The image which came to mind did little to cool her blood. But like all the others were nothing but a dream. Pleasurable as it was. It was still just a dream.
Chapter 15
“Bethany!”
Declan studied the woman hurrying towards them as they stood just inside the double doors leading to the conference room currently commandeered for the charity luncheon. The woman’s hair had been artfully cut to frame her face, the rich chocolate colour matching her wide-set eyes. Her navy skirt suit looked stuffy and severe compared to the other patrons who like Beth had worn simple attire.
“Beth, darling, I thought that was you.” She air-kissed Beth’s cheeks. “I didn’t think you’d make it. It’s so wonderful that you’re here.” She smiled at Declan and gave him a little nod. “Gosh, you look more and more like your mother every year.”
Beth’s hand around his arm tightened. He covered hers with his, applying enough pressure so she might take some comfort from it.
“Thank you, Mrs. Pruitt. It’s a pleasure to be invited and even more so to attend. You’ve done such an amazing job with the foundation.”
“You’re sweet. I couldn’t do it without your support. I hope you enjoy yourself and please do join us more often.”
After saying goodbye, the woman flittered back into the crowd.
“You okay?”
“Better than okay. Let’s do this.”
They found their seats. He tucked her chair in and sank down beside her, shuffling his chair closer to her.
A few people introduced themselves and shook his hand. Beth smiled and complimented a woman on her glittering shawl.
This was the daughter of a millionaire. A woman raised to be gracious and charming. To rub elbows with the rich and elite. And from what Davies had said, did so quite well.
Declan admitted he was intrigued at the change. He’d seen her angry, cool, scared, flustered, shy, and now the perfect hostess. Any nervousness she’d once had had dissipated and in its place was confidence of someone who could generate conversation and put anyone at ease.
This was taking his bodyguard duties too far. It hadn’t been the first time. He shouldn’t have offered. Yet, he’d been powerless to say no. That wasn’t entirely truthful. He could’ve said no at any point. He just hadn’t wanted to for a variety of reasons he refused to process.
Strong perfume choked him. He filled two glasses from the communal decanter and after placing one before Beth, took a deep sip of his own. He settled back and ignoring the proceedings, surveyed the room, searching for any indication Bethany may be in danger.
When the speaker announced Beth’s name requesting her to make a speech, her gaze jumped to his and blood drained from her face. She wet her lips.
“They never mentioned I’d be making a speech. What do I do?”
He squeezed her hand. “You’ll do fine. I’ve seen you storm into a meeting and demand attention irrespective of who’d been in attendance. You can do this. Just speak from the heart.”
She nodded jerkily and stood. On unsteady legs, she made it to the podium and gripped the sides as though only the few sides of wood held her up.
Over the past few days, they’d formed an unlikely friendship, surprising him since he’d been determined to despise her but she’d worn him down. He still wished she were stronger, and not let other’s—including him dictate her life, and yet when it truly mattered to her, he’d seen her inner strength. She chose her battles carefully.
“This foundation was a big part of my mother’s life. She was diagnosed in her twenties and I lost her not long after. Donating money is easy.”
“Especially when you’ve had to do nothing to earn it. Spoiled little princess. Must be nice having everything handed to you.”
Hearing the words he’d thought about Beth not so long ago made him nauseous. The woman had no right to assume she knew Beth anymore than he’d had to make assumptions about her. He’d been wrong about her. Beth was kind, generous—unless provoked and while yes, she’d had a privileged life it hadn’t been as charmed as he’d believed.
But he’d seen her in action. Laughing with the housekeeper, helping the cantankerous gardener or cooking alongside Davies. People who could be considered beneath her socially.
Her father may be as shady as shit but Beth was pure innocence.
An urge to defend her bubbled. Only not wanting to make a scene held him back. Instead, he focused on Beth’s impromptu speech, pride blossoming in his chest.
“But all of you, you’ve donated far more. You’ve given time away from your families. Your blood. It’s people like all of you who keep foundations such as this one going. So please all stand. You deserve recognition for all that you do more so than I.”
Women rose and began clapping. Beth slipped off the stage and when she sat down beside him, tears shimmered in her eyes.
He imagined her thinking about her mother and the hole left in her life by the woman’s death.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her into him.
Beth buried her face into the crook of his neck and a tear ran over his skin. He drew her perfume into his lungs, a scent that muddled his senses. A mixture of flowery scents so sweet and soft, just like her.
She pulled back, her eyes widening and she frantically rubbed at his collar.
“Sorry. I’ve smeared lipstick all over you.”
“It’ll come out.”
He took her hand and gently stroked the skin at her wrist. Her pulse jumped beneath his fingertips. Watery blue eyes caught his and held. Her once ragged breathing slowed. His body tightened at her reaction. She had no idea how to guard herself. As much as he loved how she responded to him, he wished she didn’t. It made everything more difficult.
“You did good up there. I know that wouldn’t have been easy.”
“Thank you. I don’t like being in the spotlight.”
“Davies said you often acted as hostess to your father’s functions?”
“I do. But there’s so much going on I rarely spend any time out on the floor. Mostly I manage it from the kitchen.”
“Well then, I’d like to change my previous praise from good to bloody fantastic.”
A smile stretched her lips. Her eyes sparkling with joy. He was glad he’d been a part of putting that expression on her face.
“Hungry?”
“I have been eying those salmon tarts.”
He pulled her to her feet. “Well, let’s go track some down.” Keeping hold of her hand through the throng of people they found the buffet table. He tried to tell himself he needed to ensure her safety and yet he knew it was a lie. He liked Beth’s company, her sweet presence.
He scooped up two tarts and handed one to Bethany. After collecting a napkin, she sampled the salmon.
“I’m no expert but I’d say that was pretty damn good. I think Quinn finally has some competition but don’t tell him I said that.”
“Wouldn’t think of it. He might just cut me off out of spite.”
Her musical laugh filled his ears. He loved that sound. Almost as much as he liked the way she responded to him. He needed to pull on those reins before he got carried away. This wasn’t a date and she couldn’t ever be his woman. Despite how hot she made his blood.
She shifted closer, though he wasn’t sure how that’d been possible. There’d been little room left between them. “Thank you for bringing me today. I know you didn’t have to. I appreciate it. You’re not so bad, Declan O’Neill.”
“Right back at you, Bethany Bennett.”
“Yes, daddy’s little princess.” He recognised that voice. It belonged to the nasty piece of work who’d been rather malicious in her description of Beth. He moved to shield her. Nothing this woman said would in any way be considered kind. “We all know who your father is and what he’s done. If it were up to me Bennett money would not be welcome. Neither would you.” She turned to Declan and winked. “You, on the other hand, handsome are certainly most welcome.
Where’d she get you? No doubt everything in a Bennett’s life is bought. Or are you just after her money? I suppose you don’t care that it’s dirty.”
No way would he stand here and allow Beth to be subjected to this cruelty. If miss vinegar had been a man, he would’ve sent a fist into her face and enjoyed the sting on his knuckles.
He took Beth’s elbow, noting her expression had morphed into a look of abject horror. “We’re leaving.”
Without waiting for a response, he hustled her out of the room.
***
Declan kept hold of her arm as they strolled along the wharf. The smell of salt water strong so close to the water. Bethany’s hair whipped her face in the strong wind. Out in the harbour, fishing trawlers were returning from their morning sail, their boats filled with pounds of fish ready to sell to the markets and restaurants.
She finally snapped out of the stupor she’d been in since that woman opened her mouth. Argh. How embarrassing.
The woman had no right.
“She’s not wrong. I’m not blind to my father’s business ethics or whatever you call them and I’ve benefited from them. Do I like it? No. But I’m tied to him. It doesn’t matter where I go I’ll always be in danger because of him. Always hated because of him. Tarred by the same brush. And why not? I accept the money. I’m no better but I know nothing else. Have nothing else. Where would I go? What would I do? I fear the unknown more than the alternative.”
The shops lining the waterfront had a steady stream of customers. Families sat at tables beneath large umbrellas, consuming fresh battered fish and crunchy chips. A little boy of no more than five let out a squeal and pointed. Bethany followed his interest. A tall pelican perched on one of semi-submerged rocks barely a few meters away.
“You are not like him. I was prepared for the worst taking this position but you’re not at all like I imagined.”
She stopped. He stepped back to her.
“What did you imagine?”
Beth wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
“You’re more than your father’s daughter. You’re kind and sweet. There’s nothing wrong with you. Don’t let anyone make you feel that way.”
Despite the cool wind coming off the water the day was tolerable, not one cloud in the sky and Beth was glad she was out and about even if her companion wasn’t relaxed. She could sense Declan’s restlessness, the tension inside him that said he was on the job, looking for possible dangers and was thankful he was by her side. She hadn’t felt this safe outside the walls of Bennett Mansion in years. Not since she had been a child.
“I know my father has done some shady deals in the past. Skirted on the side of legal and illegal if not completely jumping over.”
“Bennett Shipping didn’t always hold such a stigma. In the years when your great grandfather ran it, everything was above board.” When she arched an eyebrow, he shrugged. “I did some research. I like knowing who I’m working for.”
She wet her lips. “Does it bother you, as a cop I mean, working for him? Surely there are rules. My father, in any word, could be called a criminal.”
“I’m not protecting your father. I’m protecting you. An innocent.”
Bethany’s cheeks heated. She wasn’t sure how to respond so she changed the subject. Her gaze fell upon the sign for the ice-cream parlour.
“Shame it’s too cold for ice cream.”
“You can always come back in summer.”
“You know I can’t. My father will probably flip his lid over today when he finds out. Don’t get me wrong he’s not bad. At least not to me. He’s right about his need to protect me, I’ll always be a target. Although he’s only thinking physically, there are people out there that’ll take advantage of me—hurt me emotionally to get their hands on my inheritance. Seduce me.”
She swallowed hard, embarrassed for the third time in a matter of minutes.
“I’m surprised your father hasn’t thought to set you up with someone he can trust.”
“I’m sure it’s crossed his mind, though I doubt he’d think anyone would be good enough. But that’s okay my life is mostly fulfilling.”
She could only imagine the stuff-shirted bores her father would’ve considered suitable. Now, if he’d followed through it would’ve been the first time they’d truly fought. She put up with a lot but she wouldn’t be forced into a loveless marriage.
“What happened when you were nine?”
She stumbled at the unexpected question. He caught her arm and steadied her.
“W-why do you ask?”
“I’m curious. It’s shaped you, changed the direction your life may have went and brought about your father’s paranoia.”
Her shoulders rose then deflated. “One of my teachers, along with her boyfriend, kidnapped me. They were having money issues. My ransom would fix that. They left me alone for days locked inside a closet in an abandoned building. My father paid them of course.”
“Jesus.” Declan’s gaze probed hers, delving deep inside her. “The night light.”
Her cheeks heated. He said the words as though an answer to a question. Beth should have known he’d notice her biggest humiliation. He was too observant not to.
“I still have panic attacks if I wake to total darkness.”
She stared ahead, not wanting to see pity or judgement on his handsome face. Beth wouldn’t be able to take it without resenting him.
“That’s not the worse thing about the entire incident. At least not to me. It was Uncle Alec who came to collect me. Not my father. It gutted me. My own father left it to someone else because he had a business meeting. As far as he was concerned he’d done what he was meant to.”
As though his daughter was a mere obligation to him.
She took a breath, taking the time to calm down and still her heart which raced each time she remembered those dark days.
“I love my Uncle Alec and that he came for me but it wasn’t the same. My father has never known what to do about me. He loves me. I know that and he does what he believes best but he forgot then that I was just a scared little girl who wanted to go home. Wanted her father to hold her tightly and tell her it was all going to be okay.”
His grip around her arm tightened. “I’m so sorry, Beth.”
“I wish I’d been more like Riley. Fought more.”
“Riley had been grown when she’d been taken. You were just a little girl.”
“No, I was a price tag. That’s all I’ve ever been. That and a pawn in a game I’ve never played. All I want is a normal life.”
“What is normal?”
“Normal is people seeing me and not my last name. Seeing what I can bring to the table instead of thinking I’m an annoying blowfly ruining their meal. Normal is being able to walk out your front gate without a man with a gun dogging your every step.”
She hated how sorry for herself she sounded. How unappreciative when many would trade places with her in an instant. Perhaps the problem lay with her?
“You’re an adult now. There’s nothing stopping you from leaving.”
“If only it were that simple. My father has made it very clear. I’m a vulnerability to him. People will use me to get to him, to make him suffer and if I ever left him I would be putting him in danger. He’s right.”
“He’s not right.”
“Yes, he is. I know only too well. I think the loss of my mother and the near loss of me sent him over the edge. Nothing after that seemed to placate him when it came to my security.”
“Doesn’t make it right.”
She wasn’t explaining it well. A part of her understood. Another resented not being able to live her own life because of his questionable choices.
“He gave me the option to leave once. But if I did, I went with security—permanently. I didn’t take him up on his offer.”
“Why not?”
“Because at least at home I have the illusion of being alone.” Her voice softened. “Of being free.”
“You
really do live in a gilded cage.”
She broke off her reply as Declan whipped his head around at a figure impeaching on their private sanctuary. It was like having her very own motion detector—her very own deadly motion detector. She had no doubt Declan could kill if the situation called for it.
A reporter pushed his way towards her. “Miss Bennett, is it true your father is now in bed with crime lord Isaac Hunter?”
Declan moved between her and the reporter, halting the man with a hand on his chest. “Back off.”
The hair on the back of her neck rose.
“Are you aware of your father’s illegal activities? And what he’s done to ensure a fortune for you?” The reporter’s voice rose with each stab of his sharp tongue. Around them, people turned towards her and stared, making Beth feel like she was inside a fishbowl. Accusations formed on their faces, hatred and worry made up the rest of the emotions.
Declan pushed the reporter back even as more descended on them like locusts. How did they find her? What were they saying? Who was Isaac Hunter? Questions like these formed inside her head, blocking her away from reality. Declan seized her arm and pushed her ahead of him.
“Stay back.”
He never once let go of her or allowed the throng of people to distract him, evaluating the horde surrounding them for potential threats.
“Who are you?”
Declan glared at the reporter who dared speak to him, a scowl etched into his face. “I’m her boyfriend.”
She tried to focus on the accusations the reporters had thrown at her. But only one sentence remained with her at that moment.
I’m her boyfriend.
“You shouldn’t have said that.” She struggled to keep up with his long strides.
“It made them back off, didn’t it?”
“I think that had more to do with your tone of voice rather than what you said. I doubt you have to repeat yourself to many people.”
His mouth curled and her stomach erupted with butterflies. She swallowed nervously, her throat dry.
Gilded Cage (Harbour Bay Book 6) Page 8