Page 43 of Flame True

Nick squeezed her hand. “Okay. You let me know if you can’t.”

He said it as if he fully expected her to bail.

She returned his stare. “Thanks, but I’ll manage.”

They drove downtown to the fancy hotel by the harbour. Banners with Laurent Industries logos lined the entrance, and a legit red carpet covered the sidewalk.

Mulberry forced herself to take deep breaths.

“This might be more than you expected?” Nick asked.

“Yeah,” Mulberry nodded.

There was no use pretending.

Nick analyzed and assessed it all.

“I got you. Stay close to me at all times and if the media asks questions, keep them short. Let me know if you need to go out for some air or use the facilities.”

“What, ask your permission?”

Nick’s eyes darkened, he leaned over, and his fingers tipped her chin up. “Exactly. I’m not taking any chances with your safety, Mulberry.”

“You don’t agree with my plan.”

“Obviously. But you’ve set the course, and we must follow it.” His expression turned cold again, and Mulberry sighed.

It’s not like she expected him to like her, but the moments where he thawed towards her and then seconds later he was back to being icy towards her made her head spin.

Nick gave the keys to the valet, came around and opened her door.

Her fingers shook slightly as she took his arm this time.

He took her hand and led her up the steps onto the carpet as flashbulbs exploded and questions were shouted.

Mulberry did her best to channel her mother. Tonight, I’m playing the part of Nick Laurent’s girlfriend.

She touched Nick’s shaven face, put her hand in his and faced the questioner, looking straight at the camera. “We mett at a Ina Grott concert. I’m happy to be by Nick’s side tonight.”

Nick pulled her close to him.

“Are you excited about your mom’s T.V. show?” A thin reporter with curly hair shouted.

“Tonight is about Laurent Industries, not about me” she grinned so hard her facial muscles hurt.

“Is it true you staged your own kidnapping?” The question was shouted at her, making her flinch.

She took a step back, but Nick applied firm pressure on her hand and wrapped his arm around her.

“That incident is behind Mulberry, and we will not be answering questions about it,” his tone could cut steel. “I am happy to talk to you about Laurent Industries’ move to Vancouver. Everything regarding Miss. Stevens’ personal life is off limits.”

Her heart swelled as he said those words.

She knew he was just doing his job, but there was something so protective about how he said those words that made her wish it was a tiny bit more than a job.

After a few more clicks of the cameras, they entered the lobby and waited their turn for the elevator. Nick stoically stared ahead.

The elevator dinged and opened to a sea of a curtained hallway of gold and soft lighting lit the way to the ballroom.