Page 46 of Battle Lines

He was already rising from the table where he’d been seated when we came in. His genial expression did nothing for the sharpness in his eyes as he glanced from me to Milo to Karagiani.

“Grandfather,” I said by way of greeting as I crossed the few short steps to him. He held out his arms, but he wasn’t looking at me. “I had no idea you were going to be here.”

He truly preferred to keep his business and pleasure separate. “I couldn’t miss out on a day with my darling girl,” he said, pressing a kiss to my cheek before he gave me a brief hug. “And her friend. Introduce me?”

My stomach bottomed out at the request. Not the least of which was because I spotted Adam moving through the room toward us and behind him were his father and my mother.

I expected to see them, but out on the greens, not in here. And not five minutes after we arrived.

“Of course,” I said, picking up my composure and threading my arm through Grandfather’s as I turned. “Milo Hardigan, this is my grandfather, Leopold Benedict. Grandfather—this is Milo.”

“Mr. Benedict,” Pretty Boy said, meeting my grandfather’s gaze with a kind of quiet self-confidence as he also extended his hand. “Lainey—” Not Mayhem, but probably better that he didn’t use a pet name here. “—has told me so much about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Is it?” Grandfather said as he seemed to assess Milo but also didn’t leave him hanging. With the barest tilt of his head, he gripped Milo’s hand and shook it once. “You might want to reserve that opinion for after you’ve spent some time with me.”

“Only if you’ll do the same,” Milo countered without missing a beat and I remembered how to breathe as Grandfather chuckled.

“I’ll take it under advisement.” Then he let go of his hand and glanced down at me. “They told me you booked the tee time for ten-thirty.”

“I did.” I eyed him. He was dressed in a polo and khakis, and his gloves were tucked into his pocket. “Would you like to join us?”

“I was considering it. It’s been a while since I had a real challenge.” The last was definitely nothing to do with the game. I eyed him and he gave me the most beatific of smiles.

Why did I not believe him?

“Well, I’m sure Lainey can give you an excellent challenge,” Pretty Boy offered. “I’m afraid I’m a bit of a novice at the game.”

“A novice, hmm?” Grandfather eyed him. However before he could continue, Mother was there.

“Daddy.”

He looked at her but didn’t say a word.

“Elaine, darling.”

“Mother,” I said, then when Grandfather still didn’t say anything, I squeezed his arm as I stepped up to her and pressed a kiss next to her cheek. Harper walked up and he nodded to me. “Harper.”

“Lainey,” he said, then looked at Grandfather. “Leopold.”

“Reed.” That was it. The single syllable and not another word for Mother. She might as well not exist. “If you’ll excuse us, I have plans with my granddaughter and her young man.”

Mother frowned as she glanced at Milo, and I caught Grandfather eyeing Adam where he stood, hands in his pockets before he beckoned to me.

“I’ll call you later,” I offered to Mother, not that she seemed to notice and I nodded to Harper again. I really had no interest in talking to them, and Grandfather wasn’t even making a pretense of politeness.

Karagiani said nothing throughout the whole interaction, but he followed along as I tangled my fingers with Milo’s and let Grandfather lead the way.

He’d made a fuss.

He’d made enough of a fuss to get us noticed and to getPretty Boynoticed. He was involving Milo in the game, whether I agreed or not.

“You okay?” Milo murmured as we moved through the club and out to the deck leading to the greens. The first hole wasn’t that far from the clubhouse.

Robby and Mike were waiting for us, along with a third caddy. Grandfather’s, I supposed.

“Mr. Hardigan,” a woman called and Milo pivoted. I turned with him and Grandfather paused. The woman who was seated at one of the tables was the same woman he’d danced with at the benefit the night of the auction. “It’s good to see you again.”

“And you,” Milo said politely at her approach.

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