Page 2 of Securing His Family

The visible relief on her face that he hadn’t pushed her did nothing to alleviate his concerns, but he would bide his time. He had no plans on leaving her alone. He’d stay until it was time to close and he’d walk her to her car, ensure that she got there safely. It wasn’t as if he had anything special to do for the rest of the afternoon. Lauren had gotten herself a bodyguard, whether she liked it or not.

A customer came in, so Reed made his way to a table with a reserved sign on it, which gave him a good visual of the front door as well as the kitchen area. The table was always available for anyone from Power Security. After what happened at Tabby’s previous location and how she’d been hurt there, when she’d opened this new café, Steve had ensured that this particular table would always be available for his staff. If he ever came in, which was often because he wanted to be near his wife, he always sat there.

Reed caught Lauren’s eyes and they narrowed when she saw where he had positioned himself. If the other customer wasn’t still standing at the counter, Reed was sure she would be telling him that he didn’t have to stay and that she was fine.

Tough.

She would have to settle on giving him the stink eye instead.

The moment the customer left with their purchases, Lauren strode over to Reed, his order in her hands. “I know what you’re doing and it’s not necessary.”

Called it.

He didn’t say the words out loud, but he couldn’t help grinning. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m just enjoying Tabby’s wonderful baking and your excellent milkshake making skills.”

“Ugh, you’re impossible.” She stormed off and headed to the kitchen. The sound of plates being loaded into the dishwasher none too gently, reached him.

Reed wasn’t worried that Lauren would break any, she respected Tabitha too much to do that to her, but if it helped with getting rid of some of her annoyance at him, well then that was okay too. Not that it would make any difference. His ass was planted in the chair until it was closing time.

He took his time eating the cupcake, which was delicious as always. It was just as well the team met up regularly in the mornings to do PT, a hangover from their time in the Army. Not to mention it also kept them in shape for the missions they went on. If they didn’t keep up with regular exercise, there was every chance that all of them would’ve piled on weight with all the bakery goodness they had all sampled since Tabitha had come into Steve’s life.

He'd just finished his shake when the door to the café opened. Immediately the hair on the back of Reed’s neck stood up. The guy was well dressed. His neatly pressed black button-down shirt was tucked into a pair of black trousers. They weren’t name brands, but they were well looked after. Reed’s instincts were screaming loudly, and he didn’t trust that this person was there for a coffee or cake.

Lauren came out from the back carrying a tray of clean cups. One look at the new customer and her hands wobbled. It looked like the tray was about to fall to the floor. Reed moved knowing he was too far away to catch them but needing to try. Lauren managed to steady them and get them onto the counter before disaster struck.

Her face paled. “Patrick.” The name a strangled whisper.

Reed had no idea who this person was, but the fact he was causing Lauren distress had him continuing to stride toward the counter, arriving at the same time as this Patrick person.

“Hello Lauren. Long time no see.”

“Not long enough,” Lauren snapped back and Reed was pleased to see some color had returned to her face along with her sass. None of that meant he was going to walk back to his table. No, he was staying right where he was.

Patrick laughed. “Now is that anyway to treat me after everything we share together?”

“We share nothing, Patrick.” Her hands landed on her hips and she glared at him. “Now I suggest you leave.”

“That’s a lie and you know it.” The guy leaned on the counter and Lauren reared back. “You won’t answer my texts so you left me no option but to track you down.”

Reed went on high alert. He didn’t like where the conversation was heading. There was a sinister edge to Patrick’s tone, and he wasn’t going stand around and let the guy get any closer to her. He rounded the counter and placed his arm around Lauren’s shoulders. She tensed, and he willed her to relax so that what he was about to do was convincing. Somehow she got his silent message because a little bit of the tension inside of her dissipated and she leaned into him.

“Babe? What’s going on?” he questioned, his voice soft as if this was the way he always spoke to her.

Patrick’s gaze narrowed in on Reed’s hold, and Reed clocked the way his left hand clenched the fabric of his trousers for a moment before relaxing. “Who the fuck is this and why does he have his hands all over you?” he spat, the venom in his voice clear.

“Who are you?” Reed countered, not planning on giving anything away until he knew who this asshole was.

“Patrick Stringer, but why do you care?”

The guy’s belligerence was grating on Reed’s every nerve and his need to protect Lauren was going into overdrive. “I think you should leave.” Reed kept his voice low and calm, as if they were sharing a casual conversation, but he was ready to spring into action should he need to.

“I don’t care what you think or say. I’m not leaving. Not until I see Charlee.”

Lauren stiffened beneath his hold and the pieces clicked into place.

Patrick was Charlee’s father.

ChapterTwo

---