Brigit did what needed to be done. As she walked off the stage, Colton appeared by her side. With his large hand on the small of her back, he guided her toward the voting stations.
His touch sparked a myriad of responses. Her skin heated where his hand pressed against her clothing. She felt empowered by his side. No other man would ever evoke such raw emotion. Of this she was certain.
“Great speech,” he whispered. “Thanks for pushing to get here.”
Business. Her chest tightened. That’s why he’d hired her, after all. She’d done her professional best and if he harbored resentment because she’d concealed her true identity, he was smart enough to know that airing his personal grievances would only hurt their chances of winning. They had to act as a united front. But that’s all it was. An act.
She had to keep it together so she wouldn’t shatter into a million pieces.
Several voting stations equipped with laptops had been set up on pedestals flush against the wall, allowing shareholders to cast their ballots electronically.
“Together, as a show of solidarity.” The huskiness in his voice surprised her.
As soon as they cast their electronic votes, shareholders closed in, forming lines and chatting amongst themselves. Though their eyes met in the thickening crowd, several Francesco executives ambushed Colton, and gobbled him up.
After six long years, her journey had ended where she’d begun. The loneliness that had plagued her then had returned, only this time her heart was broken for a very different reason. She needed some air and a good cry. So she escaped through a side door and stepped into the quiet hotel atrium.
“Not so fast,” said a voice behind her. “Where do you think you’re going?”
51
ALL IN
“You can’t keep running,” Marjorie said.
Brigit shuddered in a shaky breath. “I have no reason to stay. I had a job to do. It’s done. I’m no longer needed.”
“I know you. You’re not thinking clearly. You’re hurting. If you were a child, I’d take you for ice cream.”
Brigit smiled. “We’d sneak out of that building like prisoners on the lam.”
Marjorie laughed. “You saved Francesco, honey. Your speech was the right balance of facts and emotion. I’m so damn proud. Mom and Dad would have been, too.”
Brigit’s eyes grew damp. “I gotta get out of here. And think.”
Marjorie’s gaze floated over her face. “My car is with valet. Room five-thirty-one. Why don’t you take a little drive? Make sure your route has been plowed.”
She swiped a lone tear. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be here until a winner is announced and then I’ll root my ass on a barstool. Celebrating with the good stuff or drowning in cheap booze.” Marjorie took a backward step toward the ballroom. “Go. You’ll feel better. I promise.”
* * *
Colton glanced around,butBrigit was nowhere in sight. The area surrounding the voting pedestals was packed, so he headed toward the back of the room and ran into Marjorie.
“She gave a powerful speech, don’t you think?” Colton asked.
“You need to head out.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”
“Where’s Sherlock Holmes?” she asked.
“What’s going on?”
“She left and you need to go after her. I’ll text you the address.” Marjorie pulled her phone from her pantsuit pocket. “Bring her back, Colton.”
Twenty minutes later, Chad pulled up to the entrance. “Aw, crap. You know I don’t do well at these places.”
