Page 136 of Protecting You
He could’ve picked Alyssa’s mother out without the introduction. She was as tall as Alyssa, maybe five seven or five eight, with the same silvery blond hair, though hers was a little more silver, a little less blond. Alyssa had inherited her mother’s high cheekbones, honey-brown eyes, and warm smile.
Evelyn Wright was sophisticated and elegant and might have been intimidating if not for her kind welcome as she shook his hand. “I’m so glad you’re here, Caleb. I hope everyone’s treating you well.”
“They are, mostly.” He caught sight of Grant across the patio giving him the evil eye and gave the warrior-cousin a pointed look as he leaned in conspiratorially. “Though I’m a little worried that one’s going to kill me.”
Following his gaze, Evelyn laughed, the sound as relaxed as if they were old friends. “Just don’t get on his bad side, and you should be fine.” She shifted her attention to Peri. “And who is this beauty?”
“This is…Peri.” He didn’t addmy daughter,just in case the server walking by was an enemy.
“How do you do.” Peri shook her hand, then pressed against Callan shyly, seeming almost awed. He could understand that. Evelyn was not only beautiful, she was regal. She didn’t wear a tiara, but she was one of the few women in the world who could get away with it.
It struck Callan that this was Alyssa’s life. This woman represented the future Alyssa would have. Beauty and power and wealth and strength, all wrapped up in one perfect package.
If this woman sat on the throne, Alyssa was the princess, next in line.
Which made him…
The pauper? Yeah. That felt right.
Alyssa’s hand was still tucked in his elbow. He squelched the temptation to distance himself, knowing she shouldn’t be with him, not even if it was all pretend.
It was irrational and unnerving how much that bothered him. He’d never felt inferior to anyone in his life. All this money and beauty and influence was messing with his mind.
A gray-haired man broke away from his conversation and turned toward them, pinning Callan with a piercing look.
Alyssa stiffened, her hand tightening on his biceps. “Hi, Dad.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek before turning to Callan. “Caleb Thompson, my father, Gavin Wright.”
Callan had spotted Gavin already, of course, having seen his photograph many times over the years. He wasn’t as tall as his brother, Roger, whom Callan had met earlier. At maybe five-eleven, Gavin Wright didn’t need height to be powerful. He had broad shoulders and a thick chest. His power radiated like an aura. His skin was tanned, wrinkles fanning out around sharp eyes.
When he shook Callan’s hand, his grip wasn’t as firm as Grant’s had been, but it didn’t need to be. The threat was implied anyway, somehow. “Caleb, is it?” The way he asked the question told Callan he knew that wasn’t his name at all.
That was curious. And worrisome.
Remembering Malcolm’s warnings, he wondered… Was Gavin an enemy? Not of Alyssa, but of Callan?
If so, then the security around the patio couldn’t be trusted.
If so, they were tiptoeing through a viper’s nest.
He hoped it wasn’t true, but he couldn’t assume.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Not sure I did.” He backed away, his close-mouthed smile doing nothing to soften his features. He gave Callan a long, assessing look.
Callan put up with it, silently, but he didn’t like it. If Gavin thought he’d bristle or babble, he had another think coming.
Alyssa, on the other hand, put a little distance between them.
Great. Did she sense a drone strike coming?
When Gavin noticed Peri, his expression shifted so markedly that he looked like a different man altogether. His hard features softened, his lips slipped into a genuine smile. “Who do we have here? You’re not with this guy, are you?”
“He’s my daddy.”
Callan stifled the groan. He couldn’t exactly warn Peri not to tell people that. But danger signs flashed across his mind.
“You’re kidding.” Gavin shook his head. “How does an ugly ogre like him get a beautiful daughter like you?”
