“So, Mr. Benedict, I wonder if you have heard about some of the troubling incidents regarding George and Harry?” John asked.
His wife froze in her seat, and Alfred peered at John long and hard, as if gauging what he was trying to get at. “I’m afraid I haven’t.”
“Really? Seems odd,” John said, and Savannah raised her eyebrows, suddenly interested. “A couple of young, high-profile boys like them—it’s like they’ve dropped off the map, but you’d expect more publicity around the heirs of Rob Benedict.”
“My dear brother didn’t leave a public will, actually,” Alfred corrected John very quickly in a curt tone.
“Right, of course,” John said with a nod. “Even stranger, then, that there have been some rather suspicious circumstances around them lately, if nobody seems to mind their presence. Peanut butter in George’s lunch, mysterious winds pushing poor Harry into construction sites . . . a strange number of accidents for boys with so much money hovering around them, don’t you agree?”
“Most curious,” Alfred said, his face barely holding back a great deal of ire that John and Savannah could see as plain as anything.
“In any case,” John went on to Jane’s mortification, affably as ever, “I assume it won’t matter for too long. Since the boys are Rob’s direct descendants, it stands to reason they’ll take over the company once they’re of age, right?”
“That’s quite enough,” Alfred barked suddenly, and almost everyone jumped in their seats as he stood up, glaring daggers at John. “Your insinuations may pass as idle joking in Hollywood, but this is New York, Mr. Alexander. If you brought me to dinner just to throw unsubstantiated accusations at me, then you can continue this conversation with my attorney.” His malicious glint skidded toward Savannah. “Thank you for the lovely dinner. Good night.”
With that, Alfred turned and stormed out the restaurant, leaving all of them at the table in silence.
Quinn traded glances with Trent, then chuckling, shook his head. Even though Quinn was the al
pha of the clan, his oldest brother let John run the show tonight. If Quinn had his way, things would have gone differently.
Savannah wasted little time in breaking the stillness as she raised her wine glass to her lips. “My my. Isn’t he a charming little old man?” she said, sarcasm dripping in every word.
* * *
“I cannot believe you confronted him head on,” Jane said incredulously later that night as she and John closed the door of his room behind them. “This could be bad, John. I should have faced him myself.”
John shrugged off his jacket and flung it on to a nearby chair. “And let him bully you? I don’t think so. I don’t like people like Alfred getting their way. The world bends over backwards for them constantly, even when they’re plotting murder.”
Jane tried to look disapproving, but she smiled back at him, and John could feel her sincere approval after all was said and done. “Well for what it’s worth, thanks for going the extra mile for the twins. You didn’t have to do that, John. I still can’t believe you even set up that dinner.”
John turned to her as they stood beside the bed, held her hands in his, and brought them to his lips. He gave them a light kiss. “Babe, I think you still don’t understand. You’re my wife. I'm taking care of everything and I’m going to do everything in my power to protect you and the twin.”
"Every time you say that,I feel like a scum." She cast him a doubtful look.
"Because you blackmailed me? Please, when are you going to stop doing that? You're my wife, aren't you?"
"Yes, but—"
"How am I supposed to prove that I really want you, hmm?" He stroked her hair while he gazed deeply into her eyes. God damn, she was so beautiful and she didn't even realize it. Her scent wafted into his nose, stirring his beast awake. It made him restless. Legally, she was his and yet, he hadn't had the chance to get to know her intimately. With a swift move, he padded to the door and locked it. He didn't want any interruption from the twins. "Maybe, I know the answer. Come here." He pulled her into his embrace. She gave a little gasp. Tugging her chin up, he kissed her on the lips. Slowly. Savoring her sweetness. He kissed her open-mouthed. Full of passion. Tonight would be the night he claimed her. Making her his, as it should be.
With eyes half closed, she returned his kiss with the same heat.
His cock hardened instantly.
He leaned in to whisper into Jane’s ear, “I need you to turn around, kneel on the bed, and trust me entirely.”
He could feel her pulse quicken, and the tiger within him was growling. To him, this was like stalking prey.
"Wait, what are you doing?" she asked breathlessly.
It made him smile. "All naughty, adult things."
"Oh."
He watched her with hunger as he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside. She started to turn to look away but he put his hands on her head and gently turned her to face forward.
“Watch me,” he said in a low, husky tone.