Page 41 of Wicked Lord

Oh, for fuck’s sake, really?

Father swooped in between Mom and Axel before she started to drool all over her vintage Chanel Jackie O jacket. Dad reached for his hand and gave it a firm squeeze. “Axel Vanderhart, correct?”

“Yes, sir, senator.”

“That’s a good grip you have there, son.” He winced, covering it with a lame attempt at clearing his throat.

Axel’s knuckles were white from the strain, and I couldn’t help the smile that tipped up my lips. “Sorry about that. That’s my throwing arm. I guess it’s just habit.”

Once he released the strangling grip, my father shook his hand out and folded it behind his back.

“Why don’t we come sit in the living room?” Mom motioned to the white linen couches.

Practically everything in this house was white or pale gray, which gave the home a light and airy feel. It was a stunning contrast to our home in Boston which was littered with priceless antiques. I appreciated the clean lines, but I was also terrified of spilling anything on the sea of pristine white.

“Gisella, the usual for me and get the kids some champagne.” Dad flicked an impatient hand toward our housekeeper, and she bounded off to the kitchen.

“Dad, what if Axel doesn’t want champagne?” I snapped at my overbearing father as I slid onto the sofa. Axel folded down beside me and slipped his arm around my shoulders. The unexpected move had a little of the fire draining.

“It’s okay, I’ll just have a sip. I have football practice early in the morning.”

“Oh, Axel, dear, I didn’t realize you had to train in the summertime. How terribly awful." My mother fanned herself as if the oppressive summer heat had somehow infiltrated the stucco walls.

He shrugged. “It’s not so bad. Honestly, I enjoy a good sweat session. It gets all the built-up tension out.”

“Mmm, I bet.” My mother took another swig of her martini and licked her lips. Great, now she was practically eye-fucking my boyfriend.

Thankfully, Gisella reappeared before I lost it. With a dip of her head, she placed the champagne flutes on the cocktail table, momentarily blocking Ax from her predatory gaze.

“So Axel, what are your intentions with my daughter?”

“Dad!” I shrieked as I reached for my flute which I now needed more than ever. “You can’t ask that. We just started dating.” I swallowed down a big swig of the bubbly liquid.

He eyed Axel, brought the crystal tumbler to his lips and gulped down a mouthful of scotch. “Exactly… you gave up the opportunity of a future with Brock Haversham for a mere possibility?”

Heat burned my cheeks, and I sank back into the couch, wishing it would swallow me whole. I hated for Axel to see how desperate my family was to marry me off.

Ax weaved his warm fingers through mine before sliding to the edge of the cushion and pivoting toward my father.

“If I may, sir, though it’s true Lorelei and I have only been dating for a short time, I can already see a future with her.” His gaze darted to mine, and a silly smile curled his lips. “I’ve never met anyone like your daughter. She’s driven, ambitious, and one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. And clearly gorgeous.” He shot a wink at my mother. “Now I can see where she gets that from.”

Another unexpected surge of heat raced up my neck at the compliments.Keep it together, Lore, it’s all an act.

“So I ask that you just give us some time, Senator Battenberg.” Axel squeezed my hand and drew it into his lap. “Because I’d hate for you to rush your daughter into the armsof a man who didn’t deserve her.” He leaned forward a bit so that his massive thigh nearly hit my father’s, and the tenor of his voice dropped a couple notches. “And I’d hate for you to sell her off to the highest bidder without regarding her feelings or considering the kind of man he is.”

His gaze darted to my neck, to the marks, though long gone, were still firmly imprinted in my memory. And apparently, his.

“No, of course not,” my father gritted out. “There’s no real rush. It simply doesn’t look right, backing out of an arrangement like that. Lloyd Haversham is an important man and?—”

“Which is probably why marriages shouldn’t be arranged like financial transactions.” Axel threw my father a wicked grin. “Take for example, my oldest brother, Jackson, he just got engaged to his high school sweetheart. They’ve been dating for years and per the terms of our trusts, when we turn thirty, we get a substantial inheritance. Jackson chose to wait until then so he could give his future wife the wedding she’d always dreamed of.”

Dollar signs flashed across my father’s eyes.

If I wasn’t so nauseated by this entire discussion, I would’ve mouthed anI told you so. But the whole thing just didn’t sit well. I hated the idea of using Axel for his money and last name, even if it was part of the deal.

I shot up, ripping my hand free of his. “Excuse me, I have to go to the ladies’ room.”

Ax’s concerned gaze lifted to mine. “Are you okay?”