Page 72 of A Legal Affair

“Mayor Philbin.” Daniela’s voice was assiduously neutral, with just a touch of polite deference. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Likewise, Miss?—?”

Her mind blanked for two seconds, muscle memory wrestling with her carefully cultivated persona. “Moreau,” she blurted. God help her, she’d almost said Roarke.

“A pleasure, Miss Moreau.” Philbin gave her a sympathetic albeit amused smile, fully recognizing the tightrope she was walking.

Caleb’s expression was hard, his jaw clenching beneath his beard as he glared at the former mayor. The air between them crackled with animosity, a palpable tension that could be felt continents away.

“Philbin.” Caleb’s voice was clipped, icy as a polar vortex. “What do you want?”

“Want? Who says I want anything?” Philbin countered, his placid smile unwavering. “San Antonio is a big small town, Thorne. You can run into anyone on any given night. I was just enjoying a lovely dinner with my wife when I happened to see you across the room. Thought I’d make my way over and say hello.” His pale blue eyes held Caleb’s, a silent challenge bristling between them. “It’s always a pleasure to see you. Or not.”

“Not,” Caleb gritted. “Definitely not.”

Philbin chortled, a dry, humorless sound. “Well, in that case, don’t let me keep you from enjoying your evening. I need to go say hello to Gavin Kinsale. Did you know your boss was one of my biggest donors?”

Caleb smirked. “There’s no accounting for taste.”

Philbin laughed, genuinely amused. “Touché, Mr. Thorne.” Smiling, he gave Daniela a brief, almost imperceptible nod, a silent acknowledgment of their shared complicity.

She forced a smile, her heart pounding a chaotic two-step. “It was nice meeting you, sir.”

“Pleasure’s all mine, Miss Moreau.” He sketched a courtly bow, then turned and leisurely strolled out the door.

Daniela released a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. God, what a close call.Waytoo close.

Caleb was glaring after the mayor, his eyes narrowed to dark slits. His hostility was unmistakable, a seething, visceral hatred that made Daniela’s stomach churn. The guilt she’d been suppressing weighed her down like an anvil. For the first time, it occurred to her that she might be on the wrong side of this feud, that she might be colluding with the enemy.

Caleb turned back to her, a cold, hard glint in his eyes. “Don’t ever let that man near you, Daniela. He’s poison.”

She nodded jerkily, unable to speak, still reeling from the nerve-racking encounter.

“Go,” he commanded, his voice tight. “Go back to your table. I’ll follow in a minute.”

She didn’t need to be told twice. She practically ran back to the main dining room, her body trembling from the impact of Caleb’s lethal fury, his jealousy, their explosive kiss and the terrifying run-in with Philbin.

Kolter looked up at her approach, his face a picture of bewildered concern that renewed her anger. “Everything okay? You were gone a while.”

Daniela slid into her seat with an accusing glare. “Kolter.” Her voice was low, laced with steel. “We need to talk.”

He shifted uncomfortably. “Oh? What about?”

“Don’t play dumb. You knowexactlywhat about.” She leaned forward, her gaze direct as she said through gritted teeth, “Youset me up. You rescheduled our study group dinner without telling me.”

His face reddened. “No, I?—”

“Don’t even try it!” she hissed, jabbing a finger at him. “What kind of schoolboy bullshit is this?”

“Shit. I’m sorry, Daniela. I—” He broke off with a frown. “What happened to your mouth?”

She touched her split lip, a parting gift from Caleb. Her cheeks burned. “Don’t change the subject,” she snapped irately. “What the hell were you thinking, Kolter?”

“I’m really sorry. I wasn’t trying to be shady. I…I just thought it would be nice to have dinner with you, just the two of us.” He gulped. “I really like you.”

“Then why not just ask me out like a normal adult?”

“Would you have accepted?”