Bittersweet Memories (Off-Limits #4)(45)

“Hey,” he says as he places his hand on my thigh. “Relax, okay? It’ll be fun tonight. The food will be good, and my family will love you.”

I nod, trying my best to control my breathing. I feel so out of place. I feel like a fraud, and at any second Ryan is going to realize that I don’t belong in his world, that he can’t introduce me to his family after all.

My heart starts to race when a large iron gate swings open to reveal an actual mansion. The house makes me feel the same way this car does. Inadequate. Out of place.

I’m only barely keeping myself from shaking by the time we reach the front door and I glance at Ryan for support, but his attention isn’t on me. He’s staring up at the house with an expression I’ve never seen before… almost like a mixture of longing and contempt.

I follow him through the house, my heels clicking loudly on the marble floors. Somehow that just adds to my embarrassment, even though I can’t help it.

“Mother,” Ryan says as he walks into what appears to be the dining room. “I didn’t realize you were here already.”

I take in the long table and the woman sitting at the head of it. She stands to kiss Ryan on the cheek before turning to me.

“Alanna, right?”

I nod as I walk up to her, hesitating. I’m not sure how to greet her, but thankfully she takes the decision out of my hands by wrapping me in a brief, firm hug.

“I’m Mona,” she tells me. “It’s great to finally formally meet the woman that has my little boy so smitten. Ryan hasn’t shut up about you since that day at the beach.”

I smile and breathe a sigh of relief. “It’s lovely to officially meet you too.” She’s nice. It seems like I was worried about nothing. Maybe tonight won’t be so bad after all.

Mona’s eyes widen, an excited glint in her gaze. “Oh, Silas! There you are, darling.”

I tense. Silas Sinclair. Ryan’s older brother and the CEO of the country’s largest security firm. The same firm I just applied for a job at. He’s a man shrouded in secrecy, allegedly one of the most dangerous people in the city. I’m nervous as I turn around to greet him.

My heart skips a beat when I look into his emerald green eyes, the same eyes I haven’t stopped thinking about since earlier today.

“Simon?” I whisper.





Chapter Twenty-Nine





Alanna



He smiles at me and offers me his hand. I’m trembling as I place my hand in his, our earlier encounter still fresh in my mind.

“Silas,” he says, correcting me. “You must be Alanna. I’ve heard so much about you.”

I stare at him in disbelief. Just today, he told me his name was Simon. Did he do that on purpose? Was he watching me because I’m dating his brother?

My cheeks fill with shame once more. To think I actually believed he was hitting on me, when all he was doing was looking out for his brother. Was he provoking me to see if I’d betray Ryan?

He shakes my hand, a polite smile on his face. I can’t tell what’s going on. Why is he pretending not to know me? I’m not sure if I’m supposed to play along or not. Is this a test?

Before I can make up my mind, he lets go of my hand and walks toward the dining table, a frown on his face.

“That’s not my seat,” he tells one of the uniformed maids in the corner. She looks up at him with wide eyes and nods before rushing forward to rearrange the table setting, placing him at the head of the table instead of Mona.

Mona and Ryan both tense, and I can’t quite figure out what’s going on. I expected to feel out of place, but this… this is different.

We’re all quiet as we take our seats, Silas at the head of the table with Ryan and me closest to him. The setup leaves Mona sitting a little isolated with no one opposite her. I guess Silas is more traditional than I expected.

I can’t help but think back to our conversation. The more I think about it, the more embarrassed I am. To think I threatened him… he’s Silas Sinclair. I can only hope he found it amusing and won’t hold it against me. Especially considering that I applied for a job at his company.

“So, Alanna,” he says. My eyes snap up to his, and I pray my nerves aren’t as obvious as I think they are. “How did you and my brother meet?”

“I… I…” I stammer, my mind suddenly blank. I’m beyond nervous and a little scared that he’ll bring up our conversation today. I’m mortified and terrified I’ll just make things worse.

Ryan wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer. Silas’s eyes drop to Ryan’s hand, his gaze chilling. “We met at the beach,” Ryan says. “Mom and I volunteered to gather plastic, and there she was. I’m not sure what I did to deserve Alanna, but I’m grateful she gave me a chance that day.”

Silas looks up at Mona, who is smiling back at him. “I see,” he says, his gaze unreadable. “So tell me about you,” he says, turning back to me. “I’m curious about the girl that tamed my wild little brother. What do you study? What are your plans for the future? I assume you have plans… or were you planning on letting my brother provide for you?”

I freeze, deeply insulted… but there’s pain there too. His words hurt, and I can’t even pinpoint why. I should be used to this by now, after all.