Page 67 of Unpredictable
My heart was pounding, even as I tried to remain calm. My son-in-law had nearly caught me having sex with the wedding planner in the pool. For all I knew, he might have witnessed our intimate moment. He’d practically appeared out of thin air, nearly giving me a damn heart attack. Even now, my pulse was still skittering, struggling to settle into a more normal rhythm.
His posture was stiff, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses. Giving nothing away. “The better question would be—how did I get in?”
He loomed over me from the slate patio, his large form casting a shadow across the water. The fence surrounding my home was ten-feet high. And he didn’t appear to have come from the extensive property behind the house. Which meant he’d likely scaled the gate or come through the house. Without a key. I frowned.
I glanced toward the house, unable to see Juliana—to warn her. I shook my head. Fuck. Why was I acting like a teenager who’d been caught by his parents?Iwas the parent. This wasmyhouse.
“How did you get in?” I hopped out of the pool, splashing water along the tile as I headed for my towel.
I knew why he was here—obligatory family dinner night. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten. But in the excitement of Juliana moving in, I guessed it wasn’t all that surprising.
He crossed his arms over his chest, and I straightened. “You should really get a new security company.”
I frowned, wrapping the towel around my waist. I’d paid for a top-of-the-line system. And he’d somehow managed to get past all the cameras, the sensors, completely undetected. It was an unnerving realization. And I wondered if he’d done it before. If he’d snooped around my house. I wouldn’t put it past him; I’d certainly done some digging on him.
“Their safeguards were a joke,” he scoffed. “I can show you my suggestions. Or I’d be happy to walk your company through their shortcomings.”
I smoothed back my hair as I considered his words. Though part of me was unsettled, a greater part was thankful. Connor had revealed the weaknesses in my current system, and I’d much rather he break in than someone who wanted to harm me or my family. In his own weird way, he was showing that he cared.
“I appreciate it. I assume you’ve already reviewed the security at your place?”
He nodded. “Of course. Before we ever moved in, I made sure it was safe for Olivia.”
I nodded, grateful for Connor’s background. For the fact that he was looking out for my daughter and would do anything to protect her. When she was younger, I’d contemplated getting her a bodyguard, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Maybe having Connor around wasn’t so terrible after all.
“Let’s go inside.” I gestured toward the back door when there was still no sign of Juliana. “I’ll run through the shower, and then we can eat.”
He nodded, glancing around as he followed me inside. Though he’d been here before, I tried to imagine my home through his eyes. My future son-in-law. Olivia hadn’t told me much about his background, but she’d told me enough. He’d had a difficult childhood, nothing like the pampered luxury Olivia had grown up in. And neither of his parents would be attending the wedding.
He’d made something of himself—joining the navy SEALs, getting a college degree, now working for a private security company. He was a good man, and Olivia loved him. Considering his own lack of family, I was determined to be a positive figure in his life.
“Do you have company?” Connor asked, glancing around.
I cringed when I saw two glasses on the counter, one lipstick-stained. It was too late to hide the evidence.
“I, um—” I was on the verge of saying no, when a toilet flushed in the distance. “Yeah.” I glanced around, anywhere but at him.
Connor was a human lie detector. Which meant I needed to tell some version of the truth. And it needed to be convincing. I didn’t want this to get back to Olivia.
“Juliana’s here.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I thought we could go over some wedding details during dinner.”
“Sure.” He rocked on his heels, glancing toward the source of the sound. He didn’t say anything more, but he didn’t have to. We both knew I looked guilty as fuck.
His eyes shifted to something behind me. “Hey, Juliana.”
I turned, silently trying to communicate with her as she made her way toward us.
“Oh.” She shifted, looking around, I presumed for something to cover herself, seeing as she was still wearing her bikini. “Hey, Connor.”
Connor glanced between the two of us, his gaze searing, questioning.Shit.
“I didn’t realize wedding planning involved swimming.” His tone was rife with insinuation, or at least, it certainly felt that way.
“Yeah.” It was meant to be a statement, but with the way my voice pitched toward the end, it came out as more of a question.
If I hadn’t been watching, I would’ve missed the ever-so-subtle lift to Connor’s brow. I needed to get this back on track before it spiraled even more out of control.
“Let me just throw on a sundress, and then I can get out of here,” Juliana said, even though she now lived here.
