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This was awfully coincidental.
It worked in Harper’s favor, but it also made the skin between his shoulder blades itch uncomfortably. Was Robin up to something? Had he just been used here?
“They’re telling me there was some confusion and my reservation got canceled,” Robin said with a dramatic sigh. She turned and caught sight of Harper. “Uncle, this is my date, Harper Gonzalez. Harper? This is my uncle. He’s in from out of town.”
Daar Suleiman’s dark gaze slid up and down Harper’s body before he extended his hand. Daar didn’t radiate warmth like Robin did. He was cool, assessing, everything Harper would expect from someone who more than likely had a finger in Skilton’s pie.
He took Daar’s outstretched hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
Robin leaned in close and said softly, “Harper helped me yesterday with Saaina’s dogs.”
Harper barely heard her, but that didn’t matter.
Daar’s eyes widened and his grip on Harper’s hand tightened. “And they didn’t tear you limb from limb? Good man.”
“It was a close call,” Harper said gravely.
Daar clasped Harper’s hand between both of his now. Whatever it was about the dogs, it had just changed Harper’s standing in Daar’s eyes.
Interesting.
“Sounds like the only thing to be done is for you two to join us,” Daar said.
Was he fucking serious?
Harper could feel sweat breaking out under his arms. Was Samuel listening now? Was he ready to shit himself the way Harper was?
Tonight had been about building a relationship with Robin to learn more about her family. The last thing Harper expected when he’d set out was to actually dine with the family in question.
“I don’t know,” Robin said slowly. “I didn’t even know you were getting here today. Dad only said you were getting here this week.”
Daar finally released Harper’s hand and patted Robin on the shoulder. “Come. Save me from boring conversation.”
Daar moved past Harper.
Robin glanced at him and shrugged. “This wasn’t how I pictured tonight going.”
Was it though? Was this really all coincidence? Or was Harper being paranoid?
He wished he could talk to Samuel right fucking now.
“It’s fine.” Harper grinned at her. “It’ll be interesting to meet the little hell hound’s master.”
Her face creased with concern. “Are you sure? My family…”
“Hey?” He took her hands in his. “It’s fine. I come from a big, in-your-business Mexican family. How bad can it be?”
Of course, his family wasn’t into illegal activities on the global stage.
“It’s just…” She tugged on his hand and edged closer. “Look, Dad and Uncle Daar… They come from a different culture.”
“Yeah, where?”
“Syria.”
“Well, maybe we’ll have something to talk about?” He lifted a shoulder. Time to tout his own accomplishments. “I spent a little time in Syria. I think I get what you’re saying. Look, your family doesn’t represent all of who you are. Only where you came from.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “Okay. Just, don’t take anything they say too personally, please?”
