5

Dorian's POV

Vivian's bright blue eyes narrowed at me, her voice stern. "Do you think this is funny?" I stifled a laugh, thinking Brennan didn't deserve her. He deserved a public reckoning, but his drunken state made it pointless. Fighting someone who couldn't fight back was no fun. But Vivian, with her fiery spirit, was a different story. I liked it.

"Sit down, let's keep talking," I said, pulling out her chair. She was uncomfortable with the attention, but we had been the focus of whispers all night. As a Delacroix, I was used to being recognized. My father made sure everyone knew this was our territory. It was a miracle no one had revealed my identity before Brennan stumbled in.

Vivian sat, arms crossed, her voice laced with accusation. "You mean 'Let's keep lying.'" I corrected her, "I didn't lie, Vivian. You assumed my name was Brennan. I didn't tell you anything." Her mouth opened in shock. "You let me believe it! You let me throw myself at a stranger." I couldn't help but smile. "Were you throwing yourself at me, Vivian?"

She snapped, "No! And don't try to charm your way out of this." Her full lips pouted, making this even more entertaining. Vivian's transformation from nervous to fiery was captivating. She tossed her napkin down and flopped back, revealing a hint of skin above her knee. I made a mental note to explore that spot later.

"I'm glad you're having fun, but I'm not. Maybe it's because I was lied to all night." I countered, "If I had told you my name, you'd be with that drunk Brennan. Be thankful. And question whether Gemma is really your cousin."

Vivian snorted, "Grateful? Yeah, right. Gemma may have terrible taste, but at least she isn't a liar." Vivian was trying to paint me as the villain, which was ironic since I often played that role in other areas of my life. But not tonight. Tonight, she was a distraction, a fleeting memory to be savored.

I leaned in, my voice low. "You were enjoying yourself with me." Not a question, but a statement. "Whether I was here or not, you'd be dining with a stranger either way." Her lips parted, ready to argue, but she knew I was right. "The only difference is that with me, you had a good time." I signaled the waitress for a refill, my eyes never leaving Vivian's. "Am I wrong?" She snapped, "The difference is that I knew his name."

I extended my hand, introducing myself. "I'm Dorian." She glared, refusing to take my hand, so I took hers, brushing my lips against her fingers. Vivian's eyes widened, her breath catching. When I released her hand, she remembered her anger, yanking it back. "Now that's settled... am I wrong?" She was still dazed, her voice soft. "No." "Then we're finishing this date." Vivian's stare lingered, her lips twisting in a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

"Are you always this bossy?" "Always. Professionally so." "You're a boss?" She took a bite of her stew, eating resentfully until the flavors hit her taste buds. Her eyes closed, and a soft moan escaped her lips. "Wow, this is good." I smiled, knowing she'd like it. But I didn't expect to enjoy watching her enjoy it this much. "I told you." She rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You're right about everything, or so you'd like me to think. I'm sure it helps in your line of work." "It helps in every line of work. I recommend it," I said with a smile. Vivian snorted, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"What kind of boss are you?"

I wasn't used to dating women who didn't already know my story, my family's legacy. But I wouldn't reveal too much, not yet. "Tell me about your work," I said, deflecting her question. Vivian dropped her fork, her expression playful. "No way, you don't get to dodge another question. Not after your omissions earlier." I corrected her, "I didn't lie to you, Vivian. And even if I did, you asked for pretty lies." She challenged, "Who on earth wants to be lied to?" I held her gaze, my voice low. "You do, right now. A pretty lie doesn't ruin a nice evening like an ugly truth can."

The waitress brought me a new drink, and I nodded in thanks. Vivian's eyes hadn't left mine, her smile faltering. "Why?" she asked, her voice softer. "Because sometimes the truth is complicated. And I won't lie, but I won't reveal too much either." I offered an alternative, "You tell me about your work, and we'll see where the night takes us." She hesitated, then sighed, her attention returning to her stew. "I'm a saleswoman for an industrial plastics manufacturer." I teased,

"And here I thought I was the bad guy. Next, you'll tell me you club baby seals." Her laughter sparked, and I knew we were back on track. "I didn't peg you as an environmentalist, Dorian." She squinted, scanning me. "No 'Tree Hugger' pins on you." I chuckled. "I don't lead with my soft, bleeding heart on a first date." She smirked, "Well, if you must know, I work for a recycled industrial plastics manufacturer. But I won't bore you with the details of our sustainably-sourced polycarbonate." Vivian's laughter filled the air, her head leaning back in amusement.

"Bore you? That's a first. My job isn't usually considered sexy. People tend to lose interest quickly when I bring it up." My phone buzzed, and I reluctantly pulled it out, seeing Adrian's name on the screen. I had forgotten about our planned meeting. Adrian's text read: "Thought you had a date with me. Should I be jealous?"​

Vivian noticed my phone and teased, "Now, I'm worried I really am boring you."

I reassured her, "My brother doesn't understand boundaries."

She smiled, her hands raised in surrender. "No lies, remember? We all have our secrets."

I texted Adrian back, Long story. Explain later.

His response was urgent: Get out of there. Now.

I tensed up, scanning the restaurant discreetly. The crowd was the same, but now the windows reflected the interior, and I sensed Adri watching from outside. If he was this panicked, someone else must be watching too.

Vivian noticed my concern. "Is everything okay? Are you looking for someone?"

I ignored her question, dialing Adrian's number. He answered immediately, skipping greetings. "Shinomiya cartel."

I asked, "How many?"

Vivian's eyes narrowed, her brows pinched together. I had hoped for a few more hours of distraction, but my complicated truth had caught up with me.

Adrian responded, "Four. Two buildings down, parked in front of the jeep. They're planning something."

I should have anticipated this. Sasuke Shinomiya never knew when to quit, just like his father. I should have eliminated them both at the same time. Total annihilation.

Adrian's voice was firm. "You need to leave, and take your girlfriend with you."

Vivian's eyes were still fixed on me, her head tilted as if trying to catch a few stray words. I wanted to ask if the men staking out the restaurant saw us together, but Adrian knew my concerns.

"You two are like a display window, visible to all. I had a clear shot at your table. And after that scene with the drunk guy, it wouldn't have taken me long to identify her and find out where she lives. She's not safe."

An hour ago, I didn't know Vivian, and now I had put her in danger just by sitting with her.

"Get out of there," Adrian repeated. "Go through the back. I'll meet you with the car."

I hung up, and Vivian's concern was immediate. "Is everything okay?"

I could feed her a pretty lie, but I hadn't lied to her yet, and I wouldn't start now.

"Do I not seem okay?"

"You seem tense and evasive." She leaned in, her chin in her palm. "That's not how anyone talks to their brother. It was cryptic, and now I was wondering if I shouldn't ask those personal questions you avoided earlier."

"I'd love to sit through your interrogation, but I have to leave."

She sat up, disappointment evident. "Family comes first. I get that—even if my family is a mess. Oh God, I'm not reopening that can of worms. Um, I hope everything is okay with your brother and—"

"We have to leave."

Her eyes widened. "Pardon?"

"You're coming with me."

Vivian's gaze was fixed on my thumb as if mesmerized. When she looked up, her eyes were dazed. "You want me to leave with you? Where?"

"My place," I replied, knowing it was the only safe haven for tonight. My home had top-notch security, and I could ensure her safety until I could assess the situation and send her on her way tomorrow morning. Distractions were meant to be brief; longer than that, they became complications.

"I don't—" She bit her lip, hesitant. "I just met you. Going to your house seems crazy, doesn't it?"

"This entire night has been 'kind of crazy,'" I pointed out.

She exhaled, weighing her options. "Maybe I should cut the evening short before you reveal yourself to be a mass murderer."

"Or introduce you to my grandmother," I added, eliciting a nervous laugh.

"I don't know you, Dorian. You could hurt me."

I stifled a snort; she had no idea.

"Yeah, I could," I acknowledged. "But I'm giving you a choice. Come with me, Vivian. Make things simple and say yes."

Vivian had a choice, but if she chose incorrectly, I would ensure her safety regardless. Her blue eyes were pensive, and I wondered what she thought she was deciding. Whatever it was, it was not nearly as dangerous as the reality outside this cozy restaurant.

Slowly, she stood up and reached for my hand.

"Okay. Let’s go."

Without another word, I led her through the back door of the restaurant.