We took our order number and sat at an isolated table by the window. From there I had an excellent view of the pandemonium in the parking lot. At least Leon was safe. I seriously doubted that anyone could get past Kurt to talk to him.
"I didn't mean to interrupt your day," I said.
Linus winked at me. "Please. Invitations for a coffee with an interesting young woman are rare at my age. How could I pass it up?"
I smiled. Something about Linus made me feel at ease. You knew that he was sincere and whatever he told you wouldn't be a lie.
The barista brought our drinks and departed.
Linus sipped the jet-black brew out of a small white cup and tilted his head from side to side, thinking. He must've decided the espresso was adequate, because he took another small sip.
"Shall we talk about your grandmother?"
"What is she like?"
"Victoria? Smart. Ruthless. Determined. She thinks she's always right and frequently is. This"-he glanced at the window-"is very unlike her. She prefers to operate quietly. She must be getting desperate."
"Why?"
"You're family," he said. "Family is all any of us have. You're her hidden legacy, the future of her House. Her parents died when she was only twelve. She wanted a child so badly. I saw her shortly after James was born. She seemed happy for the first time since I'd known her. She practically glowed."
"She was horrible to my father."
"I don't doubt it. She's demanding and difficult. She holds herself to the highest standard and never stops to consider that perhaps not everyone possesses the ability or will to match hers."
"This is the second time she attacked us."
"When was the first time?" he asked.
"Two days ago. Dave Madero chased Rogan and me in his Jeep."
He sipped his espresso. "How did it end?"
"Rogan broke Dave's arms in five places."
Linus smiled. "If Dave Madero chased the woman I loved, I would've broken his legs as well."
"Oh, he tried. I asked him not to."
"You should've let him. House Madero has waged a war on subtlety for the last fifty years. They understand brute strength and clear messages."
"That is almost word for word what Rogan told me." I drank my tea through a straw. It tasted sour, but it was better than the metallic coppery patina on my tongue.
Linus sighed. "Rogan is well-versed in House politics. He's been playing the game for a long time. He was born into it, and his instincts are usually right. However, he's in a delicate position. Pardon me for inquiring, but have you discussed your potential future?"
I coughed.
"I'll take that as a no." Linus fixed me with his dark eyes. "Allow me to hazard a guess: he pushed and you pushed back. He pushed harder, and you set some boundaries and refused to back away from them."
I managed to make a word. "Yes."
"That was likely a new experience for him."
"Yes." I had a sudden urge to crawl under the table. It felt like I was twelve again and my mom decided to have the Talk with me. "Do you know him?"
"I knew his father when he was Connor's age. We had business dealings together, mostly military contracts. Connor was twelve at the time, and I could tell by the way they butted heads that the apple didn't roll far from the tree."
True. I tried to imagine two Rogans and failed.
"Rogan is very conscious of the fact that you'll soon be the Head of an emerging House. As the Head of his own House, he has certain ethical obligations, and he can't obviously steer your entrance into our society, because he cares about you and he wants House Baylor to emerge as an independent entity, not a vassal of House Rogan. As a man who loves you, he doesn't want to impose his will on yours, even when it's in the interests of your safety, because he wouldn't allow himself to be treated that way. He knows if he pushes too far, you'll leave him. Unfortunately, you're obviously a target in both the physical and emotional sense of the word. People want to kidnap you, manipulate you, and take advantage of your inexperience. He sees all of it, so he's fighting a powerful urge to shove you into full body armor, lock you in a windowless room, and stand guard by it until the trials are over. I sympathize. I once had to go through a similar thing."
True.
"It was a uniquely frustrating experience. It gave me grey hair. See?" He pointed to his temple.
I didn't know what to say.
"My unsolicited advice would be to continue on your present course. You've terrified the Harcourts, stood up to Madero, and resisted Tremaine. You seem to be managing quite well."