“You’re doing me a favor by coming with me and you’re not getting anything out of this. Do you want something in return? For helping me?”
"You're wrong," he said with a soft smile, but his voice almost sounded sad. “I’m getting a night out with you, by your side. That’s more than enough for me.”
A dozen questions came to my mind, because that didn't make sense to me. But I was starting to understand that when it came to Marco, there wasn't much that did.
The venue buzzedwith chatter and laughter as Marco checked our items at the door while I glanced around looking for Simon.
"Is he here?" he asked.
"Not that I can see."
Marco nodded, then placed his hand on my back. The warmth of his palm felt like a brand on my skin, causing me to shiver.
"Are you cold?" he whispered in my ear.
"Not at all." I kept my voice level, refusing to look back at him. I knew if I did, that stupid, infuriating smirk would be on his face.
Marco guided me to our table and pulled out my chair before taking his own. The tables filled around us and finally, I spotted Simon.
At 7 PM, Naya took the stage. She gave her introduction and the speech she'd prepared for why she'd created the non-profit and how needed and important it was in our society.
Then her eyes found mine, and she nodded. "With that, I'd like to present this award to Catalina Salazar. She's helped more women and children than she'll ever know, and without her donations and support, we wouldn't be where we are today."
An applause roared around me, but I ignored it as I stood and stepped to the stage. Helping people who had been in a similar situation as I had was the least I could do. And I had more than enough money to do it.
I didn't think I deserved anything. It was one of the few things Naya and I fought over. She constantly told me I deserved to be praised for my efforts and the incredible impact I'd made on other people's lives.
"Thank you," Naya whispered softly, kissing my cheeks as she gave me the award. She smiled, and the kindness that shone in her eyes made me choke up, because it was all a lie.
Naya looked at me like I was a saint. But would she still feel that way if she knew where this money came from? That it was built on the blood, deaths, and stolen innocence of so many men, women, and children?
It left a bad taste in my mouth. Standing at the podium, I felt like a fraud. But when Marco's eyes met mine, the rest of the room faded away.
His lips spread into a soft smile, and each clap of his hand was purposeful, out of sync with everyone else's, and it slowed my heartbeat. He inhaled and exhaled. My body heard his silent command and followed his breathing. Then he tipped his head in a nod and it was over.
The exchange lasted all of a few seconds, but in that time he'd managed to yet again save me from the monsters clawing their way to the surface.
I gave my practiced speech while Marco scanned the crowd. His gaze touched on every entrance and exit, every security guard, and the location of Simon and the men around his table.
He's doing this to protect me. If anything happens, he'll know exactly where we should go.
I'd done the same; the platform was the perfect vantage point and excuse. But knowing how much attention he paid to me and how he valued my safety filled me with a warmth that refused to leave, even after I'd finished my speech and sat back down beside him.
The band resumed, and after dinner we left for the more communal area. Marco stayed by my side as several people approached us, more interested in my status as a senator's daughter than the event itself. But I made sure to always steer the conversation back to the non-profit.
I grew tired of it all. It was exactly why I hated events like this, but I needed to stay just a little longer.
Marco's fingertips danced along my spine, drawing my gaze from the dining hall where I was waiting for Simon to exit. "You look absolutely bored out of your mind," he whispered into my ear.
"Is it really that noticeable?" I'd need to adjust the look on my face and my attitude if that was the case. Even though I was using this event for my advantage, I didn't want to ruin anything Naya had built.
"Not to anyone else but me," he said in a low voice.
I side-eyed him, and his mouth tipped up into a smirk.
"Would a glass of champagne help?"
"Yes, please."
