Page 159 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

“It’s okay, Brighton.” Nicole waved it off like I was being silly. “It’s just one dance. It doesn’t mean anything."

“I know,” I protested. “But I have a bad feeling about this. Why did Alex want to dance with me? He could have just talked to Ryland and gotten a photograph. Wouldn’t that have the same effect?”

“They’re old rivals.” She shrugged. “I doubt Ryland would want to be photographed with him.”

I sank against the counter and fanned my face. Nicole didn’t think it was a big deal, but I had a sick feeling about the whole situation. “I should have told him. He’s going to be hurt.”

“It’s going to be fine,” Nicole assured me. “It’s just a dance, Brighton. In public, at a charity gala. Not just any charity, but your charity. This is what’s expected of you.”

I took a deep breath and let her words sink in. She was right, of course. This was something I would have to do as part of these events. Just like Ryland had to attend dinners and functions he didn’t always want to. It was just business. Right?

“Okay,” I relented. “Freak out is over. We can go back out.”

Nicole smiled and pulled me back out into the sea of people. We didn’t make it very far before a familiar voice stopped us.

“How about that dance now?” Alex asked.

I spun around and found him standing with such an arrogant smile it made me wince. His face gave nothing but charm and sophistication away, but there was just something about this guy that set off all the warning bells inside my head. A deal was a deal though. I told him I was going to dance with him, and I would. Three minutes of my life. That’s all I would give him and nothing more.

“Okay,” I said weakly.

Nicole released me and gave me a reassuring smile, watching as he led me onto the dance floor. He took up the perfect gentleman’s stance and led without an ounce of discomfort, which helped me to relax a little.

“Ryland seems very happy to have you on his arm this evening,” he remarked.

I wasn’t going to discuss anything to do with Ryland, so I made a point to let him know it. “How are you enjoying the gala so far?”

He smirked as though he were amused I had the guts to stand up to him. “It’s as I expected.” He gave a flippant shrug. “No offense, Miss Valentine, but these things are all the same to me. A couple hours of dreadful music and a dinner that I’ve paid entirely too much for. But at least there’s alcohol.”

I frowned at his words. Nicole had put so much time and effort into planning this event, and she’d done an amazing job. For him to dismiss it so easily irked me.

“So you’re really just here for a photo,” I clarified.

As I said it, I felt the flash of several cameras going off around us. Apparently, it was a big deal for him to be dancing with me.

“Yes,” he agreed with a dark smile. “Among other things.”

I was about to ask him what he meant when I glanced up to see Ryland. He wasn’t just angry, but furious as he pulled me into his side. And all of it was directed at Alex Burton.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked in a scarily calm voice.

“Nice to see you too, Ryland. I was just taking your girlfriend for a spin on the dance floor.” Alex winked at me. “Someone should. A beauty like her was meant to be appreciated.”

The muscle in Ryland’s jaw and his bruising grip on my arm were the only outward signs of his rage. To the cameras around us, I was certain it looked like nothing more than a normal conversation.

“Can you not see the baby in her stomach?” he asked. “Because I fucking put it there.”

The possession in his words told me I’d stepped into something far bigger than just a couple of business rivals. There was obviously some bad blood between them that went much deeper than I’d realized.

The flash of cameras increased around us, and Alex didn’t miss a beat. He tipped his head back and laughed as though he were having the time of his life.

“No need to go pissing circles around her, old pal,” he said cheerfully. “I think the whole world knows she’s yours. A product of your own doing, from what I understand. You know, I have to say it surprises me. You better than anyone ought to realize how vulnerable that can make you, Ryland.”

Ryland’s cool exterior dissolved as he took a menacing step forward, and I glanced around the room in a panic. Mick caught my eye from across the floor and nodded as he moved to intercede. Ryland was coiled so tight I was afraid Mick wouldn’t make it in time. And to make matters worse, Alex continued to provoke him.

“You know, there’s only so much money you can throw at a problem,” Alex said in a low voice. “At the end of the day, there is still such a thing as honor among thieves. Loyalty will buy you a helluva lot more than money ever can.”

Mick finally pushed his way through the crowd, and just in time. I was clinging so tightly to Ryland’s suit I thought it would rip.

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