Enticing Their Mate (Pack Wars #6)(50)

Riley stepped next to her. “One of the new guards was talking about the nice restaurant on this island.” He took her hand and led her over to the boat.

She couldn’t picture a Colter going to a classy restaurant like this. The men she’d run into all seemed like Neanderthals. Then again, Statler prided himself on being sophisticated.

While the sun was only now setting, she could make out some lights behind the trees and pointed to the west side of the island. “Is that the restaurant?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

The ferryman motioned they climb aboard then collected their fares.

“Is there anything else on the island?”

“No, just the restaurant,” Jay said.

The trip across the lake was lovely, and the clear sky gave her hope they would have a starred-filled evening. Once they disembarked, with a man on either side of her, they headed inside. To her delight, Jay had made reservations, which meant they didn’t have to wait.

The dress code appeared casual despite the grand nature of the rustic building. Three fireplaces were blazing and the flickering lights from the flames bounced off the high-beamed ceiling.

“It’s amazing,” she said trying to take in the decor.

“I agree,” Jay said.

“This way, please.” The hostess guided them to the back of the restaurant where lit candles graced their booth that overlooked the other side of the island.


She slid in and let the men decide where they wanted to sit. Riley took the seat next to her and Jay sat across from her. Almost immediately their server approached and asked for their drink orders.

“We’ll have a bottle of your house red,” Jay said.

Sarah looked between both men. “Are we celebrating?”

Jay reached across the table and clasped her hand. “In a way. We’ve been feeling bad that we haven’t had a chance to court you.”

She chuckled. “Court me? Do people do that anymore?”

He leaned back in his seat, looking hot and sexy. “You know what I mean. I think we need to get to know each other better, and what better place than a romantic restaurant far from Mr. Statler?”

“Sounds good. If we’re here to learn about each other, how about we start with you?” Jay had given her snippets of Riley’s upbringing but hadn’t revealed anything about himself. “Tell me how you came to work for him.”

Jay looked off to the side, unfolded his napkin, and placed it on his lap. “Let me start by saying I didn’t have the best childhood.”

She didn’t know if he expected sympathy or wanted her to be a sounding board. Regardless, his harsh tone pained her. “I’m sorry.”

He nodded. “My dad was a prick and a criminal.”

She’d never heard such bitterness from Jay before. “What did your dad do?” She prayed he hadn’t killed anyone. Growing up as a murderer’s son would have been terribly traumatic.

“He cheated a lot of people by running a Ponzi scheme. Eventually, he was caught and tossed in jail. I felt betrayed and became withdrawn, angry, and a bit combative.” He glanced at Riley. “Some might claim I haven’t change.”

Riley held up a hand. “I’m not saying a word.”

“What happened to your dad?”

“He’s still rotting in jail, thank God. Mom hired the best lawyer money could buy, but even he couldn’t do much for the crooked son of a bitch.”

“You don’t have any fond memories of him?” Perhaps that was too personal, but if they truly were interested in getting to know each other, they needed to share.

“I guess. When I was in seventh grade, my father took me on a hunting trip. It was at a time in my life when I was innocent and looked up to him. That weekend, he taught me how to shoot to rifle and how to take down a deer.”

She wasn’t a fan of the sport, but several of her friends’ husbands loved it. “I’m surprised your dad didn’t shift and teach you to take down the deer in your wolf form.”

“Actually, I wanted to, but Dad feared other hunters might shoot at us. If they had, it would have looked a bit odd if after a few minutes, we got up and ran off.”

“I see his point. Did you have fun learning to shoot?”

A small smile lifted his lips. “I did. The best part was when I killed one of those innocent creatures, but my dad failed to land one. I think I actually earned some of his respect that day.”

She wondered if he’d joined the Bureau to make his dad proud. She sank back against her seat. “I can’t imagine growing up without a father or having one who was absent.” The moment the words left her mouth, she realized that was exactly how Riley had grown up. She looked over at him and clasped his hand. “I’m sorry for what you had to go through. Is that why you two became friends?”

He shook his head. “No. Jay and I met at the Bureau when we were assigned a case together.”

The waiter interrupted their intimate conversation to deliver their bottle of wine. After pouring three glasses, he nodded and left. Riley held up his glass. “To us.”

Her hand shook as she tapped her glass, but she didn’t add to the toast. In a perfect world, she’d date the men for a few more months and possibly ride off into the sunset with them. But that dark cloud of an uncertain future billowed over their heads and could change their lives forever. She adored both of them, but she wasn’t ready to say I do anytime soon. She couldn’t tell if the only reason they were with her was because of the incredible sex, their need to find a mate, or if they truly cared for her. The answer to that question would require time.