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"You definitely are. You know... my brother talks."
I flush, looking away just as Lai saunters into the room. The brothers greet each other with a slap on the back and Lai sits down in front of me.
"So, you met the girl," Lai says. "She stole everyone's heart."
"And their mind too, it seems," Dion replies with a pointed look at his brother before returning his attention to me. "Lai here can't shut up about you, Pandora. Now I can understand why."
We're served our first dish and I'm grateful for the distraction. Curiosity gets the best of me though, and as soon as the maids are out of earshot, I start to speak up.
"So... I don't know anything about Lai's family."
"You're not the only one," Lai mutters bitterly. "I'm supposed to find out when I turn twenty-one. When I get my trust fund."
"But you're related to Araminta?"
He nods. "Somehow, at least."
"And Dion as well?"
"Yes," the older brother replies, shooting me a pointed look. "And I think that's enough questions for tonight."
I stare him down, feeling the weight of his gaze. He doesn't back down, and finally, I'm the one to look away. I feel his triumph emanating from the left where he's sitting.
Lai's family makes me wonder... Dion is older, likely in his mid-thirties, and he looks different than the rest of the Eden Falls boys. More experienced. Harsher. Like life wasn't gentle with him, and it made him rougher in all of his exchanges.
Ashamed, I realize I'm getting turned on by the image of this man who doesn't let anyone intimidate him. I cross my legs righter and hope no one notices.
"Anyway," Dion sighs, drinking a long sip of wine. "I'm only here this week. I'm leaving for Stormcliff this morning, indefinitely."
I nod at his words. Stormcliff is the main city close to Eden Falls. A lot of the bigger companies have offices there.
"But what about Lai?" I finally ask. "He'll be here by himself?"
"He can take care of himself," Dion smirks.
I sneak a look at Lai. For the first time ever, I see him looking almost vulnerable, like he's about to say something. But a moment later the softness disappears, replaced by jagged, harsh edges.
"Don't worry about me so much, Pandora," he grits out. "Don't you have your own shit to deal with? Like the situation with Booth?"
I glare at him, trying to silently remind him not to talk about it, but it doesn't seem to be working.
"That's true," Dion muses. "What are you even doing here, girl? Aren't you Dexter's fiancée now?"
"I've had enough of the third degree," I mutter, pushing my chair away from the table.
"Oh, you have, have you?" Dion laughs. "Well then, we've had quite enough of you too. Unless you're inclined to share, you will be gone by tomorrow evening."
"Excuse me?" I ask.
"Dion, I..." Lai glances nervous between his brother and me. "It's not your place-"
"No, Lai," Dion smirks. "It's not your place. And if I say she can't stay here, she can't fucking stay here. Got it?"
Lai is pissed off, and so am I.
"No worries," I hiss. "I can take a hint."
I walk out of the room with my head held high. It takes everything in me, and as soon as I round the corner, I lean against the wall and exhale, feeling my chest rise and fall with panicked, shallow breaths.
