This guy was sitting with our family?
Since when?
The man placed his hand at the small of my back. I hated it. I hated the possessive nature behind it and the way his eyes blazed when he looked at me as we made our way across the room. I didn’t belong to him. I was capable of finding our table on my own.
Servers urged the guests to their tables. Mom took a seat in the center of the rectangle table, leaving the seat beside her open for my dad. Khalid pulled out a chair next to my father’s and took his seat. I eyed Lincoln, who sat on the other side of Mom and shrugged, then placed his napkin in his lap. Claire sat next to Lincoln, leaving the only available seat beside Khalid.
Great.
My father walked back into the room, running his palms down the front of his tuxedo, smoothing the fabric and smiling as if everything was as it should be.
The music from the band slowly tempered down until the room was nearly silent.
Dad took his seat next to my mother after leaning down to kiss her on the cheek.
I unfolded my napkin and placed it in my lap. Khalid glanced at me from the corner of his eye, then rested his hand on my thigh. The room was warm, but I was chilled to the core. Anticipation and fear swirled around in a relentless chase until my stomach coiled and twisted, and my appetite was gone.
I wanted to slap his hand away, but I knew better than to make a scene, so I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and found something else—anything else—to focus on. This day was seven years in the making. My father had been waiting for this, working for this, for as long as I could remember.
The servers rolled out carts with covered dishes on each tier and waited at the back of the room.
Dad cleared his throat and stood. The room grew quiet.
My heart pounded against my ribs, and I forced myself to breathe.
Just make the announcement, so I can run to the bathroom and hide. Please.
I swallowed.
Khalid flexed his fingers against my thigh.
Hurry.
Dad addressed the guests. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your coming out tonight.”
Applause.
Dad reached for his champagne and held it close to his chest. “It seems we have a lot to celebrate this evening. First of all, my daughter, Tatum, and her remarkable ballet.” He looked over at me, and I returned his smile.
More applause.
“I’ve been blessed to have such a beautiful and talented family. Now, I know as much as you are all here to celebrate my family, you’re also gathered for a long-awaited announcement.” He paused and swallowed hard. Something foreign flashed across his face, but I couldn’t name it. “But I have something else I’d like to announce first...”
Khalid lifted his chin, and my chest tightened.
The double doors burst open, and Caspian barged into the room. Two security guards followed closely behind him.
What the hell?
My heart raced and thrummed like it was trying to claw its way out of my chest.
Khalid dug his fingers into my flesh, making me flinch.
My father white-knuckled his champagne glass so hard I worried it might bust in his hand.
Caspian blew out a breath and grinned. His eyes locked with mine. “Sorry, I’m late sweetheart.” He cut a glance to the men in black. “Traffic.”
My father, never one to make a scene, quickly recovered. “Mr. Donahue, so glad you could make it.”
Caspian wove through the sea of tables, stealing the attention of everyone as he made his way across the room. Power incarnate. “I wouldn’t miss it.” He walked around the back of the table, stopping behind my chair. He looked over at my father and gave him a wicked grin. “I hate to interrupt your announcement, but all things considered, I’d really like to be the one to tell them if you don’t mind.”
Tell them what?I thought at the same time my father spoke.
“Tell them what?”
Caspian settled his hands on top of my shoulders. “That I’m going to marry your daughter.”