“Everything okay here?” Benson asks, his deep voice cutting through the tension like a sharpened blade.
One step, and Benson is standing partially in front of me, shielding me from the verbal assault while I work to compose myself.
My father’s gaze snaps to Benson’s, flashing with cold fury. “This is a private conversation.”
Benson doesn’t move a muscle. “Not anymore. Whatever you have to say to her, you can say it to me, and choose your words carefully, Senator. I have nothing to lose when it comes to defending someone I care about. Can you say the same?”
Shock flickers on my father’s face. He’s not used to anyone speaking to him like that. He scans the area around us, ensuring no one is around. After several silent seconds, he schools his features.
Benson’s mouth curves into a grin. “That’s what I thought.” He reaches for my hand, his comforting grip warm and firm as he murmurs, “Let’s go.”
We barely clear the hallway when he shoulders through an unlocked door markedPrivate,ushering me into a low-lit lounge hidden off the ballroom. Once the door shuts behind us, Benson is pinning me to the wall, his large body caging mine. He reaches for my free hand, uncurling it from the fist I’ve been making, inspecting the purple half-moons lining my palms with careful consideration.
His soft blue eyes meet mine. “Talk to me,” he commands gently.
“I hate him,” I grit out, trying to rein in my fraying emotions.
He presses a warm kiss to my palm, forcing a heated breath from my lips.
“He’s a shitty father,” I add.
Another warm kiss to my wrist, his soft lips on my skin dissolving my anger.
His other hand moves to the back of my neck as he lowers his head, bringing his mouth close to mine. “I get it now,” hesays, his thumb moving across my jaw. My body tingles, heat flooding my core.
“Get what?” I breathe.
“Why you left me,” he says, dropping his forehead to mine. “No one has ever chosen you first, have they?” His mouth is a breath from my lips as his grip tightens on the back of my neck. “Until me. I chose you first. I wanted you above all else. And that’s what scared you.”
My breath hitches. The truth of his words is like a punch to the chest. He’s right. No one has ever chosen me first. Certainly not my parents, who have always put power, prestige, and their reputation before me. They like the idea of me, of what I can give them, the image of the perfect family, but I’ve often wondered if they truly love me at all.
His expression softens as his gaze holds mine. “But here’s the thing, baby. I’ll always choose you. No matter what. Before my badge, my career. My fucking life. I’ll always choose you.”
Tears sting my eyes as his lips crash against mine, hungry.
Possessive.
He deepens the kiss, his hot tongue claiming me all over again. The hand clutching the back of my neck moves to wrap around my throat, squeezing just enough to make my head spin as his other hand grips my hip, his erection pressing into my lower belly. My nipples harden, core aching with unchecked need. He tears his lips from mine, his hot mouth moving across my jaw to the sensitive spot just below my ear.
“Do you have any idea how bad I want you right now? How much I want to take back what’s always been mine?”
“Yes,” I say, breathless. “Please.”
My heart is pounding wildly, a thrill of hope rushing hot through my veins. Benson wants me. He wants me back. I neverallowed myself to imagine what it would be like to belong to him again. I convinced myself long ago that I ruined us forever, that the way I broke him was something he would never forgive. The urge to drop to my knees and confess every regret burns through me. I want to show him how sorry I am. I want him to punish me for it in all the ways only he can. I want to surrender to him, but this time, completely.
I have no idea how to say any of that out loud.
Before I can even make the attempt, the door swings open and Benson quickly drags me into the shadowed corner. My back collides with his chest, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist.
“I thought you said he wasn’t going to be a problem.” Benson stiffens behind me, and my eyes flare as I recognize my father’s voice. The lounge is so dark—I can’t see his face—but I would recognize that cold, clipped tone anywhere. “Then why is he here tonight? With my daughter? Do you know how that looks?” A sharp pause. “I want him eliminated, do you understand? Tonight.”
My breath becomes sharp and uneven as I move to step forward, to confront him, but Benson’s arm tightens around my waist, a band of unyielding strength, keeping me pinned against him.
“You’d better,” my father continues, his voice hard and lethal, “because if this blows back on me, you’ll be the one floating in the Potomac. Are we clear?”
The call ends. A beat later, the door slams shut, and he’s gone.
My breathing turns jagged as Benson slowly releases me. I spin to face him. Fury burns across his face—matching my own—along with the deadly sting of betrayal.
