Sly nodded and continued to appraise the place. “Yup. Real cushy.”
What is this?Was Sly making sure he could support “his daughter” in the style to which she would become accustomed? Or was he collecting information for a future shakedown?
“So, what are your intentions toward my daughter?”
Jason couldn’t stand the charade anymore. He burst out laughing.
Sly raised an eyebrow. “Is that a funny question? Am I supposed to find that amusing?”
“No. Forgive me, it’s just that…” He threw his hands in the air and let out a deep breath. “Would you like a drink?”
Sly smiled and his eyes glinted. A chill ran down Jason’s spine.
“No, thank you. I’m fine.”
“Okay.” Jason scratched his head and figured he’d better answer the man’s question, no matter who he thought he was. He might not be as stable as he appeared under that calm exterior. “So, my intentions toward Merry are completely honorable, I assure you. I’ve already asked her to marry me.”
“Really? She said nothing about this to me.”
He shrugged and sat on the low chair since it was the onlyseat left in the grouping. Lila took up only part of the long sofa, spread eagle and face down, but he didn’t want to wake her. Managing a drunk was much easier this way.
“Maybe she was waiting for a better time.” He gestured toward Lila. “We had other things to deal with tonight.”
“Indeed. I take it the reporter caught your little shifting act earlier.”
Surprise zinged through him like an electric shock. Too stunned to speak, he simply stared at Sly.
“Merry does tell me her important news, so I was surprised she didn’t mention something as meaningful as a wedding.”
Way to turn the tables, guy.“I, uh…I’m sure she will.”
“I didn’t see her wearing a ring. Did she accept?”
Still recovering from shock, he wondered why Sly wasnotmaking a big deal about his being a shapeshifter? Was he really only concerned about the wedding? Had he heard him correctly?
“Well?” Sly tipped his head.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. She did and then she said she needed more time—to take care of a few things. We’re waiting to tell people until we hammer out the details.”
“I see.” Sly sounded skeptical.
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, nothing. I just want to be sure nobody is stringing my daughter along. I’d hate to see anyone hurt her.”
The menacing look in his eyes chilled Jason to the bone.
“Because, if anyone were to hurt her, I’d have todosomething about it.”
“Wait a minute. Are you threatening me? I’m not going to hurt Merry. In fact, she’s more apt to hurt me. I’m head-over-heels in love with her.”
“Good,” Sly said, seeming satisfied. “Then, may I make a suggestion?”
“Sure.”Why the hell not? This conversation can’t get muchweirder.
“Hold your wedding after dark. I’d like to attend. Candlelight weddings are beautiful anyway. Don’t you think?”
“Pardon me, but am I missing something here? You seem to have concerns about our wedding but haven’t batted an eyelash over my shifting capabilities.”
