Page 11 of The Prez’s Daughter

Savage took another swig of his beer, put the bottle down on the counter, and closed the distance between them.

“The fact you have put one of the thickest layers of cheese known to man on that spaghetti. You’re dressed in doggy pajamas and it’s only eight o’clock. No makeup is set up. You don’t have on any music. Your eyes are red, which tells me you’ve been crying. And you’re doing your best to hide it, but nothing can stop me seeing the fact you’re shaking like crazy.”

“You can’t see that,” she said, and let out a laugh, then proceeded to put her hands against her face. “Ignore me.”

“I can’t ignore you, babe. I can see you.”

He took hold of her hands, and she wouldn’t pull them away from her face, so he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. She was shaking.

“I’m an idiot,” she said.

“No, you’re not.”

“Nothing happened and I can’t—”

“You were held at gunpoint.”

“It wasn’t like she had me in some kind of chokehold. There were a lot of women in that salon today who went through the exact same thing. I’m just being a pussy.”

“I imagine Eden’s being comforted by Razor. Maeve has Doc. Your mother has ... whoever she needs. So does Kristin and the others.”

“My mom doesn’t have anyone.”

“Last I heard, she was at the club, surrounded by them, and trust me, we all know how to deal with the aftereffects of nearly dying. Nothing will happen to your mom. She is in good hands.”

There was a sob. And he felt her body crumble.

Savage wrapped his arms around her. He reached out to the cooker, turned it off, then picked Charlotte up in his arms and carried her to the sitting room, where he sat with her on his lap. He didn’t say anything, just let her sob against his chest.

Time ticked by, but he wasn’t upset about how long this was taking. He just let her get all the fear, pain, and panic right out of her system. She didn’t need to be thinking about any of it. All she had to do was relax and realize it was over and she was safe. He would do anything to protect her, and he would keep doing it for the rest of their lives.

“I’ve got you.”

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I’m acting this way.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. I bet no one else is acting this way. “I’m a loser.”

He stroked her hair and let her rest against his chest.

“Am I a loser?” Charlotte asked.

“Not at all.”

Chapter Four

Several Weeks Later

The shop was undergoing repairs that Charlotte heard the club was paying for. She didn’t know the ins and outs of the agreement, but it meant she didn’t have a place to work. However, Maeve being the makeup artist she was, didn’t stop just because a salon was currently undergoing repairs.

There was no rest for beauty, so she got a crash course in what it meant to be a makeup artist in the flesh. She joined Maeve as she journeyed around town. Everyone who had an appointment, Maeve kept. Not only did she do makeup, she also helped with hair. Kristin was doing the same, and had her own assistant.

She followed Maeve around and watched how the master worked. It was amazing, and she gave her plenty of space, watching how she set up, learning everything, and Maeve was so incredibly patient.

After one busy morning, they made a stop at a local café and enjoyed a large mug of coffee, with a cinnamon bun. They were Charlotte’s favorites.

“So, do you think being a makeup artist is something you would like to do?” Maeve asked.