Chapter 4
four
He promised.
Iris and I have texted back and forth a few times this week to confirm the details of tonight’s dinner with my parents.
I’m sure there are a hundred other places he’d like to spend his Friday night, but he promised he’d be here.
I’m not sure why I decided to put so much trust in his ability to show up for me.
But something just told me I could, that he wouldn’t let me down.
So I’m standing in the driveway, leaning against my car, picking at the skin around my nails. He’s gonna be here. He has to be here.
Headlights pull through the front gate, and I stand straight.
That can’t be him. He doesn’t have a car as far as I know, just the bike.
My parents will absolutely lose their minds if they see his bike tonight, and I kinda hope they do.
It’ll just be another nail in the coffin of their opinion of me.
Aaron’s black Mercedes pulls in next to my car and I roll my eyes.
Of course, my mother would invite this fucking tool to dinner tonight again.
He speeds up right before coming to a stop next to me, kicking up dirt unnecessarily.
I’ll never understand how he has anyone fooled into thinking he’s a gentleman.
“Jesus Christ, Montgomery. This dress is black silk, asshole,” I tell him, furiously brushing dust from the fabric.
“Costs a lot of money to look that cheap, huh, moo?” He throws back at me and I feel heat rising in my chest. If I could run this man over with a truck, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Greta always says “God don’t like ugly”, but obviously Aaron slipped through the cracks.
“Bite me, bitch dick,” I tell him, flipping him the middle finger and checking my watch again. 6:50pm.
Aaron comes closer to me, much closer than I would like him to be. When he reaches out to grip my chin, I turn my head away. His hand wraps around my upper arm roughly, and I gasp. How dare this man fucking touch me!
“Watch your fucking mouth, princess. You may think you’re untouchable, but I-” Aaron says, but before he can finish his sentence, the pressure against my arm is gone.
Aaron’s face slams against the hood of his car, arm twisted behind his back before I can even blink.
Holding him in place with one strong, tattooed hand is the most beautiful version of Iris I have ever seen.
His black dress pants and matching Armani button-down shirt are both tailor made to fit him, and God do they fit him well.
I’ve never seen him so dressed up, and I could definitely get used to a sight like this.
Don’t get me wrong, he’s gorgeous no matter what he wears.
But this version of him? He exudes powers and strength. I’d crawl on my knees for this man.
“Hi, angel. Sorry I’m late,” he says, staring at me as if he isn’t holding a man hostage against the car right now. “Care to introduce me to your friend here?”
“He’s not a friend,” I say casually, not caring what becomes of Aaron Montgomery.
“This isn’t funny, Magnolia. Get your-” Iris lifts Aaron’s body from the hood and slams it down again, making me giggle.
“I’m not speaking to you. I’m speaking to my girl. And it seems like you had your hands on her without her consent. See, that’s something I just can’t tolerate.” Iris’s eyes darken, the icy blue nearly hidden behind his pupils. Damn, this is the sexiest thing I’ve ever witnessed.
“Dalton,” I say, placing my hand softly on his free arm. “I’m okay. It’s fine. Let’s just go inside.”
He stares at me for what feels like forever, searching for any sign that I’m not being honest with him.
So I hold his gaze, showing him he can let Aaron go, even though I’d love to see him snap his scrawny neck.
Finally, he releases Aaron, leveling him with a glare that could set fire to half this county.
“Do you know how many bones are in the human hand?” Iris asks, shaking out his sleeves and adjusting his shiny black cufflinks.
“There are twenty-seven. If you touch her again, with or without her consent, I will break your hands one bone at a time. Are we clear?” Iris says it so matter-of-factly, like he’s not threatening serious bodily injury should Aaron lay a finger on me.
He doesn’t wait for a response, turning and offering me his arm, leading us up the stairs to the front door. It shouldn’t make me weak in the knees to hear him threaten violence on my behalf. But I’d be the biggest liar if I said I didn’t need to go change my panties right now.
“Well, that was exciting, huh?” He says, and I laugh, raising my hand to knock on the door. Before I can make contact, the doors swing open and my dad stands on the other side, smiling widely. I’ve never brought a guy home to meet my parents, so I’m sure he’s very excited.
“Magpie! I’ve missed you,” my dad says, pulling me through the doorway the way he always does.
“Dad, you just saw me last weekend,” I laugh, but I never tire of hearing him say he misses me.
“That’s an entire week too long, baby girl.” My dad’s eyes soften as I pull back, looking over my shoulder at Iris.
“Dad, this is my… umm…” Suddenly, I find it impossible to lie to my father. I’ve never been one to keep secrets from him, and I hate doing it now.
“Dalton Murphy, sir. I’m Magnolia’s boyfriend.” Iris steps up beside me, extending his hand towards my father. Silently, I thank him for stepping in.
“Thomas Monroe. It’s good to finally meet someone who my daughter shares her time with,” my dad says, shaking his hand firmly.
“Thomas, who’s at the door, dear? Aaron should be here any-” My mother comes down the stairs, stopping when she sees Dalton and I standing in the entryway with my dad. “Oh, Magnolia. You’re here.”
“Of course we’re here, mother. You invited us.” Here we go. This is just the beginning of my mother’s behavior tonight, I’m sure. “This is my mother, Patricia Monroe.”
“Ma’am, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Dalton Murphy,” Iris says, stepping towards my mother to shake her hand as well.
She looks down on him, staring at his outstretched hand like he’s offering her a raw fish.
In this moment I realize, my mother absolutely thought I was lying, and she assumed I wouldn’t show up tonight at all.
“Yes, well. Let’s go into the dining room. Dinner won’t wait all night.” She walks past Iris, leaving his hand hanging in the air. When he turns to me and quirks an eyebrow, I simply roll my eyes. My mother, ladies and gentleman.
The front door opens and closes behind us. Aaron lets himself in to my parent’s house like he’s welcome here anytime. My dad gives him a confused look but doesn’t say anything.
“Oh, Aaron! There you are!” my mother says brightly, her sullen tone from moments ago gone completely. She rushes to his side, taking his arm and leading him into the dining room as we follow.
“Patricia, so nice to see you again. Sorry about my tardiness. I was on a business call,” Aaron replies, and I see Iris smirk next to me.
Suppressing my laughter, I let Iris help me into my chair at the table, wondering where he learned such formal manners.
He takes the seat next to me, smiling sweetly back at me, and I silently thank him with my eyes.
I could never thank him enough for the nightmare I’m sure he’s going to endure tonight.
I already know I’m going to owe him big time for this bullshit.
“You hear that, Magnolia? Aaron is already working his way up the business ladder and he’s barely been graduated for a month,” she says, singing Aaron’s praises like he’s the second coming.
“Since when is internet porn considered a business?” I mumble, and Iris chokes out a laugh beside me.
“Honestly, Magnolia. It’s so unladylike to mumble the way you do. Speak clearly, if you must,” my mother says and I roll my eyes for the hundredth time tonight. “Greta, dinner please!”
“Well, I never claimed to be a lady, mother,” I reply, my tone cheery and fake.
“I like you better that way, angel,” Dalton says, giving me a look that is anything but fake.
I smile over at him, loving the way his random, small compliments always make my heart feel lighter.
“So, Dalton, what is it you do for work? You do work, don’t you?” Aaron asks, disdain clearly present in his tone. Greta makes an annoyed face behind him where only I can see and I hide my laughter.
“I do. Currently, I’m working as an apprentice for a small business owner.
I’d love to take the reins from him soon, but I know I still have a lot left to learn.
I also co-own a consulting company with a good friend of mine,” Iris replies, surprising me.
I knew about him working in the bar, but he wants to own it someday?
That’s amazing. And a consulting business?
I can only assume that is the business that causes him to need to travel.
I know I’ve heard Aurora and Kelsea talk before about the contracts he and Breaker work together.
“Sounds like you’re a pretty busy man,” my dad says, obviously just as impressed as I am.
“Yes, sir. It definitely keeps me going,” Iris replies, squeezing my hand under the table. So far, so good, even with my mother fawning over Aaron.
“Consulting? What kind of consulting could you possibly do?” My mother asks, her tone dismissive and snotty. She waves Greta out of the room and I’m disgusted.
“Mother! Don’t be rude,” I tell her, my gaze sharp enough to slice her open where she sits.