Refusing to run away from her problems. Stella slapped a happy expression on her face and entered Bennett’s dining room. If she were going to lose tonight, at least she’d know she’d fought for what she wanted. What she knew to be right.
Glancing at Bennett, her heart soared. Those steely blue eyes of his were all on her. Stella flashed him a smile. Then extended her arm towards who she assumed must be his father, Carlton Orloff.
The big deal alpha of the west coast. The man turned to look at her. Size her up really. Then, extending his own hand proceeded to crush every one of her fingers in his death grip of a handshake.
That was a first. Normally guys she knew left that kind of tough man bravado to other guys. Not the women in their lives.
Looking Carlton in the eye, refusing to wince from the shock of pain climbing up her arm she noticed his steely blue eyes. More faded than Bennett’s, but definitely a family heirloom passed down from one Orloff man to the next.