I might have overshot on my vow to take risks when it came to Jaxxon. The lights in the restaurant were dimmed for dinner, and I practically walked into a seated person every other step. I fanned my face with my clutch, hoping the floor would extend like in one of those dreams where the hallway grows and grows and you never get where you were expected to be. He intertwined his fingers with mine, which helped to calm me. A little.

Glancing up at him, I forced a smile. “Sorry, my hands are sweating.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let them eat you.”

I stopped suddenly, jerking him to a halt.

“Kidding.” He walked ahead of me to a table near the back of the main dining area.

One gorgeous blonde woman and a striking brunette sat with a distinguished looking older gentleman, whose eyes were locked on us.

Oh, dear God, let me get through this. Please. I promise to never cuss in the car again.

As we approached the table, the man stood up and approached us. He wasn’t quite as tall as Jaxxon, maybe six foot four, but he had the same kind, hazel eyes and one of the warmest smiles I’d ever seen.

Jaxxon’s tug on my hand made me realize I’d stopped walking. There was something about the man that . . . soothed me. Just like his son.

He met us in front of the table, extended a hand, and I didn’t hesitate putting mine in his. Calm. Safe. My stomach instantly settled as he closed his other hand over mine. “This is a lovely surprise. I’m Max, Jaxxon’s father.”

For some godforsaken reason, I couldn’t stop smiling and wanted to hug the man. On principle, I was not a hugger, especially with gigantic strangers. So when he pulled me into a warm hug and I hugged him back, it left no question as to where Jaxx got his demeanor.

When Max pulled away, but still held my hands, I introduced myself, “Valentina, Max. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Shit! Toni. Damn Jaxxon! Even I’d been brainwashed. Bridgette would know me as Toni.

“Valentina,” Max repeated. “A beautiful and unique name.” He stepped to the side and offered me a seat next to the brunette who was staring at me like I’d sprouted another head. In fact, all of them, including Jaxxon, wore the exact same expression. Perfect. What? Was my green gum stuck to my teeth or something?

“Valentina, this gorgeous creature is my oldest daughter, Bridgette, and that lovely little blonde by me is my younger daughter, Elizabeth—Elle.”

“Bridgette goes by Bridge,” Jaxx said, taking the seat on the other side of me and scooting my chair closer to his.

Both women stood and we all shook hands before taking our seats. “Ladies, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard lovely things about both of you and your families.”

Bridge lifted an eyebrow at Jaxxon. “I’m sure you have. He didn’t tell you that we both shapeshift into girlfriend-slaying demons? I’m shocked.”

“He left that out.” I laughed. I immediately liked Bridgette, which was a comfort, given the covert plans I had for her future. I scooted my chair in and placed the napkin on my lap.

“Is it Toni or Valentina?” Elle asked. “Which do you prefer?”

I cleared my dry throat and Jaxx slid a glass of water in front of me. “Everyone with the exception of your brother and my family call me Toni, but either is fine. Whatever you’re comfortable with. So, I hear you both read romance?”

Jaxxon and Max would just have to deal with a little romance talk until I calmed down.

We ordered, and the next twenty minutes passed quick. I found I enjoyed talking to the both of them. Bridgette was an English professor at the local Cal State, and Elle had just acquired a position at the local UC teaching comparative literature. Mom would love them both. The best part—all three of us had been reading romance novels since our early teens.

“My mom is an ancient civ professor. She’s retired, but I grew up reading any romance novel I could get my hands on. You can imagine her horror when I started editing what she refers to as ‘bodice rippers.’ You know the bias.” I picked at my dinner salad the waiter had delivered.

“Bunch of uppity academics, if you ask me, no offense to your mom,” Elle chimed in and waved between her and Bridge. “It’s our outlet, especially Bridge. She dragged me into it young, but then I got hooked and our mom freaked, claiming we were too young.”

I nodded, noting another thing we had in common. “Me too. I had to hide them from my mother for years, and bless her heart, she does qualify as an uppity academic. Freshman year in high school, I finally came clean.”

The waitress checked in on us, and I realized that we’d just pretty much excluded Jaxxon and his father from the conversation. When I glanced at them both, Jaxxon wore a little smirk and his father was full-on smiling at all of us.

“I apologize. It’s not often I get to talk to people outside of the publishing world who are serious readers and speak my language. Forgive me.”

Bridge waved me off. “Dad’s good. He’s used to us.”

Max leaned forward, addressing me directly, “Not at all. It seems you’ve accomplished quite a lot, Valentina.”

I met his gaze and softened toward him. “I’ve tried to, thank you for saying that.”

Jaxx glanced at his father and then at his sisters, who all turned to stare at Max.

“So your mother’s a professor too?” Max asked, nudging Jaxxon’s arm. “Can you imagine that dinner table?”

Jaxxon wrapped an arm around the back of my chair and sat back. “I’m not sure I’d want to, after the past half hour.”

Elle rolled her eyes. “Don’t be an ass.” She turned to me and winked. “He may not read romance, but we taught him well. He knows his literature. Don’t buy in to whole alpha façade.”

I laughed and turned to look at Jaxx. “Really? Read a little Shakespeare, or maybe some Poe on the side, do you?”

He nodded with a little smirk. “Yeah, in all my spare fuckin’ time.”

Bridge grabbed my hand and nodded to Jaxx. “He can recite King Lear’s soliloquy, Act III, scene II on the heath,” she announced proudly.

Jaxx dropped his head back and grunted. “Ahh, Bridgette. No you fuckin’ didn’t.”

My face hurt from smiling so hard. “No you cannot.”

He sat back up. “Freshman year in college. English survey course. These two drilled it into me, and no, I’m not doing it, so drop that shit right now. Seriously.”

“We’ll see,” I said as the waitress and a waiter came with our food. “Lear’s my favorite. That soliloquy in particular.” I raised an eyebrow at him. Oh, I’d get that out of him one way or another.

As dinner arrived, Bridge poured me more water and Elle leaned over to me. “So, did you grow up here? We married into California.” She motioned between herself and Bridgette.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jaxxon sit up straighter. I thanked Bridge and took a long drink of water before answering, “I didn’t. I moved to California when I was fifteen.” I turned over my shoulder to thank the waiter as he placed my plate in front of me.

Once in a while, depending on what I was wearing, the scars on my forearms itched. Of course, of all the times, it had to kick in now. I dropped my arms under the table and dug into my left arm, scratching hard enough that it stung.

Max’s eyes never left me. Every time I glanced at him, he was smiling at me in the warmest, most reassuring way. “I bet your parents are very proud. An editor and Jaxxon says you hold a few black belts as well as teach children on weekends? Impressive. You’re a busy woman, but it’s time well-spent, especially with the kids.”

The man had just met me. I’d spent most of the time at this table talking to his daughters, basically ignoring him and Jaxx. I found his compliment lovely. He reminded me of my dad and was just like Jaxxon, observant and aware of everything going on around us. It was in that moment I realized why I was so calm and actually enjoying myself. I felt safe. For once, in public, I didn’t have to watch everyone and everything going on around me.

“Thank you,” I said softly to Max.

“She’s got the Krav Maga black belt test coming. As soon as her knee fully heals,” Jaxxon added, giving me a reprimanding look which I blew off. “What? Like I’m not right?”

I put a hand on his. “I’m healed. You’re in the gym with me every morning. You’re saying I’m not ready?”

He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “Didn’t say you’re not ready. I said fully healed, and with the way you push it in the weight room, I think the extra time’s a good thing.”

“Why did you choose self-defense? An outlet from all the work?” Elle asked.

My arms wouldn’t quit. I switched to scratching my right arm before Jaxxon put a hand on mine. “Baby, do you have allergies?”

I forced a smile. “I think it’s the material of the dress, maybe.”

He bent toward me, squeezing my hand. “Easy. You’re gonna bleed.”

I met Elle’s curious gaze. “I’ve been into self-defense for a while now. I don’t have children, and I believe every child should have some knowledge of how to protect themselves, so I chose to teach self-defense on weekends. “Best part, it keeps my mom off my back. She obviously wanted me to teach in academia. She thought teaching would be good for me . . . But it wasn’t my thing—I’m better working alone. She was a little put off, at first, but then when I started training kids to defend themselves, I got a pass.” Only because she believed in the cause, due to what I’d been through. I cleared my throat and tacked on a smile. “So now, everyone’s happy.”

“A much-needed way to give back,” Max said, taking a bite of his steak and moaning in a way that had the whole table laughing. “I swear, Rothchild’s makes the best steak in the world.”

Bridgette waved her fork at her father. “He’d know. He’s a horrible carnivore. We try to get him to eat better, but he refuses.”

“It’s the simple pleasures in life, ladies. You could learn something from me. You women worry about your figures so damn much that you deny yourselves the good stuff. Gotta splurge once in a while. Men don’t like rails in their beds. Need something to hold on to.”

“Nice, Dad.” Elle rolled her eyes. “Give her some time to get used to us.” She turned to me. “So if you didn’t grow up here, where is your family from originally?”

My chicken lodged in my throat. There it was like a dilapidated sign in a horror movie—Washington. The itch spread to my hands and I dropped them under the table once again, scratching the shit out of them.

In seconds, Jaxxon’s hand covered mine again.

“I’m sorry, but can we go back to your job for a second, do you mind?” Bridgette asked, waving Elle off. “I have questions.”

Thank you, Bridgette!

“Of course. Ask away.” I smiled at her, hoping she didn’t see the relief, but when I glanced at Max, I’d swear he had. The look he gave me was both sympathetic and encouraging. While I didn’t want to really broach this subject, at least I might get a better idea of what Bridgette had in mind for her writing.

“I love the Heat line and the Paranormal line, but is Soaring Hawk ever going to get a little more racy?” Bridgette asked. “Your house is known for being hardline in regards to erotica.”

Maybe I could put her a little at ease, because there was no question I wanted her with us, now that I knew I’d have full control of the line, and Bridgette had talent.

Max laughed. “Is this something we’re gonna want to hear?”

“Dad,” Bridgette scoffed, “I’m almost forty, and married with three kids. How do you think I got said kids? Deal with it. Valentina?”

Max belly-laughed and motioned between his daughters before looking at me. “See, see what we deal with, honey?” He nodded between him and Jaxx. “Feisty, feisty women.”

Jaxx scoffed and put an arm around my chair. “This one’s no better.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you complaining?” I asked, leaning into him.

“Nope.”

“Just thought I’d check.” I smiled, wiped my mouth with my napkin and turned back to Bridgette. “I’m sorry, Bridgette, yes. Yes, we are. We’re adding a dark romance line in the fall. I’ve got authors we’re already courting and the queries coming in are amazing. If you’re looking for an edgier read, we’ll have it come fall.”

“Thank Christ,” she said, turning an endearing shade of pink and covertly glancing at Jaxxon. “I’m honestly partial to your house, and particularly your authors, but with the indie erotica lines flooding the market and the top houses not carrying the darker authors, some of the current stuff the traditional publishers are putting out is just blah—no balls. So we go outside the houses to find the good stuff.” She glanced at her dad. “Sorry, but it’s true.”

“She’s not wrong,” I agreed. “I mean to change that come fall.”

“Valentina created that line and pitched the shit out of it,” Jaxxon said. “She was brilliant.”

“Jaxxon,” I warned. I was trying to stealthily work here, and he was making me nervous.

“What?” He turned to his sisters. “They picked it within the same week. She presents it at some big-ass conference in New York in June.”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal. My editor-in-chief is pretty persistent and I was lucky to have her support on this. I’m sure she’s responsible for the induction.”

“Please,” Bridgette said. “I’ve been reading Soaring Hawk authors for decades, and I’ve read up on the house a little lately—you know, just to see if you guys are taking on any of the edgier authors I read.” She took a sip of her wine and chanced a look at Jaxxon. “If you sold them on a new hotter line, I think you’re too humble.”

“Nothing wrong with being humble,” Max said. “What you do is important. Not just the editing, but the martial arts training too.”

Our eyes met across the table. He got it. I loved editing and finding new authors, but I got the most out of teaching my kids, even as little as I did. Knowing I was helping them be more prepared, hopefully making them aware of the monsters out there was the most rewarding to me.

We talked more over dessert and Jaxxon took care of the bill, which had to have been huge. I hadn’t been out in so long I’d forgotten it could actually be enjoyable, but then again, for me, it depended on the people. His family was fantastic.

At the front of the restaurant, I received hugs from both Bridgette and Elle, and I thanked them for joining us. They’d been warm and welcoming and I hadn’t expected them to be.

They both went to the bathroom before the drive home, leaving me with just Jaxxon and Max.

When I turned to Jaxx’s father, he wrapped me in a bear hug much like the kind I loved from Jaxxon, but more paternal. He pulled back, keeping his hands on my shoulders. “I’m sorry for the intrusion tonight, Valentina. If I had known you were coming, I wouldn’t have invited Jaxxon’s sisters. I know it’s difficult to meet new people when you’re not warned. That said, I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was to spend an evening with you.”

I fought the pressure behind my eyes, because he seemed to understand me on some strange level, and not a lot of people did. He was a very intuitive man, as was Jaxx. I shook my head and met his gaze. “Your family is beautiful.” I hugged him once again as his daughters came back to meet us. “Thank you,” I whispered up to him, not sure why I felt the need to do so.

He squeezed me once more before letting me go. “No, thank you, honey. Jaxx.” He looked up at his son, who was staring at both of us with that odd expression again. “I’ll see your sisters to their cars and meet you at home. Valentina, drive safe.”

“I will,” I promised, and waved to all three of them until they disappeared.

The extended silence finally caught my attention. Jaxxon was never this quiet. I turned around to see if he was still standing there. “What?” I asked, looking up at his confused face.

He laughed and shook his head before resting an arm around my shoulders and leading me to my car. “I feel like I just left the Twilight Zone. I’ve never seen my dad like that. My sisters, yeah, they never shut up, but even they shocked me tonight. What are you? The fucking Family Whisperer?”

I burst out laughing at the audacity of that statement. “Do you know how nervous I was?”

We got to my car and he leaned against it, pulling me between his legs. “Yeah, I do. But you were awesome.”

I sighed and rested my head against his chest. I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him tight, enjoying the feel of him surrounding me. “They’re lovely. You’re lucky, Jaxx. And your dad . . . I’d say he’s amazing, but that’s my word for you. I can see why you are the way you are now, though. He’s just you—or rather, you’re just him.”

He framed my face and tilted my head to his. “Shit, I hope not.” He laughed. “Nah, Dad’s cool. You okay?”

I smiled up at him. “I am. Thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything,” he said, giving me a tender kiss.

“You did.” I broke the kiss. “It was a little soon for me to meet all of them—and you made me comfortable.”

His hand slid down my hip over my ass. “I can make you more comfortable.”

I slapped his hand, but kissed him at the same time. “Your dad’s here, and he’s going to be waiting at home for you.”

“I think he’ll be okay for a few hours, baby. Pops isn’t stupid or a boy scout. He gets it.” Jaxxon leaned down and lifted me up so we were face to face.

I framed his cheeks and ran my tongue over the seam of his mouth. He opened and licked inside my mouth, tasting of chocolate cake and coffee. I almost moaned he tasted so good, but I pulled back. “Well, that’s humiliating—thanks for confirming your father knows what we do.”

“Babe.” He roared with laughter. “What do you think he thinks? He’s a fuckin’ man.”

I pushed my face into his neck and shook my head. “Please stop.” I leaned back to look at him and rested my hands on his shoulders. “I think you should spend time with your father. He’s only here for a few weeks.”

He set me down and kissed my forehead. “A few months and that’s a cock block, sugar.”

“Seriously?” I looked up at him, wide-eyed. “I’ll see you in the morning and tomorrow after work. One night won’t kill us.”

“Speak for yourself,” he grunted, taking my keys and opening the door for me. “It’s gonna kill me. Now get in, before I change my mind.”

I got in, started the car, and rolled down the window. He leaned in to kiss me goodbye. Before he pulled away, I grabbed his hand. “It’s gonna kill me too,” I whispered. “I miss you, and I see you at least a little almost every day.”

Reaching in my window, Jaxx fisted my hair and kissed me hard. Just when I turned to him, he pulled away and patted my door. “Miss me more. Text me when you get home.”

I stared at him as he walked away, but he turned. “Go, or the Rothchild’s parking lot will be christened as the first place you have sex in a car.”

“I’m going. I’m going!” I rolled up the window and waved goodbye to him as he climbed in his truck.

Tonight had been huge as far as I was concerned. Now I’d met his family, it was another boundary crossed. This was getting a little too . . . intense. We’d only recently talked about not rushing things between us. But the reality was Jaxxon was becoming the most real thing in my life and that in itself scared the shit out of me. He was a good man, with a supportive and lovely family.

Driving home, the sinister feeling that came every night slithered across my skin. What unknown revelation waited for me the second I fell asleep? A brutal reality check, kicking me right out of happy and straight into fear.