Celine bumped Lauren as they carried out the salad and rolls. “Are we lucky or what?”
Or what. The big mystery. When the homecoming ended, how would everyone see her? Reid had stayed because of her. If she hadn’t been a distraction, he would have left. She would have forgotten him. He would have finished his mission instead of having to save her. Kell wouldn’t have hurt him.
As they gravitated toward the table, Reid steered her to the chairs facing away from the house. His tight smile mirrored the tension emanating from him. “It’s a better view.”
During dinner, lighthearted debates about everything from sports teams to tire rims fueled the conversation. Reid rarely chimed in, his gaze scanning the surroundings between every few bites.
Colby lifted his chin toward Reid. “You’re not going in for seconds. Did we mess up the lasagna? I told Mace to add more sausage to the meat.”
“No, it’s all good.” Reid drained his beer. “Just watching my figure. Where’s Dalir?”
Thane draped his arm over the back of Celine’s chair. “He had something to take care of.”
“What? Or is that another secret?”
Silence descended.
Reid’s bottle hit with a hard thump as he set it back on the table. “What?”
Lauren laid a hand on his thigh.
His gaze stayed on the guys as he jerked away from her touch. “I think I’ve earned the right to ask the question.”
“No doubt about that.” West squeezed Reid’s shoulder. “We asked him to give us a minute to help celebrate your return to the fold and for you saving the guys in Project Samson.” He grinned. “And for me to stop Colby from talking trash about winning the last dart game. We’re settling this shit here and now.”
Chuckles broke the tension.
Colby shrugged and grinned. “Who am I to prevent you from keeping me stocked in beer? How do you wanna settle it?”
West pointed to a pit set up near the table. “Horseshoes. We’re doing it with teams. You get first pick.”
“I gotta hit the head.” Reid stalked to the house.
Lauren moved to go after him.
Celine caught her arm. “Maybe you should give Reid some space.”
“He has to talk to someone.” He’d expressed frustration about Dalir, but how much of it was reserved for her? Could he get past it? Lauren’s chest hurt as she took a breath. “He’s angry. How he acted at the table, that’s not Reid.”
Coolness rushed over Reid as looked in the fridge, but the burn of shame remained. He snagged a beer, opened it, and pitched the cap in the trash. He shouldn’t have made that comment about Dalir. Now wasn’t the time. The guys had cut him slack by not setting him straight in front of Lauren. The way she’d looked at him spelled it out completely—he’d made himself look like a total ass.
Dalir’s powerful energy preceded him. He materialized in a chair at the kitchen table.
Reid let him into his thoughts.
“I’ve worn that title more than I care to admit.” Dalir rested his arms on the table as he spoke. “But I helped you earn this one. I held off on talking to the team to give you first crack at asking questions.”
Reid set his beer on the counter and sat at the table. He had more thoughts than questions. Was Dalir ready to hear him out or would he shut him down? “You should have told us about Kell. Someone who hates you as much as he does is guaranteed to be a threat.”
“He wasn’t. Or at least he shouldn’t have been.”
“Explain that one because the guy I met called you a disgrace, a coward, and a thief. My guess is he wants to kill you. Why?”
“Long story.”
“I got time.”
Dalir sat back in the chair. “My brother and are from a place populated by humans and ancients. Humans were subservient to us up until five hundred years ago when my father became ruler. He established humans in positions of power.”
“Let me guess, Kell wasn’t a fan.”
“No, but it was a manageable issue. I was our father’s chosen successor and believed as he did. To ease relations my father brokered an alliance. One of the most powerful groups respected by humans and ancients were the oracles. An arrangement was made for me to marry one of them. Her name was Taliana.” Hardness diminished from Dalir’s face. “She was beautiful, wise, and inherently kind. Her smile was captivating. I was almost afraid to hold her because she felt so small and delicate.” The softness in his expression faded. “Kell wanted her. He also resented me being chosen over him to lead despite him being the oldest.”
“So that’s the reason he calls you a thief.”
“I am not a thief, but Kell is a murderer.” The beer bottle and appliances on the counter briefly rattled. “He was never meant to lead, and Tali was never his.” Sadness shadowed Dalir’s gaze. “Kell joined a faction that was against human rights. He tried to kidnap Tali. She fought him, and he killed her. Her death brought civil unrest. My father and I regained control but many lives were lost.”