Stefan (The Marquette Family Book Three) (12 page)

“Of course. Anyway, you’re not serving? I thought you waited tables like Damen.”

“I do, but not tonight. I’m singing. Will you come up and let me serenade you?”

“Heck no.”

He looked disappointed, and she left him standing there to return to work. All the same, her attention kept straying to where he was, and she knew the moment he took over the piano from the man who had been performing up until then.

A different hum rippled through the crowd as soon Stefan sat down. She peered around at the rapt faces, and pride rose inside for her husband. Stefan was a born entertainer, and no one was immune to him when he played.

The kitchen door swung wide and fast, and the boy she had spotted the other day came rushing into the dining room. His gaze locked on Stefan, and then he scanned the room. When he spotted her, he hurried toward her. What was that about? The door opened again, and at a more leisurely pace, the young girl strolled over.

“Hey, Aunt Licia,” the boy said. “Do you know me? I’m Gideon. We saw you the other day after you fought—”

She covered his mouth, rolling her eyes. “Yes, Gideon. I remember. I assume you’ve been told about me. You don’t have to call me Aunt Licia.”

“If I don’t show respect, Mom will lecture me.”

“Oh, well whatever then.”

The girl drew up beside them. She said nothing, but at least she didn’t cast Talicia any evil glares. The three of them looked back at Stefan as he began to sing. For a while, Talicia was caught up listening to him. When she thought she might be too obvious, she forced herself to look away. That’s when she caught the rapt expression on Gideon’s face.

“He messed up right there,” the boy muttered. “Lower. It would have been better in a lower key.”

She blinked at him. Who were these people?

“This next song,” Stefan announced into the microphone, “goes out to a very special person. She knows who she is.”

Talicia stiffened, but Stefan’s gaze swept the crowd in such a way, any woman present might think the song was for her. Well, any who didn’t have sense enough to realize it was an entertainer’s way.

When Stefan began crooning words that spoke to her heart, however, her throat closed. “I know sometimes you’re afraid and you pretend it’s not true. You’re so strong and so fragile at the same time, but I’m here. Look at me. I’m here.”

She sucked in a breath and spun on her heel to hurtle toward the exit. All she could think about was getting outside to the fresh air. Unfortunately, the humidity of the night hit her hard in the face as soon as she opened the front door. She kept moving and shoved the door shut. Stefan’s voice snuffed out, and Talicia managed to calm down a little.

“He wasn’t singing to me,” she whispered. Stefan composed music all the time. That was his nature, and he wouldn’t be any good if he didn’t write lyrics that spoke to the heart. Still, she found herself blinking, trying to keep the tears in check. Why the hell was she getting so weepy lately?

She moved a little way down the walk to the end of the building and leaned on the wall. Shutting her eyes, she concentrated on evening out here breaths. If she didn’t get back in there, Creed would say she shirked her responsibilities, and he would have an excuse to fire her. Then the work she had done over the last few hours would be for nothing.

Talicia shook herself and turned to head back inside, but a man, who appeared out of nowhere blocked her path.

Chapter Thirteen

“Hey, baby girl, want to have some fun?” The man blew a ball of hot, stinky breath in her face.

Talicia recoiled. She was about to shove him away because he was standing too close, and it looked like he was about to topple over onto her. A hand snaked out from behind the man and landed on his shoulder. “Careful, pal. You don’t want to fall.”

Of all the people who could have come out it had to be Duke. She started around the man, but he didn’t want to give up on her. He reached out to grab her arm, but Duke stepped forward, smiling at her.

“Licia, we should get to know each other better,” Duke said, flirty as he moved closer to her. Somehow his elbow caught with the man’s stomach. Talicia frowned. The impact seemed accidental, even casual. Yet, the drunkard doubled over, crying out in pain. For just an instant, Talicia thought he raised angry, hateful eyes to Duke. Then they went dull again, and he whined about rough characters on the street. Duke slapped him on the back. “Oh, I’m sorry, pal. So clumsy. Guess it comes from working too hard. Listen, let me buy you a cheeseburger.”

“Duke.” Talicia pulled at his arm, but it was like steel. “You’re squeezing his neck too hard.”

“No, he’s fine. So how about that cheeseburger?”

The man managed to shake off Duke’s hold and semi-straightened. “No way. I don’t like the food at Marquette’s. Too expensive and too fancy.”

With that the guy wandered off down the street, wobbling side to side as he went. Talicia stared after him shaking her head. Duke stood in silence beside her, and she felt his gaze on her face, but she ignored him. When she started to go inside, his voice stopped her.

“We’re right in front of the restaurant, but you shouldn’t venture outside alone.”

His tone was deadly serious, and when she glanced at him, his eyes were hard. She swallowed. This was the smartass she’d met, and she realized there was a lot more to him than she first believed.

“He was drunk, but I could have handled him.”

Duke’s slow grin resurfaced, and his eyes softened. “Yeah, I bet you could. After you slugged my cousin, I have a whole new respect for you.”

“Is anyone going to let me live that down?”

“You’re famous.”

She swore.

“And such a potty mouth. What a combo with my sweet cousin Stefan, who wouldn’t dream of cursing in front of a lady. I would love to hear the story of how you two met. Let me take you out.”

“No, thank you.” She headed back to the door but called over her shoulder. “And don’t think you can charm me into anything with you either.”

“Because I don’t have any money?”

She stopped again and whirled around. “Excuse me?”

“Down girl. I don’t care to experience that left hook.”

Talicia glowered at him. “I doubt I could get a hit on you. The elbow to the stomach back there. That wasn’t an accident. You meant to hurt that man.”

“Are you calling me a bully?”

“I’ve known a few.”

“Were you bullied, Licia?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m also not having a heart to heart with you. I don’t know what your game is, but I’m not buying, Duke. Please bother someone else.”

“You break my heart, Licia.”

“Stop saying my name so much!” He was really pissing her off. Nothing she said got to him.

He threw his head back and burst out laughing. Talicia’s fingers itched to wipe the smile off his face but no more fighting Stefan’s family under any circumstances. She had made the vow to herself, and she would keep it.

After an eternity, Duke pulled himself together. “I like you. You have fire. For what it’s worth—and I’m guessing very little—I can tell you’re not a gold digger.”

“You’re right. It’s worth less than zero.” She lied. Duke didn’t hate her, and it seemed like the kids didn’t either. This was progress. Sure, it shouldn’t matter because when the dust settled and she got her insurance money, she would be gone. Despite that, she couldn’t suppress the hope that her connection with Stefan would continue. Wanting them all to at the least accept her wouldn’t die either. “I have to get inside. I’ve been out here long enough, and Creed will think I ran off.”

“Ah, impressing the big dog. If you like, I can tell you how to do it.”

Talicia jerked the door open and walked inside. As soon as she passed the threshold with Duke crowding too close behind her, she spotted Creed heading their way. Her stomach curled up into a ball. She swallowed and took another step in his direction, but Duke shouldered past and blocked her view.

“Cousin, I have to talk to you about something,” Duke said, an urgent tone in his voice.

Talicia stopped walking. She willed herself to move around Duke and face the music, but she couldn’t raise her foot. Waiting for Creed to respond to Duke took years off her life for some ridiculous reason. She shouldn’t care what he thought or did.

“You’re in as much trouble as she is,” Creed said at last. “I told you no shirking your job, Duke. You wanted to stay at Marquette’s, and I gave you the chance.”

This news surprised her. So Duke wasn’t as tightly in the fold as the brothers. Then again, why would he? She recalled what he had said, that he didn’t have any money. She didn’t know his circumstances since she wasn’t up on all the Marquette business like her brother. What she thought she noticed earlier though was that Duke didn’t have a bodyguard. The brothers did, and Damen’s wife Heaven had one.

“Fine. My office, now,” Creed snapped, and the two men walked off. Talicia was happy for the reprieve, but she figured it wouldn’t be long before Creed would come back and ride her for ducking out to the street. This might be her last night. Aw well, might as well make it count.

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.”