“Seems you’re right, sir.”
“It appears the die is cast. She’s made herself clear—she plans to spend a good deal of time under your roof. When she’s here, Riordan, you’d better be a gentleman.”
“Absolutely, General.”
“I’d be curious to know what kind of plans you have where my niece is concerned,” Walt said.
“Due respect, sir, it would be wrong for me to discuss any plans with you before talking to Shelby. And at the risk of being indelicate, Shelby and I have barely—”
“That’ll do,” he said, holding up a hand. “I know how that sentence was going to end. Leave it at that.”
Luke took a breath. “What I meant to say is—we’re just getting to know each other.” Luke stepped forward. “Sir, I’ve probably been around more than a father or uncle would prefer, but I’d like you to know that Shelby is treated with absolute respect when she’s with me. I consider it my responsibility to see she’s protected, that she’s safe with me. I treat her with great care.”
“You damn sure better. I love that girl. She’s very special.”
“Yes, sir. Very special.”
“I’m not an idiot about relationships, son. I have two kids who have been through a few—my daughter has already buried a husband at her young age…”
That grave, Luke thought. He would have to remember to ask Shelby about it. Luke had assumed Paul was Vanessa’s first husband.
“I understand things don’t always go smoothly,” Walt was saying. “Sometimes these things don’t work out, I’m not naive about that. This thing with you and my niece, it’ll either be a lasting thing or not—that’s yet to be seen. But if you do anything terrible to her…” He sucked in his breath. “You know what I’m talking about?”
Luke frowned. “I’m not sure I do…”
“You abuse her, hit her, cheat on her and give her something, treat her with cruelty, or—”
“For God’s sake!” Luke said, cutting him off and stiffening indignantly. “What the hell are you talking about? What kind of man do you think I am?”
Walt shrugged and said, “Well, I don’t have any reason to suspect you of foul behavior, yet, but after all, I’ve seen a lot. I’ve had a lot of different kind of men in my command. I thought we should understand each other.”
“We understand each other! I wouldn’t do things like that to any woman! Jesus!”
“Good, then. Because I’d have to kill you.”
“I’d have to let you!” Luke said passionately. He took a breath. “Due respect, I’ve known a real horseshit general or two. Sir.”
“I felt the need to clear the air on a couple of issues.”
“Consider it cleared!” He rubbed a hand along the back of his neck.
“Well, I didn’t come here to try to talk you out of seeing my niece. Given the situation with her mother passing not too long ago, I feel a little more protective than Shelby is comfortable with. I didn’t think it would hurt for you to know—I have limits.”
“So do I,” Luke said calmly but vehemently.
“Then I guess we’re clear.” He turned as though he would go.
Luke watched his departing back and in a split second thought about how he’d feel if he had to turn Shelby over to some guy.
“Sir,” Luke called. When the general turned back, Luke said, “Now that we’ve faced off on this and both hold Shelby’s well-being as the most important thing, I’d like you to know some things. Shelby could do a lot better than me, we both know that. I didn’t mislead her, I avoided her and discouraged her. I’ve been completely honest with her; I’m not a good catch and I’m not looking for a permanent relationship. I’m sure Shelby had no trouble believing that. But it’s not my intention to treat her badly. Jesus, she’ll get the best I have. If it’s any comfort, my mother would kill me if I ever abused a woman. If she failed to kill me, my brothers would do the job.”
“Good,” Walt said, a smile tugging at his mouth. “I can appreciate a close family.”
“I might be a scoundrel, but I’m a fairly civilized scoundrel.” Luke stuck out his hand. “I wish we could be friends. For Shelby, at least.”
Walt hesitated, but he took Luke’s hand. “Behave decently,” Walt said.
“Yes, sir,” Luke said. “You, too.”