Page 41 of Saving Jared

"No. You just look awfully adult tonight. I’m not sure if I like it."

Kinsley laughed and clasped her hands together as the limo pulled to a stop. "I have to make a good impression. I’m even going to try and make amends with the asshat. Even if it kills me."

"I’ll remember you said that," he said as the driver opened the door. Questions started immediately, along with flashes of light. He held his sister’s gaze. "And just so you know, when you’re ready to kill Jude, I’ll help you with the body."

He left a laughing Kinsley in the back of the limo as he walked the gauntlet of photographers and ignored the questions accompanying microphones and cellphones being shoved in his face.

I’m definitely helping her get rid of the body.

At least he was spared having to do the whole knocking on their door thing like it was a real date. The door opened just as he topped the stairs to a woman probably a few years his senior with light brown hair streaked with blond who stepped out in a simple black, formal dress. He’d seen photos of her, of course, but had never paid much attention to them. But she was lovely.

And she did nothing for him.

"Mr. McComb," she said, holding out her hand. "I’m Laurel Fremont. It’s so nice to meet you." She glanced around as he took her hand, then said low as she stepped closer and let go of it. "Sorry about all of this. It was my father’s idea."

Jared couldn’t help but smile at her open and friendly demeanor. "It’s Jared. And I’m sure we’ll have a nice evening."

"Thank you, Jared. And, it’s Laurel," she said as he led her to the limo where the driver held the door open. He helped her in and then skirted around to the other side and got in beside her, just in time to hear Kinsley saying, "It’s so nice to meet you too. Isn’t the as... I mean, isn’t your brother coming?"

He held in a laugh at her near-slip.

"He was on a call, but he should be here any minute."

Just then a tall, bearded man dressed in a tux ducked into the limo and sat close beside Kinsley as the door slammed shut. His sister’s welcoming smile froze in place as a blush rose up in her cheeks.

"Paul, what are you doing here?"

"Paul?" Laurel asked, her brow crinkling as the limo started moving. Then her lips tightened as she leaned over and smacked the man on his left knee with a thunk—the man whose heated gaze hadn’t looked away from his sister. "Hart, what did you do?"

"Hart…" Kinsley’s face drained of all color and normally lively, expressive eyes dulled.

"Yeah, Hart or Paul, or whoever the hell you are. What did you do?" Jared demanded as he sat forward and grabbed both of Kinsley’s cold, limp hands and began rubbing over them. "You okay?" Kinsley had never fainted—at least as best as he could remember—but he wouldn’t have been surprised if she keeled right over.

"Baby, it’s okay," the man who was obviously Hartman Fremont said low as he tenderly stroked the back of his fingers down Kinsley’s cheek.

Why was he calling her baby? And talking to her in that tone and touching her like he knew her—intimately? Jared had had enough, growling out as Kinsley’s hands tightened on his, "I think you’d—"

"Asshat!" Kinsley wrenched her hands from his and leaned away from the other man as she rounded on him, though she seemed to be having trouble positioning herself in her figure-hugging dress. "What the hell kinda game were you playing with me last night?"

"Last night?" Jared tensed, the need to beat the man senseless riding him. If he’d done something to his sister, all bets were off. "What did you do to my sister last night?"

And now I know exactly how the Taggert brothers felt.

"Everyone, let’s all take a deep breath," Laurel said in a quiet but stern voice as she too sat forward, her eyes narrowing on her brother. "Hart, you need to explain yourself. And I mean now."

Hartman sat back against the corner of his seat with his arms crossed. His eyes had yet to leave Kinsley. "Do you want me to explain anything?"

"Yes, you’d—"

"No, Jared," Kinsley interrupted as she scooted further away from the man. She crossed her own arms and narrowed her angry gaze on Hartman Fremont. "Nothing needs to be explained." One side of the other man’s mouth kicked up as Kinsley sat straight in her seat and met Jared’s gaze. "And please, don’t push. Let’s just get this fresh hell over with."

Jared wanted to argue. He glared at Hartman who raised a brow at him.

Smug bastard.

He wanted answers. But Kinsley…

He focused back on his sister who was close to tears. Not that the Fremonts would know. But she had that look. The one that said she was barely holding it together. So, he gave her a slight nod and sat back in his seat. Everyone stayed that way during the longest—most silent and tense—thirty-minute drive of his life.

---