Chapter 7
The murderous expression on his face gave her a jolt.
"He was in the bloody club. Right there, close enough to leave this, this note." He gestured towards the plain envelope that sat on the table. "Who the hell is this person? We have cameras everywhere."
"And there were close to three hundred people present.
It was jam packed, nearly causing a fire hazard.
" Eric pointed out reasonably. He was dying for his favorite brand of cigar, but that would have to wait.
He had found the note partially hidden behind a vase of freesias on a corner table as he was doing his rounds late last night and thought nothing of it until he opened it this morning.
He glanced over at Kiara who was bundled up in her robe and sitting in a comfortable chair next to the window. She had yet to say anything.
"I'm calling Margo."
"It's still early." Her voice petered off when Oscar whirled to pin her with his eyes. "Whatever." She muttered. "Would you like some tea?" She asked Eric.
"Wouldn't mind it a bit, if it's not too much trouble."
With a nod, she uncoiled herself and left the room.
"She's scared."
"She bloody well should be. Good Christ, Eric. He was right there. Inside the pub." Fisting his hands, he lifted them to his chest. "He could have come after her."
"The note indicates that he's more after you.
" His friend pointed out. "He called you a rutting bull and a disgrace to the human race.
" His smile was mirthless. "I'm guessing he did not like the way you were dancing with Kiara and the fact that you disappeared right after.
It does not take half of a brain to figure out why you two left. "
"She's my woman. We can bloody well do whatever we want." Plucking the phone from his pocket, he made the call.
"She's coming." Marching to the window, he gazed out at the whisper of the dew on the leaves and petals of the flowers in the lush garden. Last night had been a rousing success. The reviews were already out, and the papers were raving about the opening.
Last night he had come home and made love to the woman he loved, with the intention of having a lazy day today, where he lavish her with attention. Now that was blown to goddamn hell. It pissed him off.
"Thanks darling." Eric moved forward to take the tray from her and kissed her on the cheek. "Sit and allow me to serve."
They both glanced over at Oscar who was still standing by the window, his back to them.
"Margo's on her way."
"Why don't you come and have a cup of tea?" Kiara suggested mildly.
"I don't want tea. What I want is to get my hands around the neck of that bastard and squeeze until there's nothing left."
"Since that's not possible right now, why don't you--"
He whirled and had the rest of the words dying on her tongue.
"Do what? Sip tea as if this is just another normal day?
Pretend that an unhinged bastard is not out there panting after you?
" He threw up his hands. "Well, why the bloody hell not?
We'll just have tea then, how about some cake and tiny sandwiches to top it off? "
"I think the housekeeper made some blueberry crumble."
"Damn you Kiara! You think this is a joke?"
"If you don't stop shouting at me, I will go upstairs, get dressed and go home."
"Try it. Just try it." His entire body went still, eyes an icy blue. "See how far you'll get."
Eric felt the relief coursing through his body at the sound of the doorbell. Hastily putting his cup down, he headed towards the doorway.
"I'll get it." He announced and left them glaring at each other.
"It's a battlefield in there." He warned Margo as he greeted her with a kiss on both cheeks.
"I can just imagine. You're looking well. Last night was great, Merrick is still recovering. I warned him not to drink that last glass of Guiness, but the man is pigheaded in his old age."
"And if he hears you calling him old, there'll be hell to pay." Eric tucked her hand through his arm and led the way into the living room.
As they walked in, the tension in the room was palpable. Oscar barely glanced up, his jaw set and his hands clenched tightly at his sides. Margo, sensing the fragile peace, offered a gentle smile and set down her purse with deliberate care.
The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow that seemed at odds with the charged atmosphere, but Eric hoped it might soften the edges of the morning's hostilities.
"No morning sickness?"
"None. Just a slight queasiness." Kiara raised her cup. "Hence the tea."
"Good." Margo glanced over at the man standing rigidly in the middle of the room. "May I see the note?"
Oscar handed it to her and went back to the window, waiting in silence while Margo read it.
"He was at the pub."
"Yes." Oscar bit off.
"And you have cameras. I noticed a few of them."
"The place was jampacked."
"I would still like to study the place from every angle."
"I'll go with you."
"I thought I would do the honors." Eric murmured. "I know where the cameras are. And Kiara would be alone here."
"I'll be fine. There's a fancy alarm system, I'm yet to figure out and I was thinking of doing some work."
"I'm staying." There was a stubborn tilt to his chin that had Kiara sighing. "You go right ahead Eric. And Margo, I expect to be updated as soon as you learn anything."
"Of course."
"Sorry to drag you out this early on a Sunday, especially after the late night you had last night."
Margo merely smiled. "I'm used to it. Last night was grand."
"Thanks." Oscar unbend enough to smile.
As Eric and Margo prepared to leave, an uneasy silence settled over the room. Kiara stared into her tea, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of the cup, while Oscar hovered by the window, tension radiating from his posture.
For a few moments, no one spoke, each lost in their own swirl of worry and unspoken fears. The only sound was the soft clink of China, a fragile reminder of normalcy in a day that felt anything but ordinary.
"I'm going upstairs."
"You'll bloody well stay. I have some things to say."
"Listen--"
"No. Damn you." He marched over to her. Taking the cup, he put it on the cherry wood table, uncaring that it would form a ring of moisture.
Taking her hands, he hauled her up, eyes fierce.
"You're treating this as if it's some kid playing a prank.
This man is unraveling. He thinks you're his personal property. "
He shook her lightly. "He's fixated on you and seems to know wherever you're going to be. I want you to take this more seriously. I want you to realize how damned scary this is and take the necessary precautions."
"And you bullying me to see that, is just pissing me off." She pushed at him, hissing when he didn't budge. "What do you want me to do? Hide in my room and stop living? I refuse to give the bastard that satisfaction. I have to live my life."
"And it doesn't matter what I say? How I feel?" His eyes blazed at her. "I'm scared to my very bones. Can't you understand how helpless I feel? If anything happens--"
"Nothing will."
"If anything happens." He ploughed on as if she had not spoken. "I would not survive. Just the idea of losing you is making me insane. Don't you get that?"
Kiara softened, her anger ebbing as she saw the raw emotion in Oscar's eyes. She reached up, letting her hand rest gently against his cheek. "I do get it, Oscar. I do. But I can't let fear dictate everything. I promise I'll be careful. I'll listen. But you have to trust me, too."
He closed his eyes, struggling to regain his composure, and finally nodded, his hands still clutching hers as if afraid to let go of the moment, or of her.
Releasing her, he started to leave the room. "I'll make us something to eat." Before she could stop him, he was gone, leaving her standing there and staring after him.
She was yet to get used to it. The fact that someone loved her enough to put her needs above their own. She had become so accustomed to taking care of herself after her father died and living without an ounce of affection, that it took some getting used to. And it humbled her. It really did.
She was skittish at how much he loved her but was warmed by it. It was up to her to show her appreciation.
He felt her presence rather than heard when she got to the arched doorway of the large stark black and white kitchen.
"I made boiled eggs and wheat toast. You mentioned the other day that orange juice grated on your stomach." He did not turn from what he was doing. "I asked the housekeeper to squeeze some oranges instead."
"I'm sorry."
"Have a seat."
Ignoring that, she went for his weakness. Walking into the room, she went behind him to wrap her arms around his waist, hands creeping up his chest. She felt when his muscles flexed, his heartrate increasing.
"I will be careful, I promise. It's not only me I have to think about, but also our two babies as well. I will abide by the rules until this maniac is caught."
Oscar let out a shaky breath, his shoulders easing just a fraction as her words sank in. For the first time that morning, a tentative peace settled between them, fragile but real. He finished plating the breakfast in silence, then turned to face her. "I can't lose you."
"You won't." She promised. "You won't."
"Good." Scooping her into his arms, he held her against him, just breathing her in.
"I had no idea there were this many people here last night." Margo exclaimed as she continued watching the camera feed in the office. She had just hung up from her husband who had woke up to find her gone, much to his annoyance.
"Hubby getting edgy, is he?" Amused, Eric sat on the edge of the desk.
"The idiot claims he cannot sleep without me next to him. Turns out it's the same for me." Margo was still embarrassed about this love business. She was in her early fifties before she found love, and it still managed to stagger her.