Wicked As He Comes (Tiger in Her Bed)

However, Jane seemed hesitant. “John, I don’t think this is a good idea. I was planning to confront my uncle by myself. I really don’t want to involve your family in this mess. You and your mom have already done plenty for us.”

“We are family now, Jane. The moment you married me, your problems become our problems, and in our family, we solve our problems together.”

John sighed and took her hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed it. “Listen, babe. I can’t imagine how difficult life was for you after your parents’ death. But those days are over. You have me now. You have us. Let me worry about your problems now.”

She looked perturbed. “John, I feel like crap. I blackmailed you into marrying me and now you and your family have showed us nothing but kindness.”

He arched a brow. “Is that what you’re worrying about?”

Discomfiture was palpable on her face.

He barked a short laugh. “Babe, if I weren’t attracted to you, I would never have married you in the first place. Do you think you’re the first person who tried to blackmail me?”

Her eyes widened. “You get blackmailed a lot?”

“Not a lot, but occasionally. Of course, I never gave in to their demands.” He stroked her hair. “I want you, Jane. From the moment I saw you in that café in Vegas, I knew you were the one for me.”

That earned him a smile. “Kinda cheesy, coming from you.”

“Say

whatever you want but it’s the truth. Let’s go; I’d like to get to the table before your uncle. I have to inspect my battlefield.”

He opened the door and stepped out, then joined his wife, casting an admiring gaze over her. He’d made sure to have a lovely new outfit bought for her for the evening: a stylish black blazer and matching skirt with a lovely green shirt underneath, new gold earrings, and a pair of stilettos she picked out herself. He was wearing his usual: chinos, oxfords, a partly unbuttoned shirt, and a sport jacket. It was all designer clothing, but he wore it in a way that made it look as though he’d thrown it on while hurrying out the door. Probably because he had, but Jane hadn’t been able to take her eyes off of him all afternoon, so he guessed it worked out well enough. He took her hand as they sauntered past the door.

“I still think this is a bad idea, John. This is a man that could have murdered my parents,” Jane said firmly, giving him a serious look.

“I’m not easily intimidated, darling. You’ll find that out soon enough.”

“I know you think you’re streetwise, John,” she said. “But you’ve lived a sheltered life. You don’t know the first thing about a life like mine.”

That got John’s attention, and he turned with an apologetic expression. “I hope I never minimized your experiences in any way?”

Jane opened her mouth to speak, but just blushed in the end, while crossing her arms. “No, no you haven’t. I just... I don’t want anyone to get hurt, John.”

John opened his mouth to say something further, but he stopped, realizing that he was pushing her a little too far. He put a hand on her arm, stroking it gently with a reassuring smile. “Jane, my darling, you have every right to be concerned. I am a sheltered man used to getting what he wants. But all I ask tonight is that you trust me.”

Jane gave him a long, hard look, and after a time, she nodded and took the arm John offered her.

He could sense the uncertainty in her. It was understandable. She wanted to see whether her attempt at defending the twins would really work, but she wasn’t expecting it to be tested in front of Alfred Benedict himself. But John’s family had faced worse than this kind of person before.

“That’s him,” Jane whispered as they approached the restaurant.

Alfred had beat them to the restaurant, and he was already talking with the maitre’d. So much for inspecting his battleground first, John thought, slightly annoyed.

Alfred Benedict was every bit what John was expecting. He was a wiry, white-haired man in his late sixties in an expensive Armani suit and impeccable jewelry on both hands. Unfortunately, he had a kindly face. It was easy to see how a number of people could be deceived by such a person. Particularly so, considering his wealth.

“...ah, and here they are now!” Alfred said jovially, opening his arms wide to John and Jane as they approached. “My dearest niece and brand-new nephew, how nice it is to see you.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Jane stiffened beside him. “Long time no see, uncle,” Jane said, and John could hear the tinge of restrained anger in her voice.

“Where’s the twins? I haven’t seen them in a while,” asked Alfred.

His wife gave her uncle the iciest glare.

“They’ll be here shortly with my mother,” said John quickly before she could.

“Savannah? Ah, I haven’t seen her in a long time as well. How’s your mother?”