Randall chuckled. “I don’t scare you, do I, Rayna?”
“Nope.” She shook her head, and he winked again.
His amused expression pleased me. Randall didn’t take to people often. When he did take a liking to someone, he put all his attention on them. I enjoyed seeing him open. Most of the time, he was stoic and unflappable. Completely closed off to strangers.
“I’m here.” Tyler jogged into the room and stopped in the middle, as if he wasn’t sure which way to go. He took in the room. Lindsey kneeling near the sofa and Rayna in my lap looked wide eyed around the room.
“We have strangers.” Tyler sauntered over to the table and flopped in the chair. “I know Lindsey, but who is this?”
“I’m Rayna.” She sat up straight and crossed her arms over her chest. “And, I’m not a stranger.”
“My apologies Rayna. You’re our little ward.” He emphasized the word little. Rayna bristled. I tapped her bottom, and she relaxed back into me. “So, we're just seeing each other’s faces. I assume no business to discuss if we’re in mixed company.”
“I sent an agenda.” Josh grabbed his phone from his back pocket. “Yep, says right here you received it. Did you read it?”
“Yes.” A drink appeared in front of Tyler, and he downed it and waved for another. “I read it.” Tyler had a whine to his voice on any given day, but it was more pronounced today.
“Is there something going on with you?” I sat Rayna on her feet, stood and pulled out the chair next to me. Randall watched her the whole time. I remained standing and glared at Tyler.
“No, Sir.” He grew quiet and sat up straight. He wasn’t afraid of me, but I did practically raise him. He had the least amount of time with our parents and only knew me as a father figure. Maybe he didn’t like me babying someone else? Although, we never babied him. He was as a part of the success of Grant Enterprises as the rest of us.
“Chandler.” I motioned for him to join us.
He leaned over and kissed the top of Tyler’s head and sat down next to him.
Josh sat on my other side.
“I did want to see your faces.” The wait staff poured wine. They gave Rayna a half pour. She looked up at me. I nodded. I loved the way she sought out my permission and approval. “We missed last month, and I don’t want that to happen again.”
Everyone nodded.
“First, let’s raise our glasses.” I held mine up. “Toast to family and business and new adventures for us all.” I winked at Rayna. She blushed and clinked glasses with me before taking a tentative sip.
I sat back down, and Josh went through the agenda over the first two courses. Rayna listened intently, but didn’t interject or interrupt. She seemed to be fascinated by everything. At times she would forget about the plug in her ass and move funny and let out a gasp or give me those beautiful eyes. I had no clue what I would do if I couldn’t see her gorgeous face every day.
I had been looking for someone special like her since my first little left me. Being around Rayna gave me a sense of purpose. I never thought I would find happiness again, but I did, in the form of a five-foot four sassy little with baby doll eyes, a perfect pouty mouth and an affinity for spy movies and Japanese cartoons.
“Kyler.” I blinked. Rayna watched me.
She reached for my hand. “You okay, Daddy?”
I squeezed it back. “More than okay, little girl.” I leaned in and kissed her. She blushed. “Eat your salad.” I turned back to my brothers. “I don’t want the charity to be a publicity stunt. I want it to be about something real. It’s still a great cause and we will be meeting a need, even if no one knows we are doing it.”
“We are bringing in someone new to run it?” Chandler asked. “Josh, you have enough on your plate as is.”
“Josh and I talked about it and he’s going to transition over to director after the Paris renovations are done.” I nodded at Josh.
“Are you overseeing Europe?” Randall asked. “Who’s going to look after Rayna when you’re gone?”
“Babysit is more like it,” Tyler chimed in with a disrespectful smirk.
“I don’t need a babysitter. Thank you very much.” Rayna frowned. “I’m not the one who’s acting like a brat.” She glared at Tyler.
Tyler opened his mouth.
But Chandler whispered in his ear, and it shut him up. He put his hands in his lap and stared at the lettuce on his plate.
“Let’s keep thinking about it, but put it on the back burner for now, okay?” I nodded.