Shaw (Alpha Geek #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,21
long run. The waiter came by and took their drink orders, which took only a few moments to receive. Shaw had a glass of dry white wine, while Poppy had a red wine that smelled strongly of oak. She took a sip, and he watched with his jaw somewhere on the floor when she moaned her appreciation.
“Now that is some good wine,” she said as she put her glass down.
“And hey, you can swallow all you want.”
Fuck.
Had he really just said that?
Judging by the deep blush on Poppy’s face, and the way she was laughing, he had definitely just told her she could swallow. Shaw wasn’t sure if he should address the overly sexual undertones of the comment or just let it go.
“That was hilarious,” Poppy said through a few more giggles. “I love accidental sexual innuendos. They’re the best.”
“Oh,” he managed to smile. “Well, then stick with me. I’m always putting my foot in my mouth. Though typically, it doesn’t make people laugh. It’s more of a cringe-worthy talent I have.”
“Well, lay it on me,” she said with a wink. She pointed at herself. “See what I mean? Hilarious.”
Shaw was pleasantly surprised as they ate their meal. Conversation flowed with ease. He even forgot to be completely intimidated by the fact that Poppy was definitely way out of his league. By the time dessert rolled around, he felt like he had known her for years. Ages. It was like they had been made for each other.
It was such a heady feeling, that he took a chance and asked her something that had been burning in the back of his mind all night.
“Do you mind if I ask why you need protection? Are you a killer on the loose?” He chuckled, realizing his question could have been insensitive.
Poppy smiled at him, but it didn't reach her eyes.
“It's nothing. Really. More of a precaution. I have a very involved family, and I just drew a hard boundary. My uncle didn't like it. At all.” She went on, being vague and evasive. “He and my cousins are pretty controlling. All three of them are his little cronies, doing all of his dirty work for him. I’m just not so sure he has them on a tight enough leash.”
It made all sorts of warning bells go out on in his head.
There was a cold snap in the bottom of his stomach.
“Umm…Poppy, can I ask you a question? You don't have to answer if you don't feel comfortable.”
She held her breath, most likely anticipating his question.
“Are you…are you a Cain?”
Chapter Eleven
Shaw
“Are you…are you a Cain?”
The question hung between them.
Shaw hadn’t meant for there to be so much venom in his tone as he spoke. He didn’t miss the way Poppy flinched at his words. She looked down, purposefully avoiding his gaze.
“Yes.”
Silence stretched on between them for a long while. Shaw was too busy with all of the implications of the revelation to wonder what Poppy could be going through.
Not only had he emptied out all of the Cains’ bank accounts, probably including hers—but he was also fairly sure he was falling in love with Chuck Cain’s niece. The terrible trio’s cousin.
“Your uncle is Chuck Cain. That’s who you’re hiding from. That’s why you need Dakota with you.”
“Yup.” Poppy took a deep breath. “What’s my uncle done to you?”
“Sorry?” he asked.
“Well, judging by your reaction, I can only assume that Uncle Chuck has hurt you in some way. So, go on. Spill it. Or if you prefer not to waste any more of your time, you’re free to leave. It was nice to meet you.”
Shaw felt his brow pull down in a deep furrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Now that you know who I am, you’ll want to run for the hills.”
He shook his head. Not only because now he felt responsible for Poppy’s possible lack of funds. There was something else. Shaw didn’t quite know why or how, but he was positive that Poppy was nothing like her uncle or her cousins.
“I’m not going to go,” he said. “Why would I? Unless you’re against dating me, because your cousins bullied me my entire life.”
Poppy bit down on her lip and looked away. “I’m sorry they did that.”
He shrugged his response. “It’s not your fault. You’re not the one who put my head in the toilet.” Shit, he really shouldn’t have offered that particular detail. “They are their own keepers. They made their choices.”
Poppy’s eyes slid toward him. They were narrowed into predatory slits. It