“We have reservations, my dear. We will have plenty of time for this later.”
Kalin quickly puts the groceries up with my help before we head to the restaurant. I check up on Lia on the way to the restaurant, tapping her number into my phone.
“Jesus, Belle, it’s about time you checked in.”
“I’m in the Hamptons. We’re going out to eat.” I turn my head to Kalin. “Do you know when I’ll be back?”
“Not tonight.” He smirks.
“Not ton…”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yeah, all’s quiet in the ghetto side, girlfriend.”
“Yeah, well there won’t be a ghetto in your future, Lia.”
“Promises, promises. Oh, wait, I am talking to moneybags.”
I roll my eyes and glance at Kalin. “Get some studying done or something while you don’t have me bustling about.”
“Yeah, good point. You do get kind of obnoxious.”
“See?”
“I miss you, Belle. Stop taking these excursions without letting me know. I get worried about you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll probably see you tomorrow?”
“Where else am I going to go, until I meet my own Kalin?”
“I’m sure he has friends available.” I give Kalin a mischievous smile before looking straight ahead.
“Fix me up,” she exclaims.
We both giggle.
“Bye.”
“See you later, Lia.” I press ‘End’ and toss the phone in my bag.
“What was that all about?” Kalin cocks a brow at me.
“Lia says ‘hi.’ We were just wondering if you had a friend available.”
Kalin’s gruff laugh permeates my ears. “I thought she was in a serious relationship.”
“She is. I think she was joking.”
“Well, if there is a friend I can trust right now, I would like to know about it. Right now everyone is suspect.”
“Everyone?”
Kalin places his hand over mine on the leather seat. “Not you. And you’re a helluva lot more than a friend. I hope. By the way, you should know, in confidence, that if you think I’m letting Lia stay at that apartment without someone watching out after her, you’re crazy. Security is not following her around, like she requested. But they are keeping an eye on her. Let’s just say if anyone shows up on her doorstep, we’re going to know about it.”
My defenses go up immediately, but then I realize he’s right. My protest calms into relief. “So there’s a security team watching our apartment?”
“Yes. They keep their distance. They’re not listening to phone calls, invading her privacy, or creepy stuff like that. They’re just watching to make sure no one shows up there who has no business there.”
Kalin presses his hand on mine and caresses me with his fingers. “Okay?”
“Do you have a team watching me?”
“They’re watching both of you. At your residence.” Kalin glances at me. “This isn’t going to last forever, Annabelle. If I walk away from the company, they will be gone. But I would prefer to find out who this is. Based on what we’ve seen, you can be assured they’re watching us too, from what we know. It’s only fair you should know that.”
I exhale deeply. “I know.”
“Let’s not let them stop us from living our lives.”
“I won’t. And I’m actually glad that there is some security keeping their eyes on Lia. I’ve been worried about her. Thank you.”
Kalin smiles at me and checks his rear view mirror.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. We’re almost there.”
I smile at him and we pull into Rick’s five minutes later. My eyes widen like a kid’s on Christmas morning. The parking lot is filled with limos, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and other shameless displays of wealth.
“I told you. A real orgy of ostentation.” His tone is laced with amusement.
Kalin takes my hand and walks me to the front of the restaurant.
A shorter man in his mid-fifties greets us. “Mr. Kalin Davis. So nice to see you again. Miss.”
I nod politely.
“Please follow me. We have your table ready, Mr. Davis.”
“Thank you,” Kalin says.
I smile up at Kalin and shake my head. “At the kings’ table, you’re still the king.”
“Something like that.” He gives me a smug half grin.
I notice the large windows and the spectacular view of the bay, beautiful dark oak floors, a long mahogany bar, and a cozy fireplace. On each table is a beautiful arrangement of orange and red spray roses, miniature carnations, and white lilies. Kalin orders a bottle of Bordeauc Chateau Cheval Blanc. I glance at the price and give him a soft smile. “Eight hundred and seventy-five dollars?”