by Sherri Hayes
Stephan shook the man’s hand but didn’t comment.
Before the conversation could go farther, Josh caught sight of Logan and Lily and waved them over. “Mom. Dad. This is a friend of mine, Logan, and his fiancée, Lily. He’s the regional director of public relations at one of the largest hospitals in the area and Lily handles all the fundraising events at The Coleman Foundation.”
“Impressive,” Josh’s mother said. “I’m surprised you both have time to plan a wedding.”
Logan smiled. “Lily is an amazing event planner. I’m not sure how she does it, but she could make a hoedown fancy if she put her mind to it.”
Everyone in our little group laughed.
I stood there listening while everyone chatted for a few more minutes until Josh’s parents excused themselves. More people began to arrive, and Stephan suggested that Josh should mingle with his guests. I could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t looking forward to that part of the evening any more than I was.
Stephan guided us around the room, saying hi to the people he knew. Luckily, we didn’t stop to talk to anyone as he led me toward a table near the front of the room and pulled out a chair for me. Logan and Lily had followed us. Stephan had said they would stay close, but I hadn’t realized they'd be staying that close.
“I’m going to get us some waters,” Stephan said.
Logan invited Lily to sit next to me. He placed a hand on her shoulder, and then went off in the same direction as Stephan.
“Are you doing all right?” Lily asked once we were alone.
I nodded.
She leaned in close to me. “Have you tried imagining them all in their underwear?”
Eyes wide, I looked at her. “What?”
Lily chuckled. “They say if you have stage fright, then you should imagine your audience in their underwear. I figure this is similar.” She shrugged. “You’re nervous in large crowds. Maybe if you imagined them all in their underwear, they wouldn’t frighten you so much.”
I felt a smile tug at my lips. That was such a Lily thing to say. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t help me. “I don’t think it would work.”
She shrugged again. “Don’t know if you don’t try.”
Stephan and Logan returned so I didn’t have to come up with a reply. They sat down on either side of us . . . Stephan to my right and Logan to Lily’s left. Stephan handed me a glass of water and took a sip of his own.
We sat for a few minutes, watching the crowd grow. When we’d taken our seats, there had been maybe fifty people in the room. There was more than double that now and people were still arriving.
“I’m going to find Josh. It’s almost time to get started.” Stephan stood. He tilted my chin up and placed a kiss on my lips before weaving his way through the crowd of people.
To my relief, he wasn’t gone long. Stephan returned to the seat beside me, but soon several other people . . . people I didn’t know . . . joined us at the table, as well. I’m not sure why I thought it would only be the four of us at the table. There were eight chairs and lots of people. Of course, it wouldn't be just us.
“Number?” Stephan whispered in my ear. He must have noticed me tensing up.
“Four.”
He picked up my hand and placed it in his lap. My eyes closed as he began rubbing slow circles into my wrist. With every circular motion, my body relaxed more and I forgot about the other people in the room. Stephan was here. Beside me. He would keep me safe no matter what.
Stephan
I had forgotten how pretentious people at these events could be. Josh had taken the stage to welcome everyone and invite them to take their seats. The food had been good. It was the company that had me counting down the minutes before I could whisk Brianna onto the dance floor.
Two other couples had sat at the table with us. One was older, in their mid to late sixties. I recognized them from previous events. He was an investment banker if I remembered correctly. From the pause right before they sat down and the slow once over they gave Brianna, I knew they knew who I was and maybe even who Brianna was. I thought maybe that would spell trouble, but they weren’t the couple that had me counting the minutes until the servers took up the plates and the band began playing.
The woman kept trying to engage Brianna in conversation for some reason; asking her about their home and how she spent her time during the day. She’d not pressed beyond whatever answer Brianna had given her.
Brianna did well. She answered the woman’s questions, and then went back to her meal. I’d been watching her closely, waiting for any sign that her anxiety was rising, but other than a few glances around the room, she’d shown no signs of discomfort.
No, the reason for my desire to vacate our table as soon as it was polite had to do with the younger couple seated next to us. The man looked to be in his late forties. The woman, however, could have passed for a teenager in the right clothes and hairstyle. If I had to guess, she was around Brianna’s age.
“I was expecting a bigger turnout tonight,” the man said after looking around the room for what seemed like the hundredth time. “Networking is key at these types of functions.”
While that was true, it wasn’t something most people said out loud. “There are almost two hundred people in attendance,” I said. “That’s a respectable number for the organization’s first major fundraiser.”
“That’s true,” the older man said. “The first year always has the smallest attendance. But sometimes that’s a good thing. With a lot of people, there’s no way you get a chance to talk to everyone.”
The younger man frowned. “True. But Cindy and I were hoping to meet the mayor or some senators. Having the right connections makes getting things done in this town a lot easier.”
We’d learned throughout the evening that Robert was a real-estate developer. Given his comment, I could only wonder what types of projects he wanted to pursue if he was attempting to get government officials on his side. While I knew knowing the right people did help, there was something in the way Robert talked about rubbing elbows with those in power that had me thinking what he wanted may not be on the up and up.
“So, you said you’re getting married later this month?” Chester, the older gentleman at our table, asked Logan and Lily, bring the focus away from Robert.
I was grateful for the distraction, but it was a short reprieve. Cindy began going on and on about her own wedding, showing off her ring and announcing to the table how much her husband had spent on it. Given the age difference, and the way Robert’s chest had puffed out at the mention of the money he’d shelled out for the huge rock on Cindy’s finger, she screamed trophy wife.
I had met several trophy wives over the years. Some I’d liked and some grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. Cindy was one of the latter.
As soon as the band was set up and began playing their first song, I pushed my chair back and stood. “If you’ll excuse us, Brianna and I are going to make use of the dance floor.”
Brianna took my hand without hesitation. Not that I expected her to hesitate, but I was surprised by the speed in which she complied. She was as eager to get away from our tablemates as I was . . . maybe more.
I led Brianna onto the dance floor and pulled her into my arms. It had been a while since we’d danced together like this, but it felt as natural as it had the first time. She relaxed into me, letting me move us around the dance floor.
“Better?” I asked as the band transitioned into their second song.
She nodded. “Can we dance for the rest of the night and not go back to our table?”
I chuckled. “We’ll see. I’m kind of hoping they get up to ‘network’ now that the food is being taken away.”
Brianna grinned, but it was short lived. “Chester and Margret know who you are.” She swallowed. “I think they know who I am, too.”
Throughout the evening, I’d noticed some lingering glances from various people around the room. Chester and Margaret weren’t the
only ones to recognize me. I’d also noticed that not one of the individuals who’d seen me, many of whom I’d known for years from events such as this, had averted their gaze once I’d looked in their direction.
No, if anything, tonight had confirmed what I’d already known. I was no longer welcome in the circles I used to frequent. It wasn’t that none of them had secrets or indiscretions, because they did—some of them much worse than mine. It was that mine had become public fodder.
Brianna placed her hand on the side of my cheek bringing my focus back to her. “What’s wrong?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. Just wishing I hadn’t promised Josh I’d stay till the end of the evening.”
“At least we get to dance.”
Smiling, I pulled her a little closer, not caring about propriety. “It has been a while, hasn’t it, and I do love dancing with you.”
We danced for another twenty minutes before Josh tapped me on the shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt, but there are some people I’d like you to meet.”
Following Josh across the room, I noticed more stares and even some whispers. It wasn’t surprising. I’d moved in these circles to some degree since I was a boy, and once I’d taken over The Coleman Foundation, I’d been the face of the organization.
Josh stopped in front of a group of three people, two women and a man. The man looked to be in his early thirties, while the women seemed a bit older. “Stephan. Brianna. I’d like you to meet Linda Meyers, Olivia Larson, and Lieutenant Carter Johnson.” Each of the individuals nodded in turn as he introduced them. “Linda and Olivia run our outreach program and Carter is our law enforcement liaison of sorts. Nothing official, but he helps out whenever we have a matter where we need to get law enforcement involved.”
I extended my hand to each of them. “I’ve seen your names on some of the paperwork, but it's nice to have a face to go with a name. What you’re doing will help a lot of people.”
“Thank you,” Olivia said. “But we couldn’t do it without Josh. He makes sure we have the funds we need to help the people who come to us.”
As we continued talking about the center, I noticed that Carter wasn’t contributing to the conversation. He was paying attention, though. Every time I touched Brianna, his eyes followed the movement.
It made me want to tuck Brianna into my side, but I resisted the urge. This man wasn’t like most of the people in the room . . . the ones who would look down their nose at you if you didn’t live up to their standards but wouldn’t make a scene in public for fear of tarnishing their family's reputation. Carter Johnson was a cop, which meant he’d seen things most people hadn’t, and he probably didn’t have an issue making a scene if he felt the situation warranted it.
A man came up to the group asking if he could speak with Josh. It broke up the conversation and Linda suggested she and Olivia get a drink. That left Brianna and I alone with Carter.
“We should get back to our table. It was nice to meet you, Lieutenant Johnson,” I said, already turning to leave.
“I know who you are.” That stopped me in my tracks.
I turned to look at him again but didn’t comment. If he had something to say, he could say it. I doubted it was anything I hadn’t heard before.
When he spoke again, he didn’t pull any punches. “I don’t know if you’re a saint or a monster.”
My gaze didn’t waver. “Maybe I’m neither.”
He nodded, and then his gaze landed on Brianna. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a card, handing it to her.
Reluctantly, she took it.
“If you ever need my help.” He paused, looking over both me and Brianna before settling his gaze on her again. “You can also get in touch with Linda or Olivia at the center. They always know how to find me.”
With those parting words, he stalked off.
Brianna and I stared after him. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but it hadn’t been that. Where most of those in attendance had already passed judgement on me—and Brianna for that matter—he seemed to be reserving judgement until he had more information. While I didn’t like having my integrity questioned, I also couldn’t fault him for his scrutiny.
He hadn’t been rude, exactly, just brutally honest.
We swung by the bar to get some water before heading back to our table. The night was still young, but I was hoping all the evenings' surprises were out of the way.
Chapter 24
Brianna
Stephan and I ended up back on the dance floor. We stayed there, swaying back and forth to the music until the band announced it would be their last song of the evening.
“I think we’re gonna go,” Logan said, meeting us halfway between the dance floor and our table. “I doubt people will linger much longer.”
Most of the attendees had left during the last hour, but there were still about fifty people engaged in various conversations. Josh, Olivia, and Linda were talking with four men, their wives or girlfriends huddled together at a nearby table. They all looked as if they belonged, whereas I felt completely out of place.
The mask helped. Even though I knew most people were aware of who Stephan was and could figure out who I was as well, the mask gave me something to hide behind. Sort of.
“You did well tonight,” Lily said as she gave me a hug goodbye. “And you look amazing. Stephan hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off you all night.”
I grinned. “It’s a beautiful dress.”
“The woman in it is beautiful, as well. Remember that.” She gave me a little wave as Logan escorted her from the ballroom.
“Do I want to know what she whispered in your ear?” Stephan asked once they were out of earshot.
“Nothing bad. She just told me I was beautiful.”
Stephan reached for me, bringing my chest flush against his. He leaned down to brush his lips against mine—our first kiss since we left Logan and Lily’s. “Beautiful,” he whispered against my mouth before kissing me again.
It was a chaste kiss, but it still left me with butterflies in my stomach. I wanted all these people to disappear so we could be alone.
What I was thinking must have been clear on my face because a slow grin pulled at Stephan’s lips. “Let’s see if Josh still needs me here, or if we can head home.”
I held tight to Stephan’s hand as he weaved through the tables. Most of the people Josh had been talking to had left, but he was still talking to one of the men. He perked up when he saw us. “Stephan, do you know Bradley Porter? He’s been influential in getting many of the programs at the center off the ground.”
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Bradley said. He extended his hand to Stephan. “Josh has told me how you helped put the event together and have been assisting him on other ways to generate funding.”
Stephan relaxed at my side and they fell into an easy conversation about the center. It sounded like a nice place with a food pantry for those who needed it, a recreation room for teens, and even beds, showers, and lockers.
From listening to them talk, they were hoping to add counseling services soon. I wondered how Stephan felt about that. He’d never been a big fan of therapy—still wasn’t.
It was after eleven by the time we said goodbye to Josh and made our way to the elevator. I breathed a sigh of relief that it was over. While the night hadn’t been as bad as I’d feared, I would still have preferred to spend the evening at home cuddled on the couch with Stephan watching a movie or reading.
“We made it,” Stephan said as the elevator doors closed behind us. He circled his arm around me and tucked me into his side as we watched the numbers descend.
I leaned into him, absorbing his strength and letting his scent fill my lungs.
Stephan rested his cheek on top of my head for a moment before the elevator dinged letting us know we’d reached our floor. He dropped his arm from my shoulders and reached for my hand again as the doors opened. We walked out, sidestepping another couple who were on their way into the ele
vator.
As the other couple passed, I caught a whiff of the man’s cologne. My head whipped around, and he looked up right as the doors began closing again. My gaze met his for that moment, but it was enough.
My breath caught in my throat and I froze. I knew that face, those eyes. The smell of his cologne.
Stephan was in front of me in a heartbeat, his hands on my cheeks. I heard him talking to me, telling me to breathe, and I was trying. I was trying to breathe and think past the memories that were clouding my vision. The man. The knife. The pain.
“He likes to cut.” The words squeaked from my throat.
I wrapped my hands around Stephan’s wrists, digging my fingers into his skin, feeling the texture of it, the hairs on his forearms . . . trying to follow his instructions to focus on him and remember everything I’d learned in therapy. He was my anchor. The one who could pull me back from my fears . . . my memories.
As my vision began to clear and I became aware of my surroundings once more, I collapsed into Stephan’s arms. He rubbed my back, holding me to him.
My breathing returned to normal, but I couldn’t shake the fear that surged through me. It wasn’t fear for me, though. I knew Stephan would protect me. No, my fear was for the woman who’d been with the man.
I pulled back, unsure what to do but feeling the need to do something. While I hadn’t gotten a good look at the woman he was with, she’d looked young. Maybe as young as I’d been the first time I’d met him . . . seventeen.
The thought tightened the muscles in my throat. “We have to help her.”
It only took a moment for understanding to light Stephan’s eyes. He glanced in the direction of the elevator and pulled out his phone. “I need your help.”
I had no idea who he was talking to, but he swiftly gave the person a quick rundown of the information. Whoever it was must have asked him if he was sure because he looked down at me, a frown marring his features. “Yes, Brianna’s sure. And he has a young woman with him.” There was a pause. “I don’t know. Young. She had on a lot of make-up, so I’m guessing prostitute or runaway.”