Page 68 of Rival Darling

“You’re not just his niece,” Mia argued. “You’re like his adopted second daughter. He’d go to bat for you just as viciously as he would for me if he needed to.”

My cheeks flushed, and I slowly nodded. Mia didn’t know how much it meant to me to hear her say that. To know I had at least one parental figure in my corner. Especially when I’d barely heard from my mom other than a few texts in weeks. She had some big show she was preparing for, and apparently that took precedence over checking in on her daughter. It was hardly something new, but at least when we’d lived together, I’d see her briefly in the mornings and when she came home at night.

“I guess he hasn’t heard then,” I agreed. “Might be hard to stop him finding out when Reed comes to pick me up on Sunday.”

“What?” Mia gasped. “Where’s he taking you?”

“Uh, family dinner at his house.”

Mia’s eyes widened with surprise. “You’re having dinner with his family?”

I’d been a little unsure about my decision to accept Reed’s invite but also somewhat intrigued to meet his family and see what he was like in his natural habitat. But Mia’s reaction only increased my doubt.

“Apparently,” I replied. “Why? Do you think I should be worried?”

“You’re having dinner with the whole Darling family.” Mia snorted. “Venturing into the heart of the Devils’ lair. Oh no, I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about at all.”

I wished she could have been just slightly more convincing.

17

REED

I didn’t often get nervous. Especially not when meeting people. But, as I stood on Violet’s front doorstep on Sunday evening, I found my body betraying me. My stomach churned with anxiety, and my heart was beating loudly enough I feared it might give me away. This need to make a good first impression was an unfamiliar feeling, and I could already tell I was failing.

“Right on time,” Violet said, giving me a warm smile as she opened the door. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a fitted top that showed a flash of her stomach. Her hair fell in soft waves, vibrant against the light pallor of her skin. She was beautiful tonight. She was beautiful every time I saw her. It was difficult to appreciate though when her uncle had appeared in the corridor behind her like a dark and foreboding shadow.

My throat tightened at the sight of Luke’s fierce scowl. He certainly had the intimidating-parent glare down to a fine art. If he stalked around town looking at people that way, he easily could have passed for a Darling Devil. Unfortunately, it was probably my reputation as a Darling Devil that had caused the disapproving look in the first place.

“Un, hello, Mr. Sinclair,” I said, raising a hand to wave over Violet’s shoulder. She was standing right in the doorway, blocking my path, and it didn’t seem like she was going to invite me in. “I’m Reed,” I added. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Violet’s uncle took a few steps closer until he was standing just a few feet behind her. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me, and they scanned me up and down.

“I wish I could say the same about you.”

“Luke!” Violet hissed, glancing over her shoulder at him. “Don’t be so rude. I thought you said you were going trust me.”

“It’s him I don’t trust,” Luke grumbled in reply.

“That’s fair,” I said. “You don’t know me, but I promise to look after Violet this evening and be on my best behavior.”

My words did little to reassure him though. In fact, I think his expression had only grown darker. If that was possible.

“Uh, let’s just go,” Violet said. “Quick.” She was probably concerned if we stayed any longer Luke might go all Rapunzel on her and lock her away in a tower for the rest of her life. He turned his attention to me one last time as Violet went to leave. “You hurt so much as a single hair on her head, and I’ll go straight to your hockey coach. You’ll be lucky if you ever step foot on the ice again.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, with a firm nod. I had no doubt he’d follow through. It wasn’t something I was worried about though. I had no intention of doing anything to hurt Violet.

Violet shot her uncle one more glare before taking me by the hand and dragging me from the house.

“Sorry about that,” she said once we were in my car.

“No need to be sorry. Although, for a minute there, I thought I was going to have to add to my bad reputation by kidnapping you and smuggling you out of there.”

"I thought that too,” she agreed with a smile. “My uncle can be a bit…”

“Protective?” I guessed.

“I was going to go with crazy.”