Chapter Thirty-NineBrennan
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Brennan
“ I thought Evan was coming with you,” my mother commented, joining Jett and me as I brooded in the corner of the ballroom at the HighTower.
Are we done yet? I just gave her a look over my glass of bourbon.
This was one of the most boring venues ever. Sure, it had a marvelous view, but it was stuffy in here with all the people. There wasn’t even a balcony.
“Evan sends his regrets,” I lied. Evan was pissed at me and refused to come. He and Wes were going on a date instead.
Judging by the way he’d barged into my bathroom, Wes was angry at me, too. Jett was still a little mad, but he stood here with me, making nice with people that wouldn’t care about us if we weren’t rich.
Spencer had been cool to me but hadn’t said anything, so I wasn’t sure if he was mad or just preoccupied. With him it could be either.
Ugh. All I was trying to do was protect my pack. Users abounded in this town. Pretty much everyone at this dinner wanted something from my family. Funding. Connections. Approval. We had to be careful.
Why was everyone so mad at me for being cautious?
“Have you hired a housekeeper yet?” My mother wore a glittering emerald dress that complemented her eyes, which were as hard as the ostentatious circle of gems around her neck.
“We don’t need a housekeeper,” I told her through gritted teeth, raising my glass as someone I didn’t recognize waved at me.
“Bren, Dependent Services specifically commented on the cleanliness of the bathrooms,” she lectured, eyes narrowing, dragon claw nails tapping on her champagne glass.
“This isn’t the place to discuss it.” I glared, looking for a reason to get away–or for someone to refill my bourbon. I detested these, and even the recreational Jett had slipped me before the party had done nothing to soften the edge.
“Well, you’re not answering my calls,” she snapped.
“Don’t feel bad, he’s been ignoring me all day, too.” Katie joined us, wearing a glittery pantsuit, Rami on her arm. He wore a suit with a tie and pocket square that matched her outfit.
My mother craned her jeweled neck. “Who’s that with Spencer?”
Spencer, in one of his expensive, imported custom tuxes, sailed in, greeting people with his usual poise and charm.
He liked these things. On his arm was a tiny blonde in a long, red dress.
Her short hair was a fluff of curls, and she wore striking jewelry.
His tie and pocket square matched her gown, which just looked expensive.
“Oh, just look at Grace,” Katie breathed. “That dress.”
People fixed their gazes on the two of them. Anger rose inside me. No one told me that Grace was coming.
“ That’s Grace. Oh my. She is such a tiny thing. Huh. I didn’t realize that she was up to doing things. Is that wise?” my mother remarked.
“I’m sure Spencer will make sure she doesn’t exert herself,” Jett replied. “I think he brought her to network.”
“Is she definitely going to work for Spencer?” Rami glanced around the room. “I might have something for her with the Space Authority. There are also some people I want her to meet.”
“I’m sure she’d love to meet people,” Jett told Rami.
“I’m happy she’s feeling better. All of you are expected at our foundation gala—including her and the little one. But please make sure the girl is dressed appropriately, you know teenagers and their fashion choices.” My mother made an exasperated face.
Riley was expected? I’d have to bribe her to go. Shit, I had to bribe myself to go. Why did I have to attend these?
We had to bring Grace? Shit.
“Hey, I know Evan is planning some sort of romantic date for Grace’s birthday, but are you having a barbecue for her, too? Saturday was so much fun,” Katie added. “You should do more of those. You have such a great backyard.”
“It was fun. I enjoy talking to Grace,” Rami added.
For some reason, my sister hadn’t mentioned the piano incident to my mother. Which made me uneasy.
“Given Grace is better, I’ll make reservations at Supressa. Or is she more of a Zano person?” My mother got out her phone.
Both were top restaurants that usually had months-long waiting lists. Unless you were my mother.
“Supressa,” I said without thinking. “She’s new to the city and will love the view. Wait, what? No.”
Someone might take pictures. Fuck, someone might take pictures of her and Spencer tonight. They certainly looked picture-perfect together as they made the rounds.
I took out my phone and anger-texted Wes.
Me
Why did you let Grace come to the dinner with Spencer?
“Who’s that with Spencer?” My father joined us. He was also an alpha, ex-professional rugby player, and businessman, who headed the foundation with help from my older brother Troy, who was busy dealing with event problems. Something about no chocolate fountain. Whatever.
“That’s Wes’ mate, Grace,” my mother said. “She’s a scientist or something.”
“Mathematician,” Jett corrected.
My father whistled. “She’s going to class up the pack.”
“Yeah, Spencer probably brought her with him so she can have some intelligent conversations after being alone with Wes all week.” Katie laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
“Wes is brilliant, thank you very much. Grace isn’t from a society family. She’s just pretty,” I blurted, sick of their bullshit. Wes could have been an engineer, but he chose not to.
“Easy, Sport, we’re teasing,” my father admonished, smoothing his near-black hair out of his blue eyes.
I didn’t like their teasing. Never had.
“Oh look, Antonio’s here. I’m so glad we were able to get him. I mean, we had to fly him in from where he’s filming, even so,” my mother said, taking my father’s arm.
The actor came in with his alphas, heads in the room riveting. Rami and Katie both gave him appreciative glances. So did Jett. He liked Antonio Caruso’s movies. They weren’t my favorite, but usually weren’t a bad way to spend a few hours. My phone buzzed.
Wes
Grace is an adult and allowed to do shit.
Wes added an emoji of the bird.
“Spencer, over here.” My mother waved as Spencer and Grace walked in our direction.
My heart went to my feet, and I texted him back.
Me
Why does no one tell me anything anymore?
Wes
Maybe because we haven’t had a family dinner in a while?
Point taken. That was where we updated each other.
“Siobhan, you look radiant,” Spencer told her. “May I present Dr. Grace Ellington, Wes’ mate. My good doctor, this is Siobhan and Frank Morris–Brennan’s parents. Their foundation is sponsoring tonight’s science dinner.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Grace smiled and gave a little wave, clinging to Spencer’s arm.
“I’m glad you’re here and feeling better,” my mother told her, giving her a head-to-toe once-over, passing judgment. As usual.
“Grace, you look amazing. ” Rami gave her a hug. “I’ve got people for you to meet.”
Grace’s face lit up. “I can’t wait. Love the pocket square.”
“You look great,” Jett told her.
Grace turned to me. “Hi, Brennan.”
“Grace.” What did I even say to her? I could see the anxiety on her face, the burnt smell of her fear among the peaches.
At least she wasn’t at our table.
Rami started talking animatedly to Grace.
Spencer came over to me. “Just give her a chance.”
Without waiting for a reply, he asked my mother a question.
Spencer was annoyed with me. Ugh.
“Excuse us, we have some people to meet before everything starts.” Spencer nodded and hauled Grace off to another part of the room.
“Wes has good taste,” my father said, eyes still fixed on Grace. “Skittish though. She doesn’t like crowds? Or is she still not feeling well?”
At least they took her fear as that, instead of me.
Certainly, she looked the part of a beloved omega in a wealthy pack–pampered and coiffed, bedecked with jewels. In reality, Grace was an alpha-slapping, omega-kissing, beer drinking, little troublemaker.
I never meant to hurt her. All I wanted was for her to leave us alone.
I wanted everyone to leave us alone.
Seeing her room sterile and bleached, the scent of her gone, all the things they’d bought her tucked away, shook me. It catapulted me back to everything that Evan went through with Caroline.
Hurting Grace was the last thing I wanted to do. Something about her was so… fragile, like a delicate little butterfly. But I didn’t know how to stop myself.
The idea of someone new joining the pack terrified me. We’d been through so much together. How did we bring someone in after that?
But Wes didn’t make idle threats. Also, the law was on his side.
While I could blame Grace all I wanted, the truth was, she wasn’t the one tearing the pack apart.
I was.
My eyes followed Grace as Spencer got her a glass of champagne. She laughed at something, glowing, and accepted it, as he introduced her to someone.
She’s not ready for you, Evan had told me.
The problem was, I wasn’t ready for her.