Her Shadows

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

JAYCE POV

These stupid dinners always bore me. I usually spend the entirety of the event focused on keeping my eyes open and what I'll be ordering for dessert.

Not this time.

There's no possible way I could fall asleep with this Goddess next to me, especially with the gallons of testosterone floating through the air.

Honestly, it's a choking hazard.

I can sense the tension pull taut the moment the man with the grey eyes takes a seat. The same guy that met my father weeks ago in his office.

Amelia gives the men a short greeting and handshake before engulfing herself in the menu. I might have actually believed it were their first-time meeting if it weren't for the younger man's stare.

Albeit begrudgingly, I must admit he is quite good looking but already I can tell he's an asshole who I wouldn't mind see fall in front of a bus. And no, not just because he won't stop staring at Amelia.

My thoughts are interrupted when the man with silver hair extends his hand to shake with mine. "Eugene" he says with a charming smile.

"Jayce, nice to meet you."

Eugene gives my hand one last squeeze before letting go and the other man, Aaron I discover, does the same, but not before squeezing so tight I swear I hear my bones crack. I try to mask my wince with a smile, but I fear I do not succeed as Aaron sits with an infuriatingly cocky sneer.

My father and Eugene quickly immerse themselves in business talk. With staged proudness, my father brags about me and my future as his heir to the company – a company I'll note, I barely know anything about.

"I intend to use the upcoming event to... introduce Jayce to how the business is run."

Eugene seems intrigued by this, "you're sure this particular event, with its importance and..." a look to me, "adverse guests is the best time to be showing a boy the ropes?"

"Well if he's to take on his rightful role, then what better way to show him than with the biggest function of the year?"

I interject, "you never asked me to go to a function." What I don't say is I have zero interest in having any involvement with any of this shit.

My father simply brushes off my comment as he does most things. Before a true argument can ensue, a waitress arrives with the drinks I have no memory of ordering. Amelia retrieves her glass of wine with a whispered "thank you" and takes a sip, appearing unconcerned by the tension at the table.

We all state our various food orders and the waitress leaves us to tense conversation once more. As Eugene and my father's conversation continues, I can feel that same cat and mouse game of Eugene's in action.

In fact, as negotiations about various shipping orders of unnamed goods and payment methods proceed, my father seems to grow more agitated whilst Eugene reclines in his seat with a predatory smirk. As though everything were exactly where he wished.

Aaron has yet to remove his focus from Amelia at my side with a revolting look of... possession? 

Huh I don't fucking think so buddy.

I shift my focus to Amelia, watching as she sits elegantly, taking periodic sips of wine, completely unbothered in the palpable hostility weaving itself around the table. Actually, the slight purse of her lips almost makes me believe she likes it.

I tune back into the conversation at my father's words, "Eugene, whilst I am glad to see you've brought some... representation of your services," a nod to Aaron, "I was under the impression your right hand would be joining us. Where is the lovely lady?"

Aaron's cocky smirk drops into envy. Is this lady his competition?"Oh Parker, I never flaunt my finest jewels in public, best to keep them hidden until they come of use."

I swear I feel Amelia lean in to listen.

My father quickly grows frustrated, a purple vein threatening to pop in his neck as he sneers, "I made specific requests. Do not begin to challenge me Eugene."

Eugene's face hardens, and I feel myself shrink back slightly at the pure murder in his eyes. It flickers not as a threat, but a warning. "And do not begin to underestimate me Parker," spitting his name, "I assure you that when I deem your special requests necessary, I will meet them. Until then, you deal with me, and the staff I decide to bring along. Understood?"

The vein pulses, and I truly consider the possibility of my father suffering a heart attack as he grits the next word through a closed jaw, "understood."

And just like that, the waitress appears with our meals and the tension dissipates just a tad.

My dad however, doesn't miss a beat and steers the conversation back to business.

"I do actually require your services earlier than expected. I have a competitor causing issues and would like him to be... handled before the big day. Done privately of course, and my involvement must remain completely off the books."

Wow the way dad talks about it, it's like he's planning an assassination or something. I let out a huff of laughter at the thought.

Curious, I ask, "what competitor dad?"

Apparently, a mistake to have spoken as Eugene's focus shifts to me once more and I feel it burn my skin like the sizzle of a cigarette bud. My mother pretends to be immersed in the bubbles of her champagne as my father tensely brushes my question off. Point taken, no more speaking.

Amelia pats my thigh and I almost faint, "excuse me, I just have to use the ladies' room."

She stands up, the emerald gown shifting like silk as she grabs her clutch and struts away.

I quickly jump up, hitting the table with my knee and causing a cry of shock from my mother.

"Yeah me too, I'll come with!"

Amelia looks at me questioningly and I stutter, "I mean the men's room, not the ladies' rooms um... you know what I mean."

My father does not appear impressed at my obvious lack of class and delves into a lecture about how I have the worst timing and zero table manners, but I tune him out as I walk toward Amelia and follow her to the restrooms.

I don't know what burns hotter, Eugene's calculating stare or Aaron's murderous glare.

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Tension is rising! Anyone else feeling the heat?

Also Jayce is so fricken cute

Let's see what happens at the bathroom ;)

Vote if you enjoyed this chapter!! Happy reading everyone!