Releasing a sigh, I take another sip from my glass and watch a look of horror spread across her face.
“Is thatchampagneyou’re drinking?”
I nod.Holding up the glass, as if I’m toasting her, before taking another sip. “Yep.”
“There’s a lot of sugar in that, don’t you think?” If she were wearing pearls, she’d be clutching them right now. The thought comes out almost involuntarily, but then she catches herself, adjusting her shoulders. “Well, I suppose itisa party, good for you on indulging.”
I stop drinking, lowering my glass in front of me.
But my mother doesn’t stop there. She’s enjoying herself far too much. “Briar dear, did I tell you I ran into the Ashfords?”
I shake my head becauseno, of course she didn’t, we haven’t talked in four years but sure… do go on. “Their daughter Emilia—you remember Emilia, of course? You two were in dance lessons together back in grade school? She’s now touring with the Premiere Ballet in Paris! A prima ballerina! I told your father we must fly out and see her next show. I think they’re doing Giselle next!”
“That’s great for Em. I’m happy for her,” I say, and I mean it. Emmy is a talented dancer. We haven’t talked in a while, but I’m sure she deserves it.
“She was always such a responsible girl. Goes to show what you can accomplish if you stay focused and don’t throw your life away.” My mother’s tone sharpens on her closing words, staring at me pointedly.
I avoid her gaze, turning my attention back to Koen and my father. “Of course, a man with your portfolio could do well partnering with us,” my father continues, oblivious to the conversation playing out to his right. “You’ll have direct access to, well, I really can’t say, but I am telling you, opportunities like this don’t present themselves every day! You know, I could really go for a cigar right now; why don’t we leave the ladies to it, and we can continue this discussion in the gentlemen’s room over some smokes? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new zoningpolicies on the table for next year.” He glances about the room. “And I know I saw Senator Jeffries around here somewhere. I’d love to make an introduction…”
I shift uncomfortably and subtly step out of Koen’s hold on my lower back, freeing him up to join my father and his friends for more shop talk, but just as I slip out from under his fingers, he reaches down, without even looking, catching my hand and stopping me from getting any further away from him.
“My apologies, Senator, but I actually need to steal Briar away for a few minutes.”
“Briar?” Confusion fills my father’s face as he looks my way for possibly the first time all night, possibly even forgetting I was here at all.
“Yes,Briar,” Koen confirms, his tone cold before finding my widened eyes. “Who also, by the way, is quite a sight to see. If you’ll excuse us.” Both my mother and father stare at him in disbelief. But Koen doesn’t seem to care, tightening his hand around mine and pulling me away from them.
“Koen.”
He moves us quickly down the hall, going the opposite direction of the ballroom, and I’m struggling to keep up with him in my heels, holding my dress up with my free hand to keep from tripping over it. He doesn’t answer me, continuing to pull me down a maze of hallways until we reach an elevator, where he shoves his thumb into the button as if the button itself personally offended him.
“Koen,” I say again.
He still doesn’t look at me, but his mouth tightens, just as the elevator doors open, and he drags me in. Another couple appears behind us, attempting to board as well, but he holds up a hand, glaring at them.
“No.”
They freeze as he hits the button for the doors to close.
“Where are we going?” I whisper, but he doesn’t say anything, doesn’tlookat me, doesn’t let go of my hand. My brain is racing through what could have happened. I’d been trying to monitor his conversation with my father and heard nothing damning. However, Koen clenches his jaw, and his eyes burn. He’sangry, but I don’t know why.
The elevator dings, and he takes off, stalking quickly down the hall, my hand locked in his. We reach a door, and he pulls a card out of the inside pocket of his jacket. I stare at it; the door lock blinks green to allow him access.
My throat goes dry. “Please talk to me,” I say quietly.
He pushes open the door, letting go of my hand, and holds it open for me to walk inside on my own. I stare at the door and then at him, trying to read him, but, as always, he’s a closed book. I can still sense the simmering anger burning under his skin, but he promised he’d never hurt me, so against my better judgement, I step into the room.
Koen follows me in, the door clicks shut behind him, and slowly, I turn back around, looking at him with a mixture of nerves and anticipation, when he finally speaks.
“Truth or dare, Briar Rose?”
62
STRIP
KOEN
“You can’t be serious.”She stares at me incredulously.
