Page 30 of Second Chance Savior

Jessica glanced between us. “Is everything all right?”

“Wonderful.” I put my smile back in place, though I couldn’t keep all the sarcasm from my voice. “That’s incredibly generous. Mr.Kwon, was it? Let me tell you about the initiative my office is starting. We can chat over here.”

I grabbed River’s arm and tugged him onto a side path lined with shade trees.

“What are you doing here?”

He smoothed a hand down his lapel. “I’m a donor. Like Jessica said.” He glanced sharply to the side. Brynn was there, coming toward us with a deep frown. Agent Torres was right behind her. I held up a hand and shook my head.

“The work this charity does is important. You can’t screw around with them and make them think?—”

“I donated the money. I looked up the name of the charity’s president, called her after I left your place, and set up the wire transfer.”

I looked at him incredulously. He probably could’ve used his spy skills to sneak into this event if he’d wanted. But the man had donated thirty thousand dollars just to get through the doors to reach me.

Nothing. I had nothing.

He tilted his head. “This is far from the only nonprofit I’ve donated to this year. It’s a good cause. I usually spend more time vetting charities before a major contribution, but this one has your seal of approval. That means a lot to me.” He shrugged dismissively. “Also had to spend an egregious amount on this suit, but it was last minute.”

“Is that supposed to impress me?”

“I wouldn’t mind if it impressed you.”

I scoffed. For lack of anything better to say.

He could spend his trust fund however he wanted. And I couldn’t deny that his donation would make a tremendous difference. But that wasn’t the point, and River knew it.

“Why are you here?” I demanded.

River put his hands in his trouser pockets. “You might want to keep your voice down. Unless you want your FBI friends to escort me out. Now’s your chance.”

“I’m tempted.”

River took a step toward me. Brynn and Torres flinched, ready to move. But I waved them off again. They backed up until they were just out of earshot.

“You’re determined to protect me,” I said, answering my own question. “Even though I told you I didn’t want your help.”

“The agents are doing a decent job.” He’d stepped forward yet again, hands still in his pockets, and I resisted the urge to retreat. Besides, if I had, I would’ve simply run into the tree behind me. “But I can do better.”

“So arrogant. Do you have new intel to share? Is that what this is about?”

“Not specifically.” His dark eyes swept over me. “You look stunning tonight. I like you in blue.”

River had always been a little flirtatious, but I knew it didn’t mean anything. He only did it to get under my skin. Just like when we were kids. “You’re more frustrating than anyone I’ve ever met.”

He smiled. His close shave showed off his cheekbones and jawline. One lock of almost-black hair had broken free and fallen across his forehead. “I’m here in Denver to protect you, but I did want to see you again. Believe it or not, Ihavemissed you. And I wish I’d done something about that before.”

“Really.”

“It’s true.”

“After all these years, you decided you missed me.”

“It’s been a while, yeah. But I missed you the whole time, Charlie. Make no mistake.”

I still heard music and the voices of guests, yet we were secluded here. Just a few turns in the botanic gardens, and you could feel like you were in another world.

And with River staring at me like that? It was hard to remember how I’d even gotten here.

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