Page 39 of A Billionaire Rebel

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Calm and composed was what Damon needed. Someone he could lean on rather than worry about. I wouldn’t give him cause to regret asking for my support today.

I’d managed to snag Jamie before she’d left for work and get her opinion on what to wear. Now, as I slipped into the simple navy-blue pencil dress, I was glad I’d asked. I didn’t have many dresses, and the only black one I owned was a sweater dress. It was the third week of August, and I was afraid I’d pass out if I wore that one. I’d been worried, though, that even with the modest scoop neckline and just under the knee hemline, I’d look too casual.

I kept my makeup and hair simple, leaving only my shoes to add before I was ready to go. We had to stop by Damon’s place for him to change yet, and I felt guilty for how much I was anticipating seeing where he lived.

“You look nice.” Damon kissed my cheek, his expression already distracted.

“Thank you.” I squeezed his hand but didn’t hold it. I didn’t want him thinking I was using this to put on a public display. Today was about whatheneeded.

I only hoped I’d be able to recognize what that was when I saw it.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive?” I asked as I slipped on my shoes. The heels brought me up to his shoulder.

“No, I’d rather not leave my car at your place. I have a driver coming to pick us up. That way, we don’t have to worry about parking at the service.”

Neither of us talked during the drive, and I wondered if he was still trying to decide what to say or if he was blaming himself for not having been there when it’d happened. Survivor’s guilt. I couldn’t imagine going through that alongside the grief of losing a friend.

Damon had a penthouse, which wasn’t surprising, nor was the fact that it was easily more than twice the size of my apartment and my parents’ place put together. He told me to make myself at home while he disappeared down a hallway, but I wasn’t about to go exploring. If he ever invited me back, I’d love taking a look around, but this wasn’t the time for it.

Still, what I could see was magnificent. We were on the top floor – of course – and the view of the city’s skyline from the massive glass French doors was incredible. West-facing windows made me wonder what it would be like to watch a sunset from here.

“Do you want anything before we go?” Damon asked as he walked out of his bedroom, still fidgeting with his cufflinks. His tie was crooked, and it made my heart hurt because I’d never seen him look anything but impeccable, even when he was casual. He had to be torn up to have missed straightening it.

“I’m fine.” I went over to him and reached up to fix his tie. His eyes met mine, and he couldn’t hide the emotion roiling inside him. I smoothed down the front of his shirt and then put a hand on his cheek. “Don’t worry about me. I’m here foryou.”

His lips curved ever so slightly, but the partial smile didn’t reach his eyes. He brushed his mouth against mine. “Thank you.”

The pain in his eyes was still there when he took my hand, but the slump of his shoulders seemed different, as if my reassurance had made the weight somewhat easier to bear.

A town car was waiting for us downstairs, and the driver opened the back door. Damon slid in first and then held out a hand to help me. After I was settled next to him, he laced his fingers between mine and rested our joined hands on his knee.

“Where’s the service being held?” I’d completely forgotten to ask before.

“St. Mary’s something church,” he said. “Bair’s mom raised him and his brothers Catholic, but he hadn’t gone to a service since she passed. His dad asked if we could have the memorial service in a church because that was what his mom would’ve wanted.”

His voice was flat, not in an unemotional way, but more like he had to recite things as facts to keep from losing control. I squeezed his hand, regretting having asked the question. I vowed to do better.

I’d known the press would be at the service, and that they’d be interested in the unknown woman on Damon’s arm, but I hadn’t realized how differentknowingandexperiencingwere. The driver opened the door from Damon’s side this time, allowing him to get out first and to be the one to help me get out without looking as awkward as I felt.

I heard the murmur of voices before I saw anyone, and I was glad that people were at least being respectful enough not to shout. Then I straightened, tightening my grip on Damon’s hand as I saw all the cameras on us. Big news cameras, cell phones being held by hand. Everyone was watching as we walked toward the front doors of the church.

“Damon!” Someone called out, breaking the almost-silence. “Who’s your friend?”

He stopped, and I felt him tense, but his voice was calm when he spoke. “I’ll speak to the press after the service, as the press release already stated. Anyone unwilling to be considerate as they wait is welcome to leave before security is forced to escort you away.”

Without another word, he started walking again, and I had to hurry to stay in step with him. I didn’t ask him to slow down, though. I was feeling guilty enough that someone had asked about me already. As much as I knew he wanted me here, maybe it would’ve been better for him if I’d come in separately or even stayed away.

While no one else yelled at us, I could feel the eyes on me and imagined that a lot of the buzzing whispers following us was speculation about who I was and why I was there. Once inside, Damon steered us toward where two familiar faces stood together.

Kalini Volek and Hawk Youngen were holding hands, which surprised me, but didn’t seem to faze Damon at all. The media was going to have a field day if they saw. They’d always loved speculating about which of the men Kalini was hooking up with or if she was secretly a lesbian. Some of them got pretty nasty about it too.

“Otis is pissed the doctors won’t let him out for the service.” Hawk shook Damon’s hand, then turned to me. “Hawk Youngen.”

“Jae Knox.” I gave him a polite smile and hoped neither he nor Kalini thought I was trying to cash in on a tragedy.

“Kalini Volek.” She gave me one of those half-hugs that celebrities perfected, warm, but polite.

“Jae was kind enough to come with me today,” Damon said, reaching for my hand again. “To help me get through it.”

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