“Believe it or not, it was in our interest to keep you safe Bette.  So that’s why the men stormed into that room, Tina.  To find Bette, and to secure her.  Keep her safe.  Unfortunately, they didn’t have the best manners…” 

“No, they were bastards, Bromwell.  And so were you,” Tina said agitatedly. 

Before Bromwell could respond, Tina leaned over to meet his eyes.  “You better have a good reason for entering into our lives, Bromwell.  Because I won’t stand to have this issue in our lives anymore.  If anything happens to Bette, I swear….” 

“Tina, Tina …that’s not my intention at all,” Bromwell cut in. 

“As I said, we wanted to keep you safe, Bette.  And we’ll continue to do so.  Even if that whole affair has died down, and you have correctly taken all the steps to change your lives, you’ll need protection,” he
tried to explain.  

Bromwell continued, “I’m sorry that I didn’t come forward much earlier, but I didn’t want you to take things the wrong way, and I didn’t want this to cloud our friendship, this relationship between our families, or get in the way of all your wedding planning, etc.” 

Bette said coolly, “Bromwell that’s a hell of a thing to hide from a friend.” 

He nodded, “I know, I know.  I should have handled this better,” he agreed. 

Silence fell on the table. 

Tina and Bette looked at each other.  What now? 

“So, what is it?  Why come forward now, Bromwell?,” Bette asked. 

“As I said, Bette, I think you’ll continue to need protection.  And I want to offer it to you, if you’ll agree,” he answered.  He looked at Bette, hoping she would read the sincerity in his voice and in his offer. 

“Why? Why would she need it?,” Tina challenged, maintaining the hard edge to her voice. 

“Because the danger is still out there that someone may figure out she had a role in that investigation,” he answered. 

“And…we don’t want anything to happen to you.  It would devastate us, my brothers and me, if something indeed happened to you, or your family, Bette.” 

Bette and Tina looked at each other again, reading each other’s thoughts. 

“Wouldn’t it be strange, or wouldn’t it attract more attention to me, if I had security guys trailing me?,” Bette asked.  She knew Tina remained on edge, but Bromwell’s explanation seemed on the level to her.  If he’d meant to harm her, he could have done so a while back, yet.  Besides, he didn’t need to come forward with this devastating information.  But it would be better to proceed cautiously, she agreed with Tina’s silent assessment. 

Bromwell shook his head, “it won’t be like that, Bette. I have security watching over my brothers also, and they know how to be unobtrusive,” smiling at Tina as he heard her snort, “even if they don’t have the best manners.” 

Bette thought everything he’d said through.  “I’d like regular updates about any information your guys are picking up on any potential threats to me… or Tina, or even Angelica.  Ok?” 

Bromwell nodded, “Of course.  I can be the one giving you the updates, if you feel more comfortable about doing things that way.” 

Bette gave him a half-smile, half-frown. 

He could be right, she thought.  Better to have someone watching out for them, if there was still a danger out there.  It would also help keep Angelica safe, as she started on her pre-school schedule. 

“What about when I go abroad?” 

He nodded, “We can arrange for continuous security, Bette. We have people all over the world.  And members of my family are priorities, so they’ve also been covered whenever they travelled outside of the
US.” 

“And you’re family now.  You, Tina, Angelica,” he offered a small smile. 

“So you’ll be priorities also.  Even abroad.” 

Tina was shaking her head.  It was going to feel strange, having someone watch their moves all the time. 

“Are your people discreet, at least?,” she asked. 

“The utmost.  We do personal security for many high profile types, Tina, and we are known for discretion,” he answered. 

Bette was still evaluating the offer when they heard an announcement from the computer that someone was at the door — most likely, Luke. 

“Okay, Bromwell.  Please make sure they keep their distance, though.  And no surveillance other than visual, ok?  No cameras, microphones, phones, or anything creepy like that.” 

“Do I have your word?” 

Tina had walked away to head towards the front door, to greet Luke.

“You have my word, Bette,” Bromwell nodded.