I glanced at Seth, and he also seemed to be curious by the way he waited expectantly for my answer.
“Virginia,” I said, meeting Genevieve’s hazel gaze.
Her face lit up. “Oh, I love Virginia. There’s so much history. Seth’s father took me around the state many years ago so I could visit some of the battlefields and museums. Have you been to Monticello?”
One of the foster families I stayed with lived not far from there, only they didn’t have the money to pay for the entrance tickets. “I never got the chance to go,” I informed her.
She gasped and patted a hand on Seth’s knee. “You should take her there. I bet she’d love it.”
Seth traced his thumb over my shoulder, and it drove me in-fucking-sane to have him touching me.
“I might just do that,” he murmured low.
Genevieve’s grin widened. “Great. So, where did you two meet?”
I was stumped on what to say about that one. Batting my eyelashes, I looked over at Seth. “Would you like to tell her that story?”
I was curious to see what he came up with.
Seth cleared his throat and smiled at his mother. “It just so happens that Wren is an MMA fighter.”
My stomach dropped and I stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. I thought I’d see disgust on his mother’s face, but she looked at me with fascination.
“Is that true? My son’s not pulling my leg?”
“No, he’s not,” I answered truthfully. “Iama fighter.”
“I watched one of her fights and was intrigued,” Seth added. “I knew I wanted to meet her, and it turns out we have some mutual friends. They introduced us and we’ve been getting closer ever since.”
Seth was good. He didn’t lie; he only left out the dark parts.
The driver pulled into the parking lot at K&B’s Bistro, and we all got out. Genevieve grabbed my arm before Seth could and linked it with hers. She pulled me toward the restaurant entryway, her voice full of wonder.
“I want to hear everything about you, Wren. You must be someone special for my son to introduce you to me.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I laughed coyly and continued walking with her. Diego stepped in front of us and opened the restaurant door. When I glanced back at Seth and Benny, they were deep in conversation. Something was wrong and I knew what it was. My spine prickled and I could feel the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
I always knew when danger was around . . . and it was here.
CHAPTER15
WREN
Dinner was quite enjoyable, and I was shocked that Genevieve and I had a lot to talk about. There was never a dull moment at the dinner table. Seth never once let on that something was wrong. He smiled and ate dinner as if he didn’t have a care in the world. No wonder he won a hotel through a poker game; he had a good game face.
When we arrived back at Seth’s house, Genevieve hugged me before I could get out of the limo.
“We need to do this again, dear.”
I returned the embrace and smiled. “I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”
She kissed Seth on the cheek and said her goodbyes to him. He got out first and held his hand out to me. I didn’t need help getting out of the freaking limo, but I took it anyway. His hand was warm and firm, and just that single touch sent a fire through my body. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks and I prayed Seth wouldn’t notice.
Benny stood beside Seth as we watched Diego drive through the gate. “Someone was following us tonight, weren’t they?” I asked, facing them both.
Seth’s jaw clenched. “Yes.”
Then he glanced over at Benny. “It’s time. I’m making the call.” When he focused back on me, he gestured toward the house. “Let’s go inside.”
