When we arrive, her father is already seated at the head of the table. I give him a little nod from behind Lila. I scan down to the other end, noticing we've got company, and then Lila stops short, nearly causing me to collide with her.
"Kyle? What areyoudoing here?"
Kyle. That's the guy she's supposed to be getting engaged to.
Annoyance pulls at my gut. I take in the new guy, who smiles up from his seat with all the charm of a python.
The guy is fit from what I can tell, his tailored suit cut perfectly to his narrow frame. I'm guessing he's in his late twenties.
He's also sporting some facial work that suggests Botox or something, and the way his cold blue eyes roam over Lila has me clenching my hands into fists.
Asshole would almost look like a surfer bro if it weren't for the suit and stain of "old money."
"Why wouldn't I be joining my fiancée for dinner? She's been through so much. Of course I'm here."
"We're not engaged yet, Kyle. And I've told you that I have no intention of?—"
"Lila." Her father stands up from his seat and gestures at the chairs surrounding the table, which is already decked out with an overabundance of food. "Do settle down and sit. I expect to enjoy my meal, thank you."
Biting her lip, Lila looks clearly uncomfortable but takes a seat across the table from me on her father's right. It wouldn't take all the years of training beneath my belt to see just how much she hates this.
It isn't really my place to say anything, so I let it go—for now.
"I trust things have been well in hand today, Mr. Griffin. Anything to report?"
Reginald levels his stare on me as he moves the food around on his plate. Even here, where we're supposed to be eating an everyday meal, the guy is looking down his nose at me.
Don't punch him. Don't throw your wine glass at his face.
"Nothing of note, Mr. Kendrix. Everything with Lila went smoothly today, and I have a good idea of her daily routine, including walks near the library."
Shooting a glance at her, Lila narrows her eyes, trying to hide the way she's glaring at me.
"It's good to hear that she is finally behaving. I know several of the other security personnel have had issues. It's cost her father a pretty penny at this point."
Swiveling my attention to Kyle, I lock eyes with him. He's so utterly unmoved, talking about Lila like she isn't right there.
"Lila and I have gotten along fine." I flick my stare back to her as she takes a hearty sip of her wine. "Right, Lila?"
Swallowing, she rolls her lips between her teeth before releasing a prolonged breath. "Yes."
I know I'm not helping with the tension she feels, but it does feel like she's earned a bit of her own medicine after today.
"Excellent. I shall expect similar reports going forward." Reginald nods once, picking at his food as he swirls a whiskey in the other hand.
Kyle shuffles at the other end of the table, clearing his throat. "I should hope that this whole mess resolves itself quickly. We have a wedding to arrange, and we'd really hoped we could proceed with having it this fall."
"I haven't agreed to?—"
"Oh, enough of that, Lila. There's no need to fuss over it. You get so up in arms over something that's been decided for years now. Come, come. We all know your role here. It is time thatyoulearn it."
I wait a beat, expecting Reginald to say something about that. But there's nothing. My stare lands on Lila again as she gapes at Kyle, but before anyone can say another word, she shoves back from the table and storms out of the room.
Wasting no time, I stand up, quickly glancing at Reginald as I throw my napkin into my seat.
"I'll follow her."
He waves me off. "Yes, yes. Do track down the drama queen."
