Page 26 of Shattered

“Well, it was easy enough, seeing as how each dinner cost twenty-five hundred dollars.”She blanched at my matter-of-fact statement.

“For one dinner?Wow!”

“I’m happy we had such a great turnout tonight.This is actually the biggest one yet.To know so many more people will be able to obtain the help they need warms my heart.”

“You should be proud of yourself.I know I am,” she said, her approval meaning more to me than I thought.“But why this cause?Out of all of the causes in the world, what made you hone in on domestic violence?You mentioned it was dear to your heart, but I would love to hear why.”

My smile slipped.“That’s a conversation best had when we’re in private.”I saw her disappointment, but there was no way I was going to delve into my past right then.“I would like to tell you the whole story, but I won’t do it here.”

“Okay, another time then.”

“Very soon, Sara.I promise.”

~~~~

As the evening wore on, I could see exhaustion starting to take hold of Sara.Actually, I’d started to feel it as well, but I still had people to talk to so I wouldn’t be able to leave right away.But I would be quick because I knew her tiredness was going to increase the more time ticked by.

“I have to go and mingle a bit more before we retire for the evening.Would you like to accompany me, or will you be all right by yourself for a short while?”

“No, you go.I’ll be fine.Go.Enjoy yourself.”

I had to admit I was going to miss her, but the sooner I took care of business, the quicker I could take her home.

“I don’t know how much I’ll enjoy myself without you by my side, but I’ll be quick.”I kissed the top of her head as I was pulled away by someone waiting to congratulate me on an eventful evening.

Thirty minutes had passed and I was still no closer to escaping with my woman.I was about to have a conversation with the CEO of a rival company when Jacinda brushed against me.Giving her an annoyed look did nothing to deter her from grabbing my arm and pulling me close.I ignored her.It wasn’t the place to cause a scene, and she took advantage of the fact she knew I wasn’t going to do or say anything rude to her.Especially not in the presence of the types of people who surrounded us.I wasn’t about to fuel unnecessary gossip, so I stood there, the brazen blonde attached to my side.

I ignored her when she ran her fingers up and down my arm.I ignored her when she chimed in on my conversations.I ignored her when she laughed too loudly at jokes which were made in our circle of friends.I even ignored her when she ran her hand over my back.

But when she leaned up and tried to kiss me, I drew the line.Audience or not, there was no way I was going to allow her to continue to be so brazen.

I grabbed her elbow and tried to distance myself from her but she only held firm, doing her best to push closer to me.Since she wasn’t going to relent, I let it go.

I’d be having words with her later, though.Plus, I wanted to berate her for talking to Sara the way she had earlier.

There was a lull in the conversation when I decided to try and locate Sara.I hated the fact I’d left her alone at the table with no one to talk to.I knew everyone had basically ignored her.With the exception of Cameron, of course.He’s lucky I didn’t punch him right in the face.Anger returned at the mere thought of him moving close to my woman.

Glancing all around the room, I still hadn’t found her.She wasn’t sitting at our table.Maybe she’s in the ladies room.Deciding it had to be where she was, I averted my eyes to focus back on the men in front of me.As I turned my head back toward them, I saw her.

She was at the far end of the bar.

Sitting down.

And she wasn’t alone.

My bastard of a cousin was sitting right next to her.Too close.He was way too close to her.

What the fuck?I told her to stay away from him.But again, she chose not to listen to me.Didn’t she know I said what I did for her own good?

Appearing rude or not, I excused myself and stealthily walked across the room, my anger building with every heavy step I’d taken.So many things ran through my mind.How upset I was with Sara for not listening to me.How much I wanted to pummel Cameron for even glancing in her direction, let alone touch her in any way.They seemed perfectly cozy together the more I bridged the distance between us.

I’m gonna get arrested tonight.I’m gonna beat the shit out of him, and I’m gonna get arrested.

People stepped in front of me, blocking them from my view.Thankfully, I was able to dismiss them cordially before continuing in my quest to take her away from him.I didn’t think I’d ever been so upset before.Trying my best to put the emotion on a leash, I was only ten feet from them when I saw him bump her shoulder with his own.

She laughed.

She laughed and put her hand on his fucking arm.

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