Page 12 of Tate
“Knox and I were thinking that maybe we’d ask NBR-X to postpone our contract for six months. Give us all a chance to breathe. Maybe write some songs, get into the studio and record that album we’ve been talking about.”
It sounded like a good idea. “Will you take Tate back to the Marshall Triple M?” Glo asked. The Marshall family’s spread in west-central Montana would be the perfect place for him to find his feet again, maybe escape the haunted expression in his eyes.
At least it had been for Kelsey.
“Yeah, if that’s what he wants. You could come with us,” Knox said.
“She’s coming home with me.”
Oh hallelujah, Senator Jackson was in the building. Glo didn’t even start with surprise, not one question entering her mind at how her mother might have not only found out about Tate’s attack but landed here within twelve hours to rescue her. In other words, take over her life.
She was even dressed as the shining knight, in an all-white pantsuit, her amber red hair down around her collar, tall and striking, and who would ever dare to argue with the powerful and beautiful Reba Jackson?
Glo pushed to her feet. “Mother. Hi.”
Reba stopped ten feet away, her mouth opening. “Oh my…whathappened?”
Oh. Glo’s hand nearly went to the bruise on her face, the blackened eye where Slava had boxed her. “It looks worse than it is.”
“How could it?” Reba advanced to her and pulled her daughter to herself, holding her so tight Glo nearly believed it was authentic.
Wanted to, really, because she was so tired and overwhelmed, and wouldn’t it be nice if her mother had actually shown up because she wasworriedfor Glo?
But her mother always, without exception, had a hidden agenda.
Glo hugged her back because she was in the middle of the hallway, in semipublic view, and she didn’t need to alert Knox to their family’s dysfunction.
The little performance wasn’t fooling Kelsey for a moment, however, and out of the edge of her periphery, Glo saw Kelsey rise. Raise an eyebrow.
Reba held her daughter at arm’s length. Scrutinized the wound. Shook her head. “I just knew something like this would happen. What, did he involve you in a barroom brawl?”
Glo’s eyes widened. “No. He was attacked. In our suite.” And she didn’t bother to explain how the suite wasn’t actually theirs and, oh, never mind. The important fact here was, “This wasn’t Tate’s fault.”
“Sure it wasn’t.” Reba looked past Glo down the hall, and Glo followed her glance to her mother’s security boss whom she’dassigned to work with Tate at their last venue. That answered a few questions, at least.
“Well, how hurt is he?”
“Very hurt. He nearly died.”
Reba wore a face of dismal acceptance. “Well, now you know. He can’t keep you safe, and I’m not interested in watching my daughter get killed on his watch. You’ll need to fire him.”
How Glo hated it when she and her mother came to the same conclusion, even if it might be for different reasons. “I know.”
Reba blinked at her. “Good. Then I’ll send Sly to the hotel to gather your things and we’ll head back to Tennessee.”
“Tate’s not even out of the hospital yet. I may be firing him, but I’m not leaving him.”
“Yes, darling, you are.” Reba reached out and touched her face, a whisper over her bruise. “Tate is…well, he is very handsome, but I think we both know he isn’t good for you.”
Glo took a breath.
“You didn’t think I couldn’t see right through your reasons for keeping him on staff?”
Glo’s entire body turned to flame. Thanks, Mother.
“Listen. I know it’s hard, but this is for the best. And I need you at home. I have a very important fundraising event in three weeks, and I need you there.”
“Mother.”
