Page 77 of Truce: Declan
“You’ll what?” Knox asks, tilting his head and stepping around Grant. “The way I see it, there’s one of you and the entire Island Bruisers team here. You don’t have a shot in hell of escaping us, Reece.”
“You’re going to fight me?” I laugh at his suggestion. “Your entire team against one guy? How the hell is that fair?”
“Never said we had to play fair,” Mack says. “You’re on our turf, messing with one of our own.”
“One of your own who beats women and children?” I say, staring Mack in the face. “Real noble of you, Conrad.”
“He’s lying,” Grant says and runs a hand through his hair. The accusation has him flustered.
“Your wife has a matching black eye to the one you gavemykid,” I seethe. “Do you want court transcripts to remind you of what happened?”
“There are no transcripts. She didn’t press charges against me,” Grant boasts. “A wife knows better than to betray her husband.”
Mack takes a step back. “You mean that shit in the papers about the kid, that’s for real?” He looks awestruck like he hadn’t realized Grant had been lying to him all this time.
“It’s hogwash!” Grant shouts, his voice bellowing out, gaining a few stray glances from attendees looking in our direction.
“Take it outside,” Charlie Hayes says. He’s in his rookie season for the Island Bruisers, young talented blood. At least he has the sense to keep the gala professional and the spat between rivals.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Charlotte says. “I invited Noah to attend this event. You boys will have to deal with his presence. Grow up!”
A few of his teammates laugh nervously; they don’t seem thrilled with taking orders from a girl, but they straighten up and clear their throats.
“Drinks?” Storm says to the other guys on his team as Charlotte’s father is approaching.
The rest of them scatter like roaches, and I inhale a nervous breath, having to meet the man who will undoubtedly hate me before the night is over, especially with what I have planned with my teammates.
“Reece.” Mr. Grace’s features are hard, his eyes tight and his lips narrow. He stares at me like he’s studying me for an exam, and I’m the course material.
“Mr. Grace,” I say, trying to be as formal and polite as possible. If he believes that I’m dating Charlotte, then I need it to appear convincing. I hold out my hand, introducing myself.
He doesn’t take my hand. He ignores it like I’m not holding it out awkwardly and having just been rejected. “Charlotte, would you mind giving us a moment?” Mr. Grace asks his daughter.
She forces a smile. “Of course. I’ll grab us fresh drinks at the bar,” she says, her hand coming to rest on my arm for a moment before giving it a tentative squeeze just before walking off.
“Charlotte is my baby girl,” he says, his eyes boring into mine.
I refrain from reminding him that she’s not a baby or that if she were, he wouldn’t be sending her out on a charity auction date.
“She’s important to me,” I say. It’s easier if I don’t have to lie and there is truth in my words. I’ve never been great at lying. As a kid, I’d get tripped up in my little tales and end up with a blistered bottom.
“Charlotte is more important to me and the team.” Mr. Grace tilts his head slightly, his graying hair peeking through the bright lights mixed with dark brown.
She must have her mother’s coloring, with her blue eyes and red locks, because she looks nothing like her father. I’m assuming that she’s not adopted.
“Whatever you think you have going on with my daughter, it’s a fling. She’ll snuff it out in due time. She’s smart enough to know her future belongs with the Island Bruisers when she comes and works for me. Don’t make it any harder on her. If you have any integrity, you’ll end this tryst before you break her heart.”
* * *
We’re served hors d’oeuvres, an elaborate meal, and then, finally, the auction begins. I’m grateful for the distraction because speaking with her father was pure torture.
Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised that Daddy Dearest wants his daughter to follow in his footsteps, but Charlotte hasn't mentioned anything to me either way about it. Not that we’ve talked recently about our careers, or much of anything.
But I have heard her discuss working for the park district, which puts a career with the Island Bruisers on the right path.
It’s not like we’re dating.
Tonight is all fun and games, at least with pretending to be a couple. That’s not the only entertainment laid out for this evening at the charity auction.
