Page 12 of A Seductive Beauty
“Protect her,” I say, and he nods his head then walks out of the room.
“She’s yours?” Brody chuckles, and I turn my back on him, ready to leave.
Chapter Four
Fiona
Another day of dressing up and pretending I’m okay in crowds, that I’m comfortable with people gawking at me. Andy helps me out of the car and then proceeds to leave with it. Last night I had both him and Seamus to entertain me. Seamus was nice and sweet until he leaned down and told me that Mr. Tiernan thought I should go home now. I almost freaked out right there. I wasn’t sure what I had done for him to force me to leave. I worried I’d embarrassed Mikayla in some way or him. But I guess it had something to do about safety that they didn’t want to tell me about again.
At least today’s outfit is better than last night’s. I’m in a pair of tailored camel-colored slacks with a matching see-through sleeveless wrap blouse and a lacy cream camisole beneath. I actually really like this outfit and will be wearing it after today. The cream-colored suede calf boots are butter soft and about four inches in height. This is all paired with a cream watch and handbag that Kayla gifted me with too.
Kayla had said the room will be warm, so the sleeveless outfits would be best. Even she’s in a sleeveless black dress. Today is all about introducing sponsors to the team along with giving a tour of the grounds. We step through the entrance and take off our winter jackets, then hand them over to the coat check people set up near the door.
I can tell from the tension that Kayla and Wesley are arguing today. I hope it’s nothing major, but I think it has something to do with the gala last night. I think she’s angry because Aidan and Wesley took the choice of us leaving the gala out of her hands. Kayla doesn’t like to be dictated to, she takes suggestions and ideas better than orders. She talks to me but is cold and distant with Wesley, giving him the cold shoulder.
I’m shocked when Seamus steps up to me. He’s dressed in a black suit with a black shirt and tie. All the black with his dark hair and eyes makes his already dark features even darker, yet something about him makes me trust him. I imagine he could hurt people if he wanted with the way he flipped Andy last night, but I’m sure he wouldn’t hurt me. Something about him makes me calm. He’s been nothing but kind to me, even sweet. He treats me with respect, and I like that. He treats me like a little sister or relative. He asked me questions last night and we got to know each other. I learned he’s been friends with Aidan since they were young boys. That he has no family alive except for Aidan and the guys. He didn’t tell me what his job with Tiernan International was, even though I asked him.
"Hello, Ms. Griffin, do you mind if I walk along with you?" I smile at him and nod. He, like me, doesn’t talk much. We are able to communicate what we want to say without saying much, and I like that about him too.
Kayla is led off to take pictures and model with the team. I notice there are some pictures on the wall of her in a bikini top lying across her motorcycle that was wrecked and another bike. She likes to model and show off her body. A tremor rolls through me because I’m scared to show people my body. My mum used to say it’s nothing to look at, so I barely show it off. Last night was the most I’ve ever exposed.
We are shown around to more rooms and how the VIPs at the track will have boxes. Everything is elegant without being overstated. Each VIP box has a bar with a small kitchen, and Aidan tells them servers will be present at additional fees. Aidan has thought of everything, and I really like that he’s so conscientious of what people will need. He even has a couple of private boxes that aren’t as nice for those that want privacy without spending everything. It makes me more attracted to him because of how smart he is. I can imagine him sitting at his desk with his shirt sleeves rolled up. My heart starts beating faster and I bite my lip as I think about walking in and disturbing him for a kiss.
“I’d never be this far from the track. The true adrenaline rush of watching the races is down there.” Seamus points to where spectators sit, shaking me from my thoughts.
I drop my eyes and hold in the smile. “With Mr. Tiernan you could be up here though.”
“Aidan likes to be down there too. Don’t let the suit fool you. He’s just like you and me, a commoner too.” Seamus chuckles. “What do you do for fun? Watch your cousin race?”
“Oh no, I don’t watch her race. It scares me that she’ll get hurt. Plus, there’s too many people. I like to bake and cook.”
“You bake?”
“I’m a pastry chef.” I give him the layman term for my job.
“Une pâtissière,” he says in perfect French.
“Oui. Tu parles Français?” I ask if he speaks French.
“Fiona,” a voice says from behind me, interrupting us before Seamus can respond. I turn to see Patrick.
“Oh, hello, Patrick. Just a moment.” I turn back to Seamus. “One moment, he’s a friend.” I turn back to Patrick, who takes my elbow and grips it tightly. I bite my lip to keep from crying out or cringing.
“What are you doing with him? Do you know who he is?” Patrick hisses in my ear, and I turn back to see Seamus watching us. His gaze focused on Patrick’s grip on my arm.
“He’s my friend. I met him last night at the gala.”
“He works for Tiernan.” He sneers and points up at Aidan.
“Yes, I know that. Aidan, um, I mean Mr. Tiernan, introduced us.” I pull my arm away from him and step back.
“You know who they are?”
“Mr. Tiernan owns this track.” Isn’t that obvious.
He guides me over to a bar area a bit away from everyone. I’m nervous because I can smell the alcohol on his breath, plus he’s angry with me for some reason and I don’t know why. I turn back to see Seamus is still watching us, and that comforts me because I know he’d interfere if something happened.
"I'd like to welcome all of you here today to celebrate the grand opening of my new track." I hear Aidan say, and I turn to face the podium where he and Kayla are standing. "The lovely Lady Griffin earned a spot on this team, but after the severity of her accident and family issues, she's decided not to race with us this year. She is an honorary member of this team and will help with exhibition races and events." He answers questions from reporters and others here.
