Page 94 of Risk
She’s just publicly cut me out.
I knew she would do something to make my presence inconsequential, like ignore me at cocktail hour, but the delivery of her message was perfect. Points to her, for that one.
I feel Landon and Gage’s eyes on me. I’m sure Kerrington’s shooting daggers at her from his seat.
“Landon,” Leah growls, “give me that fucking salad fork. I’m going up there.”
My heart lights up brighter than the sun when Leah looks back at me. “I am going up there.”
Taking the fork away from her, I rest my hand on her thigh. “Don’t waste your energy just yet, Princess. The game just started.”
“The Greystone Foundation holds a very special place in our hearts,” Scarlet continues. “They only just started this past year and have already made significant changes in countless lives. Helping to feed the hungry in low-income areas, they have given thousands of children three healthy meals a day, for free. This would not be possible without the brains, and compassion, of one amazing woman. Nicole, please come out so we can all give you a round of applause for a job well done.”
Wowwww. Talk about blowing smoke up someone’s ass. Nicole’s charity foundation may be wonderful and helpful, but it’s hardly the first of its kind. She’s not Mother Theresa, for fuck’s sake. Still, Nicole deserves some credit. She’s more generous than most of the shitheads in this room. And her heart’s in the right place.
Sometimes.
Nicole glides across the stage like a swan. Her white gown is practically painted on her. The diamonds dangling from her ears glint from the stage lights like annoying disco balls, and her smile makes her look like a Tasmanian devil.
Okay, that was harsh. She looks lovely.
The entire room stands and claps for her. Including me. Nicole holds her hand to her chest, bowing a little before taking the microphone from Scarlet. “Thank you all so much.” The room quiets as everyone sits back down.
I lean forward and press my mouth to the slope of Leah’s neck, relishing how her breath hitches. Both of us face Nicole, our eyes glued to the stage, but as I kiss Leah’s neck, it feels like we’re the only two in the building. “I can’t wait to take you home, Princess.”
“The Greystone Foundation could not have accomplished all it’s done this year, or what we have planned next, without your support and generous donations tonight.” Nicole looks everywhere but at table thirteen. “Tonight, we have raised over three million dollars and for that…” She holds her heart, “we are so grateful.”
More clapping. More cheers. More fake ass compliments about how wonderful everything is.
The amount of money it took my parents to put this thing together should have been donated to the charity, not used to flaunt their fortune and be the center of attention. No one wants to be here. We’re obligated to come because no one would dare piss off the Finch family. It’s such a waste of time and resources.
“But there is one family in particular who stands out amidst all others with their incredible generosity,” Nicole says, turning to Scarlett. My mother makes an “aww” face just as Nicole says, “Mason Finch, and the BanditFX team.”
My mother’s smile drops immediately.
I lean forward and whisper in Leah’s ear. “Check. Mate.”
Chapter 29
Leah
I’m so turned on right now. What’s that say about me?
In a room full of wealthy, powerful, intimidating people, I’m awestruck by the way Mason and his boys have handled what Scarlett tried to make humiliating for them.
My heart breaks for Mason that he has a mother this ugly. But seeing her smile fall on that stage, and knowing it was Mason who stole the spotlight from her, makes me so damn proud.
And horny.
Ugh, I should be scientifically studied.
Scarlet takes the microphone from Nicole, recovering quickly, and gestures for the applause to die down. “Yes, well, this is a night for much enthusiasm, which I hope you’ll use when bidding on the silent auction items in the lobby.”
The room erupts in laughter. After Scarlett quickly closes the announcements, she and Nicole exit the stage.
I stab my salad. “The dressing’s nice.”
“Mmmm yes.” Gage holds a forkful of lettuce up to his nose and sniffs it. “I believe these leaves were picked at the peak of late spring, with the morning dew still dripping from the tips.”