The room comes back into focus, and it isn’t just Harper and me. I meet each of their eyes. Eli, Jack, and Caden know the drill, but Nico and Harper don’t.
“My father is a hard man. Stay alert and answer what you can. Only answer what he asks.”
Harper slides her hand into mine and squeezes. When she smiles at me, suddenly I want to hide her away from my father. I regret asking to include her. It was selfish of me. I want her close, but I’m putting her in the line of fire.
I’m showing him my weakness, my obsession. The object of my desire.
She’s too soft to handle my father, but as long as he doesn’t suspect there’s more between me and her, he should behave. If he figures out how much I want her, he’ll use my desire and her against me.
“As far as my father is concerned, you’re our friend.” Sweeping my thumb along her jaw, I cup Harper’s cheek as her brow furrows. I wish it were different. “Trust me. It’s better this way.”
“Okay.” She nods and steps away from me. I let her and her warmth slip away.
Fuck. “Let’s go.”
I lead them up the stairs and into the dining room. The table is set, but my father isn’t here yet. Of course, it’s five minutes before seven. He would never be early.
When Harper goes to sit next to Nico on the end, I capture herhand and lead her to sit next to me. Again, it’s selfish, but I want her close to me. I want to feel her heat warming my insides as I stare into my father’s cold eyes.
She squeezes my hand and gives me a reassuring smile. So fucking innocent. I should let her out of our deal, but I can’t. I won’t.
Releasing her hand, I take a minute to return the shield I raise when dealing with my father. No one says anything as we sit and wait. After a minute, my father walks in.
“Gentlemen,” he says boisterously. His focus falls on Harper. “And lady.”
His speculative gaze lingers on Harper as he sits at the head of the table. I should have let her sit next to Nico, instead of between me and Jack. Have I shown my cards already to my father?
“How are you all this evening?” Dad takes his napkin and lays it in his lap. That’s the signal for the staff he hired for tonight to start service. The first course is a salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
“Very good, sir,” Caden replies. He’s accustomed to my father and knows what he expects. Knows what my father wants to hear. He’s played this game almost as much as I have. Our fathers are very similar.
“How’s your father’s business?” Dad arches an eyebrow at Caden.
“As well as can be expected.” Caden’s non-answer gives my father pause.
But Dad nods and lifts his fork, indicating everyone can eat. “How’s football this year? You planning on playing, Nico?”
The guys fill the space with football talk while we eat salad. As each of us finishes, the staff comes and removes our plate. Once my father is done, dinner is served. Plates filled with coq au vin are set in front of us.
Dad lifts his fork, but then his gaze settles on Harper. I tense, wanting to hide her from him. I’m careful to not show any emotion or regard for her.
“Luke tells me your mother works at the hospital?”
Harper nods. “Yes, sir, she works in the labor and delivery ward.”
“And what does your father do?” Dad takes a bite, intent on his food instead of Harper.
“I wouldn’t know. He left us when I was five.” Harper takes a small biteof food.
“You don’t hear from him at all?” My father is an asshole. He glances up at her and watches her carefully.
I want to interject, but I can’t let him know I want to protect her. She has to stand on her own.
“No, sir. My mother is enough for me.” She takes a sip of her drink and her eyes dart to me for a brief second.
“Of course she is.” Dad takes another bite. “How are your grades?”
Harper blushes. “It’s only been two weeks since school started, but I’m ranked in the top five percent of our class.”
