Page 18 of Hunted By Valentine

Seeing the powerful Knight being brought to his knees and doing something as simple as reassuring his wife is intriguing. Unlike many men in his position, he’s genuine and the love he feels for Carolina is so potent it’s almost suffocating.

“What do you think, Ruby?” Carolina asks, looking straight at her sister-in-law. “Do you have any ideas?”

I move one hand under the table and ball it into a fist to stop myself from snapping at the blonde. But really, now she’s ruined my experiment by calling Ruby out directly.

“Hmm,” Ruby muses. “I think Valentine is right. We should make sure to keep it personal. This is for Willow, and her story is a great one. Maybe we can do fundraisers inspired by something she loved doing.”

Carolina nods thoughtfully. “Like… maybe a haunted house or something.”

Ruby bursts out laughing. “Why am I not surprised she loved those?”

While the women talk more about this idea, I silently consider the timeline. Haunted houses are traditionally centered around Halloween, which is over ten months away. Unless I break my contract with Michael, Ruby won’t even live to see March, much less October. Nonetheless, there’s no harm in letting the women go ahead with their planning.

I’m just about to suggest they talk with a company we’ve used at Holloway when the waiter returns, his voice is a soft intrusion into the gauzy haze of my strategy. “Are you ready to order?” he asks, clutching a black tablet in his hand.

Nicklas swiftly orders for himself and Carolina, but instead of turning to Ruby, the waiter looks expectantly at me. I shake my head discreetly. “Ladies first,” I say. This gives me a couple of minutes to look at the menu I haven’t even opened until now.

“I think I’ll have the lamb,” Ruby says, her eyes bright.

I chuckle at her food order. “Ah, the lamb. Poor creature—raised only to be slaughtered, isn’t it? I’ve always found it… unsettling,” I say casually.

Ruby hesitates, a flash of discomfort in her eyes. “I couldn’t possibly now,” she says, her decision folding neatly into my hand. “Can I have the lobster instead?”

I move my hand to her thigh, brushing it again. She turns her head toward me, and I know she’s aware it isn’t an accident this time since my touch is lingering. I wish I knew if she’s accepting because Michael has ordered her to be, or if she… ah, never mind. The hitching of her breath tells me all I need to know.

She’s indeed welcoming my hand on her.

The waiter nods, and I’m still chuckling as I order the steak, bloody, just like Nicklas.

I hide my satisfaction at how easily Ruby caved behind a sip of wine, feeling the weight of her brother’s gaze on me. He watches, hawk-like, protective instincts for Ruby no doubt flaring.

The power he wields within the Knight family is palpable, even seated here in this cocoon of opulence and decadent aromas wafting from the kitchen.

“So, is that what you’re teaching my sister at Holloway University?” Nicklas asks, his voice gruff. “About sacrificial lambs?”

The corners of my lips twitch, and I remove my hand from her leg, folding both on the table so he can see them. “I’m afraid it’s part of a very substantial occupational hazard.” I grin. “I do teach criminology after all.”

While that makes Carolina laugh, he holds my gaze for a moment too long. I know he’s assessing me, so I make sure to avert my gaze first.

“Don’t,” Ruby says all of a sudden, her eyes locked on her brother.

“Don’t what?” he asks.

Sheshakes her head. “Whatever you’re thinking, just… don’t.”

While the siblings have what looks like a silent conversation with their eyes, I look at Carolina, who just shakes her head. “Criminology sounds very interesting,” she observes. “How often do you teach?”

I go on to explain that the course is daily. “It’s a very intense course. Most of the students are accepted based on previous courses or work experience.” I make sure to emphasize that admittance to my class is no small feat.

“Really?” Carolina says. “I didn’t know you had any real education or work experience, Ruby.”

When the woman next to me scoffs, I get the urge to defend her place in my class. But I keep my mouth closed, determined to see Ruby answer for herself. “Yeah, well… there’s a lot you don’t know,” she volleys.

Carolina shakes her head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m merely curious.” She lets out a nervous laugh. “But hey, if you’re already spending a lot of time with Valentine, it makes sense that the two of you plan the fundraising aspect of the Willow Project together.”

“That’s a great idea,” Nicklas chimes in. His tone makes it clear he wants to smooth the waters.

I look down at the diamond on Ruby’s left hand. “Do you have the time?” I ask, pointing at the diamond. “I’d hate to take too much time away from your husband.”

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