Page 26 of Criminology of a Character

Bel blushed at the expression. If he aimed to make an impression on her family, he’d certainly started strong. It was hard to dislike a man who gazed at her like she was his sole reason for existing.

Confident in her sisters’ acceptance of him, Bel turned to face them, but their expressions halted her movements. All five stared at Eamon as if the devil had entered the home. Bel was well acquainted with Eamon’s first impression. She was safe in his presence, but she’d never forget her initial fear. Evil pulsed thick and hungry about him, and it seemed her sisters needed to experience the terror before they could recognize the man hiding behind the monster.

“Eamon, wine or whiskey?” Reese called from where he’d disappeared down the hall, and Bel threw him a silent‘thank you’for coming to her rescue.

“Whiskey,” Eamon said as his palm slipped against Bel’s back.

“I’ll grab you some. Come on and meet the guys.” Her father beckoned him to join them, but the millionaire didn’t move. His hand slid down her spine as he leaned forward, the look on his face asking permission to leave. Bel smiled, and he kissed her forehead before removing himself from the group. He’d make the husbands nervous, but unlike her sisters, they wouldn’t treat him as a hostile witness.

“Ladies.” He nodded as he left them, and Bel didn’t miss the way Giselle’s mouth gaped slightly at his size as he brushed past her.

“Kitchen, now.” The second Eamon disappeared into the living room, Briar grabbed Bel by the biceps and tugged her into the warm and fragrant room. “I thought you were dating a millionaire,” she whispered when all six women had tucked themselves away from prying eyes. “I was expecting you to show up with some suit-clad businessman. The golf-playing, polo shirt-wearing, talks about stocks and cars type, but he…” she trailed off. “Is thatreallyyour boyfriend?”

“No, I brought a stranger I picked up on the highway to dinner.” Bel winked as she hopped onto the counter like she did as a kid.

“Isobel,” Briar warned

“Wow, my full name.” Bel swiped a carrot off the cutting board and popped it into her mouth. “Of course, that’s him. And honestly, did youreallythink a golf player would be my type? There’s nothing wrong with guys like that, but they aren’t for me.”

“We don’t know your type,” Odette said. “You never talk about men. When Dad told us you were dating this millionaire, we figured you were looking to settle down with a rich guy since Bajka’s Police Department isn’t rolling in cash.”

“Wow, I guess I need to call more,” Bel laughed good-naturedly. “I amdefinitelynot with him because I want to settle down with his money.”

“So, he’s just a fling?” Luna asked. “You’re a little old to do the whole‘date a bad boy your dad will hate’, though.”

“Except Dad loves Eamon,” Bel said.

“He does seem to like him,” Rose said diplomatically. As one of the two middle children, she was the perpetual peacekeeper. “Dad has good senses. He would never invite some guy over for Thanksgiving if he hated him.”

“True,” Giselle agreed.

“But him?” Briar said, ever the mother hen. “He’s hot, don’t get me wrong.”

“Oh my god, he’s so hot,” Giselle sighed.

“You’re married,” Bel jokingly reminded her.

“And I love Erik with all my heart. I am just stating the obvious. I can see why you snatched him up.”

“Handsome or not, he’s intimidating.” Briar reclaimed control of the conversation. “He walked through the door, and the air shifted. I would be an awful sister if Iweren’tconcerned.”

“I warned him you guys would interrogate him,” Bel said. “I didn’t expect I would be the one getting grilled.”

“Oh, he’s next,” Odette said. “But we wanted to check on you first. We know your life has been rough lately, but we don’t want you dating someone dangerous just because you’re suffering.” She moved closer and captured Bel’s hands. “Dad talks to you more than we do. I feel bad. We should chat more, but work and kidsmake the days blurtogether. Regardless of that, you’re our Isobel. Our baby sister. We’ll go to war for you if you need it.”

“I would hate to see my enemies when you’re done with them.” Bel wrapped her arms around her second oldest sister, and before she realized it, they were all joined in a cluster of limbs and love. “I understand how Eamon comes off. Trust me,I do. He’s… different. But please do me a favor and get to know him before you judge. He might surprise you.”

“But is this a fling?” Luna repeated her question as the women pulled apart.

“Eamon a fling?” Bel threw her head back and laughed until her stomach hurt, and when she wiped the tears from her eyes, she noticed a shape move into her line of sight. She met Eamon’s gaze where he stood in the living room with her brothers-in-law, and she suspected he was as eager to hear her answer as her sisters were. “No, he’s not a fling. He never was and never will be. He’s…” Her voice turned somber as she slid off the counter to hide her lips from him. “He’s the last man I’ll ever date because there’s no one after him.” She paused when she realized five gaping mouths stared at her.

“Who are you and when have you done with Isobel?” Odette asked.

“Stop.” Bel playfully shoved her sister. “Isn’t dinner ready? I’m hungry.”

“We were waiting on you,” Briar said, turning to the stove. “But are you sure you’re our sister? You never talk like this.”

“It’s because I hadn’t met him yet.”

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