CHAPTER 5 Threats and Allies

Kate.

A text came through during Tuesday's lunch service.

“You looked good in that chef's coat. Shame you won't be wearing it much longer.”

I nearly dropped my phone into the reduction sauce, I knew who it was.

"Kate?" Alex appeared at my station. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." I shoved my phone in my pocket and focused on plating. Scallops, beurre blanc, microgreens arranged like art. My hands were steady even though my heart was racing.

David wanted to rattle me. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

The lunch service ended at three. I was cleaning my station when Alex touched my shoulder.

"My office. Now."

His tone made my stomach drop.

I followed him upstairs, past the dining room where waitstaff were resetting tables. His office overlooked the city, with windows showing everything I had missed while playing housewife.

"Sit." He closed the door behind us.

I sat.

Alex leaned against his desk, arms crossed. "Your husband came by today, during work hours. He tried to get into the kitchen."

My blood went cold. "What did he say?"

"That you're mentally unstable. That you abandoned your children and I should fire you before you have a breakdown and ruin my restaurant's reputation." Alex's jaw was tight. "I told him to leave or I would call security."

"I'm sorry. I'll talk to him. I'll make him stop."

"Kate." Alex stood in front of my chair, his hands on the armrests, trapping me in place. "Look at me."

I met his eyes. They were dark, intense, nothing like the casual friend I thought I knew.

"You have nothing to apologize for. Do you understand? Nothing." His voice dropped lower. "But I need to know what I'm dealing with. Is he dangerous?"

"No. He's just angry that I left."

"Men who threaten women's careers are always dangerous." He didn't move, he didn't give me space to deflect. "What else has he done?"

The text felt like it was burning a hole in my pocket. "He's been texting me. Saying he'll ruin me if I don't give him full custody."

Alex's face turned into a frown. "Show me."

I pulled out my phone with my hands shaking and showed him David's messages. All of them. The threats, the manipulation, the photos he had taken of me at the restaurant without my knowledge.

Alex read them in silence. Then he stood and made a call.

"Liam? Alex Morrison. I need a favor." Pause. "I need you to write about my new head chef. Her ex-husband is harassing her and I want it on record that she's exactly where she belongs." Another pause. "Perfect. Send me the article before you publish. I want to make sure it's bulletproof."

He hung up and looked at me. "Liam Ross owes me. His article about your scallops? That was just the beginning. By Friday, every food publication in the city will know your name."

"Alex, you don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do." He sat on the edge of his desk. "My father trained you, that makes you family. And I protect my family."

Something warm and dangerous unfurled in my chest. When was the last time someone had protected me?

"Why are you helping me?"

"Because seven years ago, I watched the most talented chef I had ever seen walk away from everything. I watched my father cry because he couldn't convince you to stay." Alex's voice went rough. "I'm not watching you disappear again."

The air between us felt charged. He was too close and not close enough.

My phone buzzed. Another text from David.

“Sarah says hi. She's here for dinner. Wearing that blue dress you never fit into anymore.”

I stood abruptly. "I need to go."

"Kate."

"I need to see my kids. Make sure they're okay."

Alex caught my wrist. "If you go there angry, you give him exactly what he wants."

"Then what am I supposed to do? Let him parade his mistress around my children?"

"You're supposed to let me help you." He pulled me closer, his hand moving to my waist. "You're not alone anymore. Stop acting like you are."

I should have stepped back. I should have put distance between us. Instead, I let myself lean into his warmth, just for a moment.

"My father wants to see you," Alex said quietly. "He's at his house in the Hamptons. This weekend. Will you come?"

"I can't. I have the kids."

"Bring them. The house has a pool, a beach. They'll love it." His thumb traced small circles on my hip, barely noticeable, and completely deliberate. "Let me show you what your life could look like."

Before I could answer, my phone rang. It was Tehilla's school.

"Mrs. Taylor? This is Principal Bastein. Your daughter got into an altercation today."

My heart stopped. "Is she hurt?"

"No, but she punched another student. A boy who said something about you." The principal's voice was careful. "Apparently he repeated something his mother said about you abandoning your family for selfish reasons."

"I'll be right there."

I hung up and grabbed my purse. Alex was already holding his car keys.

"I'm driving."

"You don't have to—"

"I'm driving, Kate."

We made it to the school in fifteen minutes. Tehilla sat in the principal's office, her knuckles red, her face defiant.

"He said you were a bad mom," she said when she saw me. "He said Miss Sarah told his mom that you don't love us anymore."

I pulled her into my arms. "Baby, you can't hit people."

"But he lied!"

"I know. But we use words, not fists."

The principal cleared her throat. "Mrs. Taylor, given the circumstances, I'm willing to let this go with a warning. But the other parent is quite upset."

"Which parent?"

The office door opened.

Sarah walked in, her hand on a little boy's shoulder, her face arranged in perfect concern.

"Kate." She smiled like we were friends. "I'm so sorry about this. Boys will be boys, you know. He didn't mean anything by it."

I stood slowly, putting myself between Sarah and my daughter.

I was going to ask how she had a son, I had known her to be single but that was the last thing on my mind right now. 

"Get out."

"Now, Kate, let's not make this worse than—"

"Get out before I show you exactly where Tehilla learned to throw a punch."

Sarah's smile finally cracked. "You're threatening me? In front of witnesses?"

Alex stepped forward. "She's asking you to leave. I would listen if I were you."

Sarah looked between us, and something ugly crossed her face. "This is who you left David for? His friend? You really are—"

"Finish that sentence," Alex said quietly, "and I'll make sure every restaurant in this city knows exactly what kind of person you are."

Sarah grabbed the boy's hand and left without another word.

The principal looked between us. "I think we're done here."

We walked to the car in silence. Tehilla held my hand tightly.

"Is Miss Sarah going to make Daddy hate us too?" she asked in a small voice.

"No, baby. Daddy could never hate you."

But I wasn't sure I believed it anymore.

My phone buzzed one more time as Alex pulled out of the parking lot.

David: “You just made this so much worse.”