Protect Me(71)

After a quick stop by the bathroom where she packs up all of her girly bathroom stuff, we head out to my car. I open Lia’s door and notice her stop. She turns and gives the apartment one last look. It leaves me with an uneasy feeling.

“Ready?” I ask, running my hand up her back, taking in the soft skin and the silky material of the dress. I don’t even give her time to reply. My lips descend on hers before she can answer. She’s all minty and warm. She tastes like heaven. I almost tell her that I love her right then and there, but something holds me back. I want it to be perfect. I will tell her later tonight when we’re alone after the gala.

“I’m ready,” she whispers against my lips. I growl as I force myself to pull back. Shit, do I want to take her right here and now in the alleyway? I don’t even care if we make it inside the car or not.

“Get in, then, before I ravish you and rip apart Holly’s expensive-ass dress and we never make it to the gala,” I say, backing away so she can slide into the car.

Lia is quiet the entire ride to the banquet hall. Rivers Edge only has two locations for parties, and this one is the only one large enough to cater to a party this size. I find a parking spot in the lot and get out of the car. I throw on my jacket before I open Lia’s door. She places her small hand inside of my extended one, and I gently help her out.

At the entrance of the hall, an elderly couple is sitting at a banquet table. “Good evening,” the woman says. “Do you have a ticket?”

I produce our ticket from the inside pocket of my jacket and hand it over. Dinner and drinks for two for a one hundred dollar donation.

“There’s a silent auction area over to the side,” the gentleman says as his wife takes our ticket. “Have a great evening,” he offers with a friendly smile.

I lead Lia inside and spot my family right away. Jake has his arm protectively around Erin as they visit with Avery, Maddox, Josselyn, and Travis. We start to head that way as Will walks up beside me.

“Thanks for grabbing my tux,” he says before taking a drink of the dark, amber liquid in his glass.

“Not a problem. You owe me ninety, though,” I tell him with a smile.

“Oh, you’re not paying for it for me, too?” he asks with a grin.

“Not on your life,” I tell my younger brother.

The girls instantly start talking as Holly and Jase walk up. It’s still weird seeing Jase Bentley in Rivers Edge. He may be one of the world’s biggest rock stars, but the guy is really cool and down to earth. He’s nothing like I would have expected for somebody of his caliber with awards and acclamations. He’s just a regular guy, and I enjoy bullshitting with him.

While the girls are talking about their dresses, I lean down and whisper in Lia’s ear. “I’m gonna talk to the guys. I’ll be right behind you,” I tell her.

“Okay,” she says with a small smile.

I turn to my older brother and my brother-in-law and give them a head nod, indicating for them to follow me.

“What’s up?” Jake asks when we’re just out of earshot from the others.

“I need to tell you guys something,” I say quietly. “What I tell you doesn’t leave us. I don’t want you telling your wives or anyone. Deal?”

“Deal,” Maddox and Jake both respond, the seriousness of the conversation evident in their tone.

“Lia comes from an abusive relationship,” I confide. I have a hard time keeping my anger out of my voice and it doesn’t help that Maddox and Jake are both instantly and visually upset.

“The guy comes from money and has threatened her in the past. She’s never told anyone before me. Well, something’s up. I don’t know what, but my gut is telling me that trouble is brewing. She went on the run about eleven months ago from this guy and has been running since. He has a long political reach and enough money to buy whatever he wants. I’m afraid he won’t stop looking for her,” I tell them.

“I will fucking kill him,” Jake says through gritted teeth before taking a drink of whatever liquid is in his glass.

“Get in line,” I say. “I promised her I wouldn’t say anything to anyone, but I’m worried. Tonight, she had a gift left on her doorstep. It was a pair of white lace underwear. She tried to cover and say they were from Avery, but I could tell she was lying to me. I don’t know why, but something tells me that they weren’t from Avery and it has something to do with Garrett.”

“You know, several weeks ago, I saw Lia at the top of her stairs, staring straight ahead, lost in a trance. I hollered at her several times before I finally got to the top of the stairs and she finally realized I was there. She said she felt like someone had been there,” Maddox says. “I went inside and checked it out and the place was clean,” he adds.