Chapter 11
Chapter eleven
Sage
The band seamlessly fades into a waltz as if Barrett had slipped them a tip with the graze of a palm, but we never went near the stage.
People are still arriving, the line at the front even more condensed than when we made our way inside.
The priorities of the guests vary from drinks to finding the right people. Not dancing.
I try not to notice how conversations lower as I feel eyes pin to my back one set at a time.
Why the hell is he painting us as some sort of target?
I expected us to blend in and stay mostly unseen.
But instead, we are front and centre, doing the one thing no one else would do this early in the night. Dancing is meant for after dinner.
“Relax,” he murmurs.
“I don’t want to.” I want to get off the dance floor. “Is there a reason for this, or are you bored already?”
I’m not sure I can call the look on his face a smile, but it screams cocky as he continues with his silent stare. It isn’t only a stare—but he’s holding me captive with the heat in his eyes. I’m helpless to look away.
His fingers flex as he guides me around and his hold on my hand at his chest is firm. I’m trapped, but not in a way I need to fear. I’m safe, grounded and the fucking centre of attention at a moment that makes me feel vulnerable. There’s nothing I can do about it.
“You look stunning.” His low murmur pulls me from my panic.
“What?”
“Sage.” My name sounds close to a plea—a low heated plea for obedience. “You are stunning. That’s why people are staring. That’s why I pulled you onto the dance floor. I want you to relax. Move with me and keep your eyes here.” Barrett leans his head closer to mine.
“But you have another reason, don’t you?”
“Stop overthinking. You’re here to enjoy yourself.”
“Difficult to do when I know you’re asking me to leap over quicksand.”
Barrett sighs and pulls me closer. I’m thankful my chest is flush against him.
The sudden contact makes my nipples harden, and I’m not prepared to analyze that or have anyone else in the room analyze the sight in front of them either.
Letting go of my hand, he cups my cheek.
“I won’t let you get hurt. No matter what our arrangement is, you will not be harmed by working for me.
So let me make this clear as part of our deal—you will walk away from me at the end of this unharmed and unaffected. ”
I believe him. He’s too sincere for me to consider his words to be a lie. But he may be wrong about me being unaffected. I’m already affected. That’s on me, and something I need to resolve before I’m destroyed by this.
The song ends and he moves us toward the opposite edge of the dance floor as if it had been a choreographed show. Conversation rises around us, or my ears clear from the haze of the moment and I can hear once again. Had all the attention been in my mind and I’d only been affected by Barrett?
It doesn’t matter now.
We get fresh drinks from the bar before finding an available table and take a seat, and I hope this is where we’ll stay until after dinner. Barrett doesn’t allow for much space between us. He pulls my chair closer to his and drapes his arm around the back of it.
I take in the room with a different eye.
I mark the corners and who’s in them, who stands at the bar and hovers nearby, and with every pass around the room, my gaze pauses on Liam and Dorian.
Barrett’s questions revolved around them.
They have to be the reason he needed to come tonight.
But which one is his target? Before I can consider any more hypotheticals, a familiar click of heels interrupts my thoughts.
“Hope you don’t mind if we join you.” Madeline pulls out the chair next to Barrett, curving her body to show off every asset while lowering herself into the seat.
Her husband looks less than impressed while he waits for her to move out of his way.
I wonder what sort of television drama their home walls could create if they talked.
We don’t answer Madeline, but she isn’t looking for one. She’s only looking for attention from Barrett, having been denied by him earlier.
Willow and her date, a young man with short brown hair, a long nose, and narrow eyes join us shortly after, leaving two empty seats at the table.
The others who work with us have scattered throughout the room aside from Liam who’s sitting at the front table with Dorian.
That connection garnered a lot of business for us.
We all benefited from it, even myself. But knowing that Barrett is targeting one of them, I’m questioning every interaction.
Ridiculous. He’s an assassin. The bad guy. He’s likely been hired by some jealous rival to kill off a good man.
I block out the conversations and Madeline’s overt flirting to study Barrett’s profile.
He’s an assassin. The bad guy. I repeat that fact to myself in my mind over and over.
Why? Why am I turning this man into some sort of hero?
I blackmailed him. He’s using me. Yet he saved my sister without demanding the worst from me as payment.
He bought me a dress and called me stunning.
“Won’t you, Sage?” Madeline pitches the question high, as if it isn’t the first time she’s tried to get my attention. Barrett turns his head, catching my stare.
“I’ll do what?” I ask without looking away from Barrett until he’s finished running his thumb over my lower lip. Damn, I didn’t notice him reach out.
“Bring Ben to the office on Monday for lunch.”
“No.”
Barrett chokes on a laugh and clears it with a sip of his drink.
Madeline blinks and I smile back before turning my attention to her husband. “How are you doing since your knee surgery?”
Jacob looks shocked for a moment, but then the pleasure that blooms over his face is almost sad. “Really well. Physiotherapy has been a lifesaver. A painful lifesaver, but worth it.”
I work hard to keep the conversation on everyone else at the table until Madeline is pouting.
The mayor takes the microphone, slowly silencing the chatter.
“Welcome everyone. This gala is our most sought-after event of the year.”
Sought-after? I thought it was mostly the same faces every year as the guest list is handpicked.
“The sale of these tickets does amazing work within our community and we should all be proud. We know who we have to thank for that, and who puts in the most work organizing this event. Before we enjoy our meal, please give a round of applause for Dorian Campbell.”
The clapping rises and falls in waves until Dorian replaces the mayor. “Thank you, Mayor Pine. Seeing a full house here tonight, and every year, gives me hope. I know we are all in this together to help our community and the people who need our care most.”
Yet none of them are here to enjoy a night of magic and good food.
“You all know I’ll have more to say later in the evening, but for right now, we’re all hungry. Bring out the food! Enjoy, everyone.”
“A little hypocritical,” I mumble, not intending anyone to hear, but Barrett leans in close.
“I agree, pet.”
Servers emerge from both sides of the room carrying large trays with full plates. They start with the front tables and work their way back. By the time they reach us, the first served are waving them down to bring out desserts.
Soon after, the band takes a break and the speeches begin. Long, boring speeches filled with gratitude. Some genuine. Most fake.
“Bored?” Barrett’s lips brush the shell of my ear. I straighten, just then realizing I’m hunched over with my head leaning on my hand and elbow on the table.
“Extremely.”
“How about now?” He nips my lobe and I hear the light tinkle of my earing as it moves. His hand drops to my bare shoulder. I can’t help but tilt my head away to give him access. I feel deprived, and I’m the one to blame. “Are you still bored?”
“Less so. Why are you doing this?”
“Because I’m bored, too.”
Closing my eyes, I savour the last nibble before pulling away from him, but he’s quick to grasp my chin and pull me back.
“Don’t.” It’s a demand.
“Why? Is this some part of your plan?” I don’t like this feeling of having to question every move he makes. What is part of his job and what is just wasting time? Or using me?
“Trouble?” Madeline turns herself away from the stage to lean toward Barrett’s other side.
Seriously, woman. Mind your own fucking business for once.
“Excuse us.” Barrett stands and pulls out my chair. I have no need to argue with him. I’ll gladly leave at this point. He can finish out the night on his own.
But I didn’t expect him to pull me into an empty coat-room.