Page 74 of Crimson Love

It can’t be.

Jett juts to his feet and is by my side in a heartbeat. “Who the fuck is this?”

I, on the other hand, can’t move.

I stare up at the man I know like the back of my hand, yet he feels like a complete stranger.

He extends a hand for me, but I shrink back into my chair. “No. Just ... no.”

He has the nerve to smile.

I thought I hated Andrei. It’s nothing compared to the vile feeling that fills my heart from the sight in front of me.

“Darling,” he drawls. His expression reminds me of a snake. He’s healthy, looks like a million bucks, and, most notably, very fucking alive. “Is that any way to greet your father after all these years?”

CHAPTER TWENTY

A RAVE

Jett

I step in front of Lennon but don’t take my eyes off of the man who joined our party like an uninvited nightmare. “Your father?” I feel Lennon stand behind me and press her front to my back. Her hold on my biceps is a death grip as she peeks around me. Her tone is one of shock. “You’re alive.”

The man before us stands about five inches shorter than me, has a thick head of gray hair, and eyes as dark as Lennon’s. It’s clear this was planned, because he’s dressed for the five-star restaurant, but we’re not the only ones surprised by his presence.

Devon might seem calm to anyone else when he arrives at the table, but I see a sharpness in his gaze aimed at Lennon’s father. “Does anyone have any questions about the menu?”

Andrei is the only one who doesn’t get up. “Well, look what we have here. Running into one of my oldest and dearest friends across the country. You should join us.”

Lennon’s father holds his arms out low like this isn’t completely planned and turns to Devon. “I’d love to. Fetch my drink from my table, would you? I’m going to join my friends for a lovely meal.”

Devon’s response is curt. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

Lennon’s father turns to me and holds out his hand. “Name is Reed Shaw. Who in the hell are you?”

I don’t take his hand and reach around me to pull Lennon’s front to my side and hold her tight. “Now that I know who you are, maybe you can tell me why you’re here?”

Lennon’s heart is racing. There’s no pregame rally that could have prepared her for this. “I thought you were dead.”

Reed pulls out the empty chair, takes his seat, and addresses Andrei. “Did you tell my daughter I was dead? If so, we’ll have words about that later.”

“I did no such thing. You’re too busy to be dead, right?”

“That I am,” Reed drawls and looks up as Devon places a half-empty lowball in front of him.

“I’ll get you a menu, sir,” Devon says.

Reed waves Devon off. “No need. My daughter is an employee at this fine establishment. Bring me the biggest steak you’ve got. If I’m not eating on the house, I’d better damn well get a discount. And bring me another rum and Coke.”

I release Lennon and tug her chair closer to me after she sits. She’s still in shock. Devon leaves without taking any one else’s order. My guess is he doesn’t give a shit what Reed Shaw wants. If I had my guess, he’s meeting with the group to see what in the hell is happening.

I’m more aware of the concealed weapon tucked into my suit jacket than ever. Lennon and I are sitting at a table with her father who sold her off to pay a gambling debt and the man who held her hostage.

Lennon looks like she’s sitting in the presence of a ghost. Her tone is raspy and weak. “All this time, I thought you were dead.”

Andrei leans forward and rests his forearms casually on the table. “Reed works for me and has since you came to live on my yacht.”

Lennon lowers her voice. “I hardly came to live on your yacht, and we all know it.”