“Is there anything I can do?” Drake asked.
Tate felt a shiver run through Gemma. It wasn’t about her wanting the other man. It was the opposite, in fact.
“Can you tell my family what’s happened? They’re in the ballroom.” That at least would get Drake out of the way. “I’ll call Clive to come collect us so I can take Gemma home.”
“Sure. I’ll go tell them right now. No need for you to worry.” Drake walked away.
Tate followed him with his eyes. There was a definite swagger to his friend’s back that sent a chill through him.
“Tate, it’s not what you think.”
He looked down at Gemma’s anxious face and could see she thought he was upset with her. Hell, he couldn’t be sure he wasn’t upset with her. Deep down he was definitely upset with someone.
Then she flinched and something punched him in the chest. She looked like an injured animal expecting to be hurt. Had Drake done this to her?#p#分页标题#e#
Or had he?
“Come on,” he said, helping her to her feet. “We’ll go find somewhere for you to sit down until Clive gets here.”
A couple of women came upon them and offered assistance. Tate didn’t like others seeing this, but they were in a public place and it couldn’t be helped. He took up their offer to show him and Gemma to a small sitting area down the next corridor. Once satisfied they were no longer needed, they went back to the ballroom.
Tate called Clive on his cell phone, explained the situation and was thankful the older man was only about five minutes away from the hotel. Clive usually liked to arrive early and chat with some of the other drivers.
The next minute, Bree came racing toward them. “What happened? Drake said Gemma fainted.”
“She did, but she’s okay now.”
“Oh, good,” Bree said, looking relieved.
Tate had to admit he was surprised by the concern on his sister’s face. She hadn’t exactly been friendly toward Gemma these past few weeks.
“It was probably too much excitement tonight,” he excused, keeping Drake out of this. With his grandmother putting Gemma in the spotlight a short while ago, and after everything with her parents on television, it was understandable that Gemma’s emotions would be running high. “I’m taking her home soon.”
“Do you want me to come with you? Mom and Dad are dancing, and Gran’s having a great time with some old friends, but I don’t mind leaving early.”
“Thanks, sis, but we’ll be fine. Tell the others, will you? I don’t want Gemma disturbed once we get home. She’s going straight to bed.”
“Sure.” Bree went to walk away.
“Bree?” Gemma said, stopping his sister. “Er…thanks.”
Bree’s eyes softened. “You’re welcome, Gemma,” she said, before hurrying away.
Tate was startled at the pleasure he felt that these two women now had the chance to be friends. He hadn’t realized before how unsettled it had made him, having his sister hold a grudge against his wife.
His eyes met Gemma’s and a moment of connection passed between them, but turbulence soon rushed into her eyes and she looked away. He was grateful Clive rang on his cell phone right then to say he’d arrived. And, thankfully, no one appeared to notice anything out of the ordinary as they made their way through the foyer and out to the limousine.
Clive held the back door open for them. “Is Gemm—I mean, Mrs. Chandler okay?”
“Yes, but I’m glad you weren’t far away.”
“So am I,” Clive said, looking pleased to have been needed.
Gemma climbed on to the backseat. “I’m fine, thank you, Clive.”
They were soon driving off, the partition in front affording them some privacy.
“Tate, I—”
“Ssh. You should rest up.” He had things to think about. Serious things.
She turned her head to look out the side window, then just as fast turned back at him. “I won’t give up Nathan,” she said in a suddenly choked voice.
Everything rolled on its head. He’d been giving her the benefit of the doubt, but perhaps that had been a mistake. His jaw set as he ignored the stricken look in her eyes. “That sounds like a threat to me.”
“I don’t care what you do to me, Tate. You’re not having my son.”
He decided pity was overrated. “I won’t have my son living with another man.”
Her face went blank. “Wh-what?”
#p#分页标题#e#
“If you go to Drake, Nathan stays with me.”
She gaped at him. “But…but I don’t want to go to Drake. I don’t want to go anywhere.”