He held her gaze for a moment longer than strictly necessary, and Kelly felt a flutter of something that had nothing to do with family tension or murder investigations.
"Mr. and Mrs. Bateman, dinner is ready to be served,” the maître d' announced, breaking the moment.
Kelly sighed, preparing herself for the next phase of the evening.
"Ready for round two?"
Ben took her empty glass and set it on a passing waiter's tray. "Ready when you are."
As they followed the crowd toward the dining area, Kelly found herself grateful for his steady presence beside her. Whatever challenges the evening held, at least she wouldn't face them alone.
An hour later, Kelly excused herself from the table, needing a moment away from her mother's not-so-subtle hints about Celia's perfect wedding planning skills. She'd barely made it halfway to the restrooms when her father appeared at her elbow, his fingers closing around her arm with gentle but unmistakable authority. David Bateman was not a large man, but he carried himself with the confidence of someone who expected to be obeyed.
"A moment, Kelly," he said, his voice low but firm.
Before she could protest, he guided her toward a small alcove tucked between the restrooms and a service entrance. The space was dimly lit compared to the glittering dining room, with a single sconce casting shadows across her father's face. Hisexpression was serious, his mouth set in the same thin line she remembered from childhood lectures about curfews and proper behavior.
What did I do this time?
"What is it, Dad?" she asked, already bracing herself. "Celia wants everyone back at the table for the toast soon."
"This won't take long," he replied, his eyes scanning the hallway to ensure they were alone. "I wanted to talk to you about your... friend."
She didn’t like this tone. At all.
"Ben?"
"Yes, Bennett Reilly." Her father pronounced the name with careful precision. "I made some inquiries about him."
"You did what?" The words came out sharper than she intended, heat rising to her face. "You investigated him? Like he's some kind of criminal? Do you have no shame?"
What was she even saying? Of course, he didn’t have any shame.
"I have contacts, Kelly. It's not unusual for a father to look out for his daughter."
It was unusual for this father, unless it was about control. He was all in on that one.
"I'm a grown woman, Dad. I don't need you running background checks on the men I date."
Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. There was no warmth in her father’s touch. None. Just a coldness that could sink into her bones if she let it.
"If you’re all grown up, then I can assume you already knew that his father is Sheriff Seth Reilly, who helped put Wade Bryson and then later his son Jake Bryson behind bars? He told you, of course? Because you’re an adult and don’t need anyone."
Kelly fought to keep her expression neutral despite the shock that rippled through her.
She hadn't known.
Ben had mentioned his father was a sheriff, but nothing about famous cases or dangerous criminals. Nothing about the Brysons. Of course, she knew that story. She was a true crime podcaster, for heaven’s sake. The Bryson story was legendary, and they’d even tried to make a movie about it a few years back.
She hadn’t known, and Ben had never mentioned it. He knew what she did for a living, and he’d never said a word.
But she'd be damned if she'd give her father the satisfaction of catching her off guard and letting him have this win.
"Of course he did," she lied, her voice steady despite the sudden racing of her heart. Sadly, she’d had years of telling her parents little lies to whoppers to keep them from having a cow when she was a teenager. "Ben doesn't keep secrets from me."
Her father studied her face, clearly searching for signs of surprise or confusion. Kelly met his gaze evenly, years of practice at hiding her true feelings from her family coming in handy.
"Wade Bryson was a serial killer," her father continued, as if she didn’t have a clue. "His son Jake went after Logan Wright’s friends and family years later. Tried to kill Wright’s daughter. He’s been in prison ever since. Do you understand what I’m saying here? Someone wanted your friend’s father dead. For revenge, Kelly.”
