No. Don’t think about her naked with another guy.Actually, why am I thinking about Klein being naked at all? She’s a nice girl. Deserves a nice, normal guy with no baggage and no hang-ups. Somebody as sweet as her, not a man who might be genetically patterned like a sociopathic mafia princess.
But part of me wants to argue. What if I’m like Mom in everythingexceptmarriage?
Yeah, bet Mom thought she’d be great at it until she decided to kidnap her own kids.
“Stop staring at her like that. You look like you’re starving. The food’s on your plate, not between her boobs,” Bryce says.
“I’m not staring at her breasts.” My tone is testy. I wouldn’t disrespect her like that.
“Fine.” Bryce rolls his eyes. “You were staring at her lips.”
I frown harder. “No, I was looking at hersmile.”
A corner of Ares’s mouth quirks. “She sure has a nice couple of smiles.”
I shake my head, ignoring my brothers’ teasing. How can they not notice the tension pouring out of her? Her shoulders are taut, and the smile is stiff. The poor girl hasn’t touched anything on the table except some tea. What kind of shitty people invite you to a place where you can’t eat, then proceed to feast in front of you?
Thankfully, Karina isn’t a client anymore. I quit representing her after those awkward come-ons. And I wouldn’t want Klein to have to deal with a woman that unpleasant.
Someone walks right into my sight. My heart stops, then starts racing, adrenaline spreading with each beat.
Harvey.
His dark brown hair is slicked back from his face, complete with soulless, hooded amber eyes and a mouth that always bears a fake smile. He tries to give off an air of civility by wearing dark suits. But tailored clothing can’t hide the air of danger about him or the cruel savagery he’s been known to unleash.
A sleek woman on his arm says something with a grin. Her hand rests on his chest, as though she’s soothing a wild, unpredictable animal. The man is just as capable of the kind of unhinged violence as Mom. After all, they’re siblings.
“Harvey,” I mutter.
“What?” Ares swivels, his body immediately coiling tight.
“Where?” Bryce turns, then stiffens. “What the hell is he doing here?”
“I’m going to murder that son of a bitch,” Ares says. He’s still bitter about Harvey drugging him. You can never be careful enough with the Dunkel family.
Harvey keeps on walking, smile bright. He sees us, points with his index, middle and ring fingers, then waves like a beauty pageant contestant about to walk off the stage. Then he jerks his chin at Klein’s table.
I glance over, wondering what the hell he’s been looking at. My gut tightens when I spot a strange woman hovering there.
I don’t like it that Harvey specifically brought my attention there—he doesn’t do anything just for the hell of it. Why is Klein on his radar? And who’s the pregnant woman, anyway?
Suddenly a man inserts himself between the woman and Klein, then spins around to face her with all the aggression of a rabid dog. I almost do a double take; it’s a familiar face that I used to take great pleasure in punching, but there’s no way I can ever forget the beady eyes and the smarmy smirk on his thin lips. Chad Buell, one of the greatest dickheads I ever had the misfortune of knowing.
I jump to my feet.
Chapter Seven
Ailee
“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Charlotte to see your father?” I demand, trying to control my emotions. My mind wants to jump to the most obvious explanation, but I take a deep breath. I’m not going to assume anything until I hear his explanation.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Chad says. Despite his blustery and accusatory tone, his eyes are wide and pleading.Please shut up.
Except I’m not going to shut up. For God’s sake, he just proposed to me last night! Got on his knees and told me he loved me, couldn’t think of a better future than one that we shared together.
“Honey, do you know this woman?” Autumn says, her eyes on Chad.
My mind turns blank. Guess that’s what happens when your head can’t process what’s going on. “I’m his—”
