“I really don’t think you’re a bad person, but toying with me or painting a target on my back is cruel, Robert,” I say slowly. “If your people attack me or decide I’m being a nuisance to you, I can’t defend myself. I don’t have that kind of strength.”

“Nobody will bother you,” he says, refusing to budge. “Dinner, tonight. You did promise, didn’t you?”

I swallow.

He doesn’t seem to care about my concerns.

“What are you trying to do here?” I ask weakly.

“I just ...