Stefan (The Marquette Family Book Three) by Tressie Lockwood Page B

Stefan.
    “Stefan, why haven’t your family come? I expected them to grill me the second I woke up.”
    He looked at her in surprise. “No, I told them. No one disturbs you until we’re ready. I threatened to block them if they even thought about it.”
    “You didn’t.”
    He smiled. “Of course I did. You were very hurt. Both my brothers were there when we found you. In fact, if it wasn’t for Damen, we might not have. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if we hadn’t.”
    “I’ll have to thank your brother.” She knew their names because of Tyjon’s craze over celebrity types not because Stefan told her. Damen was one of them, but she couldn’t remember which one. “Maybe we can stop by the restaurant before I go back home so I can tell him in person.”
    She didn’t really want to go, but this seemed like a good opportunity to see Marquette’s. With all Tyjon had told her he’d found online, she was curious. Then of course he had gone there to tell Stefan about her being hurt. She was grateful to her brother but kind of jealous too. He had seen Stefan’s world first hand and probably met them all. That part she didn’t look forward to. Still, thanking Damen was only right.
    “Of course we’ll go,” Stefan said. “You’ll be able spend time there as often as you want from now on.”
    “Stefan.”
    “This chicken is good, Ty. You should taste Mary’s gumbo and cornbread.”
    Talicia wasn’t fooled by Stefan talking to Tyjon about the food. He avoided her telling him again she wasn’t staying long.
    “Uh-uhn, boo boo,” Tyjon protested. “I make some mean gumbo that nobody can beat. You try me see if I’m right. Will she get an attitude if I take over the kitchen sometimes?”
    Talicia laughed. “I thought you were hooked on being served, Ty.”
    Her brother waved his fork at her. “I am, but Stefan threw out a challenge talking about Mary’s gumbo. You know I make the best in New Orleans, Licia. Tell him.”
    “You do, Ty, but you don’t have to prove it.”
    Her brother’s lips poked out, and she cut her eyes to Stefan. Her husband grinned. “I guess we’re in for Ty’s gumbo tomorrow then. And in answer to your question, Ty, no Mary won’t mind. This is your home now. You have free rein of the place. Both of you.”
    Tyjon whooped, and Talicia sighed. She didn’t have the energy to fight Stefan on the matter. Then she figured it would make no difference one way or another. When she was ready, she would just go, and Stefan wasn’t cruel enough to force her to stay. Some of the money she had saved in the bank would go to a lawyer who would draw up the papers, and she would be a single woman again. Letting Stefan go was for the best anyway. This situation proved it. She’d held on too long, but it was really good while it lasted.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    Talicia wandered over to the closet in Stefan’s bedroom. He called the room both of theirs, but she still felt like this was his home. She had been there for a few days, and grew more comfortable. Too comfortable, she thought. In fact, it didn’t even seem weird that the closet she entered was all hers and across from it was the one that belonged to Stefan.
    On both sides of her were long spaces equipped with rings at the top for placing hangers, and at the bottom tons of shoe space. She had only a few of the rings occupied because it had taken her shouting at Stefan to get him to quit buying her clothes.
    “Are you trying to say what I own isn’t good enough?” she had yelled at him.
    “Of course not. You always dressed well when I saw you at the club.”
    “Well, if you won’t let me leave right now, then go get my clothes, and you can save your money!”
    He’d fallen silent then, and she got worried. She kept prodding him, and in the end he’d admitted the truth. When they first checked her place, it was fine. Probably after Colby couldn’t find her, he’d sent his men to trash the place looking