Page 30 of The Stalker

“If you can just keep your voices down when we get near the bedrooms, I’d appreciate it. I don’t want to wake Mira,” Lita told them.

Tatiana was grateful for the distraction as she and Hayden agreed, then followed Lita through the apartment. It was very nice, and Tatiana didn’t see any major security issues, which was always a relief. They made it back to the dining table just as Sebastian finished setting out the food.

She took a seat next to Hayden, sitting opposite the couple, and Lita asked, “Would you like anything to drink, Tati?”

“I’m fine with water, thanks.” Tatiana indicated to a bottle that Sebastian had put on the table. “I don’t drink when I’m working.”

“That makes sense.” Lita smiled at her.

Hayden and Sebastian started a conversation about the upcoming tour, and Tatiana took a bite of her gnocchi before groaning, “Oh, wow, this is so good.”

“Thanks. It’s my nonna’s recipe.” Lita smiled proudly at her.

Tatiana and Lita both fell silent as the men continued talking, and Tatiana was surprised when Sebastian addressed her directly after a few minutes.

“So, Cooper said you’re the best. What’s your experience like?”

Tatiana sighed internally, but smiled at him. “I’ll keep Hayden safe.”

“That’s not your experience. That’s your plan. What experience do you have in order to do that?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

Tatiana met his gaze, counting mentally to five to stop herself from saying anything stupid. It was always men like Sebastian who wanted her credentials. Some kind of proof that she was good at what she did.

“Oh, I know the answer to this,” Hayden laughed. “Tati was born in Russia and moved to the US when she was four. She went to school and did martial arts and gymnastics, then she graduated and began her career in the armed forces of some kind, but it’s classified. Then, she started a specialist security business and got hired to protect a super-nosy rock star.”

He pointed to himself, and Lita laughed.

“What he said,” Tatiana smiled at Sebastian, working hard to make sure it looked polite and wasn’t a smirk.

“What section of the armed forces?” Sebastian asked.

God, he actually was nosy. She wondered if he gave their other bodyguards the third degree about their qualifications, or was this reserved for her because she was a woman?

She was about to say something when Hayden said, “Tati won’t tell you.”

“Obviously, Tati worked for a government agency. Probably the CIA,” Lita said.

Tatiana counted slow breaths as she took another bite of gnocchi. No reaction. No clues. Classified.

“Why do you think that?” Hayden asked.

“Well, if she just worked in the military, Tati would tell you. Nothing there is really secret, I don’t think. Even Navy SEALs can tell their friends and family, although I don’t think they can talk about specific missions. So, the fact that she won’t say anything means it’s something she can’t talk about.” Lita shrugged her shoulders.

The two men were goggling at her. She swallowed her mouthful, took a sip of her water, and smiled at them. “This gnocchi really is amazing.”

“Is Lita right? Were you in the CIA?” Sebastian demanded.

Tatiana turned to look at him. “Hayden is correct. My background is classified, so I’m unable to tell you one way or another. If the answer is yes, I can’t tell you, and if the answer is no, it narrows it down for you. I am, however, more than qualified to keep Hayden safe. If you would like a demonstration, though, I’m more than willing to show you how quickly I can take a man down.”

“Please don’t. I’d like Sebastian to remain in working order while we’re dealing with a newborn baby,” Lita laughed.

“I’d only hurt him a little,” Tatiana winked at Lita, who laughed harder, along with Hayden.

“There’s a part of me that wants to take you up on that offer because I’m not sure you could, but there’s a bigger part of me that wants to actually enjoy my first night out since having a baby,” Sebastian told her.

“Good life choice,” Tatiana assured him.

She was relieved when Hayden changed the topic of conversation. “When are Heather and Ariana getting here?”

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