Page 62 of Cold Hard Kisses (London Mafia Kings)

Tam stood just inside the front door. To his credit, he put out his hand to shake my father’s. “Mr Cornell, welcome back to our home.”

I noted how Tam had referred to this as our home and not just his, and I heated with pride. Once we were married, I supposed this would be as much my place as Tam’s, unless he decided to ask me to sign a prenup. Neither of us had mentioned such a thing, and I couldn’t see much point in it really, considering it wasn’t as though I was poor myself, but Tam might be thinking differently. I’d sign one if that was what he wanted—I didn’t want his money—but since we hadn’t actually talked about setting a date for the wedding yet, I assumed I was jumping ahead of myself.

“What can I get you, Mr Wynter?” Tam guided us both through into the formal dining room. “Hallie’s ordered in a selection of wines. I believe the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a good one.”

My father raised his eyebrows. “I think I’ll need something a bit stronger for this.”

I was disappointed. “You don’t want any wine? I’ve had them chosen specially to match each course.”

“I’d rather have whiskey.”

I couldn’t point out that it was still a bit early to be on the hard spirits, especially as Tam seemed more than happy to drink no matter what time of day it was.

I’d laid the table out with the best cutlery, a crisp white tablecloth, and silver candlesticks. Tam was at the head of the table, naturally, while my father and I sat opposite each other.

“Something smells good.” Tam could sense I was nervous.

I offered him a smile. “I can’t take any credit, except for finding the chef.”

“You never were much of a cook,” my father commented.

The remark stung. “I never had anyone to teach me.”

I wanted to argue that why should I be the one to do the cooking, merely because I was female, but I also didn’t want to start an argument. I sensed the tension radiating off my dad. It was as though he’d come here looking to pick a fight, and I wanted to smack him for it. This whole truce between us and the Cornells had been as much his idea as it had been Samuel Cornell’s, and now we were doing what he’d wanted all along and he was being a total prick about it.

Tam poured wine for the two of us and got my dad the whiskey he’d asked for. I noted how he didn’t even say thanks when Tam set it down before him.

The chef I’d brought in entered with the starter. A mouth-watering aroma of seared seafood with lemon and garlic filled the air.

“This looks amazing, doesn’t it, Dad?” I tried to keep my tone light, hoping to inject a little positivity into his dark mood.

He sniffed. “Not bad.”

I glanced over at Tam and caught his eye. He threw me a wink, and I smiled in return. At least one of the men in my life was making an effort. But the silence was awkward. I wanted to tell Dad about the trip to Estonia, but I didn’t want to remind Tam about what had happened there, and I also didn’t know if it was a business secret that Tam wouldn’t want shared. Instead, between mouthfuls, I chatted about seeing Layla, and how she was doing well, and then I asked after my brother, even though I probably had more contact with Jayden than he did.

We finished the starter, and the plates were cleared away by the hired staff. We switched wines to the one I’d chosen to go with the steak, but again, my father refused a glass and had more whiskey instead.

“When will you set a date for the wedding?” he asked.

I exchanged a glance with Tam. “I’m not sure, exactly.”

“When the four weeks are up,” Tam said. “Which I believe will be next week.”

My father gave a curt nod. “I’m surprised you managed to make this work. Honestly, I hadn’t expected it to.”

A muscle twitched beside Tam’s eye. “I was led to believe from both sides of our families that we didn’t exactly have much choice.”

“No, you didn’t. I’m glad to see your father has the same kind of...influence as I have over my own children.”

“Influence?” Tam said. “Is that what we’re calling it?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I saw Hallie’s face on the day she was brought here. It appeared as though she’d been hit.”

My stomach dropped. “Tam, leave it, please.”

My father chuckled. “So what if she had. The girl needs to know her place.” He wiped his mouth with the cloth serviette. “I assume you’ll be taking her in hand in the same way, should the need arise.”

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