“Oh, he knows his wine.” Her parents are pleased.
“I’ll have to invite you all to my vineyard when the weather’s nicer.”
“Do you have a yacht?”
“Mark,” April hisses. Then she gives me a placid look. “He may not have a yacht. That’s rude of you to ask.”
“Of course I have a yacht. Hopefully, your daughter won’t kick me to the curb before boat season.”
“Now, before the girls come back down.” Mark’s face goes serious. “We need to sit down and talk, man to man. My daughters are the most important things to me. And to April.” He takes his wife’s hand. “I just want someone who will treat them well. Who will make them happy.”
“I understand, sir. Ma’am,” I add, nodding to April. “I’d never do anything to hurt your daughter.”
“Good, because if you do…”
“Don’t sit there and try to act like you’re going to defend those girls,” Granny Frances insists, bustling in with more alcohol and the plate of beef Wellingtons. “Look at this god specimen.”
“Mama’s right!” Mark slaps his thigh. “I wouldn’t be able to stop you at all.”
“Good thing you’re such a nice young man. Just perfect for our daughter.” April beams.
I feel mildly guilty for sneaking into Winnie’s house, then.
“And he’s early. Such good manners.” April and Mark stare at me happily.
Ding-dong!
“Oh, and Logan is here early too,” April trills. “We’ve found good young men for both our girls.” April hurries to the front door.
Both our girls?If I’m supposed to be here for Kathy, then…
There’s the sound of a nervous man talking as he’s led into the living room.
He balks when he sees me. “You-you…” He stammers and looks around in shock. “You own the football team. We’re Super Bowl champions.” He catches himself. “Oh!” He taps his head knowingly. “Of course. You’re here for the pretty sister.” He laughs.
I want to kill him. Because Winnie’s parents are here, I try to keep my expression pleasant and neutral.
“We’re going to have a rustic meal while you and Kathy eat your caviar.” April sails by. “I need to check on the pasta.”
“Winnie made homemade burrata. I’ll bring out the crackers.” Mark hustles to the kitchen.
“And I’ll get you a drink, my friend.” I give Logan a predatory smile.
“Frances, go make sure Winnie is dressed for her date,” April calls from the hallway.
Date?
As soon as we’re alone in the room, my face drops.
I set the glass down, push off the bookcase, and turn on the guy. I cross the room in three steps, then I’m on him. I tower over him. The pasty-faced guy looks like he’s about to shit himself.
“I’ll give you two options,” I hiss in his ear. “One, I call up all the bored ex-Marines I have on payroll and they burn your house down. Or two, you get the fuck out of here and never talk to anyone in this house again.”
“B-but I brought flowers,” he stammers.
I pull out a hundred-dollar bill and flash him a toothy smile. “For your troubles.”
He inches past me, dropping flower petals from the cheap bouquet all over Winnie’s floor. I stand at the doorway, watch him sprint across the street, then slam the door.
