Page 38 of Daring to Love You (Priestly Family #3)
Chapter Thirty-One
H ours later, Lynix was sitting at his parents’ dining room table with his father, waiting for Dorian and his mother to return with dessert and coffee. His mind drifted back to the scene at Dorian’s apartment, and he couldn’t help thinking about how bad it could’ve turned out.
To say he’d been shocked to see Shauna, and drunk at that, would be an understatement.
Also seeing her reminded him that he hadn’t told Dorian about the call he’d made.
Though he didn’t know the results of what happened after talking to the CEO about Shauna and Rodney, he still had planned to tell Dorian what he’d done.
He was glad it had all worked out, and he’d make sure Dorian didn’t have any more trouble out of her former boss or that ex-boyfriend.
Lynix stood and strolled over to the mini bar near the floor to ceiling windows for a bottle of water. “Do you want anything, Dad?” His father had been nursing a glass of whiskey through dinner.
“No, I’m good. Thanks, Son.”
Surprisingly, dinner had gone well with conversation flowing easily. Though Dorian and his mother carried much of the conversation, Lynix and his father chimed in periodically. They were getting along for a change. Granted, they hadn’t said much to each other, but at least they weren’t arguing.
“Dorian seems like a nice young lady, and your mother really likes her,” his father said, surprising Lynix even more.
“Thank you. She’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and…”
He almost added he was going to marry her, but that might be a sure way of starting a fight, something he didn’t want to do.
His mother had warned them both that she wanted a nice, uneventful dinner while she got to know Dorian.
So far, they’d done well in giving her what she asked for, and Lynix was happy because Dorian seemed to be enjoying herself.
“And her family is great,” Lynix added. “I think you’ve met Zion before, right? He’s the one who got married here on the property months ago.”
His father nodded. “Of course, I remember him. He attended a few of our cookouts with you. Remember that time when he won the pie-eating contest?”
Lynix chuckled. “Yeah, that’s right. Then he got sick and spent most of his time here in the bathroom.”
His father laughed too. He had always been good at remembering faces. and names, which helped in the business world. Lynix shouldn’t have been surprised he remembered Zion.
“I’m glad Wes was able to talk you into joining him at WBM,” his father said, changing the subject.
This was the first time he’d brought up Lynix joining Wes’s team.
“I like the idea of my boys working together carrying on the family business. I don’t say it enough, but it means a lot to me. And if you don’t enjoy your new role, I’m sure your brothers can find another position for you in the company.”
That had to be one of the nicest things his father ever said to him. This was also the longest they’d gone without arguing since Lynix could remember.
“Thanks, Dad. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“So the hours are good for you?” his father asked.
“Yeah, they’re great. It gives me a chance to spend more time with Dorian.”
His father sipped his brandy as he leaned on the back of one of the dining room chairs. “Does that mean the two of you are getting serious?”
“Very,” Lynix said without hesitation. “She’s it for me, Dad. Dorian is like no other person I’ve met, and I like who I am with her. She grounds me. Makes me happier than I’ve ever been in my life. We fit together perfectly.”
“I don’t know, Son. Now that you’re working in the business world, who you have by your side could make or break a deal. I don’t think you should rule out Marisela.”
Anger stirred inside of Lynix, but he tried to keep his cool. “Dad, you need to get it through your head. There is no me and Marisela, and there never will be.”
“I get that maybe things didn’t work out back in college, but she’s all grown up now. She’s tough and bold, the type of woman who can hold her own and go to bat for you when needed. Dorian is sweet, but she’s too meek for our world.”
“You don’t even know me!” Dorian’s words cracked through the room like the wicked sound of a bull whip snapping through the air. She set a small tray of pastries on the table and looked like a beautiful, yet angry angel stalking toward his father.
Lynix wasn’t sure whether to intervene or let her have her say. But considering how furious she was, he chose the latter. It was time his father got to experience the other side of Dorian Priestly.
“From the moment you met me, you judged me, but based on what? My looks? The way I talk? The lack of diamonds on my fingers and wrists? No, you based it on the fact that you don’t know my people. That they don’t run in the same pretentious circles as you.
“Well, you know what, Mr. Mathews, I don’t care if you don’t like me or if you think I’m too weak to be with your son. You’re not the first person who’s underestimated me, and I’m sure you won’t be the last.
“But let me tell you something. No matter how you try to belittle me or make me feel less than, I’m not going anywhere.”
When her attention turned to Lynix, and she walked toward him, his heart practically exploded out of his chest with the love he felt for her.
She stopped next to him but looked across the room at his father again.
“I’m crazy in love with your son, and whether you like it or not, I’m here to stay.
Not only because he’s my heart, but also because he needs me.
He needs someone like me who will always be in his corner.
Who will always take care of him. Someone who will stand by him when jerks like you try to push the wrong type of woman on him.
You would rather him be with someone who almost destroyed his life in a horrifying—”
“Dorian,” Lynix said slowly, cautioning her not to say more about Marisela.
“Don’t worry, baby. That’s not my story to tell,” she said, cupping his face between her hands and looking him in the eyes. “But he needs to know, and you need to tell him, today.”
She kissed him hard on the mouth, turned for the door, but stopped when she saw his mother.
Lynix stood speechless. He didn’t know how much his mom had heard, but he hoped she wouldn’t insist on staying for the conversation he needed to have with his father. Because Dorian was right. His dad needed to know about Marisela, and hopefully after he did, he wouldn’t bring her name up again.
His father set down his glass and walked toward Lynix. Instead of anger or frustration in his eyes, he saw concern. “What happened, son? Who was she referring to?”
Lynix glanced at the entrance to the dining room. He wasn’t sure what Dorian had said to his mother, but they were gone. When he looked back at his father, he swallowed hard.
“She’s talking about Marisela. There’s something you need to know, Dad. Marisela drugged me.”