Page 124 of Instigator

“Incoming,” Colt whispers before taking a long sip of his drink.

A shiver runs down my spine, and I turn to see Heidi striding toward us.

“Cecilia. Colton.” Her eyes narrow. “Didn’t think I’d see you here together.”

“Oh?” I cock my head, widening my eyes innocently. “Why’s that?”

“Where’s your boy toy?” She scoffs, huffing like a horse. “Seriously, are you that bored?”

“Oh, he’s around here somewhere.” I wave my hand at the ballroom. “Didn’t Hailey do a wonderful job?”

Heidi scowls. “I suppose.”

“I think she should chair the committee next year too,” Colt says. “If she wants to, that is.”

“We’ll see.” She glares daggers at me. “Maybe if other people would pull their weight around here, she’d have more help.”

I have no earthly idea what she’s talking about, but I’m positive it’s a dig at me.

And just like that, all my hesitation over my job fizzles away. The helmet project reports to Heidi. She’s forever going to lord it over my head. She can threaten to pull the funding or cancel the project altogether if I’m attached to it.

I want to stay involved with the foundation, but I can’t serve on the board. I can’t keep working with someone who finds joy in mispronouncing my name and getting digs in at every possible turn. Someone who delights in hurting me. Because that’s what she’s doing—hurting me. And she enjoys it.

I could fight with her. I could put her in her place. But I know it wouldn’t do any good. Instead, I’ll drop the rope and let her deal with the fallout.

I’m done.

“You know what,” I start.

Before I can finish my sentence, a hand slides across the back of my neck. I startle, ready to beat the hell out of whoever is touching me without my consent.

Until the fresh scent of cedar and citrus washes over me, and I settle.

“Sorry I’m late,” Aidan says, before he pulls me into his arms and kisses my breath away.

forty-six

. . .

Aidan

After the last hellish hour of consoling Sinclair and talking him off the metaphorical ledge, all I wanted was to see Ceci.

And now she’s here.

In my arms.

Looking beautiful.

How the fuck did I get so lucky?

When the need for air threatens to overtake me, I finally pull back.

The woman standing with her and Colt huffs. She sounds like a horse. Or maybe a donkey.

I raise my eyebrows as I turn my attention to her. “Hi. I’m Aidan. You’re Hilary, right?”

I know her name. I’ve heard plenty of bitching from both Ceci and Hailey over her power tripping and general unpleasantness.