Page 46 of Obsession

“Dad.” She went to stand, but a glare from her mother had her smiling in greeting instead. “This is Nathan.” She pointed with her hand as he sat in the chair next to her with Bernice on the other side. “My father; Edgar.”

I wondered if she was purposefully not telling them my last name. But I didn’t add it. I liked to see how people reacted before they knew who I was. It was a better indication of who they truly were.

Her father’s bushy brows pulled tight. “I thought I saw Brad here.”

“I’m sure he is.” She sighed, taking a sip of her drink. “He runs the company’s finances, but we’re not here together.”

“They broke up.” Bernice’s mouth pursed. “She told us, apparently.”

“Good man, that one.” I wondered if her parents knew he’d cheated. Surely not, or they wouldn’t be reacting like this. “Successful.” His gaze focused on me. I saw the intensity behind it as he kept his voice neutral. “And what do you do?”

I felt Lark tense beneath my palm. She needn’t worry. This was the one lie I was programmed to say. “I run a business with my brothers. I handle the accounting.”

Even as he raised a skeptical brow, I smiled politely. “A small business?”

My lip twitched. Years of experience made it so I knew when I was being talked down to. And I knew when I didn’t like someone. Honestly, I liked very few people. “Not so small.”

“What is it you do?” He huffed in annoyance. If only he realized why I didn’t go into the details. He’d be panicking. Running from the table. Despite the appeal, the truth carried more risk than reward.

“Mostly investments.” I shrugged. “We own some properties around town. That’s how we met. At Luminescence.”

Her mother straightened in her seat. Her eyes bouncing between the two of us. “The nightclub? But that’s owned by the Kent family.”

“Yes, along with this hotel and a few others.” I relished the looks of horror on their faces as they realized who they’d just been rude to. I understood the power of money and I was the richest person in the room despite our many charitable donations. “Oh, and we recently bought the opera house. There’s no profit in that, but we couldn’t stand to see a historic building so important to this city be demolished.”

“You’re a Kent.” Her father stumbled over his words. “Nathan Kent.”

If only they understood what we really were. They’d be afraid. They would deserve it. I could forgive why they dismissed me until they knew I was rich. But their treatment of Lark had darkness spreading through my veins.

I wasn’t a killer like my brothers and cousin. But I would find a way to destroy them for cutting her down. For barely even knowing their daughter. They might be her family, but I was her protector.

27

Lark

Heat spread across my skin as I watched Nathan command the table. It wasn’t that he was rich, I couldn’t care less. It was how he’d efficiently cut down my parents’ jabs. Shown them their rudeness and pretension without saying a negative word.

I loved them because they were my family. They’d raised me and clothed me. But they hadn’t cared for me. So I didn’t feel too bad watching the embarrassment cross their features.

They deserved it. They’d treated him like crap since we walked up. Judging him from the brief sentences. He spoke his mind in an efficient tone that seemed to piss people off. But I liked it.

I enjoyed that he didn’t play games. If only I could get him to open up further. I felt like there was more under the surface. Or maybe it was my attraction that had me wishing.

As dinner was served, he had the entire table eating out of the palm of his hand. Not because he tried to act like them. But because they only cared about money and he had it.

His indifference had a certain allure. There was a sexiness in how he spoke his mind.

I wished I could be like that. As the night went on, I hoped his confidence would rub off on me. But that illusion shattered as my father’s boss and CEO walked over to our table.

Dinner had been eaten. Speeches given. And now people were drinking and dancing.

“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Allen Keifer.” His bright smile faltered when Nathan didn’t move to shake his hand. “As in Keifer Pharmaceuticals.”

Like we were unaware. The name was only plastered all over the room. My father’s face reddened as Nathan still didn’t raise his hand. Anxiety rose inside me. My stomach tightened.

“Nathan Kent.” The bands around my belly loosened as Allen’s eyes sparked. Everyone in the city knew the Kents. Well, knew what they wanted them to know. I seemed to be the only one here privy to the other things they did.

“Mr. Kent.” He stood straighter, like he was in the presence of royalty. “Your hotel is beautiful. I didn’t realize you’d be gracing us with your attendance.”

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