“Patrena, I’d like to introduce you to Arlo, my son.”
I wasn’t sure how well I was hiding my shock at Tywin’s confirmation, but I reached out my hand to the little boy. He wiggled, sliding from his father’s arms before turning to me. His face was eye-level to my chest, and his big green-and-brown gaze swallowed me as he bowed slightly before taking my hand. Instead of shaking it, he kissed the back.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Patrena,” he greeted without releasing my hand. “Are you my dad’s girlfriend?”
I swallowed hard at that question. “It’s nice to meet you too, Arlo. Your dad and I are friends.”
The kid squinted suspiciously before lifting a brow swiftly. My eyes widened at the sight. He didn’t believe me for one second. Why did everyone in this house think that Tywin and I were more than what we actually were? Even the son I hadn’t known anything about until a minute ago was suspicious. The little gentleman still had a hold on my hand.
“You are pretty,” he complimented me with a wide smile but serious eyes for a kid.
“Son,” Tywin warned.
“Stating facts, Dad,” he replied without taking his cute little gaze off me.
“Thank you,” I replied, glancing back and forth between Tywin and his son.
There was no denying that he was the father based on looks alone. The kid had inherited every feature, the dirty-blond hair, the two different hazel eyes, and even his father’s confidence.
“Son,” Leelyn called, breaking up our stare-off and getting all of our attention. “Arlo and I will entertain Lady Patrena. I need you to work on finding out who would be bold enough to invade a place as public as the mall. And your cousin has a serious situation he’d like you to check on as well.”
The knowledge that his father was already aware of what was going on showed me that the men didn’t hide things from each other. There was also more in Leelyn Vallin’s statement than he was willing to say in front of his grandson. The hint of urgency in his tone wasn’t lost on me. There was a new update or an extra layer of danger involved that I didn’t know about yet. Was he aware that Tywin and I hardly knew each other? Did he know that I may be the enemy?
Tywin reached out, took my hand, and led me away from his father and son. The study was so expansive that it appeared to cover the whole wing we were on, and we had walked at least a room’s distance away.
“If we wait too long in attempting to figure out who targeted you, we can miss out on clues that may lead to answers,” he explained.
“I understand and appreciate your help. I’m fine with whatever you feel needs to be done. I don’t want to live in fear, knowing I’m not safe anywhere I go.”
He stood there staring down on me like he wanted to say more, but backed away and walked back to his father and son. He stooped to meet his son at eye level before the two started talking in low tones. The bright shine in Arlo’s eyes was a mirror of what I’d seen reflected in Tywin’s when he looked at his own father. Once they finished their conversation, Tywin cast us all a quick glance before stepping away.
“You know what happened today?” I asked Leelyn. Tywin had been with me the entire time, so I had no idea how he knew.
“Yes. Rhi circulated the information around to me, his cousins, and the team we trust to watch our backs. When something like this happens, involving any of us, it’s sort of like an internal BOLO goes out so that everyone is on alert.”
“You know Tywin and I are not…” I didn’t know what we were. We’d been together that one time and had half-heartedly vowed it would be the only time.
“All that matters is that you are in this house. You two haven’t given yourselves an official title, but I can assure you, you are the only woman he’s ever brought home. You’re the only one he has ever introduced me to and the only one who has met Arlo.”
“Oh,” was all I could think to say because the impact of Leelyn’s update had floored me. Arlo’s sharp-eyed gaze was bouncing back and forth between me and his grandfather, soaking in every word.
Leelyn swept his hand towards the door. “How about we give you a tour and later we can bother the cook for a bite to eat?”
My smile surfaced before it grew wide. “Sure. I’d like that.”
It was an hour later when we finally strolled back into the house. I believed I may have been introduced to every staff member on duty today, which by my count was twenty-eight. The Vallin family was truly helping to keep the unemployment rate down whether they knew it or not.
I had seen about every inch of the estate, being chauffeured around on a golf cart with Arlo and Leelyn as my astute tour guides. There was even a horse stable at least a quarter mile at the back of the property. The area was fenced off to give each of the five horses its own private paradise.
Dusk had started to settle, taking with it the last of the daylight. I was actually disappointed. I was enjoying learning about the history of the Vallin estate and how the family kept the tradition of having their family reunions here.
I certainly understood why. This house, along with the people, were one of the most welcoming places I had been. The wide open space of the land, the fresh, breezy air, and the captivating mountainous view in the distance were breathtaking. There were horses to pet and ride, a small lake to fish and canoe in, and indoor and outdoor pools. And there was enough staff to put the average resort to shame.
Once we were back in the house, I noticed Leelyn taking me in while his sleeping grandson sat snuggly tucked against his back. I lost the battle and a yawn escaped, causing me to place my hand over my mouth.
“Tired?” he inquired.
“A little,” I replied truthfully.