She didn’t expect me to be here.
And judging by the stricken look that crosses her features, I’m the last person she wanted to see.
That grates more than it should.
Then again, I did promise to keep us a secret.
“Good evening,” I say.
Every head turns in my direction.
“I trust I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all,” my father replies with ease as he rises from his seat. “Come in, son.”
I move towards him and shake his hand before turning my attention to his guests.
Not that it’s easy to focus on anyone who isn’t her.
As I make my way around the table, I stop beside her father.
General Jonathan Ashthorne. Former special operations commander. Current Deputy Secretary of Defence.
I’ve read enough reports on the man to fill a small library.
He rises as I approach and extends his hand. I take it, my grip a touch firmer than necessary.
The change in his expression is subtle, little more than a slight tightening around the eyes, but he holds my stare and returns the handshake without comment.
“General Ashthorne.”
“Hunter,” he replies.
The fact that he knows who I am comes as no surprise. He’s having dinner with my father, after all.
Besides, everyone knows who I am.
I spare Piper a brief glance as I take the empty seat beside my father, directly opposite her.
“Miss Ashthorne, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Her eyes meet mine for the briefest moment before they return to her plate.
My father looks between us with a hint of amusement on his face. Jonathan, on the other hand, appears thoroughly perplexed.
“Miss Piper is one of my students,” I add.
“Is she?” Ashthorne says, one bushy brow rising. “I wasn’t aware you were teaching at the academy.”
“It’s a recent arrangement,” I reply as I reach for one of the serving dishes.
I glance between him and my father.
“Am I interrupting something important, or is this simply a social visit?”
My father chuckles.
“Nothing quite so serious,” he says. “Jonathan and I have... overlapping interests. It was only a matter of time before our paths crossed.”
