Chapter 2 - A BOYFRIEND WITH TOO MANY SECRETS|
Jenna changed her mind about the dress three times.
The first was black, elegant, and simple. The second was dark green, which made her eyes look brighter. The third was a deep red gown she claimed was too dramatic for a family engagement dinner.
I preferred the red one.
Naturally, I told her it was a terrible choice.
"You're impossible," she said, standing in front of my penthouse mirror.
"You're welcome."
"You told me the black dress made me look like I was attending a funeral."
"It did."
"And the green one?"
"Like someone who would apologize before stealing a man's wallet."
She turned toward me.
"And the red?"
I adjusted my cuff links.
"Like someone who knows exactly what she's doing."
She stared at me for a long moment.
Then she chose the red dress.
I had spent two years pretending I didn't notice the small things about Jenna: the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous, the way she hummed when she worked, the way she always saved the last bite of dessert for someone else.
Tonight, I noticed everything.
When she emerged from the dressing room, my thoughts stopped.
Her chestnut hair fell over one shoulder. The dress followed the graceful lines of her figure without looking excessive. A small silver pendant rested against her collarbone.
I had given her that pendant for her birthday.
She had assumed it was a routine office gift.
I had spent three weeks choosing it.
"Well?" she asked.
I swallowed.
"You look beautiful."
Her expression softened.
"Thank you."
For one second, neither of us moved.
Then she pointed at my tie.
"That is crooked."
"I've negotiated million-dollar deals in this tie."
"And yet you can't tie it properly."
She stepped closer and fixed it.
Her fingers brushed my throat.
I stood perfectly still.
"You know," she murmured, "for a terrifying man, you're surprisingly easy to fluster."
"Only when someone is standing inside my personal space."
"Should I move?"
"No."
The answer escaped before I could stop it.
Her eyes lifted to mine.
Something changed between us, something fragile and dangerous.
Then my phone rang.
Marcus.
"The Grand Wellington has increased its security," he said. "Three men associated with Voss are inside. One is stationed near the service entrance."
"Get our people into position."
"Already done."
"Nobody approaches Jenna without my authorization."
Marcus paused.
"Understood, boss."
I ended the call.
Jenna had heard enough to understand that the evening was no longer a harmless performance.
"Are you expecting trouble?"
"I'm expecting Ryan to try something."
"Then why go?"
"Because he invited us."
She frowned.
"That doesn't sound like a good reason."
"It is when the invitation is a trap."
She went quiet.
I regretted the words immediately.
"Jenna, listen to me. If you want to cancel, we'll cancel. Your brother can have another engagement dinner."
"No."
"Jenna—"
"My family has spent years telling me I'm too sensitive, too stubborn, too independent. Ryan thinks he can frighten me into returning to him. If I stay home, he'll call it proof that I'm afraid."
I looked at her.
"And are you?"
"Yes."
Her honesty struck me harder than bravado would have.
"But I'm going anyway."
I reached for her hand.
"Then you won't face him alone."
At the hotel, every eye followed us through the lobby.
People recognized me. Some looked away immediately. Others watched with the fascinated caution usually reserved for dangerous animals.
Jenna squeezed my hand.
"You're enjoying this," she whispered.
"Enjoying what?"
"Making everyone nervous."
"I haven't started."
She laughed softly.
The sound steadied me.
Inside the private dining room, Ryan Mercer stood beside a fireplace, dressed in a tailored navy suit. He looked polished, charming, and utterly ordinary.
That was what frightened me.
Men who wanted power usually advertised it.
Ryan looked like a man who wanted to be invited into your home.
His smile widened when he saw Jenna.
Then his eyes shifted to me.
"Jenna," he said warmly. "You came."
She lifted her chin.
"Of course."
Ryan extended his hand.
"And you must be Evan Blackwood."
I didn't take it.
Instead, I slipped my arm around Jenna's waist.
"Her boyfriend."
Ryan's smile remained.
But his eyes hardened.
"How interesting," he murmured. "Because I know something about your relationship that she doesn't."
May you like
Then he leaned closer to me.
"Ask her what happened the night her father died."
