AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I clenched my fists, enraged on my friend’s behalf. “Meant? More like forced.”
John growled. “Brant knew from the beginning what he was getting into. You must make sacrifices in order to bring about the greatest good. Our country needs men like Brant.”
“But at what cost?”
“I think you know. You may not understand it, and I wish to God it didn’t have to be that way. However, as a family, we must push forward and the lead the way.”
Family? I wanted to laugh in his face. “I’m not your family. I’m a captive.”
He hung his head, but only for a brief moment. He was back to faux smiling in seconds. “Dani, I’m not your enemy. I wish you and my son all the happiness you both deserve. You need to give him some time.”
“He’s had fourteen years,” I snapped, while keeping my voice low. “I think we’re done here.”
He tilted his head and studied me, refusing to let me be. “Don’t throw away what you want because it didn’t come to you in the pretty package you wished for.”
“You think I wanted this?”
“You want Brock as much as he wants you.”
“Agree to disagree.” I’d always wanted Brock more than he’d ever wanted me. “Can I go now?” I wanted to go have a good cry up in the hotel room, or maybe catch a plane to a foreign country. Unfortunately, I could never abandon the children I worked with and for.
He cleared his throat and released my arm. “A word of caution. Don’t entangle yourself with Edward Copeland. Don’t speak to him unless you have to, and take no favors from him. No matter what he may promise you. And for Brant’s sake, leave no doubt at dinner that you and Brock are as much in love as the media thinks you are. As much as I believe you to be.” He walked off without another word. Leaving me speechless, with my mind reeling. What favors had Edward done for John? And was that why poor Brant had to marry a woman he didn’t love? Were there suspicions about what had happened between me and Brant? I felt ill, and it had nothing to do with the pregnancy. Suddenly, it felt as if there were no oxygen left in the room.
“Dani,” Brock called my name, allowing me to catch my breath.
I hated that he could bring me so much comfort. I couldn’t depend on it, yet I had to for the sake of my baby and possibly the Hollands. What had I gotten myself involved with?
I took a deep breath and turned around to meet him with a smile, like my life depended on it.
Brock’s smile said how relieved he was to see my own. Or was it all just an act for him too? He had obviously spoken to his father. I’m sure his dad had given him the same warning he’d given me. Regardless, he reached for my hand, and I gave it to him, knowing how much my heart would pay for it. Hope wasn’t cheap, and it had proven to be an unwise investment.
“You’ve been popular tonight.” He drew me closer.
“It’s your mother,” I stuttered. His body did things to mine.
“I don’t think so.” He played with a tendril of my ebony hair. “You are, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman in this room.” Did he ever sound convincing. So much so, I wanted to lean in and taste his lips. But this wasn’t real. We were playing a game. A game I couldn’t afford to lose.
I grabbed the lapels of his jacket. “Aren’t you charming.”
His hand released my hair and landed dangerously low on my back.
Remain calm and unaffected. Easier said than done.
“No one but my mother has ever accused me of being charming,” he whispered in my ear. “I only speak the truth.” His warm lips rested on my cheek and lingered there, allowing me to breathe in his minty breath and seductive scent.
One slight turn of my head and I could capture his lips. I knew he wouldn’t refuse me. There were too many witnesses, and he was proving to be an outstanding actor. However, my heart could only take so much. I would be convincing, yet careful.
“I think dinner is about to start,” I said, trying to break the moment. In fact, I was sure it was, since someone had just announced it and people were moving about furiously to get to their assigned tables.
He groaned low before his lips left my skin, leaving behind an invisible burn. His eyes peered into my own, piercing them. “Can we please start over?”
When did we ever start in the first place? “Yes.” I played along, holding back my tears.
He brushed my lips with his before taking my hand.
A flash and a click went off at that same moment. We turned to see the official photographer for the party. He was obviously pleased he had captured our intimate moment. My first reaction was to be annoyed, but this was good. No one would doubt our relationship, except for Brock and me.
