“We get it, bro. Chill out.” Julian patted my shoulder.
We took our seats at the table. “You drank that fast.” I pointed to Paige’s wine glass. “Can I pour you another?” I grabbed the bottle sitting on the table.
“Yes.”
I’d only known her briefly, but something seemed wrong with her. Her fingers lightly tapped against the tablecloth, and her eyes darted around the room like she was looking for an escape. I almost thought being here made her nervous.
“Are you okay?” I leaned over and whispered. “You seem uncomfortable.”
“It’s just the whole family thing,” she said, picking up her glass and tipping it to her lips.
“Now that we’re enjoying dinner together, tell us who Paige really is, Parker.” My mother, Pippa, stared at me from across the table.
“She’s a friend of mine,” Morgan blurted out. “I set them up.” She shoved a forkful of salad into her mouth. “Parker didn’t want to tell you in case it doesn’t work out.”
“You’re sweet, darling.” Katherine smiled. “But I call bullshit. You two don’t know each other at all.”
“Kather—”
“Whatever is going on with all of you, it’s time to spill it.” Katherine interrupted Morgan.
“You’re all covering for each other for some damn reason. Do you think we’re stupid?” Calista asked.
“Fine,” Julian said, setting his fork down and picking up his drink.
“Bro.” I shot him a dirty look.
“Some guy named Elias thinks that Parker’s dead client told him some information about him, and now he wants Parker dead, and Paige is protecting him. She’s like his bodyguard.”
“Fuck you, bro!” I pointed at him.
“We can’t keep secrets from them. You know that. They won’t stop until the truth comes out. Now that it’s out, we can enjoy this delicious dinner.”
“Parker, is that true?” Calista asked.
“Paige?” Pippa’s brow raised. “Is someone trying to murder my son?”
“Yes. But I’m not going to let anything happen to him,” Paige said.
“I knew the moment I saw you that you were different,” Katherine said.
“You are a far cry from a secretary,” Calista said.
“So, sweetheart, how do I know you’re capable of protecting my son?” Pippa asked.
“She kills people, ma.” Julian bit into a piece of freshly baked bread. “That’s all we know, and she won’t tell us anything more. So, don’t even bother trying to get it out of her.”
My mother narrowed her left eye at Paige, who stared back at her from across the table.
“Maybe it would be best if you left town for a while until this man is caught, Parker,” my mother said.
“I’m not leaving town, Mom. I have a job and clients to take care of.”
“Pippa, Parker didn’t want to tell you about this situation because he didn’t want you to worry. I don’t want you to worry. Parker will be safe as long as I’m here. I can promise you that.”
“What is your background?” Pippa asked her.
“I’d rather not get into it. All you need to know is I can handle any threat toward your son.”