He might not love me, despite my mom believing he does, but there’s no doubt that he cares deeply for me.
Except for the fact that he hasn’t touched you in two weeks.
“Jesus, Princess,” Kane says, making me spin around to face him. “You look stunning.”
When I was younger, Andrey would force us to attend these types of events, and I loved dressing up, pretending like I was a princess being let out of the castle.
For the first time, I understand where Kane’s nickname came from. He’s always seen beyond the makeup and clothes to a girl who wanted nothing more than to escape the castle she was imprisoned in.
“Stunning enough that you want to rip this dress off me and fuck me against the wall?” I half joke as I take in my husband, who’s dressed to the nines in a sharp black tux with a matching sky-blue tie—he asked me what color I was wearing so he could match me.
Kane smiles, but it’s not his usual charming smile. It’s filled with longing, and my heart plummets into my stomach.
“I always want to rip your clothes off,” he says, bridging the gap between us. “But I don’t want to be late.”
I tamp down my disappointment and grab my clutch.
When we step outside of our home, a sleek black limo is waitingfor us, and that’s when it hits me. He never mentioned what the gala was for. And now that I’m thinking about it, neither did anyone in my family.
Kane opens the door for me and helps me slide in, and once he’s in, he threads his fingers through mine, bringing our hands up to his lips for a sweet kiss, which causes me to choke up. The way he’s been looking at me and touching me is like he’s preparing to say goodbye, which can’t be right because Kane promisedtill death do us partin his vows.
I want to ask him what’s going on, but now isn’t the time, so I promise myself I’ll do so tonight, after we get home. And then once he confirms that it’s all in my head, I’ll tell him that I suspect I might be pregnant.
We arrive at the gala a few minutes later, and there’s press waiting outside to take our pictures. Kane never lets go of my hand the entire time we stop to talk to the press, where I learn the gala we’re attending is to support an organization that works to prevent sexual abuse as well as support victims.
I want to believe it’s a coincidence, but the way Kane avoids my glances tells me this was one hundred percent intentional.
Once we’re inside, we’re met by several powerful businessmen, businesswomen, and politicians, including the mayor, his wife, and Nicole.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” Nicole says, giving me a hug.
“Kane dropped it on me at the last minute,” I murmur. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
Just as we separate, my eyes catch on my family, who are walking over to us.
“Brielle,” my mom says, enveloping me in a hug. “You look beautiful.”
I give each of my sisters-in-law and brothers a hug, giving Dani an extra-tight hug since she went through something similar to me.
When I stop at Lorenzo, who is standing in the back with noneother than Hillary, I give him a brotherly hug, then pull my attention to her.
“Hillary”—I nod toward her, having no desire to touch her—“I’m surprised to see you here.”
She smiles condescendingly. “It is for a good cause.”
I snort a laugh, mentally noting the irony in her words since she literally helped Enrique kidnap Dani, which led to him sexually assaulting her repeatedly.
While the servers walk throughout the room with hors d’oeuvres, we peruse the items in the silent auction, and I bid on several of them.
When Kane hands me a glass of champagne, I pretend to drink it and then get rid of the glass the first chance I get. Dani notices, tilting her head to the side slightly, and I shake mine, not wanting to discuss the possibility of my pregnancy with anyone other than my mom until I’ve spoken to Kane.
“Mr. Morgan,” a beautiful woman says, interrupting the conversation Kane and Matteo were having with a couple of businessmen, discussing the possibility of a new project they’re looking to head up. She’s dressed in a white silk dress, making her naturally tan skin look flawless. Her black hair is down in waves, and her chocolate-brown eyes are laser-focused on him.
“I’m so glad to finally meet you in person.” She extends her perfectly manicured hand, a flirtatious smile on her face that has my hackles rising. “I’ve worked with your family in the past, and I would love to discuss the possibility of us working together.”
She slides Kane her business card and then excuses herself. Without looking at it, Kane pockets it, and then his attention goes back to the men he was talking to. Something about her rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was because she didn’t actually introduce herself.
“Oh my God,” Dani hisses. “I think that was her.”
