Page 46 of His to Keep
I snort under my breath. “You don’t need to tell me that.”
He chuckles softly. “Anyhow. I’ve met him at several events over the years. We’ve never worked together directly, but I felt I knew him well enough to make the call.”
“And what did you tell him?” I press.
“I told him I was dating his daughter and your creep ex was making trouble. I said I figured he might want to make a call, remind that asshole who exactly he’s dealing with. I didn’t need to give him more details than that.”
I feel a little lightheaded. “You told my father we’re dating?”
He frowns. “Is it a secret?”
“No. But I don’t tell my father those kinds of things.”
Luke is quiet for a moment. “He wanted to hear about you. Wanted to know how you’re doing. It sounded like he really misses you.”
I snort again. “Yeah, I’m so sure.” Then I groan. “God, you probably made his whole day. He’s going to love the idea of me with a guy like you.” He’s probably plotting out all the ways he can use this relationship to his advantage even as we speak.
“I don’t know, baby. He really did seem desperate to know about you. And not just about our relationship—he asked me about your schooling, your friends, the neighborhood you live in. There was something in his voice…I really got the sense he was missing you.” He taps the side of my nose. “People can change, you know.”
I’m skeptical, but I’ll keep that to myself. So long as my dad doesn’t pressure me to move faster with Luke than I want to, I won’t complain too much.
Who am I kidding. Luke and I are already moving crazy fast. And I have no desire to slow down.
“So that’s all you did today?” I ask. “You talked to Aden and called my dad.”
“I saw my lawyer as well,” he says. “If Roth tries anything else I’ll get my whole team on it. Oh, and I went to see Wyatt Chambers.”
“Seriously?” I squeak out. “You can just waltz in and request a visit with Wyatt Chambers on a moment’s notice?”
“Sure. Chambers and I go way back.”
I shake my head. Wyatt Chambers is one third of the ownership of Wyld Group, the most massively successful multi-national conglomerate in the world. They deal in communications, media, technology, you name it. As well as being some of the richest men in existence, the three are notoriously private and selective in who they do business with.
They also happened to have founded Club Wyld right here in their home town.
“I needed to make sure Roth can’t show his face at the club.”
“So you went to the owner?” I squeak. I’m not surprised Luke is trying to keep Aden from the club, but isn’t this the kind of thing Andres or one of the other hosts would handle?
He shrugged. “Seemed more efficient that way.”
My head is reeling. In the space of one afternoon, Luke seems to have made all my problems disappear. “You got him kicked out of the club?”
Anger washes over his face. “Six-month suspension. Apparently, there are bylaws and contracts and a bunch of shit that would cause Wyld a ton of headaches. Plus, there’s no proof that he was blackmailing you. But try not to worry about it, okay? The club takes anonymity and privacy very seriously. If Roth tries to show his face there in six months, he won’t be getting the most pleasant reaction. And if he steps out of line again, he’s out.”
“Wow,” I murmur, entwining my fingers with his. “You really were thorough.”
His gaze is intense as he stares at me. “I was serious when I said I would do anything to protect you. What I did today was nothing.”
I shake my head, more than a little overwhelmed. Then something catches my eye—a smear of red on his knuckles right underneath where my fingers fit against his.
“You’re bleeding!”
He pulls his hand out of mine, tucking it on the other side of the armrest. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing! Let me see!” I tug on him until he relents and bring his hand up to my face so I can study the scrapes. There are several, all over his knuckles. “Luke,” I say, voice sharp as I realize what I’m looking at. “What did you do?”
“I punched that asshole in the face,” he says simply, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Knocked him right to the ground.”
