Page 50 of Beautifully Broken Control

“Understood.”

Kennedy placed a hand on my knee, squeezing gently. The simple touch calmed me somehow. The knowledge that I wouldn’t be walking into this den of thieves on my own helped. I covered her hand with mine and breathed deeply. I had everything under control.

* * *

I had arrangedfor us to enter the gala through a back door, knowing that Kennedy didn’t want her photograph taken. A harried-looking event staff member met us there. “Right this way, Mr. Hale, Ms. Charles.”

I placed a hand on the small of Kennedy’s back, the heat of her seeping into my palm and making it tingle. “Thank you for meeting us back here.”

“Of course, Mr. Hale. Thank you for your generous donation.”

Kennedy dipped her head to whisper to me. “I didn’t even ask. What organization is the gala for?”

I swallowed thickly. “A rape crisis center here in Portland.”

She paused her forward movement for a moment. “I’m really glad we’re here, then.”

“Me, too.”

The ballroom of the hotel was full but not over-crowded. As always, I spotted many familiar faces, and even more I didn’t know. I hated this kind of thing. That something for good was turned into a chance to hob-knob and make deals. The focus should be on the center, but that was never going to be the case. At least, I knew they’d walk away with a few million by the end of the night.

“Cain,” a voice called from my right. Drew Wright, a long-time client, appeared through the crowd. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it. The rumor mill’s been working overtime. Something about you running away to the mountains.”

I chuckled. “Thank God for private planes, they can bring you in from anywhere. How are things?”

“Great. The missus and I just got back from a couple of weeks in St. Barts. You been to the island this year?”

“No, there’s only so many sandy beaches and five-star resorts I can take. I was getting a little sick of the same ol’, same ol’.”

Drew grinned. “Only you would get tired of a private villa on the ocean.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Kennedy’s expression turn sour. I hadn’t thought about the fact that she would hate the persona I put on at these events. And didn’t that just turn my stomach? I wanted to be a man she’d be proud to stand next to, not someone she was ashamed of.

“And who do we have here?” Drew eyed Kennedy in a way that made me want to deck him.

I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her to my side. “Drew Wright, this is Kennedy Charles. Kennedy, Drew.”

Kennedy took Drew’s hand in a polite shake. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too, darlin’. How’d you meet this one?” He stuck a thumb out towards me.

She smiled politely. “Mutual friends.”

“I know these friends?”

I jumped in before Drew could push any further. “I don’t think so. I’ve got to get this lovely lady a drink, but I’ll find you later.”

“You do that. I’ve got a proposition to discuss with you.”

I nodded and ushered Kennedy forward with my hand on the small of her back. This time it wasn’t heat I felt but tension. “Sorry about that.”

“About what?” Her voice was tight.

“Being a bit of a douche canoe.”

She spun to face me. I thought my comment would at least earn me a little laugh, but no such luck. Instead, there was fire in Kennedy’s green eyes. “If you know that’s how you’re acting, why do it?”

She deserved the truth. “Honestly? It’s habit. It’s how I get through these events. I don’t know if this will make any sense, but I play a character when I come to these things. It’s like putting on a suit of armor before doing battle. If I play someone else, then everything I have to deal with doesn’t touch the real me.” I’d never told a soul that, not even Walker or Tuck. Only Kennedy.

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