Page 125 of Wicked Brutal

“Usually about frogs.”

Victor smiles. “You’re nurturing without being dull.”

I blink. “Dull?”

“I don’t mean that as harshly as it sounds.” Victor glances across the table. “Your mother is a respectable woman. She keeps a proper home. She’s raised two children. She’s simply quiet.” Dad doesn’t defend her. Of course he doesn’t. “There’s nothing wrong with quiet,” Victor continues. “It suits the life she has with your father. My life is different.”

I look at him. “How?”

“I need more from my wife socially.” He gestures lightly around the restaurant. “I need someone who can sit beside anyone I invite into my home and make them comfortable. Someone who can make a guest laugh when dinner has become tedious, change the subject before an argument starts, or keep someone’s wife entertained while the men finish a conversation.”

“So I need to be funny on command?”

Victor laughs. “Preferably not on command.”

“That’s good. I’m not sure I perform well under pressure.” Another laugh. I glance toward Dad automatically. His face is perfectly pleasant, but I see the slight tightening around his mouth. I straighten in my chair. “Sorry.”

Victor frowns. “For what?”

“I don’t know.”

That makes him laugh again. “Stop apologizing every time you say something I find amusing.”

Dad reaches for his water. “Some habits exist for a reason.”

Victor glances at him. “She’s teasing me, Roman.”

“I know.” His tone is pleasant. My stomach isn’t.

Victor turns back to me. “I like seeing some personality, Alison. A charming wife is an asset, especially when you entertain as much as I do.”

“Then I’ll try not to ruin it.”

His mouth curves. “See? That.”

“What?”

“You’re quick.” He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. “Between that and the way you are with Tobias, I’m becoming increasingly pleased with myself.” His thumb moves over my hand. “Our children will be lucky to have you.”

I force myself not to move my other hand toward my stomach. “Thank you.”

“I want them raised properly, obviously, but I don’t want a silent house. I want children who enjoy being home. I want guests who enjoy being there. There’s a skill in making people comfortable without making them feel managed.”

The appetizers disappear, and by the time our main courses arrive, Victor seems completely satisfied with the woman he thinks he’s getting.

Then, once the waiter leaves, he says, “We’ll marry in June.”

I look at him. “June?”

“After graduation. I don’t see any reason to wait longer than necessary.” Apparently neither does Dad, because he doesn’t so much as look up from his plate. “The last Saturday,” Victor continues. “That gives you a few weeks after school ends.”

“Okay.”

His thumb moves across my hand. “Your mother can begin helping you prepare.”

“Mom?”

“Of course.” He looks almost amused by my surprise. “I’m certainly not choosing flowers, Alison.”