NINE
FOR FRIDAY’S EVENT, her mother picked out a floor-length body-con ball gown for her. Black, strapless, contrasting the diamonds mother released to daughter. Studs and a choker, simple, but enough to reveal her mother wanted to impress someone.
Four Sears traveled in the limo, yet only two of them spoke. Nothing new there. It was only as they approached their destination that conversation stopped and her brother poured champagne. One glass, half for her, prepared them for the party.
Someone should say something… Her father hadn’t even addressed his meeting with Brogan last Monday. Nothing, not a word.
“It’s likely I’ll go home with Brogan tonight,” she said.
“Yes, he told us,” her father said, dragging his attention to the side window.
“I don’t get what you see in that guy,” Bram muttered.
“Bram…” Her father sucked in breath. “Your sister has our blessing.”
The—they—she. “I… what?”
Bram squirmed. “Yeah. Right. He’s not my first choice for a brother-in-law, but any information you can pump from him works for us.”
Ah, of course. The old pimp out your sister for corporate advantage chestnut.
“Oh, Bram, no, that’s not my job.”
“You’re so stupid. Don’t you know what he’s doing?” Bram said. “He’s only with you for insider information on us.”
So much for the three men coming to some kind of truce.
“Or for Gault,” her father muttered.
“Gault?” she asked. “What’s Gault?”
The limo stopped, stealing her opportunity for answers.
The door opened to the glitz, the call of those gathered, and flash of cameras.
The red-carpet part was over there, at the opposite side of the grand entrance.
Didn’t interest her at all and the feeling was, thankfully, mutual.
Sear women were not supposed to be attention seekers.
Every other line of thought stalled at the sight of Brogan at the top of the stairs. What was he doing outside?
Like James Bond or a model from the pages of a glossy mag, the breadth and certainty of those shoulders could hold the whole world up and still keep those he cared about unburdened. It shouldn’t be like that though, should it? The burden shouldn’t be all his.
He descended the stairs and despite watching every step of his trajectory, it still stunned her that he stopped by her.
“Irish,” he said and picked up her hand to kiss her knuckles.
Beyond him, her own family mounted the stairs, leaving her behind. Good, the less contact they had with Brogan, the longer her pulse had a chance to even out. Ha, right, like it would, Brogan agitated that with his presence.
“Mister,” she said, failing to move when he tucked her hand into his elbow.
“What’s wrong?”
Searching his eyes, she couldn’t find her confidence. This way he made her feel. The gravity of his presence. It was more than the way he looked. Brogan Spurn was… breathtaking.
She smiled and shook her head. “Nothing.”
The stone stairway was enclosed on each side, making it necessary to stay close as they ascended.
In the lobby, her family was—Brogan hurried her to the periphery of people and into his direct eyeline.
“Talk.”
“Excuse me?”
“I want you in my ear,” he said. “I want to hear you, others to hear you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Your family keep you hidden. They demand silence even in public. That’s not what I want.”
And she still didn’t get it. Doing what she was told would be easier if she had a clue what was being asked of her.
“What do you want?” she questioned.
“You’re an obvious trophy. Any man looking at you knows your beauty.” Oh, wow, that churned a spur of heat within her. “Talk to me, be part of the conversation.”
She shook her head. “I’ll embarrass you.”
“You won’t.”
“I’ll be intimidated.”
“Look at me…” Her gaze returned to his. “If you have questions and don’t want to ask in front of people, ask me when we’re alone. Stay with me. Be at my side.”
“I’m not business minded.”
“Did your father tell you that?” His fingers grazed her jaw. “You can do this. Use your fire.”
Her what? Was he nuts?
“I can’t,” she said. “I’m nothing like you and—”
“You’re more like me than you think.”
Like him? No, no one could be like him, especially her.
“I don’t have fire,” she murmured, “not like you.”
“If you didn’t, we wouldn’t be in this.” And she could almost believe him with that certainty staring back at her. “Stop hiding yourself, Irish. Our deal stands. Make people believe you’re proud to stand beside me.”
“I am.” Quickly, she went closer. “I am proud.”
All things considered, she should be otherwise. Society would be watching them, expecting that.
“You’re used to being stunning and silent.” He guided her hand to his chest. How did he know that? Until a few days ago, he couldn’t have known she existed. “You have the first part under control.”
“Mister, I need—”
“I know,” he said and let her go to reach into his inside pocket. “That’s the quid. You get your quo. If nothing else, this relationship will be fair. That’s not a courtesy I extend to everyone.”
He took a slip of paper from his jacket and unfolded it to show her.
“A blank check?” she said. “You’ve signed it.”
“Fill in the amount and donate it on our behalf.”
Flattered, her lips curled slowly. This generosity was unrecognizable from anything she’d experienced.
“Mister,” she swooned, her eyes flitting to his before dropping to the check again.
When she reached for it, he folded it and kept hold of it even as her fingers curled around it.
“By my side.”
“By your side,” she said, rising to sneak the check while distracting him with a brief kiss. “Will you dance with your trophy?”
Linking her hand in his arm again, he turned them toward the ballroom doors. “Depends if she quids.”
She could do this. She could. Deep breath.
Inside. Get a drink. Schmooze. She’d been to these parties before. Under close supervision, but present at the least.
With the first group, she didn’t speak. Not a word. Another group? More of the same.
Why couldn’t she open her mouth?
Brogan grew more unimpressed by the moment. She wouldn’t be far away from a stern talking to. Do what she’s told. That was the deal.
“Leadership,” she said, startling the four men around her.
“Excuse me?” one of them asked.
“Your executive team are pushing back for a reason,” she said because it just came out.
“Either there’s a genuine problem with the deal or you haven’t convinced them yet.
The best thing you can do is listen. Hear them out and consider their angle.
They don’t want the company to fail. The more money it makes in the long term, the more money they make.
You must think about longevity. Is this opportunity going to align with your company goals in five or ten years?
Your people don’t need confrontation and hostility, they need leadership. ”
“That so?”
“If you can’t prove to them that you can be a reasonable person and show them respect, you’re more likely to face pushback in the future.”
“Won’t take them long to push you out,” another guy agreed.
“Listen to them,” she said. “Show them respect. Maybe they’ll bring you around to their point of view. If you still don’t agree, take the time to explain your angle. Belligerence won’t get you what you want and it won’t bring you job security. Listen to them.”
Brogan bowed to murmur above her ear. “Like that.”
She smiled. Okay, that was what he wanted? Now she got it.
A drink. A few words here, a few there. The night was an eye-opener. Her family never wanted her to be seen. It had been that way from the moment she’d been born. The status quo was habit.
Who would’ve thought Brogan Spurn would be the first to show her another way?
Most of the guests were her father’s friends and blinked at her like they hadn’t known she had a tongue in her head. This wasn’t a room of Brogan’s biggest allies, but he was there, making an effort, and he’d let her donate a serious amount of cash to the cause.
Some of the circles they moved in were brazen enough to ask about their relationship.
Brogan fielded the questions with his usual stoic grace.
In a thrilling surprise, it turned out he was an attentive date.
No, they didn’t dance, but she didn’t want for anything else.
She always had a drink and food when she needed it.
He’d escort her to the ladies’ room when she needed to go and in the times his phone rang, he’d ensure she was comfortable before answering.
In return, she did her best to match his finesse. She smiled and laughed, doing what she could to be a glittering trophy. And, out of her comfort zone, she hazarded a word or two, then a sentence or two, confidence growing as time passed… and alcohol disappeared down her throat.
Her family were around, somewhere. She couldn’t say she was sorry they kept their distance.
Forgetting they were there made it easier to relax with Brogan.
It was one thing to say they accepted the relationship, it was another to embrace it.
Whispers followed her and Brogan all night, the scandal hadn’t escaped her, though her date seemed oblivious.
Every once in a while, she caught a glimpse of her parents or brother, but they wouldn’t look for long.
The crowd was thinning, the night was coming to an end.
“Time to leave, Irish,” Brogan said.
All night she’d moved under his direction. Until then. When he tried to move, she stayed put, pulling him back.
“Wait a minute,” she said, licking her lips, avoiding his eyes.
“It’s midnight,” he said. “We’re done here.”
“That’s not it, I… This isn’t a good idea.”
“What isn’t a good idea?”
His impatience lowered his tolerance. It was late, he had to be tired. Most people would say he wasn’t the most tolerant of men at the best of times. Testing him wouldn’t serve anyone.
Letting her eyes drift upward, she salved her lip, steeling herself to admit weakness.
“I shouldn’t come home with you,” she said.
“You’ll do as you’re told.”
Sliding a hand up under his lapel, she edged nearer. If he could feel her apprehension, she wouldn’t have to say it.
“What happens when we’re alone with nothing but the night in front of us?”
He curled his fingers beneath her jaw. “Who said we’ll be alone?” She’d just assumed… Who did he live with? “You’ll do as you’re told, Irish.”
A limo waited for them outside. No waiting, it was there. Brogan was the one to open the door to guide her inside.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No,” she said. “I’ve had enough.”
His phone rang. “Excuse me.”
Who called at this time? Going to his place had been the plan.
Could she trust herself? It would be a lot easier to trust them in private if they weren’t alone.
Except midnight wasn’t the best time to make a good first impression on a new person.
During the party, she’d been swept up in the moment.
Being broadly social fitted the mood at a busy party.
In a more intimate setting… Her true desire would be a shining beacon.
She wouldn’t be able to hide it. And, ridiculous as it was, she feared embarrassing herself, yes, Brogan?
Sure. And… her parents. Yeah, they had her well trained.
She’d have to be on her best behavior. Deep breaths. Oh, she really didn’t want to embarrass him.