When he reached her building, he pulled into the second lane at the front entrance and spoke briefly with one of the valets who assured him it was perfectly fine to leave his truck there while he went up for Hadley. They fawned over him when he spoke her name. "Oh, Miss Rivera, yes, of course, sir. Right this way, sir. We'll keep an eye on your truck, sir."
Last night had been so normal. Tonight, he had a feeling he would finally get a taste of what her privileged life was like. He stretched his neck and made a face. He prayed he wouldn't screw up and do anything to embarrass her tonight. This really wasn't his crowd, but he could pretend—for her.
Hadley greeted with him a grin and stepped aside to let him into her penthouse. "Come in. I'm almost ready to go."
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She looked so pretty in her coral pink dress and gold jewelry. The gown was simple but somehow that made it all the more elegant. She didn't need sequins and ruffles or twenty carats of diamonds to enhance her beauty.
Wanting to kiss her before she ran off to finish getting dressed, he snatched her wrist just above the bracelet she wore and stepped toward her. Biting her lip, she took a step back and hit the wall. Perfect. Right where he wanted her.
Holding her hand and planting his other palm against the wall, he pinned her in place, leaned down and captured her mouth. She hadn't put on lipstick yet so there wasn't anything between them. He took his time enjoying her sweet pout, dipping his tongue inside and making her whimper. When he ended the kiss, she sighed softly and smiled up at him, her eyes wide with wonder and dark with need.
"Hello, Hadley." Had she even realized that she had been in such a hurry to finish primping that she hadn't greeted him properly?
After blitzing her with that kiss, she seemed to remember. "Hi, Finn."
"That's better." He claimed her mouth again and relished the way she happily submitted to the erotic onslaught of his kisses. "You look so beautiful."
"Thank you." She blushed and glanced down shyly. The movement drew his gaze toward her cleavage. Unlike the dress that had hid her scars last night, this one bared them for the world to see. The thick, bumpy line was pale against her honey-colored skin but nowhere near as gnarly as one might expect. Of course, she had probably had the benefit of surgeons with incredible skill and closing procedures that mimicked those of a plastic surgeon.
Her small hand moved to his chest, and she smoothed her fingers across the peaked lapel of his tuxedo jacket. "You look handsome. Single-breasted and peaked lapels fits you much better than a shawl collar or a double-breasted jacket."
"That's what the tailor said," he murmured, not caring one way or the other about fashion terms.
"He has good taste. You should use him again."
"One tuxedo is enough for me."
Her exotic gray eyes lifted to meet his gaze. "Stick around me, and you'll change that tune quick."
She deftly extricated herself from his arms and glanced back over her shoulder in a coy and inviting way. Certain that if he followed her, they wouldn’t make it to her fundraising gala at all, he stayed in the hallway and waited for her. When she returned a few minutes later, she was tucking something into a small gold clutch. "I'm ready if you are."
He clasped her hand and led her out of the penthouse. She locked up, and they rode the elevator down to the lobby. Her perfume was stronger tonight and even more tempting. The way she had styled her hair, with the black waves piled in an intricate knot at the back of her head, entranced him. When they crossed the covered parking, he spotted a valet waiting patiently next to his idling truck, ready to move it if necessary and safeguarding it.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted her opening her clutch. He thought she might be grabbing lipstick or something like that until he saw a flash of cash. Annoyed that she automatically assumed he wouldn't tip, he touched her wrist in a silent bid to stop her. "I've got this."
"Oh. I—"
"It's fine." He stepped aside as the valet opened her door, but he helped her into the cab. He eyed her high heeled strappy sandals and added a hand to the small of her back to steady her, just in case. Shutting her door, he walked around to the driver's side where the valet waited by the open door. He slipped the man a tip and nodded at him.
They were two blocks down from her building before Hadley spoke. "Finn, I didn't mean to step on your toes back there. It's just that I'm the one who asked you out so—"
"So you thought you'd pick up the tab? Hadley, I'm perfectly capable of paying for our dates."
She sighed and tapped her finger on the hard shell of her clutch. "Is this where we start fighting about money?"
"What?" He glanced from the street to her and back again. "Why would ask me that?"
"I can feel it coming. This always happens." She sounded so dejected and resigned. Her sad voice slashed at him. "Every time I think I have it figured out, I screw it up."
"You didn't screw up anything." Feeling guilty for upsetting her, he reached out and found her hand in the shadows. "Listen, if you want to talk money, we can talk money. We can get it all out on the table, if you'd like."
"I don't want to argue with you. Not on our first real date," she pleaded.
"Hadley, I'm not upset. I'm just—" What the hell was he feeling? "I got annoyed that you assumed I wouldn't pay the valet. That's all."
"I didn't assume. I thought it would be nice to do it since I live there and public parking is a nightmare around the building."
He interlaced their fingers. "Are we okay?"
"Are we?" She squeezed his hand. "I have more money than you, Finn. Unless something really crazy happens, I'll always have more money than you. Men tell me it doesn't matter, but it does, Finn. It always does in the end."
"Jesus," he said on a blown out breath. "Where the hell are you finding these men? Let's get it straight right now, Hadley. Your money means nothing to me. I'm perfectly content living my middle class life. I've got a nice truck. I can pay my rent and buy groceries. I have good health insurance and a few hobbies that interest me. I'm a simple guy."
"You're hardly that." She placed her other hand on top of mine. "But I understand what you mean."
"I don't want this to be a thing between us." His stomach churned at the idea of her ever suspecting him of only hanging around to see what he could get out of her.
"It won't become a thing if we don't let it."
"Good." He had a feeling this uncomfortable subject would rear its ugly head again. Their relationship was too new.
"Listen," she said, her voice suspiciously high, "there's something I should probably tell you about tonight."
His stomach dropped. "What is it?"
"My parents are going to be there tonight. Actually, my brother Carlos and his wife will be there too. We're sort of sitting at the same table with all of them."
"I see." He wasn’t thrilled by the prospect of running into her father again for the first time in such a public place, but he didn't hold the older man's outburst against him. "I'm sure it will be fine."
"I'm sorry, Finn. I really did forget all about them when I asked you last night. I was sort of kiss-buzzed so my brain was misfiring."
Her description made him smile. "I suppose I can forgive that."
"I promise my father will be on his best behavior tonight. I'm sure he feels bad about the way he shouted at you."
And I'm sure he doesn't. "It'll be fine, Hadley. Don't worry about it."
A heavy weight settled on his chest. He hoped his words convinced her because they sure as hell didn't convince him.
Chapter Five
Completely out of his element, Finn nevertheless managed to play it off as if he rubbed shoulders with Houston's elite and wealthy every day. The ballroom of the hotel swarmed with guests, all of them decked out in evening gowns and tuxedos. Jewelry glittered under the chandeliers. A brassy live band played lively music.
After passing through the photo line, something he enjoyed because he got to slip
his arm around Hadley and hold her close, he stood behind her while she grabbed their place cards and studied the seating chart. He scanned the ballroom ahead and the grand hall where they currently stood.
It didn’t take him long to spot the security guards stationed around the event. Most of them he recognized as employees of the Lone Star Group. They trained at Connolly Fitness so he was friendly with them. The nearest guard gave him a nod. Finn returned it and let his guard down some. He would never fully shed his heightened awareness of his surroundings, but tonight he could afford to be a little more relaxed.
"We're near the front." Hadley returned to his side. "My parents, Carlos and my sister-in-law Vonny, and my grandfather and my cousin Pips will be with us."
"Which grandfather?" He realized he didn't know nearly enough about her family.
"My mother's father," she explained. "My namesake. Hadley Barlow. He's brought Pips with him. You'll like her. She's sweet and funny."
He recognized the name of the Houston socialite from the papers. Remembering her usual cohort, he asked, "Isn't she friends with that gossip columnist?"
"Ty Weston? He's not into gossip anymore. He still owns that empire of gossip blogs, but he's got journalists in all the big cities who handle all the stories. These days he's committed to the crisis PR firm he runs with Lena Cruz."
He didn't know Lena personally, but he was familiar with her because Kelly had been hired as her bodyguard by her Russian billionaire boyfriend Yuri Novakovsky.
"Come on." She slipped her arm around his. "Walk me to our table."
When they neared the spot her family had been given, he quickly assessed the situation. The white-haired man on the far side of the round table was obviously her grandfather, and the stunning blonde on his left was Pips. A dark-haired man close to Finn's age sat close to a willowy red-head and curved his hand in a protective, possessive way along the back of her chair. Carlos and Vonny, he decided. A dark-haired woman had her back to them, but he recognized Eddie Rivera well enough, even from behind. He noticed the women were all wearing shades of pink, Hadley's the brightest, Vonny's paler and Sela's a shade closer to champagne. He wouldn’t have put it past the ladies to coordinate their gowns for better photos.
Carlos spotted them first. His eyes widened fractionally at the sight of his little sister with a date, but he recovered quickly and stood to welcome them. Her grandfather was on his feet next and then Eddie. While Finn received two smiles, he earned nothing but a tight-lipped frown from Hadley's father.
"Hi, Daddy," she said in that sweet way she had. She pecked his cheek and enjoyed his hug. "Mama." She gave her mother a quick embrace and kiss. Taking a step back, she gestured to Finn. "This is Finn Connolly. Finn, these are my parents, Eddie and Sela Rivera."
"We've met." Eddie's rough baritone cut through the pleasantries. "I'm sure Mr. Connolly remembers."
"I'm sure he does, Daddy. It would be hard for anyone to forget a grown man shouting at them like that." Hadley's eyes flashed, and she moved closer to me, as if staking her claim and daring her father to make a scene.
Oh. Shit.
Not wanting this to get any more awkward or worse than it already was, Finn extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you again under calmer circumstances, Mr. Rivera. It was very chaotic that night."
To his credit, Eddie didn't snub him. He grasped Finn's hand in an iron grip. "It was chaotic. I should apologize for the way I reacted when I arrived at the hospital."
Should apologize, Finn noted, but he wasn't saying the magic words yet.
"It's fine," Finn assured him.
Holding out her slender, graceful hand, Sela, the very epitome of a southern lady, smiled at him. She spoke with a slow Texas twang. "It's so good to finally meet you, Finn. I'm so very happy that you were there that night to save our daughter. Thank you."
"You're welcome, ma'am."
After shaking Sela's hand, he moved around the table with Hadley to meet her brother and sister-in-law, grandfather and cousin. Finally, they were able to take their seats. When a waiter came by to pour wine, Finn placed his hand over his glass. No one but Eddie seemed to notice. An interested look crossed his face but he didn't ask. As Hadley sipped her iced tea, it occurred to Finn that she was foregoing the wine and champagne because of his issues.
Leaning closer, Finn spoke directly into her ear. "You can have a drink. It doesn't bother me."
"No, I can't." Her hand found his under the table cloth. She dragged it onto her lap and settled his big paw on her thigh. "I plan to pick up right where we left off in the hallway when this is all over. I don't want you to have to taste it."
His cravings for alcohol were mostly dormant these days. When he was stressed, his brain often flashed images of a cold beer or a shot of bourbon, but sitting here at dinner, seeing others drinking, didn't bother him at all. That said, he was secretly relieved Hadley wasn't going to have the taste of alcohol on her tongue later. He wasn't sure what his poor brain would do if he tasted his two favorite things at once.
But it wasn't fair to expect her to change her life to accommodate his problems. Later, when they were alone, he planned to talk to her about the reality of dating a recovering alcoholic. He wanted her more than anything in the world, but he refused to put her in a position where she had to give up things that she enjoyed to cater to his needs.
As dinner was served, a steady stream of speakers took the stage at the front of the ballroom. The first pair of speakers were rehab specialists who shared stories of how they helped children who had lost limbs to accidents or disease. The stories and pictures touched him deeply. When they mentioned always welcoming volunteers, he decided to look into the possibility. Now that the special needs baseball program was finished until spring, he had some open hours in his week that could be filled with helping out some kids who were going through something so hard.
At one point, a surgeon in his early fifties took the stage with a five-pound sack of flour in his hands to illustrate the tiny size of the babies he operated on every day at the heart center. He held up a strawberry to show the average size of the little hearts he mended. Hadley leaned over as the surgeon spoke and whispered that this was the man who had performed all of her surgeries to date.
Sitting back in his chair, Finn stared at that strawberry and that sack of flour in the surgeon's capable hands. He experienced a wave of emotion that stunned him. When he had undergone his life-saving surgeries, he had been so grateful to the trauma surgeons who worked tirelessly in terrible conditions. He had written letters to the medics and flight teams that had evacuated him to Germany, to the doctors and nurses there and then again to the doctors and therapists at Walter Reed who had gotten him back on his feet again.
As much as he admired every medical professional who had saved him and helped him, he recognized the surgeon standing on the stage and speaking so passionately about saving children was in a league all his own. Finn couldn’t imagine the stress of looking terrified parents in the eyes and asking them to hand over their days-old babies with the promise of returning them with the best possible chance at survival.
To think those hands had handled and healed Hadley's heart! Finn realized he owed one hell of a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Manning. Without him, Finn never would have met the brilliant, bold young woman who had ensnared him with a grin and a silly paper frog.
Near the end of his keynote address, Dr. Manning shared some slides on the screen behind him of recent patients, including a baby born with her heart outside her body and a baby with a broken heart a colleague had mended in utero. Older photos were also included and Dr. Manning began to call out the names of teenagers and adults in the audience. Hadley was among of the last of them. She rose with a shy smile and waited for Dr. Manning to make his point that every life they manage to save was a life filled with potential.
When she sat down, Hadley smiled at him and then at her father who kissed her temple. There was no mistaking the depth of love between father a
nd daughter. It occurred to Finn that there were two men sitting at that table who would die for Hadley. He had already proven that he was more than willing to run through a hail of gunfire for her. Eddie Rivera wouldn't hesitate either.
A new speaker took the stage, and Hadley leaned over to rest her head against Eddie's shoulder for a bit. She might be a grown woman, but she was always going to be daddy's little girl. Finn began to understand that Hadley's father would be the biggest roadblock in the relationship he wanted with her. She had stood up for him tonight, but it was clear that she cared very much for Eddie's opinion. If he couldn't win over the old man, he had no chance of winning her love either.
During a lull in dinner, while the waiters cleared away the tables and brought dessert, Finn excused himself and headed for the men's room. On his way back to the table, he heard a man call his name.
"Finn Connolly."
Slowing his speed, he pivoted toward the origin of the voice and found a man standing near a potted plant and a marble column. His face wasn't familiar. He looked Hispanic but didn't speak with an accent. "I'm sorry. I don't know your name."
"It's not important." The man moved closer but was careful to stay hidden from view. "My employer is interested in speaking with you about an open position in our organization."
The penny dropped. Stepping so close that he could see the flecks of green in the man's whisky colored eyes, Finn hissed, "You can scamper on back to Mexico and tell your boss that Finn Connolly isn't for sale."
The man didn't bat an eyelash. "I won't actually. In fact, I'm going to forget you said that. I'll give you a few days to reconsider, Mr. Connolly. After that, my visits won't be as pleasant as this one."
Finn watched the anonymous man stride away and swallowed the anger clogging his throat. Last night, he'd had the Russian mafia up his ass. Tonight, he had a Mexican cartel showing up on his date. He didn't even want to think about what kind of bullshit he'd have to deal with tomorrow.