Page 76 of The Facilitator: Part 2
No one on the table heard what Alex had said, but Daniel paled. He stuttered a little, incoherently, and turned on his heel andleft.
“My hero,” Gabriella said, placing her hand on her heart. “My real knight in shining armour. Can you be promoted to knight? What did yousay?”
“I told him I’d forgo my breeding and class, and even though my military training should prevent me from killing him slowly, I’d make an exception if he didn’t back the fuck up, immediately. Although, I wasn’t aseloquent.”
Everyone broke into laughter, completely defusing the situation. However, I wasn't sure that some of us knew if it was a made-up threat or the truth. Mackenzie gave Alex a nod and both took their seats. He then patted my back, trying to remove some of thewetness.
“Do you want to leave and get changed?” hesaid.
“No, I don’t think it was a lot, wasit?”
“Not really. See how you feel after we’veeaten.”
Dishes were placed in front of us, and we experienced no further interruption while we ate. Although the interruption was not far from my mind, particularly as I could smell the beer drying on my dress. I was pleased Daniel kept his distance, and I was itching to know what Alex had reallysaid.
Vivienne—she had forbade us using her married name—regaled us with stories from Gabriella and Mackenzie’s childhood. It didn’t go unnoticed Daniel didn’t feature in many of those stories. We all became misty-eyed when she spoke of her husband, Gabriella’s father, with such fondness. He had died when Gabriella was very young, and she confessed to not remembering him very well. Still, we raised a glass to toast him aswell.
Once the meal was over, Vivienne decided towork the roomas she said. As hostess, it was her duty to chat to every one of herguests.
“She’s remarkable,” I said toMackenzie.
“She is, very much so. A second mother tome.”
We watched as she embraced Mack and Sandra. She spent time with him, placing her hand on his cheek, as was her way. She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief before Mack pulled her into another hug. Gabriella and Alex were whisked away, and Mackenzie and I walked to the bar outside the marquee while the tables were cleared. He asked for a whiskey for himself and a glass of red wine for me. We stood, leaning against the bar and in silence for a moment. Mackenzie was smiling, watching Gabriella work the room like her mother. She laughed and was so genuinely happy it wasinfectious.
“The one that got away, huh?” the slurred voice said. “They were in love, Lauren, did you knowthat?”
“Please don’t react,” I asked, holding on to Mackenzie’sarm.
“Still, not bad sloppy seconds in Lauren. Or, if you bring Addison into the mix, I guess, you’re just sloppy thirds,” he said,laughing.
The tension in Mackenzie’s body was transferring to mine. I tried to pull him away; I also desperately tried to get someone’s attention without everyone noticing a fight was about tohappen.
“Can we leave?” I whispered to him, my voice shaking with emotion and tears threatening to fall. He turned to me andnodded.
We needed to pass Daniel to get to the exit. I wanted to make sure I was the one between Mackenzie and Daniel. I didn’t needto.
“Boy, you, who knocked up his cousin because he couldn’t find a whore of his own, have the balls to comment on this lady right here? You would not know class even though you were born into it. Now, leave, right now, before I put you on your ass,” Macksaid.
Daniel didn’t move; Mack took a step closer to him. He towered over him and although a sick man, he stood tall and was a littlefrightening.
“I said leave before I put you on your ass,” herepeated.
Daniel turned and placed his bottle on the bar before stompingoff.
“I’m sorry…hey, you’re not wasting tears on that prick, are you?” Macksaid.
Mackenzie pulled me to his chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cry,” I said, my voice muffled by hisshirt.
“Let me get you home,” Mackenziesaid.
“I’m okay, honestly. I don’t want to spoil theevening.”
“You haven’t, it was soured by that…” I guess Mackenzie remembered his father and Sandra were standing close. “I’d like to leave, Lauren, if that’s okay withyou?”
He turned to his father. “Will you give our apologies to Gabriella and Alex, and Vivienne, of course? Let them know I’ll call in themorning.”
“Of course, Son. And I’ll see you tomorrow still?” Mackasked.
