Chapter 20
Christine
The liquor flowed, which was the only way I was keeping sane.
The music remained festive, although archaic.
The conversation was lively, if not argumentative.
The food had been delicious with way too much money spent.
Lobster tail and filet, my father’s favorite since he was a meat and potatoes man. The lobster was a stretch, but as long as the delicate meat was slathered in hot butter, he was fine with it. I could tell my mother’s intervention with an antipasto salad. And my sister’s choice for her special day?
Beluga caviar.
Only the best for her upcoming-yet-hell-would-freeze-over-first nuptials. I’d watched her fiancé, a guy with a very high opinion of himself feeding her rounded spoons of the expensive delicacy while she giggled and batted her eyelashes.
I’d chugged another larger shot of tequila and would have consumed more had my date not prevented me from doing so.
Of course, Danny was right in keeping me from killing myself over my family.
At least the alcohol had taken the edge off my anger as well as the crazy desire I’d felt for my handsome flower killer.
Whatever had gotten into me, I liked it. I’d never been so free with my acts of lust. Much more exciting than the topics being discussed.
The group of people was… lackluster at best. Other than the gorgeous man who’d been sitting to my right, at the long table full of boring people.
There were two senators and their wives, a judge and his, some attorney, and by the way he’d been leering at me since I’d walked into the recreational room, the man I was supposed to marry.
My mother wasn’t a good liar, nor could she hide her intentions. She’d tried three times to mention I’d originally gotten a scholarship to study law.
Which I’d wanted nothing to do with and I enjoyed reminding her I was nothing but a lowly teacher. The dude didn’t seem put off by my less than acceptable profession.
Thankfully, my sister had attempted to control the emotional level of the dinner conversation, going on relentlessly about the six-carat diamond on her finger, which would be the largest for her collection, the wedding venue selected, which was another archaic monument to nepotism and wealth, and the two-month honeymoon they had planned.
If anyone was a fly on the wall, they might say I was jealous of her. Maybe so. She’d always gotten the cutest boyfriends where I’d had no suitors until my senior year in college and even then, the single boy who’d asked me out had been…
Dull.
The story of my life.
Until now.
“I was standing in the halls of Congress when a young kid walked up to me, tugging on my jacket.” My father pushed his plate away and immediately, one of the usual hired help yanked the plate away.
Utter perfection at every turn.
“What happened?” Judge Watkins asked, a man who shouldn’t ever take another bite of food.
“The little tyke held up a stuffed wolf and with his parents standing right behind him, he was brave enough to ask why I wanted to kill all the wolves.”
The entire table laughed.
Except for Danny and me. I sensed his anger given I’d briefly told him what my father had been working on since day one of the great shifter discovery.
Eradication.
Danny’s reaction was much stronger than I’d expected and red flags had risen even if I wasn’t certain why.
“What did you tell him, Daddy?” Delaney was quite interested.
I tossed my napkin on the table, shoving aside my barely touched food. “Yes, Father. Whatever did you say to the poor child?”
My father had rarely glanced in my direction since my ‘embarrassing outburst’ when I’d walked into a room full of people. He hadn’t even bothered to try to hide his disappointment or lower his voice.
“I told the little boy that unfortunately wolves were dangerous creatures and that I was working very hard to keep him and his mommy and daddy safe. I also told him sometimes sacrifices had to be made. Of course, I didn’t tell him I was talking about heinous creatures who shouldn’t be allowed to walk this earth. ”
I bristled to the point I almost rose from the table.
“Do you want me to take him out for you?” Danny whispered in my ear to try to bring some levity. But his skin was hot to the touch, the current flowing between us stronger than before.
“I wish you would.” My voice was just loud enough my father solely concentrated his stare on Danny.
I felt the scrutiny coming on.
“Tell me, Danny. What do you think about the inclusion of shifters into our society?”
To Danny’s credit, he carefully cut and took a bite of his blood-rare steak before pushing the plate away. He’d been doing nothing but studying my family as a paleontologist would in observing dinosaurs.
“I think the people who are terrified of shifters have never spent time with any of them. People often fear what they don’t know. Sadly, that makes them look irresponsible and quite frankly unintelligent.”
For all the bantering, bickering, and cutesy talk we’d engaged in, I’d yet to see Danny’s serious side. I had to admit, I was quite impressed. I was also holding my breath and his leg with one hand while my father’s eyes narrowed to tiny slits.
I knew that look. I’d experienced it many times in my life. While I could feel anger simmering under my dad’s skin, he was aware of how many important guests he had surrounding him and was willing to put up with a stranger’s unseemly assessment of his favorite subject.
“Please continue, Danny. As a senator of our great state, I’m always happy to hear from my constituents.” My father was practically gloating, eager to trip up Danny.
Danny appeared far more comfortable than I was, taking his time pushing his chair back and crossing his legs. He was far more reserved than I thought possible.
But I could see the fury in his eyes. He was angry because of and for me.
Now that was the mark of an incredible date. Perhaps I’d been wrong about him. First instincts shouldn’t always apply.
“What I think is irrelevant. What I know is that shifters are just like humans because half if not more of their DNA is homo sapiens. While you might think they suddenly appeared on this earth, every shifter determined to take over the world, you’d be wrong.
The truth is that they’ve been around for generations, blending in as any culture would do.
They have families and friends, both shifter and human.
They go to school, pay bills and taxes, enjoying celebrations and holidays.
They are people with special attributes.
Some good. Some corrupt. Just like humans. ”
I’d be damned if he didn’t level his gaze at my father, emphasizing the last words. I was close to whistling when my father offered a slow and steady smile.
“But they eat people,” Delaney offered in a hushed voice. My God, even my sister believed that crap.
“Trust me, sissy. You wouldn’t appeal to their tastes. Especially a big, bad wolf with long, sharp canines.”
“Christine!” my mother chastised. “Don’t terrify your sister.”
Danny cleared his throat and I could feel his hidden amusement.
Was this what normal families were all about?
“They don’t eat people,” he insisted. “That is a horrible rumor that keeps shifters from living an enjoyable life. They are constantly crucified by the press and certain members of society.”
Wow. He knew a lot about them. The flags were waving, a strange sensation rushing through me.
“What is it that you do, Danny? I don’t believe I’ve asked.”
I was about to interject when the hard squeeze Danny offered my leg was an order to keep quiet. I had to admit, I liked his dominating side.
“I’m a surgeon.”
“Oh, really?”
He did not lie. I turned my head, staring at him, but Danny wasn’t budging.
“Impressive,” Senator Jacobson said, nodding to my mother.
“Well, I’m very happy to see my daughter has finally come to her senses in choosing someone worthy of her family name.” My dad raised his glass as if in a toast.
“Oh, please, Father. The holier than thou routine is getting old.”
“I just want what’s best for my daughter. Always. For her to date a man beneath her, someone like a maintenance worker would crush this old man’s soul. Let’s all head to my study where I’ll have some news.”
I’d had enough. So much so before I knew what I was doing, I’d shoved back the chair, easily fighting off Danny’s controls and leaning over the table with my hands dangerously close to the bowl of butter.
Which I envisioned throwing in my father’s face.
The joy doing so would bring me should be repulsive.
It wasn’t.
“I’m glad you approve, Father, because Delaney isn’t the only one getting married. Danny popped the question.”
Two things happened of note.
One. My date kicked me under the table with enough force I bit back a moan of anguish.
And two. I’d not only managed to suck the wind from my sister’s sails, I’d also shocked my mother and father.
They were confounded, glaring at each other with indescribable expressions.
And the poor attorney they’d promised I’d be kissing like a frog at midnight was beside himself, bubbles floating from his thin lips.
“Now, I’m going to freshen up and when I come back, I do hope champagne will be served.” I waited the obligatory five seconds to see if my father had the cojones to challenge me.
He didn’t.
When I turned, I winked at Danny and walked from the room with my head held high.
And my legs were about ready to shatter into a million pieces. Somehow, I was lucky enough to make it to the hall bathroom.
You know who decided to push his way inside, closing the door after him.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Danny asked. While his tone was demanding, the amusement in his eyes was illuminating. He was having as much fun sticking it to my father as I was. We were like peas in a pod. “Getting married? Are you crazy?”
“What did you think you were doing? A surgeon? Really?” My demand was more of a hiss.