I don’t really know what to say, and I don’t really have the time to ponder over my feelings for Monterey at this moment. I need Cole’s wife’s help.
I shake Rayna’s hand, and then we all sit down at a table near the back of the room away from all the noise and cacophony of the gala.
“I appreciate you both seeing me.”
“Monterey said you needed my help?”
“Yes, why yes I do.” The room fades away as I discuss the ins and outs of Rayna’s business with her. I don’t get too specific, but there’s things I’d like to understand about her charity.
Before long my eyes drift to the dance floor, and that’s when I see it… Thad dancing withmywoman.
With his hand wrapped snugly around her waist.
I listen to the words Rayna’s telling me, and am amazed at how devoted she is to her cause.
“I know it’s mainly just runaway boys, right?”
“Yes, but I know many people in the industry and with child protective services. Here’s someone you can speak with.” She slides a card across the table and I pick it up.
“Thank you.”
“Just give him a call, and he’ll be able to help you.”
I plug the phone number into my phone and then I give Rayna my personal phone number in case she finds out anything else.
After thanking them again, I stand, ready to claim my woman out there on the dance floor.
“Oh and Danger,” Rayna says as her husband helps her out of her chair. “Just remember, many children go into the system and are never found again. But that doesn’t mean the same thing will happen in this case.”
I smile, because it’s all I can really do at this point. “Thank you, Rayna.” I shake her hand and then I shake Cole’s, with a nod.
Cole kisses his wife on the cheek and I think back to his earlier words. I guess it’s true, falling for the right woman can change any bad boy.
And now, my mission’s on Thad.
Chapter20
Monterey
“I feel like our relationship was ripped away from us. We never got to fully explore it,” Thad says as he spins me around the dance floor.
I roll my eyes. “It’s because you were too busy exploring other women.”
He hugs me closer. “Monterey, I’ve learned from my past mistakes.”
“What did you learn? Hownotto get caught?”
“You hurt me.” His voice is steady like he rehearsed this speech in the mirror before reciting it back to me.
“I’m engaged, Thad. And I’m happy.” He doesn’t need to know that it’s all fake. Or that maybe a small part of me wishes it were real. As real as the connection between us is.
A small part.
Ok, maybe it’s a bit bigger than small. Make sense?
Good.
My head’s a mess. Even though every cell in my body vibrates with want every time Danger is near, I’m hesitant.