Promises After Dark (After Dark #3) (8 page)

They reached a small room and the woman stopped, using her arm to indicate they continue on without her. “Here you are. Your parents are already inside, sir. Enjoy your evening,” she said pleasantly.

“Thank you, Sandra.” Alex noticed the almost imperceptible lifting of Angel’s brows at his familiarity with the hostess, and his devilish grin spoke volumes. “We always came here for my mother’s birthday. It’s her favorite restaurant in Chicago,” he murmured in her ear. “Relax. They’re going to love you.”

Inside the small room, one table sat in the center, and a man rose from his seat next to a very elegant woman. The man was an older version of Alex, with graying at his temples and a few deeper lines to his face, but still breathtakingly handsome. His mother was elegant and beautiful, appearing much younger than her age. She had deep green eyes that matched her son’s.

“Mom, Dad, may I present, Dr. Angeline Hemming.”

His father reached for Angel’s hand and covered it warmly with his other one. “It’s very nice to meet you, my dear. I’m Charles Avery, and this is my wife, Cora.”

“Very nice to meet you.”

Alex pulled out the chair next to his mother for Angel, and once she was settled, took the one to her left.

“Perfect, son.” Charles’ eyes twinkled. “I have a very good view from here.”

“Don’t get any ideas, Dad,” Alex chided, amused. He winked at Angel.

Cora reached out and covered Angel’s hand with hers. “Don’t pay any attention to them, darling. I’ve been dying to meet you ever since Allison mentioned Alex was seeing someone.”

Angel smiled. “We’ve only been dating a short while.” She sat back as the waiter appeared and laid the linen napkin in her lap. “We’re not… um, it’s not—”

“Nonsense!” Cora scoffed. She leaned closer, happiness shining from her face. “This is a quite a big deal. My son hasn’t brought anyone to a family dinner since his senior year in high school. I was beginning to wonder if he’d ever find a nice girl and settle down. That last one…”

“Mother,” Alex warned gently. “No embarrassing childhood memories or unneeded rehashing. Angel is more than aware of my past aversion to close relationships.”

Alex’s father smiled at Angel and reached for the wine list, his expression telling her this topic was not one Alex embraced.

Angel couldn’t help a short laugh as she glanced from Alex to both of his parents. “Yes, thank goodness. If it weren’t for that, I doubt we would have met.”

Alex’s eyes met hers and held. “Yes, we would have. At the concert. Allison would have still been after you for that.”

“Mmm… probably.” Maybe it wasn’t Whitney’s phone call but the inevitability of fate that brought the two of them together after all. Alex’s look said she shouldn’t doubt it.

“So it was fate!” Cora remarked happily.

“You’re quite an accomplished musician and singer, Dr. Hemming,” Charles remarked. “The crowd that night loved you.”

“Call me Angel, please, and thank you.”

“Alex is also quite talented.”

Angel nodded, her gaze sliding in her lover’s direction, a smile gently tugging at her lips. She gave Charles her full attention before she answered with a nod. “He is.”

The evening progressed with questions about how they met, Angel’s family, and her work, and most of the time, Alex’s hand was on her leg or rubbing her fingers. None of it went unnoticed by his parents.

Alex felt Angel’s discomfort just once, when discussing the way her mother left her father when she was only a baby, and felt unease of his own when the details of her work came up. It was still a sore subject with him, and Angel’s exuberance as she told them what she could only solidified how much she loved it. She explained how she worked to profile sex offenders and other criminals, her role with the district attorney’s office, and vaguely explained portions of her cases that wouldn’t reveal too much. Alex’s parents seemed enthralled with her.

His father ordered wine, and the wait staff delivered everything without disrupting the conversation once. The food was delicious, the company engaging, and the evening flew by. During one particularly in-depth discussion about his mother’s involvement in the American Cancer Society’s upcoming fundraiser the coming February, Charles nudged his son.

His lips thinned in a smile, and he nodded. “She’s a keeper. Don’t fuck it up, or I’ll kick your ass.”

Alex laughed softly and leaned closer to his father. “I don’t plan on it. I’m buying a ring this week.”

“What?”
Charles Avery was beyond stunned. “I had no idea you were that serious so quickly.”

Alex huffed under his breath and smiled. “Aren’t you listening? And you see her, right?” His green eyes slid from his father to the woman he was speaking about. “It’s not like it was a decision I made. Obviously, that’s never been my M.O. It just happened.”

Charles’ hand came down on his son’s shoulder. He had been concerned Alex would never find anyone to spend his life with but knew it would take someone special to shift his focus. He’d given up so much when he dropped out of Juilliard to take the helm at Avery, and Charles was happy to see his son find fulfillment, both in the business and, now, in his personal life. “Oh, yes. I definitely get it. I’m proud of you, son. You always do what needs to be done without complaint and without compromise. I expect that tenacity from you in marriage. It’s not always a bed of roses.”

Alex reached for his wine glass, still studying Angel as she talked with his mother. Both women seemed enthralled with the other, using their hands in animated ways and laughing together. “Believe me; we fight like cats and dogs. But, funny thing is, it’s a huge turn on. It doesn’t last long, and making up is reaaaaalllly good,” he joked.

Charles laughed and Cora paused to look in the direction of her husband and son, briefly, but then waved a hand at them and turned back to Angel.

“Your mother obviously adores her.”

“I’m glad. Maybe now, she won’t be shoving her friends’ insipid daughters down my throat constantly. I’ll be glad to see an end to the nagging.”

“They’re not all
insipid
, but she obviously approves of your choice. She’ll be over-the-moon, and I’m sure she’ll want to host a big engagement to-do with half of Chicago in attendance.” Alex inwardly cringed, his eyes never leaving Angel. The big parties wouldn’t be important to her. He felt certain she’d rather they donate the money to some cause. “When are you planning to propose? Have you met her father?”

“Not yet. But, I definitely will. I want to start off on the right foot with him. She’s been his whole world for years, and I can’t just waltz in there and announce she’s mine. I’d like to get to know him and ask his permission.”

An expression of quiet satisfaction settled on Charles’ face. “I’d expect nothing less from you. From either of my sons.”

“Huh!” he huffed. “Cole is getting better, but I’m not sure he’s quite
there
, yet.”

“He’s doing well at Avery. When do you plan to have him take over security? Are you sure he’s ready?”

“It’s a huge undertaking, but he’s surprised me. I’m not quite ready for him to switch over, but not because he isn’t up to it. He needs to get licensed, which requires a lot more work experience. Besides, I still need him where he is. That cocksucker, Mark Swanson, is still on the loose. I’m not satisfied Angel is completely safe yet.”

“It’s been a few weeks, and you did bankrupt him.”

“Yes.” Alex’s chest expanded in a deep sigh as the conversation turned serious. “But he still managed to make bail, so someone is funding him. Not enough to save his company, but enough to put his slimy ass out on the street.”

“I’m sure it will be okay, son. He has fewer resources than before, so maybe he’ll let it be.”

“I hope so.”

“When is the trial?”

“It’s set to start in two months. I don’t know why the fuck they wait so long. It’s not like it’s disputed. All of us are testifying.”

“What does the district attorney say?”

“That the defense will stall as long as possible, even though they have no case.
Because
they are scrambling to come up with something.”

“Well, it will come to an end eventually, and I’m sure your mother and Allison would love to help Angel plan the wedding.”

“
If
she agrees.”

Charles was incredulous. “What? You think she might refuse?”

“She loves me. But, marriage might take a little persuasion,” he said softly, making sure the women weren’t privy to the content of his conversation with his father.

His father smirked and waved the waiter over. “Well, that’s good. It’s about time you moved on from beautiful dingbats who just wanted your money. You’ve never been weak on the persuasion front.”

Alex laughed, and both women looked their direction, just as the waiter approached.

“Yes, sir?”

“We’d like to see the dessert tray. Should we order aperitifs or coffee?” he asked the women.

“Oh, nothing for me, thank you. Unfortunately, I have to get to the station in about an hour,” Angel said.

“Yes, unfortunately,” Alex grumbled.

The server waited patiently for a response. “Um, coffee all around, please, Nathan. And, the check.”

“I wish I could continue the evening longer, but I’m afraid I even have to skip the coffee. I’m so sorry.”

Alex removed the napkin from his lap and set it beside his plate. He knew better than to fight his father for the check, so he made a move to rise and help Angel out of her seat, but her hand covered his to stop him.

“Why don’t you stay with your parents? I’ve monopolized your mother all evening, and I’m sure she’d like some time with you. I can get a cab.”

She smiled at Alex and he smiled back. “No.” It was one word that held a wealth of meaning.

It was late evening in Chicago and Swanson was out there somewhere. Cole and Bancroft’s gang had been given the night off, and Alex couldn’t help but be slightly annoyed she’d even suggest such a thing.

“But—”

“But, nothing. I’m taking you. Mom, Dad, please stay and enjoy dessert.”

Both men stood with Angel, and Cora reached for her hand. “It’s been so nice to meet you. Alexander, bring this young woman to brunch on Sunday,” she commanded gently. “We aren’t finished visiting. I’m so looking forward to planning some events with you, and I know Allison adores you, too.”

Angel’s smile was brilliant, and her cheeks held a faint pink blush that was a striking combination with the frame of her dark hair and alabaster skin. “It was so wonderful meeting you both.” Still holding Cora’s hand, she turned to Charles. “I’m so sorry we didn’t have much time to talk.” She had enjoyed the evening immensely, and her anxious worry dissipated mere minutes after meeting them; maybe even seconds.

Cora seemed the perfect, doting mother, one like Angel had never had. Despite protests from Alex, she’d spent half of the evening regaling her with tales of him as a young boy; sitting on his grandfather’s knee the first time he plunked on the piano before his third birthday, and how he’d been able to play almost anything by ear after only a couple years of lessons.
“Of course, his interpretations of the songs got better as he grew up, but Charles and I were so amazed at his natural talent.”

Alex’s face softened, and he’d tolerated the conversation when Cora told how he’d been accepted to Juilliard, and his grandfather had the rare piano made just for him. Angel had seen how lovingly his fingers caressed the ivory keys the night they’d made their plan to catch Mark Swanson. It was obvious how much it meant to him, and Angel’s heart sank a little at the thought he’d given up that dream, given how gifted he was.

It was also obvious how proud both of his parents were of him, she thought as they moved toward the foyer of the restaurant, Alex’s fingers threading through her own as they walked side by side. Cole had said it; Alex never failed, but he worked his ass off in everything he did. Angel admired him even more after an evening spent with his parents. She glanced up at him lovingly and bit her lip when his gaze slid to meet hers.

“What are you thinking?”

“Just about how gushy you make me.”

A sly smile curved Alex’s mouth, and he glanced at his Rolex. “I happen to like you all gushy.”

A small giggle escaped Angel as they reached the coat checkroom, and Alex dug out his money clip and peeled a hundred from it, handing it to the woman inside. Her eyes got wide at the generosity as she peered at the couple through the opening of the pass-through to the room.

“Do you have your claim check, sir?”

Angel doubted the woman even noticed she existed, standing next to him, or that his arm was possessively around her waist. The girl stared at Alex adoringly, leaning forward through the opening toward him, and Angel huffed in amusement.
Fucking magnet
, she thought and almost rolled her eyes.
Hi, Moth. Meet Flame. You’ll be toast in two seconds.
It took effort to smile sweetly and not glare at her.

“I’d like it very much if you’d allow me to find the lady’s shawl myself and for you to make yourself scarce for, say, about twenty minutes?”

Angel leaned into Alex’s arm, his hand again firmly wrapped around hers. The coat check girl gasped but quickly regained herself.

“Um, well, sir, we will have other—”

“Oh, come on,” he coaxed, glancing down at her nameplate, “Sally.” Alex let go of Angel’s waist to unfurl another bill and pushed them both into Sally’s hand. His voice took on that tone; the smooth-as-silk, yet demanding tone that exacted acquiescence without a word of protest. “Just take the money, let us in, and shut the door behind you. And don’t let anyone in.”

The girl’s cheeks flushed bright red, but she numbly took the money and opened the door, stepping back out of the way.

“Perfect” he practically purred, his voice like butter. Angel could visibly see the girl melt into a puddle as Alex’s hand returned to her lower back, guiding her past and into the small room lined with rows of racks, only half of them full. “Twenty minutes, Sally.”

Once the door was closed, Angel laughed softly. “I guess your dick is feeling better.”