“Try mine,” he offers. “The steak here is fantastic.”
He cuts up a small piece of meat, offering it to me on his fork. I hesitate, unsure whether I should be doing something so intimate, especially in a public place like this. Dexter already told me he has eyes everywhere, and I sure as hell don’t want this getting back to him.
But something switches inside me, and I smile at Easton, leaning forward and taking the bite off his fork. I chew the food, loving the rock salt on my tongue and complimenting my lunch date on yet another great choice. I can feel everyone’s eyes on us as we get back to our meal.
“So,” I start nervously, knowing I have to get to the point. “I heard you know everyone. And everything.”
“Yeah?” He laughs. “Who thinks I’m so wise and capable?”
“My maid, Belle,” I mutter, waving my hand dismissively. “But that’s not what’s important, I… I was hoping you could help me find someone.”
“Who?” he asks, his brows shooting up curiously.
“My m
other,” I whisper.
Easton gives me a long, hard look before setting his cutlery on his plate. “You know about her…?”
“I know she’s not dead,” I hiss in response, shaking my head with a sigh. “Sorry, I just… still can’t believe he knew she wasn’t and fed me those lies this whole time.”
“He’s not the only one who knows,” Easton mutters. “There were a couple of us.”
“A couple?” I ask him.
“My father, Emilian Oakes, obviously – and Dexter’s father. I don’t know whether he ever told his son.”
“But why wouldn’t Dexter tell me the truth?” I demand.
“Have you ever seen him do anything that wasn’t directly for his benefit?” Easton asks, tapping his lips with a napkin. “Nah, Booth doesn’t care about any of that. All he wants is to get his way. Like he always did.”
My mouth purses and Easton appears to notice, regarding me with quiet curiosity as I pick at my meal. I seem to have lost my appetite.
“I could find her for you, you know,” he says, and my eyes glance up. “Your mother.”
“You’d be willing to do that?” I ask.
“If you do something for me,” he smirks at me.
Of course, I think to myself. What else was I expecting? He’s a Firstborn, after all. All they do is play fucking mind games.
“What do you want?” I ask him.
“A kiss.” He grins at me wickedly. “I want to see what all the fuss is about. Besides, it seems as if everyone else has had a taste already… why shouldn’t I? You won’t deny me the pleasure, will you, beautiful Pandora?”
I can feel myself blushing as I swallow thickly, staring at my half-empty plate.
“I’m waiting,” he tells me, giving me a lopsided grin. “I don’t have all day.”
“Fine,” I mutter, my heart beating into overdrive.
Fuck. What have I gotten myself into?
“Perfect,” Easton says, obviously satisfied with my answer. “I’ll get you as much information about your mother as I can this coming week. Are you done with your meal?”
I nod wordlessly, and he pushes the plate away, offering me his hand and showing me out of the room. Every person in that country club is staring at us, eyes firmly fixed on my hand in his.
I expect him to lead me out of the room, but he stops at the doors, kissing me in front of everybody in the country club.