“You’ve had Shawn run a background check on him, haven’t you?”her father demanded, seemingly still displeased with the news of El’s impending nuptials—so impending, she hadn’t even known about them.
“Of course.You know what Shawn’s like.I didn’t have to ask before the deed was done.”
Joseph’s lips firmed.“He should have forwarded me a copy of that report.”
“Why?He didn’t know how serious we were.He didn’t know Ryan was going to propose last night.”
“It’s his job to know.”His nostrils flared.“I’ll speak to him before you leave.”
El narrowed her eyes at him.“You’re not going to make a fuss about this, are you, Dad?”
“Fuss?I’m protecting my only daughter’s interests, El.What else matters?”
“Considering he’ll have no access to the fund, I don’t understand why you feel you need to protect my interests at all?”
“Because you’re my only daughter.Naturally.”
She barely refrained from withholding a snort—the only thing her father was concerned about where his only daughter was concerned was her trust fund.“Well, feel free to interrogate Shawn.I read the report on Ryan, and it’s perfectly normal.He’s a successful business owner.”
“How successful?”Joseph demanded.
“Highly successful,” she snapped.“What kind of question is that?He’s expanding through the Continental US!Has Michelin stars and God knows how many awards.What do you want from the man?A bank statement?”
Joseph pursed his lips, then picked up his coffee cup again.“You must have a lot of family to have so many restaurants and to use predominantly kin as staff.”
Ryan smiled, and she could tell he was utterly unphased by her father’s dictatorial stance.A notion that came as a surprise considering Ryan was dominant.The most powerful man in the Pride in California.As well as older than her parents… His patience and ability to hold his tongue was truly appreciated.It made this all flow far smoother than it might have done if he’d been short-tempered and had been offended by her father’s uncharitable remarks.
“I do have a lot of family.My mother came from a family of six, my father from a family of four.Then, my grandparents were equally as prolific.”
“Not Mormons, are they?”
“Dad!”El hissed, utterly mortified by such rudeness, and she was relieved to note even her mother, who usually didn’t bat an eyelid at her husband’s tongue, was looking discomfited.
“No.We’re not Mormons,” Ryan retorted calmly, but she could tell he was starting to get pissed off.Not that it was written anywhere on his face, but she could sense it.The agitation, it was building up inside him.
She had no idea why, just knew that that was the case.
With a sigh, she got to her feet.“This is ridiculous.I won’t have you disrespecting him like this, Dad.We’re going.”
Joseph narrowed his eyes.“Not until after I’ve spoken to Shawn.”
She shrugged.“Fine.Call him and ask him to go to your office.I’m going to show Ryan my rooms.”To her mate, she murmured, “Come on, Ryan.”
He shook his head.“It’s okay, El.I understand your family’s concerns.They don’t know me, don’t trust me.They won’t learn anything about me if I scarper off to your rooms.”He shot her father a look, and El sighed at yet another battle of wills going down not two feet from her.
Clapping her hands together, she made the pair of them jump.Ryan just cast a glance at her, but her father glowered.She ignored the pair of them and headed over to the intercom at the other end of the room.When she depressed the button, she murmured, “Anita, can you please ask Shawn to meet my father in his office?”
“Claro que si,” came Anita’s soft voice.
“Gracias,” she replied, and sighing, returned to her armchair.“He should be there soon,” she informed her father.
He shrugged.“He’ll wait.”
“Yes.He will, but I won’t.We’re leaving shortly, whether you’ve interviewed Shawn or not.There is something called a cell phone, Dad.They’re pretty useful inventions.And Ryan and I have places to be today.”
Joseph’s lips flared in exasperation but he got to his feet.“Ryan.El.”He bowed down and kissed her cheek again, then strode off out of the lounge.
“You’ll have to forgive my husband, Ryan.We’re always so protective of El.She never understands how much we worry about her.”
