“Oh, my apologies, Mrs. Mitus.”
What?
She’d crashed into the photographer.
“Mr. Mitus, a few shots, please?” asked the young man.
Brigit moved away.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Colton covered her shoulder with his hand and pulled her close. “You’re far too beautiful to leave unescorted.”
Gazing up at him, she murmured, “Then don’t.”
When the photographer finished, the bartender asked for Colton’s drink order. “Sparking water with lime.”
Damn. She couldn’t drink if he wasn’t. That man had a knack for thwarting her plans. He collected his drink and they stepped into the mingling fray.
A man sidled over. “Hello, Colton. Wilson Montgomery of MobiCom.” Montgomery’s long, hard stare sent goose bumps erupting on Brigit’s arms. Standing a head below Colton, his plastic-looking toothy grin was framed by his salt and pepper mustache and goatee.
With an icy expression and narrowed eyes, Colton said, “Cornering me at my gala?”
“It’s time we become one big happy family.” Wilson raised his glass, toasted the air and sipped.
Colton morphed into a block of granite. “Francesco voted against the merger. Move on.”
“Francesco turned down an eight percent premium on the share price. Advise them to revote the merger,Colton. And do it Monday. I want this wrapped up before Thanksgiving. Do I make myself clear?”
Her blood pressure jumped.No, no, no, this can’t be happening.
While staring at Montgomery, he rose to his full height. The air grew electric with anger. “Don’t you dare threaten me,” Colton said with controlled rage. “You havenoidea what I’m capable of.” With a firm grip on Brigit’s arm, he led her away. “Montgomery is the last person I’d ever do business with,” he bit out.
Hatred billowed from his jet black eyes. “I’m right there with you,” she said pulling him to a stop. “He’s trouble.” When he gazed into her eyes, the fury dissolved. “Forget about him. He’s nobody.” With an assuring smile, she caressed his shoulder. “This isyourgala. Time to rock this.”
Amidst the swirling sea of D.C. power, Colton’s shoulders relaxed and he smiled. “Thank you.”
Brimming with the confidence Brigit had come to admire, Colton greeted guests until the announcement for dinner. On the way to their table, Brigit heard something that caused her body to stiffen.
“Eve!”
Oh, no! Keep walking.
A woman caught up with her and Colton. “What a great surprise!”
With her heart pounding against her rib cage, Brigit stared blankly at the familiar face of her college friend.
“I’m Heather Peters, from Penn.” Her eyebrows shot up. “We froze our bottoms off during football games at Franklin Field.”
“I’m sorry, Heather. I think you’ve confused me with someone else. I’m Brigit Farnay.”
Heather’s face flushed. “Oh, how embarrassing. You look like my old friend, Eve—”
“Heather,” blurted Brigit, “this is Colton Mitus, tonight’s cohost.”
“Hello, Heather,” Colton extended his hand. “What brings you to our fundraiser?”
Breathe.
“I’m an attorney at Fitzsimmons and Collier,” Heather replied. “Mark Fitzsimmons encouraged all his attorneys to attend. It’s a great cause with tons of networking opportunities.”
