I couldn’t let that attention fall to me. Not when this Bennett Foundation fundraiser would be Darius’s last.
I folded the pretty gold dress and tucked it back into the garment bag. I donned a black, less form-fitting cocktail dress to a pre-dinner celebration.
The social implications of wearing black to an afternoon affair might have been disastrous to the old Atwoods. My family kept a strict social schedule and etiquette. It was my role to prattle in delicate conversations with Dad’s investors, board members, and the lobbyists he courted.
If he were alive, he’d be outraged. Still, I rather have worn a black dress than revealed to the world that Mark Atwood’s twenty year old daughter was unwed and pregnant.
“May I confess something to you?” Nicholas asked. He stared only at the mirror to make the final adjustments to his tie.
I shrugged. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I…hate these formal events.”
I wasn’t expecting that. “Really?”
“Always did. My mother was the social butterfly. Reed has her charm. Max drinks through it.”
“But you?” I yawned, settling into the pillows on the bed.
“I much rather stay here with you.”
“Undoubtedly.”
Nicholas stared at me from the mirror. “I play the part I was raised to portray. I’m Nicholas Bennett, the man my father trusts, the president the board depends on to manage the company. Tonight, I’m the confident business partner meeting with potential clients.”
I hesitated, asking for my own benefit. “So who is the real Nicholas Bennett?”
“Do you know?”
“I’d like to find out.”
Nicholas approached only to adjust the cuffs binding me to the bed, tight enough to prevent me from escaping the estate as the Bennetts attended their function for the night.
“Be careful what you wish for, Ms. Atwood.”
Everything had to go right tonight.
Everything.
Reed organized beautiful events for his foundation, mostly to entertain the deep pockets of the donors he courted. He chose a conservatory for this event, and it felt natural for me to walk amongst the budded flowers trapped within artificial gardens.
Nicholas and Max escorted me as far as the first glassed atrium housing the string quartets and bustling servers. Champagne and hors d'oeuvres passed between bubbling fountains and beautiful sculptures.
We waited to make our entrance. Exotic tropical flowers shielded us in a curtain of meticulously trimmed vines. The black dress might have concealed me in sophistication at any other event. Here, amid the crimsons and golds, fierce violets and crushed blues of every manner of flower, I wasn’t hiding.
Soon enough, I’d have no reason to hide.
“We don’t need to go inside.” Nicholas adjusted his suit. The sharp, charcoal grey faded within the flowers, but the amber of his eyes blossomed in brightness. “I won’t have you face him again.”
Darius Bennett didn’t scare me.
In fact, he was the reason I attended the party.
I emptied the Atwood purse for the privilege of attending his family’s social event. It was worth it though, the charity meant well, aiding less fortunate families struggling with their children’s medical bills. The greatest irony of becoming the largest contributor to their charity was that it was my father’s fault the foundation even existed. Without his evils, Helena Bennett would still be alive, and her boys, Max and Reed, would never have endured such terrible injuries from the horrific car crash.
One crime led to another. One death became many more.
But the war was ending. Tonight.
And I’d do it myself, without the help of my step-brothers. This night was for me. For Bumper.
For a life beyond Bennett control.
“Are you feeling well?” Nicholas asked.
“I’m fine.” I lied, hopefully my last one. “I can handle Darius and the board. Besides, there’s Atwood investors here as well.”
By intent. I invited them to event, to broach a peace between my farm and our newest vendor.
“Is now the time to be flexing your muscles?” Max asked.
I smoothed my dress. “I should be making public appearances while I still can.”
“You won’t need to hide, Sarah,” Nicholas said. “We have nothing to fear.”
“The fate of your family’s company doesn’t rest in my uterus.”
“Yes, it does.”
“It isn’t the same, and you know it.”
We smiled and greeted a passing judge and his wife. A server carried caviar. My stomach turned, but I suddenly craved salt, oranges, and a nap.
The sooner this was done the better.
“Everything is going to be okay.” I held their gazes. “I promise.”
Max frowned. “You don’t need to reassure us, baby.”
“Yes, I do.”
Max usually only wore dress shirts and vests. Now, he donned a jacket. I knew why. My bodyguard was abruptly fired with no explanation from Nicholas. Max was my security for the night. His weapon rested in his jacket.
The thought sickened me. This was exactly why it had to be tonight. I wouldn’t tolerate the weapons, the dread. For too long I’d waited, helplessly fearing the day Darius would act on his threats against my step-brothers, Mom, and me.
One night, and then we’d find peace.
“I’d like to talk to Reed,” I said. “Before we make our rounds.”
Nicholas didn’t like the idea. I pretended to study the beautiful displays of flowers and statues instead of him. I didn’t trust myself to adopt a stoicism that wasn’t my own. I imitated him and shielded my step-brothers from my intentions. That didn’t mean Nicholas wouldn’t see through my plan. That he wouldn’t ruin everything in a chivalric excuse to protect me.
This revenge was mine to take.
“We’ll find Reed,” Nicholas said. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
No. “Of course.”
“Need anything?”
“You don’t have an orange, do you?”
“What?”
“Just a weird craving. Don’t worry about it.”
He extended his arm. Business partnerships and marriage united us, but we hid our true relationship from the world. In any other circumstance, it was proper for a gentleman to escort a lady. I took his elbow to ease the flustered, raging beat of my heart.
Would anyone know the truth? Would they see how I looked at him, how I held myself near him?
Could they see Bumper?
I was terrified. I smiled anyway.
Reed broke from a cluster of attractive blondes. Their assets would tempt some of Southern California’s society, but they weren’t good enough for Reed Bennett. He excused himself, and they giggled, perky and giddy, as he walked away.
“Thanks for the rescue,” he said.
“You looked cozy,” I teased.
“Aw, Sarah. You know you’re my one and only mistake.”
“How sweet.”
Reed nodded to Nicholas. “Dad’s here. Pulled up in a limo. Brought Bryant Maddox and Peter Hannigan with him.”
Max grunted. “Then we won’t be here for long.”
“We won’t have to be.” Now or never. I held Reed’s gaze, subtly nodding away from the party. “Reed, my attorney is coming.”
Nicholas hid his scowl. “Delvannis is here?”
“Anthony is here. I invited him. Since he’s been involved with the new contracts, I thought it’d be proper to have him speak with the board in person. I really need to introduce Reed as the host as well.”
Reed groaned. “I’m not a fan of attorneys.”
“Especially Anthony Delvannis,” Nicholas said.
“You can’t be annoyed by every man who isn’t afraid of your family,” I said.