More awkwardness. “It’s okay. I’m fine with you staying with me.”

“I’m glad you can say that.” Although she didn’t sound as if she believed him. “Let’s enjoy this meal and—”

Across the restaurant, Clarice Burbage stood up, scattering papers in an excess of distress. “He’s there! He’s found me.” She pointed at the window where a man in his late thirties, handsome in a careless way, had a long camera lens pressed to the window. Her voice grew shrill. “Make him go away.”

Mr. Kulshan woke with a snort and a start.

As if they’d been listening to every word uttered in their dining room, Ludwig and Señor Alfonso appeared, and together they bundled up Clarice, her manuscript, all trace of her presence and escorted her to the door marked Private.

Clarice’s hands shook as she tried to fit the key in the lock.

Ludwig took the key away and unlocked the door, and the three disappeared into the room beyond.

Bruno ran toward the restaurant entrance.

Adam stood. He hated opportunists with a fiery passion that only the anguish of his past could provide. As Bruno barreled into the unguarded restaurant, Adam ran and blocked him with a casual shoulder slam to the chest.

The paparazzo staggered backward.

Mr. Kulshan stuck out his leg.

Bruno fell over it and flat onto this back. The heavy camera thumped on his chest, and when he got his breath back, he sucked in a long, pained breath.

After a prolonged, satisfied look, Mr. Kulshan collapsed onto the floor shouting, “My knee, my knee! He broke my knee!” proving that he was more than a bothersome old fart, he was also an actor of consummate proportions.

Bruno climbed to his feet, turned on Mr. Kulshan, and in a rage he shouted, “You pathetic excuse for human refuse!” He raised his fist, but Adam caught his arm.

“I’m the Gothic community law enforcement. Do you really wish to strike this elderly gentleman who you gravely wounded in your rush to trespass on this establishment?”

“You’d better arrest him, Adam. He hurt me. Hurt me awful.” Mr. Kulshan put his hand to his chest. “I’m having a heart attack!”

Bruno swelled like a speckled toad. “Because I tripped over your leg?”

“Trespassing and injury to an aged man.” Adam grabbed Bruno’s shoulder and turn him roughly as if to put handcuffs on his wrists.

Bruno had obviously dealt with handcuffs before. He put his hands behind his back, then bolted out the door.

Mr. Kulshan extended his hand up to Adam and in a normal tone said, “Good riddance.”

Adam reached his arms around Mr. Kulshan’s body and hefted him to his feet. “Excellent work.”

Mr. Kulshan cackled, bent and rubbed his knee. “The bastard really did hurt me.” He nearly toppled.

Suddenly Elle was there, her arm under Mr. Kulshan’s arm.