“I think that’s my line,” I said with a grin. The man looked regal in the tuxedo Trent had sent over for him. While he said he didn’t care for them, you couldn’t tell it by looking at him.
“Trent texted that they’re on the way.”
I nodded, then rubbed Tank’s head when he wandered over to me. “You get to go with us tonight,” I told the dog. “Probably good that you’re there to keep your master in line.”
When I looked up, I saw Zeke watching me.
“You’re good for him,” he said.
I frowned. “Who? Tank?”
He chuckled. “No. Ramsey.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. While I had been looking forward to tonight ever since Trent called, I knew better than to get my hopes up.
“Just so you know,” Zeke added, “things’ll likely heat up after tonight.”
“Heat up how?”
“This event is going to draw the press out. When they get wind of you and Trent and Troy together, I’d bet money they’ll start camping outside your house.”
I frowned. “Maybe we should go separately.”
Zeke shook his head. “No way is the boss man going to allow that to happen. He wants you with him, so I suggest you keep that ridiculousness to yourself.” He took a step closer. “Just remember what I said. Ignore anyone asking you questions. If they corner you, tell them you have no comment.”
“Corner me?” That was a horrifying thought. “Why would they do that?”
“Because they’re gonna want to know what Trent’s up to. It’s your responsibility to ensure they don’t get any details from you.”
Wow. That was a tall order. What if they did? Not on purpose, of course. I wasn’t about to share anything with a reporter. But now I was worried I would do so unintentionally.
“Relax, girl. It’ll be fine. Trust me. I won’t let anyone get close to you. So just smile and look beautiful. That comes naturally for you.”
Yeah.
I didn’t know about that.
Trent
WHEN I ARRIVED AT CLARISSA’S, I was greeted at the door by Zeke. He mentioned she was grabbing something, so I waited patiently. I was eager to see her, curious as to what Troy had picked out for her to wear. I absolutely had not been expecting the woman who came down the hall.
Holy.
Fuck.
I had never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life. Seeing Clarissa walking toward me wearing that dress and those shoes, her hair pulled up to show off the delicate lines of her neck… Needless to say, I’d been stunned silent for a moment.
She must’ve seen the lust burning in my eyes, because she smiled up at me with those glossy pink lips.
“Good evening, Master,” she whispered softly.
“You look stunning, sunshine.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you ready?” Zeke prompted. “Or do you want to ogle her for a little longer?”
I fought the urge to flip him off, never taking my gaze off Clarissa.
I turned and motioned toward the door. She went willingly and I fell into step behind her.
“Please wait,” Ransom stated when we had joined him on the porch. “It appears we’ve drawn a crowd.”
We waited while Zeke locked up the house, then both men flanked us on the way to the car. It wasn’t for security reasons, more so people couldn’t snap pictures as we were walking out of her house.
“Tank and I will ride up front,” Zeke said when he opened the door. “Bishop’ll ride back there with you.”
Once we were all safely ensconced in the limo, I felt Clarissa breathe a sigh of relief. Her eyes then flew to Troy, who was sitting across from us.
“Are you all right?” Troy asked, his eyes wide as he took her in the same way I had when I first saw her. All the way from her silky auburn hair down to those pretty pink toes.
“I’m great,” she said with a smile.
Troy smiled back. “You look amazing.”
“I could say the same to you.” She smiled over at me. “And you.”
I grinned, then relaxed into the chair as the car started forward.
“My neighbors are evidently interested in what’s going on,” she said as we passed a group of people chatting and pointing.
“Do you know them well?” I asked.
“Some of them. Not like we get together for coffee or anything, though.”
Considering there would be news crews at this event, I figured her neighbors were about to get all the details they’d ever need. Perhaps it was a good thing Clarissa was moving.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what sort of fundraiser is this?” she asked, her gaze turning back to Troy.
“It’s for the Domestic Abuse Treatment Center of Dallas,” he explained. “Trent got involved with the organization five or six years ago.”
“Really?” Clarissa’s wide eyes swung over to me.
“Yes,” Troy continued. “He does quite a bit for them, including raising money for the shelters, as well as helping raise awareness.”
“That’s wonderful. The law office I used to work for raised money for them,” Clarissa noted. “We did a few team-building efforts to help as well. What does tonight’s event entail?”
