“Or what? You’ll throw a tantrum?” Lucassneered.
“Maybe Iwill.”
Finally I went to the bathroom. When I was done, they weren’t gone, but at least they were sitting back down. I returned to the table where the waiter had set out a giant chocolate sundae and a thick slice of apple tart topped with cinnamoncream.
“I didn’t know which you’d like, so I orderedboth.”
I glowered at thedesserts.
“We can order something else ifyou—”
“No. No. It’s fine. Thank you.” I dunked my spoon into the sundae and took a bite to settle my swishingstomach.
“Are those boys friends ofyours?”
My breathing hitched a couplenotches.
“I noticed you chatting with them.” He rubbed hisear.
“They’re not friends. Justacquaintances.”
“I own a lot of land and concessions. Money and power attracts detractors.” Even though he smiled, it looked strained…and I felt a twinge of pity for the man who had no friends and no family, just a dog, a couple rifles, and a real estate empire. His smile vanished, and his eyes deepened to navy as he tilted his neck. “If it isn’t Liam Kolane in theflesh.”
My gaze climbed up the length of Liam’s rigid body and then landed on his incendiaryglare.
“My deepest condolences,” Aidancontinued.
“I’m taking Nesshome.”
I cringed at the use of my realname.
“I’ll be the one taking her home.” Aidan reached under the table and crinkled the red silk hem of mydress.
I jerked my knee so hard his hand fell away.Justyuck.
“Have you considered that she might not want to go home?” hecontinued.
I hoped Aidan had said that simply to annoy Liam, because there was no way in hell I was going anywhereelse.
“Ness, now.” Liam’s voice brooked noargument.
“Liam, you’re being rude. I’ll grab a cab.” Dinner was minutes away from being wrapped up. I couldn’t leave now. Because he was still standing there, glaring, I said, “Liam’s been very emotional since his father…passedaway.”
“It’s understandable. Especially considering the way he died. Have the police caught the murdereryet?”
“Murderer?” I blurted out. “I thought Heath committedsuicide.”
Liam’s face turned tostone.
I blinked at him, then blinked down at the pool of cream surrounding the half-eaten slice of pie. Heathhadn’tcommitted suicide? Someone had killed him? A chill curled deep inside mybelly.
“Oh, no.” Aidan’s eyes sparked. “Apparently someone killedhim.”
Liam muttered something under his breath and then yanked me up by thebicep.
“Liam!” I tried to bat his hand away, but he held ontight.
Aidan didn’t cause a scene by interceding, but he glowered. I dug in my heels as Liam tugged on me. Even though Aidan was a strange man, the least I could do was be polite. Plus I needed my bag andjacket.
