Chapter Twenty-One
Laurie
“You know that I need you to answer a ton of questions, right?” I asked as we were escorted to a private booth at the back of a restaurant.
I hadn’t had a chance to decide where we were going. Rip had simply said he knew a place. When we’d arrived at Leblanc’s, I couldn’t exactly argue with his choice of dinner joint. It was one of the finest in the city and served a mean surf-n-turf that I had gorged on more than once.
Rip frowned at the back of the host who had seated us. “I suspect I will have several for you as well.”
“Why is that?” I asked, curious. I’d expected to be the one doing the interrogation.
“He didn’t accept my money,” Rip said, opening his hand to show the bill. “I asked for the nicest house in the seat. I mean, seat in the house. So, why did he refuse my money? And keep looking at you? Did I do something wrong? Is it not polite to tip when asking for a specific seat?”
“It is,” I said, covering up a smile. “But it was unnecessary here.”
“Why is that?”
“Because you’re with me,” I said. “That’s why.”
“You’re the most beautiful woman in here, I agree,” Rip said. “But does it really work that way? You wave a hand, and there we go?”
I blushed while giggling. “First off, thank you for that. I certainly don’t feel beautiful, not right now, at least, but that’s still appreciated. And secondly, no, it’s because of who I am.”
“I don’t get it. Do you own it? Please don’t tell me you own it. That would be so awkward if I brought you to your own restaurant,” Rip said plaintively.
“No, not at all. It’s just I’m somewhat well-known in the city,” I said.
“You are?”
“Well, my father is, but by translation, the rest of us are as well. It’s the same reason I told you in the car that it doesn’t matter when you said you’d pay all the expenses for the baby.”
“I get your father has money,” Rip said. “But …”
“Listen, I’d really rather not talk about this in detail,” I interrupted, becoming immensely uncomfortable the more we walked about it. “But my last name is Stillers, if you didn’t know.”
Rip stared at me blankly. It was at that moment the waiter came by for our orders. I decided not to deviate from the surf-n-turf, my stomach already growling in expectation.
“The ‘ArmDef Protocols’ Stillers?” I pressed once we were alone. “We’re the largest employer in the city.”
“Never heard of you,” he said with a shrug. “Sorry.”
I leaned back, put off by his answer. Everyone knew us.
Armament Defense Protocols, more commonly referred to as ArmDef, was my father’s company and a behemoth in the city, mainly for high-end factory work but also its robust research and development lab that employed thousands of workers.
Employment was highly sought after, and we had very low turnover, which I was proud of as one of the HR heads.
“I’m sorry if you’re offended,” Rip added into the silence.
“Honestly, no, quite the opposite,” I said. “It’s kind of nice not to have a reputation precede me.”
“Meaning what?”
“Do you have any idea how hard dating is once people find out I’m one of ‘those’ Stillers?
Even friends were hard to keep. Money has been a blessing.
I’ve been able to do many things others haven’t, and I recognize that, but don’t ever let anyone tell you there are no downsides.
I’ve lost countless friends and potential boyfriends because of it.
Either through intimidation of how much my father is worth, or worse, false friends who just want a piece of it. ”
Rip reached across the table to take my hand and squeeze it. “I’m sorry you had to put up with that. You deserve better.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’m not perfect, though.
I’ve worked hard not to be a rich snob, but …
sometimes it shows. But, as I said, I don’t need your money.
Now, can we please talk about something else?
Something that doesn’t have to do with my bank account?
I am so much more than that. I didn’t even earn it. It was gifted to me.”
“Of course,” Rip said, squeezing my hand. “If not money, then what do you need from me?”
“For starters, someone who is there,” I said immediately. “I’m keeping this baby, Rip, but I am terrified. I need a rock, a shoulder, someone who can be with me through the journey. A father to our child. Maybe a partner, if that works out, I don’t know. But a presence. Promise me that.”
He squeezed my hand again while staring into my eyes, letting me see deep into him.
“I swear to you, I will always be there when you or our child need me,” he said with a gravitas I couldn’t quantify. There was more to it on his end than just an oath to me. He promised something to the baby as well. “In whatever way you need me, I will be present.”
“Even if I decide to be co-parents only?”
“If that is what you choose,” he said, clearly unhappy about it. “But I will do my best to show you that we are compatible.”
“How can you know that?” I asked. “We barely know one another.”
“I know enough,” he said without actually answering the question.
“If you say so,” I said, letting him know I wasn’t convinced.
He didn’t elaborate despite my unspoken prompt.
“How about you tell me more about this being a prince business?” I said. “You’re royalty? Is our child royalty? What is all that about? Or will they be considered a bastard born out of wedlock? Are they going to be in danger?”
“Our child will be fine,” Rip said softly. “I promise you. They are in no danger. They will be celebrated and loved by all.”
I couldn’t stop the warm feeling that filled my chest at that notion.
Even if Rip and I didn’t work as a couple, I hoped our child would feel welcome on both sides of the family.
I knew they would be spoiled rotten by my parents.
But hearing the love in Rip’s voice made me feel like it was possible his family would do the same.
“What are you a prince of?” I asked as our food arrived, deposited with a flourish.
Rip waited until we were once again alone. “A small nation that you likely have never heard of. Honestly, I wish Eb had never used the title. He shouldn’t have. It’s not as big a deal as he makes it.”
“Is it a ceremonial position, then?” I asked.
“Not … quite,” he said uncomfortably, looking down at his food as he began to eat.
I followed suit, though I wasn’t done questioning him. I wanted to know what country he was a prince of. Why hadn’t I heard of it? Why was he so reluctant to tell me?
“Are you in exile?” I asked abruptly. “Is that why you won’t tell me?”
“No.” There was a strange note to his reply.
I glanced up to see him looking past me for a moment. “Something wrong?”
“You didn’t tell me you were bringing bodyguards.” He sounded almost offended.
“Because I didn’t? What are you talking about?” I started to turn around, but he grabbed my wrist.
“Don’t look,” he said, keeping my focus on him. “But if you didn’t bring them, somebody else did. Two men at a table to your four o’clock have been paying far too much attention to us. You, in particular. I thought they were your bodyguards.”
“They aren’t mine,” I said, leaning forward.
“Keep eating. Act like normal,” he said. “Does your family ever deal with this? Could your dad have sent them?”
“Not without telling me. He knows better than to do that.”
“They aren’t from my end of town,” he said, though I had no idea what that meant. “Could they be after you for who you are?”
“Maybe,” I said with a shrug. “Our company is involved in a lot of high-level Department of Defense contracts. We all have rather high-security clearances. Maybe they think they can get to us? I don’t know.
My father, when he travels overseas, does so with armed bodyguards.
That’s mostly standard protocol, from what I understand.
If they came here and tried to mess with us on home soil, so to speak? They would … regret it.”
“You have no idea,” Rip growled protectively.
I wasn’t sure what that meant, so I said nothing.
“I think we should have dessert somewhere else, though. What do you think?”
“I agree.” I was trying not to show any nerves, but it was hard. I didn’t just have myself to think about anymore. There was the baby as well.
We ate our meal in relative silence. Rip paid, and we prepared to leave.
“They’re coming after us,” Rip said. “If I tell you to, drop to the ground, okay? Just get flat. Can you do that?”
“Yes, of course,” I said, looking at him as we walked arm in arm. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of them behind us reach into a jacket pocket. “But they have guns, Rip.”
“I know. Just do as I say, okay?”
“Okay.”
My hands were trembling. He laid his overtop the one I rested on his arm.
“It’ll be okay. I’ll protect you.” He locked eyes with me. “Both of you.”