Page 161 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Brighton

The rest of the charity gala passed in a painfully slow haze. I didn’t see Ryland anywhere, and I tried my best not to think about his hurt expression as I mingled with the guests.

The night was even more successful than we’d ever hoped, raking in tons of cash that would balloon Sophia’s Shoes ability to help kids to epic proportions. I should have been elated. Ecstatic. But all I could think about was Ryland and Alex.

As we stepped outside the hotel, Ted was there to greet us. Just as I suspected, he’d already taken Ryland home. Nicole, Matt, and I piled into the backseat of the car, and I wrung my hands in my lap as we drove through the city.

“I’m so sorry, Brighton,” Nicole said sheepishly. “I had no idea that things between them were that bad.”

“Me either,” I admitted. “He’s never even mentioned him to me before.”

“They went to business school together in Chicago,” Nicole explained. “And then they both started up their companies here. But I always thought it was more of a whose is bigger sort of contest if you know what I mean.”

“I don’t think so,” Matt cut in. “That guy gives me a bad feeling. I don’t trust that slimy smile on his face. And I know for a fact the Burton family is involved in some bad shit.”

“Like what?” I asked.

“His father has been accused of racketeering on more than one occasion,” Matt volunteered. “And some of his employees have a bad habit of going missing.”

“Jesus,” I whispered. “I had no idea. Is this in Chicago?”

Matt nodded.

“It kind of sounded like Alex was threatening Ryland,” I said. “Or me. I’m not really sure why, though.”

Matt and Nicole gave each other a worried glance before looking back at me. “I’m sure he was just being belligerent,” Nicole whispered.

But even I could hear the fear in her voice. She didn’t believe it for a second. Alex Burton was a powerful man, and for some reason, he had a bone to pick with Ryland. I would have to ask him about it. But first, I knew I had some groveling to do.

We pulled up at the apartment and Ted escorted us into the elevator. I said my goodbyes to Matt and Nicole as they got off on their floor and then rode to the top by myself.

When I came into the apartment, it was dark. Ryland was sitting on the couch with a drink in his hand, still wearing his tux.

I toed off my heels and walked towards him slowly like I was approaching a wild animal.

“Don’t, Brighton.” His voice was ice cold. “Just go to bed.”

I didn’t listen. I knelt before him and rubbed my cheek against his thigh as I reached for his hand. He didn’t pull away, but his body was still coiled with explosive tension. I hated that and wanted more than anything to take it all away from him.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t realize…”

“Do you know him?” Ryland asked, his gaze seeking mine in the shadows.

I squeezed his hand in mine so he couldn’t pull away. “I met with him last week,” I admitted. “He said he was interested in the charity. I didn’t realize what kind of man he was.”

Ryland released my hand and knocked back the rest of his drink. He was definitely pissed. Trying for another tactic, I moved my hands up his thighs, stroking over the bulge in his pants.

“Please, Ryland,” I murmured. “I need you. Let’s do what we do. Let’s forget this.”

“I can’t forget it,” he yelled. “He fucking threatened you. And I don’t trust myself not to be rough with you right now. Go to bed.”

Even as he said the words, I felt him hardening beneath my palm. He needed this just as much as I did, but he was afraid of hurting me. He would never hurt me, but he didn’t trust himself like I did. He didn’t know himself like I did.

I flicked open the button of his trousers and pulled his shirt away. He hissed in a breath and reached down to grab my wrist.

“Brighton.” His voice was thick with warning. “I mean it. I’m not in a good place right now.”

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