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Even though he apologized for it, I can’t forget that he did it.
He might not know about my nightmares, but I do.
I take a deep breath and look out the window, watching the trees blur by.
There’s the dark side to Christian, but there’s the sweet side too. That’s the one I see the most. It’s the one that I’m falling for.
It’s the side with the real power to hurt me.
I need to get myself together. Other people have to do horrible things too. He might be a murderer, but it’s because he has to be.
Even as I try to rationalize it to myself, I’m having a hard time.
I want my family to like him and see the side of him that I see, but I doubt Dad will.
He’s going to look at Christian and see the dark side I worry about. He’s going to see his daughter sitting beside the leader of a cartel.
This is a mess. I don’t know how I got here. Sometimes I wish that I never did.
Christian’s hand lands on my thigh, his thumb rubbing slow circles as he drives.
His touch is grounding. It pulls me from the panic spiral that I’ve gotten myself into, reminding me of the dinner I really should be worrying about.
As we pull up to the restaurant, I turn to him and put my hand over his. “I don’t know how this is going to go. They’re not going to be happy with the marriage.”
His eyebrows pull together. “The moment you want to leave, say the word. I’m going to be here with you through the entire dinner, okay?”
And there it is. The sweet side that makes me wonder who he would have been if he wasn’t the leader of a cartel.
“Okay.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and stare at the building in front of us.
The valet opens my door and holds out a hand.
I take it and stand up, taking in the pristine white stone of the building.
Gilded lettering hangs above the door and expensive florals bracket either side of the double doors.
Christian gets out of the car and hands the keys to the valet.
When he joins me and wraps his arm around my waist, I start to feel hopeful.
Maybe tonight won’t be as awful as I think it will. Maybe we’ll get out completely unscathed.
The host smiles as we enter the restaurant, stepping out from behind the marble podium. “Miss Redford, it’s good to see you again. Your family is already seated. If you would please follow me this way.”
“Thank you.” I smile as I follow behind him.
Christian moves so his hand is pressed against the small of my back.
His breath against the shell of my ear sends a shiver down my spine. “Should I be worried that the staff know who you are?”
“Dad loves this place. We used to come here at least once a month for dinner. And then there were all the business dinners that we all had to attend. He liked to show off his family to the other politicians.”
Christian nods, his fingers flexing against my back. “Is the food any good?”
“Decent. You’re a better cook, though.” I smile up at him as my family’s table comes into view.
Dad wears a big smile and Mom’s face is pinched. Ava looks like she would rather be anywhere else.
