Page 81 of Beautiful, Violent

“Well, your dad is always a little weird. In a pretentious, hovering sort of way.”

“Yeah, I don’t know. Ever since Greer moved in with him he’s been different. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly but it’s almost like he’s inserted himself into my private life even more.”

“How so?”

“First,” I say, hitching my thumb up, “he got pissed when I said I’d told you about my newfound sibling, then he implied he wanted me back together with Devin. This morning, he referred to Ben asBenjaminwhen I introduced him asBen—which suggests he did a little background check on him. He flat out hard suggested I date women instead of men, then, like you, offered to oversee me meeting my brother or sister. I bet next he’ll tell me you and I shouldn’t be friends because, I don’t know, you’re a guy and you know too much about me. I know he’s ashamed of what Mom did but thinking I’d keep my entire past a secret from you? Nuts.”

Rigger’s forehead creases and I realize I just launched into all these things he doesn’t know about.

“Your dad met Ben?”

How did I know he’d single that detail out? “Yes. Last night. We … sort of had a date.”

“Sort of?”

I gulp, rub the sweat off my glass. “I don’t know what it was. He felt some compulsion to repay me for the breakfast I bought in Malibu.”

Rigger lets out a manly snort-laugh. “Give me a fucking break.”

“I know. I told him I didn’t want to be fed out of some obligatory feelings. He seemed like he genuinely wanted to hang out. But then …”

“So he’s not mad at you?”

“No. When he learned what King did to my mom he said he understood why I lied. That’s not even an issue anymore.”

Rigger goes tense, leans back. I know he’s as protective of me as Daddy is so I’m not surprised he’s acting like this. Well, both of them need to get over it. I’m not a little girl anymore. And I don’t need to be protected from Ben. I can do that myself.

“What is the issue then?”

“I kind of info dumped on him about Mom and the P.I. Pretty much told him everything. It might have intimidated him because he left a little abruptly last night, right when things were getting pretty hot.”

Rigger sets his jaw, shakes his head. “If he can’t handle your past he doesn’t deserve a place in your future, Tove. Plain and simple.”

I drop my head, knowing he’s right.

“Hey, now.” Rigger comes around and slides in the booth next to me, stroking my face with the back of his knuckles. “No pouting.”

“I’m not pouting. I’m thinking.”

“Okay, let me give you something to think about. You deserve better. Better than a man who scares that easily.”

I look into his eyes and something electric lands in my stomach. It excites me but it also calms me, like something warm and familiar, something reliable. I don’t know what to make of it but I do know this.

When Rigger and I connect, like deeply connect, it’s always when I’m going through something difficult and he’s trying to keep me from feeling down. But this time, for the first time, I’m reading between the lines.

“And do you know someone who fits the bill?”

“Yes. I do.”

“And who would that be?”

Rigger licks his lips, shifts his gaze around my face. “Anyone but him.”

“Really? Anyone?”

“Well, not anyone. But I do think there’s someone who’s better suited for you.”

I notice the pulse in Rigger’s neck, the way he’s turned to face me, how he’s pleading with me to rethink this whole plan to date someone he doesn’t like.

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