Page 82 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 2

"Simon," I said, smiling.I glanced at the lady beside him."Hi, I'm Liana."

She stood too and smiled warmly, shaking my hand."Nice to meet you.I'm Zara."

"Lovely name."

Killian stood beside me, saying nothing, just nodding stiffly.His jaw was tight, his hand on my back pressing even firmer now, and I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.

Simon seemed to catch on and chuckled lightly."You look good, Liana.I'm glad to see you're doing well."

"You too.Really."

We said our quick goodbyes, and Killian practically guided me to our table like a bodyguard escorting a dignitary.

I sat down, trying to stifle my laugh."You okay?"

He didn't answer.

a waitress came by, and she wasn't a werewolf—I could tell because she didn't carry any scent.and the way she acted?Definitely not pack.

She didn't bow.She didn't even acknowledge me.Instead, she bent over so low, her cleavage almost spilled out of her uniform as she handed Killian his menu.Then she practically tossed mine on the table without looking at me.

I raised an eyebrow, already fuming.

Killian blinked, stared at her for a second, and then his eyes narrowed."Do you treat all your female customers like they're invisible?Or is it just when you're trying to fuck the guy they're with?"

The waitress stiffened, her eyes wide.

He pressed the service bell without breaking eye contact."Get me someone else.Now."

The head waiter came and quietly led the girl away, already scolding her as they left.I stared at Killian.

"That was intense," I said.

He looked at me."She disrespected you.I'm not tolerating that shit."

I tried to keep a straight face."You're mad?"

"No," I smiled."Honestly?I'd have been mad if you didn't do anything."

We both laughed a little.

another waitress came, more polite and less flirty, thankfully.She took our order, slow-cooked lamb chops, peppered steak, grilled chicken skewers, spicy meatballs, and a bottle of vintage red wine.

When she left, Killian just kept staring at me.

"What?"I asked, smiling and blushing under his gaze.

He leaned forward a little."You know this is our first real date alone, right?Like, actual date.No drama, no Ryan, no chaos.Just us."

I nodded slowly."Yeah...I guess it is."

He took my hand across the table."I'd have said, 'Tell me more about yourself,' but honestly, I already know everything I need to know about you."

I laughed."Well, I don't know much about you.Like...your dad.You've never really mentioned him."

Killian looked down for a second, then shrugged."Because he was a dick.Nothing much to talk about.He was a power-hungry, selfish dick who never gave a damn about anyone but himself."

"I'm sorry," I said softly.