Page 110 of Ruthless Prince
“Sorry, I’m lost,” I said, shaking my head. “Badtraffic?”
“He’s talking about Wonderland,” Willowsaid.
Quinn frowned as she swallowed her mouthful of chardonnay. “Wonderland? What about it?” she asked, tilting her chin to theright.
Willow leaned closer to her mother and lowered her voice to a mutter. “You know how the place is basically a giant brothel, and everyone just looks the otherway?”
“Well, yes, I’ve heard about it,” Quinn replied in a diplomatic tone, delicately dabbing at her lips with a whitenapkin.
Willow raised her brows. “There’s been a ton of rumors about it over the years. A lot of people think the prostitutes are trafficking victims who are forced to workthere.”
Quinn’s face reddened, and she looked at Jared again. “You shouldn’t talk about things like that in polite company,” she said sharply. “Especially when it’s just playground rumors. It’s very rude and uncalled for. Apologize to Logan rightnow.”
Jared stared at the linen tablecloth, mouth downturned. “Sorry, Logan,” he mumbled, fidgeting with his silverware. He looked up and gave me a quick, shy glance. “I was just joking. I know you aren’t evil, or else Willow wouldn’t want you to be herboyfriend.”
I grinned at him. “It’s okay. I get it. No apologynecessary.”
His face immediately brightened, and Willow shot me a curious look. I couldn’t tell if she was wondering if I was genuinely good with kids, or if she was wondering if the sex trafficking rumors about Wonderland were actuallytrue.
Our entrées finally arrived on white plates rimmed with gold. As we ate, we made small talk about the weather and a recent viral video. It was the stiffest and most awkward dinner conversation I’d ever encountered, mostly because Willow’s father barely said anything and alternated between staring sadly at his daughter and glaring daggers atme.
This was going to be a long fuckingnight.
“So, Logan,” Quinn said, finally pushing her entrée plate away. “I hear you work at some sort of private intelligencefirm.”
“That’s right.Caldwell.”
“What made you go into that line of work?” she asked. “I remember your mother used to brag to everyone at parties about how you were going intopolitics.”
I nodded. “My degree was in politics and international relations, but I did a few elective classes that made me more interested in the intelligence side of the government than the policyside.”
“It must be difficult work. Long hours. Especially for someone who could easily choose not towork.”
I ignored the thinly-veiled dig at my privileged background and feigned a humble smile. “It’s challenging, but I like it. The hours aren’t too bad, and a lot of the work can be done from home, because so much of it is computer-based.”
She leaned forward. “I’d be crucified if I ever said this in public, given your family’s opposition to my politics, but I’m actually quite glad Willow is dating you. She needs someone like you in her life right now. A decent, hard-working man, rather than a lazy, entitled trust fundbr—”
There was a loud clatter as Willow dropped her fork on her plate. “Sorry,” she said. “I… um, I need thebathroom.”
She gave me a side-eyed glance, as if searching for permission. I nodded. “I hope you aren’t feeling sick,” I said, squeezing herarm.
She gave me a tight smile. “I’m fine. I’ve just had too muchwater.”
She stepped away from the table and headed for the bathrooms. Only seconds later, Stephen got up and pushed his chair in. “Sorry, I need the restroom too,” he said curtly before hurrying down the hall afterWillow.
My shoulders tensed, and I pressed my lips into a thin line and put my fork down. “Seeing as half the table is gone, would you mind if I went and made a quick call?” I asked Quinn. “I know it’s rude, but it’s a work thing. I was meant to call them backearlier.”
Quinn waved her hand. “Of course. I understand how busy things can get. I replied to twenty-two emails in the car on my way here tonight.” Her lips curled into a rueful smile. “Trust me, don’t ever become the president unless you want to have absolutely no lifewhatsoever.”
Until now, she’d managed to last thirty whole minutes without mentioning her status. That was probably a personal best for her. Smug fuckingbitch.
I headed into the restaurant foyer and grabbed my phone and a small pair of earbuds. After I opened the collar tracking app, I selected the audio option and stuck the earbudsin.
There was nothing but static for a second as the device struggled to connect to the shitty restaurant Wi-Fi, but then Willow’s voice sounded in my ears, clear asday.
“Stay away from me,” she was saying. “I didn’t get up to talk to you. I actually need topee.”
“Willow, please!” Stephen said in a panicked tone. “I just want toexplain.”
