“Please. I’m responsible for your safety. And Juleen’s safety. I have enough going on without having to chase you down.”

“I understand.” I gave his face a hard stare. “Who did this to me, Chris? Who hurt me and took my baby? Was it Devek?”

“I told you: no questions.”

“I have a right to know.”

“And you will know when the time’s right.”

“Is my son safe?” When he didn’t answer, I choked up. I said, “Is he even alive—”

“He’s alive.” When I started to say something, he put a finger to my lips. Tears were running down my face. He wiped them with his thumb and said, “I’m doing the best I can. But there are no guarantees. That’s all I can say right now. No more questions, okay?”

I nodded. “I think I need a change of scenery.”

“Probably. Let’s go out for dinner. Wait … I can’t tonight. Tomorrow?”

“Sure.” My second outing in less than a week. I was a veritable party girl. I wiped my tears with my dress. “Where?”

“I own a small Italian restaurant in the same strip mall as the dentist. It’s casual and it’s certainly not gourmet, but it’s passable. The locals seem to like it. So do my workers. I know you still can’t eat perfectly, but the minestrone is good and it’s vegetarian. Sound good?”

“Great.” Again, I dried my eyes.

He took me in his arms. “I’m sorry you have to go through this, baby doll. I truly am. I hate to see you suffering. And I know you’re suffering.”

The tears came back. “Thank you.”

He held me for a few moments in silence. “Terry, I need a favor from you.”

“Can it wait a few hours? I could use a little break.”

“It’s not sexual.”

“Okay. What do you need?”

“Every year around Labor Day, I throw a big bash for everyone who has been here in the past year: my guests, my clients, my workers, my employees … It’s usually around a hundred to a hundred-fifty people. I have a band and food and an open bar—we do it in the lounge, where I took you to meet Mike Badger. He comes every year, by the way.”

“Do you want me to help plan something?”

“No, Talia will take care of everything. She does it every year. She has it down to a science.” A pause. “I would like you to come to the party, okay?”

“If you want me there, of course I’ll come.”

“I do want you there. You’re my fiancée. You’re going to be my wife. It would reflect badly on me if you weren’t there.”

I paused and broke away from him. “What are you trying to tell me, Chris?”