Chapter 12
Claire
I stared at myself in the full-length mirror as I ran my hands down the black corset-style formal gown with the decolletage neck and slender straps. It fit like a glove, and it looked perfect on me. After placing the small round diamond pendant around my neck and placing the matching earrings in my ears, I slipped my feet into my new black stiletto shoes. Nick would be here any minute, so I went into the bathroom to check my makeup one last time. As I was touching up my lips, I heard a knock at the door.
“Wow. Just wow.” Nick smiled.
“You like?” I grinned.
“You are so stunning, Claire.”
“Thank you. Come in. I’m not going to lie, Dr. Nick. You are one hell of a sexy man in that black tuxedo.”
“Thanks.” He chuckled. “Are you ready?”
“I am. Let’s go to the gala.”
We walked out the building door, and a black limousine was waiting for us.
“A limo?” I smiled.
“Of course.” A handsome grin crossed Nick’s lips. “We are attending a gala, after all.”
“This is nice. Thank you.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“You’re welcome.”
I was a little nervous about attending the gala. Since Shaun and Christian were the ones putting it on, I assumed all of my brothers would be in attendance. I’d be standing in a room with all of them, including my cousins since almost all were doctors. Shaun was already suspicious of me, that much I could tell from our meeting.
“What’s wrong?” Nick asked as he took hold of my hand.
“Nothing.” I smiled.
“You seemed like you were lost in your thoughts.”
“I’m always lost in my thoughts.” I grinned.
The limo pulled up to Citizen News, the space where the gala was being held. After climbing out of the limo, Nick extended his hand and helped me out. We walked up the red carpet and into the building.
“Damn. Look at this place.” My eyes scanned all around.
“Shaun certainly knows how to put on a function.” Nick smiled.
People were everywhere, dressed in their finest clothes, mixing and mingling amongst each other.
“There you are.” A handsome man walked up and patted Nick’s back.
“Christian, this is Claire Monet. Claire, Dr. Christian Kind.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Dr. Kind. Nick has told me all about you.”
“It’s my pleasure, Claire.” He smiled.
“Nick, my man. It’s been a while.” Another handsome man hooked his arm around him.
“Hey, Simon. I’d like you to meet Claire Monet. Claire, this is Detective Simon Kind.”
“It’s a pleasure, Claire.” He extended his hand with a grin.
“It’s nice to meet you, Simon.” I placed my hand in his, and he held it momentarily and stared at me.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Shaun heading toward us. My belly twisted in a knot, and I prayed he didn’t say anything.
“Shaun, this is Claire Monet. Claire, this is Shaun Kind. He’s responsible for tonight’s event.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Shaun.” I smiled.
“And you as well, Claire.” His grip on my hand tightened.
I was introduced to my other brothers, Sam and Stefan. Sebastian walked over and lightly hugged me.
“It’s good to see you again, Claire.”
“You too, Sebastian.” I smiled.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I saw Barb staring at me from across the room. I should have known she’d be here.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get a drink.”
“I’ll get you one. What do you want?” Nick asked.
“No. It’s okay. You stay and talk to your friends.” I placed my hand on his chest.
Walking up to the bar, I asked the bartender for a double scotch. I would need a few of them to get through this night.
“Great choice of drink.” Sam smiled as he walked up to the bar and stood next to me.
“I love me a good scotch.” I smiled.
“Follow me. Now!” Shaun whispered in my ear as he walked up behind me.
I threw back my drink and set my glass on the bar. “Excuse me, Sam.”
He nodded, and I followed Shaun to the hallway where the bathrooms were.
“Why are you here?” he asked sternly.
“I’m with my date.”
“It’s just a coincidence that your date happens to be one of my cousin’s best friends. Just like it’s a coincidence that you bought a house on my street. You better tell me who the fuck you are right now and why you’re here,” he spoke through gritted teeth.
“Shaun, what the hell is going on?” A beautiful woman stood a few feet from us. “Who is she?”
I could tell by the look on her face and the tone of her voice that she thought something was going on between us. I know I would if I were in her shoes.
“Jenni, this is Claire. Claire, my wife, Jenni.”
“Care to explain why the fuck the two of you are arguing alone in this hallway? You better explain yourself now, Kind!”
Shaun threw his hands up. “Great. Now look what you did.” He glared at me.
“Me? You’re the one who dragged me here!” I loudly voiced.
“Oh really?” Jenni cocked her head at Shaun, and I could see the rage in her eyes.
Fuck.
“Jenni, this is not what you think.”
“Sure looks like it to me, Shaun! Where did you meet her? Huh?!”
“Jenni, please. This isn’t—” I began to speak.
“You shut your mouth, you little slut!”
“For the love of God. He’s my brother!” I blurted out.
They stood there in shock, staring at me, trying to process what had just come out of my mouth.
“Excuse me?” Shaun said.
“You two need to listen to me very carefully. We cannot discuss this here or tonight. Both of you come to my apartment tomorrow morning around ten a.m., and we’ll talk. No, wait. My place isn’t a good idea. I’ll come to your house.”
“I don’t believe you,” Shaun said.
“Somehow, I think you do. My father is Henry Kind.”
Jenni’s eyes widened as she placed her hand over her mouth.
“Do you have proof of this?” Shaun asked.
“Yes. Please don’t tell the rest of the family. Not yet. Please, Shaun.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I won’t until after we discuss this.”
“Oh, my God.” Jenni hugged me. “I’m so sorry for calling you a slut.”
“It’s okay. I would have called me the same thing.” I sighed.
She broke our embrace. “Look at you.” She smiled. “You have their eyes. Welcome to the family, Claire.”
“We don’t know that for sure, babe,” Shaun said.
“Yes, Shaun, we do. Apologize to her right now.”
“For what?” He held out his arms.
“For being rude to your sister. Now, Shaun!”
He stared at her and shook his head.
“I’m sorry, Claire.”
“Don’t worry about it, Shaun.”
“What’s going on over here?” Nick walked over with a drink in his hand.
“Claire and I just came from the bathroom, and now we’re going to get a drink. You don’t mind if I steal your date, do you?” Jenni grinned. “Come on, Claire.” She grabbed my hand.
A server walked by, and Jenni grabbed two glasses of champagne and handed me one. Barb walked over and stood in front of us.
“Jenni, who’s your friend?”
“Barb, this is Claire. She’s Nick’s date. Claire, this is Barb, Shaun’s father’s ex-wife.”
With a fake smile, I extended my hand. “Hello, Barb.”
“Nice to meet you, Claire.” Her brow arched.
“We need to go take our seats.” Nick walked over and placed his hand on the small of my back. “It’s time for dinner.”
“I’ll talk to you ladies later.” I smiled, and Nick and I sat down at our table.
Our table was a couple of feet away from where the Kind family sat. Shaun and Barb had seats facing mine, and stares were exchanged. After a nice dinner, Shaun and Christian stood up and gave their speeches.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” Nick smiled.
“Once or twice.” I grinned.
The band announced it was time for a dance. They began to play a slow song, so Nick stood up and held out his hand.
“May I have this dance?”
“You may.” I smiled as I placed my hand in his.
We swayed to the music on the dance floor, and Shaun and Jenni danced next to us.
“Let’s switch partners,” Jenni said. “Claire, you dance with Shaun, and I’ll dance with your handsome date.”
I inhaled sharply as I placed my hand in Shaun’s, and Jenni danced Nick away from us.
“He doesn’t know, does he?”
“No.”
“Are you using him to get to us?” he asked.
“No. We met at the brewhouse, and he’s my next-door neighbor. I had no idea he knew any of you when we met,” I spoke through gritted teeth.
“Smile,” he said. “People are watching.”
“I didn’t want to tell you this way,” I spoke.
“And when did you plan on telling us?”
“I don’t know.” I stared straight ahead. “Everything happened so fast.”
“Like you buying the Aubert’s house? I did the same thing after I discovered my brothers.”
“You did?” My brows furrowed.
“Yes. Our family has been through more shit than you could ever imagine. And now this. Barb is going to lose her shit when she finds out.”
“She already knows.”
“What?” His eyes narrowed.
“I’ll explain everything to you tomorrow. I don’t want to discuss it here.”