Page 132 of Enchanted Kingdom
I leaned in. “Still would rather be reading, for the record.”
He chuckled. “I am with you, dear. But it is good to see you this evening.” He raised his champagne in a toast to me before departing.
I found Rinaldi finally, asking him for water.
Just as he walked away, I found myself looking into some cold eyes I had never seen before.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.”
I shook the man’s hand. “No, I don’t believe we have.”
“Michael Noyer.”
Aiyana’s father. Of course. I smiled. “Lovely to meet you.”
He took his time looking me over, eyes trailing slowly down my dress. “Yes. Indeed.”
What a sleaze.I tried not to let my disgust reach my face. I was the same age as his own daughter. My skin was crawling with the need to flee, but I saw Owen heading in from his spot at the perimeter and it gave me the courage to stay still. I was not alone. Whatever this night might throw at me, I was not alone.
“My daughter has told me so much about you,” he said as he finally finished his perusal.
I grinned my largest grin. “So all good things then.”
His eyes narrowed to slits.
From around him, I could see Keir trying to get over to us but wanting to dissolve the situation before he got here, and not wanting Keir to see how blatantly Aiyana’s father was checking me out, I decided I needed to quickly end this little greeting.
I grinned wider. “Do have a great evening, Mr. Noyer.”
He cocked his head and leaned in toward me. “It may be difficult in a room with so many extra people, but I always did like a good challenge.”
I wanted to vomit all over him. Surely he wasn’t implying what I thought he was implying.
“There you are!”
I turned to see Renna arrive. Her eyes were on mine and we seemed to communicate all we needed to in that glance.
Aiyana’s father nodded to her. “Renna.”
“Excuse us, Michael,” Renna said as she pulled me away from him.
“How rude of me to keep you girls from enjoying your evening,” he said, his entire demeanor changing completely. He was no longer cold and threatening.
“Bye, Mr. Noyer,” I smiled.
He raised his eyebrows and also raised his glass of whiskey in his hand slightly before taking a drink.
As soon as we were out of earshot, I let out a deep breath. “I am in so far over my damn head here, Ren.”
She shook her head. “You did great. Sorry I couldn’t get there faster.”
She took me by the arm and introduced me to two people, effectively weaving us away from Aiyana’s father.
“Um wow!” Molly exclaimed as she saw us. “That dress is amazzzzing.”
I tried to smile, though my heart wasn’t in it. “Thanks. It was a gift.”
“From whom?” Renna whispered.
