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We’d spoken for several hours every day over the past week. Our conversations were mostly surface level, chatting about our days and making each other laugh with random anecdotes from our pasts. Honestly, she could’ve read from the dictionary and I would’ve been a puddle on the floor. I loved hearing her smooth, almost sultry voice.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her out of my head. Sure, she was attractive, but there was something else about her that drew me in so deeply. It felt like she understood me and penetrated layers of me no one else ever had before.
My heart raced with anticipation for our dinner tonight. I wanted to get to know her better in every way possible.
After parking my car in the garage, I made my way through the house. Just before I turned toward my wing, Dad hollered for me from his office. “Ty, get in here.”
What a way to be greeted after multiple hours of keeping our businesses afloat. He sounded on edge, so I couldn’t ignore him.
I rounded the corner and found Dad leaning against his desk, staring at his computer screen. “What’s up?”
I’d figured he’d be refreshed and more on top of things after several days of bedrest, but I was wrong. Deep, dark circles still ringed his eyes. It was as if he’d aged ten years in the past week.
I nonchalantly eyed my watch. “I don’t have long. I have a date with Liza.”
Dad tore his eyes from the computer screen, and I half expected another lecture about dating Liza.
Tension filled the room while I leaned against the doorframe, waiting for him to tell me whatever had him in an anxious mood. I sighed, hoping my parents had moved past the grudge they had against Liza, whatever the hell it was.
“There’s a man in town.” Dad sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Apparently, he’s been asking questions.”
I was confused. “Questions about what?”
“He’s been asking questions about us… our family and the pack. He seems particularly interested in the Keller pack’s power.”
Dad shifted in his seat and fiddled with a blank piece of paper. He seemed really on edge, to the point that I wasn’t convinced he was completely in his right mind. Maybe he’d worked too hard today. Perhaps Mother was right about him needing to take more time off.
Regardless, I had reason to be concerned. A random stranger asking questions about the pack couldn’t be good, and I hoped word hadn’t gotten around that Dad wasn’t in the best physical health.
Dad cleared his throat and continued. “I want you to find this man and get him out of town. Make sure he understands that he’s not welcome in Presley Acres.”
“Who is this guy?” I walked toward his desk. “Do you know him?”
Dad shook his head. “I have no clue who he is, and that’s why I’m so concerned. I know everyone in town. It’s my job to know who the members of our pack are in addition to those they associate with.” He reached inside his desk drawer and retrieved a photo. Sliding it across the table, he shot me a worried glance. “Have a look for yourself.”
I picked up the photo and stared in shock. My eyes widened as I tried to make sense of the man’s features. He looked as if he could be related to Liza with his bright blond hair and pale features.
“Ty, this isn’t something to sit on.” Dad stood and shuffled to the door, leaving me to stare at the stranger. Just before he walked down the hallway, he turned back around and knocked on the wall to get my attention. “Make it a priority.”
“Will do.” My eyes drifted up from the photo just in time to see Dad disappear around the corner.
I was annoyed. Why did this have to be added to my plate just before my date with Liza? It was getting late, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to keep her waiting—not after the whole gazebo snafu.
As I walked to my bedroom, I studied the photo closer. Who was this son of a bitch? He’d appeared out of nowhere without the good sense not to ask people in town about my family. Surely he knew that word would get back to us.
I tossed the photo on my bed, promising myself to deal with the issue in the morning. Tonight was about Liza and only Liza.
I walked into my closet and stripped out of my work attire to dress in something more appropriate for our date at an Italian restaurant in town. It wasn’t super fancy by any means, but I still wanted to look nice for Liza. I decided on a blue button-up shirt and a pair of khakis. After brushing my teeth and dabbing some cologne on my neck, I hurried to the car.
With only a few minutes to spare, I pulled up in front of Liza’s house. Still, I silently congratulated myself for not being late.
I knocked on the door and listened to Liza’s approaching footsteps. She unlocked three separate locks, then opened the door.
My breath left me in a gush. She looked so damn hot. Up until now, I’d only seen her in her work clothes, but boy, did she clean up nice. Her black dress hugged her curves and stopped mid-thigh. It took everything in me to focus on her eyes and not rake my gaze over her body.
“Hi.” Her eyes lit up as she smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.
I blinked to clear my head and pulled a bouquet from behind my back. “These are for you. You’ll be happy to know I left out the lavender this time.”
