke. “Was it serious?”

  Duke nodded. “Yeah, I’m not a fool. I know when a man’s drunk and when he’s faking. That guy was faking all the way, which gives rise to the question of why. I gave him a hit that didn’t do as much damage as I expected. He couldn’t have taken that blow unless he was guarded against it.”

  Stefan swore.

  “There’s no need to panic yet,” Damen told them. “We don’t know it wasn’t just some jerk wanting to get in her panties or if he attacked her because of us.’

  “What are you saying?” Creed snapped. “We haven’t had any incidents in a while. I say it’s too coincidental to her situation. It’s likely someone spilled about who you are, Stefan, and they decided she was hiding out with you. In all the time you played at the club, didn’t you think about being recognized?”

  “I did but…” He let his voice trail off. He had never used his real name except with Talicia and Tyjon. The entire time, he realized he was being foolish, but it had never stopped him going. After she and he became lovers, logic hadn’t entered his head.

  “But you wanted to perform,” Creed growled. “Singing at Marquette’s wasn’t good enough.”

  “Lay off him, Creed,” Damen said. “We have a potential situation. It might be nothing. Like I said, the incident could end with running that guy off, and we’ll hear no more about it.”

  “I’m not that convinced. Have either of you considered this might be all in Talicia’s plan? Destroy the club, get a firmer hold on Stefan, and force him to reveal her existence?”

  “Ouch.” Duke winced. “Even I felt the winter breeze coming off that comment, cuz.”

  Stefan didn’t say a word.

  “Aren’t you going to say anything, Stefan?”

  Stefan took his time standing to face his oldest brother. “You seem to think I’m some airheaded fool who can’t figure out when a woman is using me.”

  “I never said that. You must admit you’ve never brought a woman around. Duke, the fool, thought you were gay.”

  “Hey,” Duke called out, but he chuckled. “Anybody could have made that mistake.”

  “So what?” Stefan hated talking about Talicia with his brothers behind her back. She deserved better. “I know people a hell of a lot better than you three do.”

  Damen squeezed his shoulder in an effort to calm him no doubt. “But you’re taken with her, Stefan. Admit it. Your eyes followed her the whole night, and we know that little song you sang was for her.”

  Duke snorted. “Even if it did make her bolt out of the restaurant like the devil chased her.”

  Heat suffused Stefan’s cheeks. He’d seen her run too. She fought him a lot less than she fought everyone else, but she still kept him at arm’s length. He never intended to keep the marriage going, but from the time she entered his house, he knew he wanted her to stay. Did that mean he cared about her more than he first thought?
The prospect seemed unlikely, but he didn’t doubt it. There was no denying Talicia consumed his thoughts.

  Creed rolled his shoulders. “Talicia may or may not be in real trouble. The fact is we can’t be too careful. So, we up security tonight and see if there’s a repeat. Is that agreeable to you two?”

  Stefan agreed, and so did his brother Damen.

  “What am I chopped liver?” Duke asked. “I was the one that protected your little sweetheart.”

  “Thank you,” Stefan said with emphasis. “I mean it.”

  “Any time. It was fun teasing her. She’s got a lot of fire.”

  “She does,” Stefan agreed. “Licia is an unbelievable woman.”

  All three of them stared at him, and his face grew hot again. Creed was right in saying he never brought his lovers around. That was his way. He liked to keep his private life private, and he wasn’t the playboy that Damen was before he married.

  They spoke a little longer, discussing the details of leaving the restaurant for the night. Because they had gone through several incidents in the past decade of people trying to get to one of them, Stefan and his brothers knew the drill. They also trusted their bodyguards to be able to handle the situation and to move smoothly through the process of leaving the restaurant for the night.

  “I’m going out ahead of you,” Stefan had told the others. “Licia is probably tired, and after all she’s gone through, I want her to be as relaxed as possible.”

  He finished up with his brothers, and now he and Talicia were in the car heading home. Stefan believed they were fine with just a few more miles to go, but he stayed on alert and tugged Talicia closer to him.

  The first indication that his assumptions were all wrong was at the sound of the back window shattering. Something whizzed by his ear and burned his skin.

  “Get down,” Jerome shouted.

  Stefan twisted in his seat, taking Talicia with him. He landed on top of her on the floor and pressed her down. She clutched at his shoulders, already shaking hard. “It’s okay. We’re okay, Licia.”