“Thanks… It’s just another dress. Another event.”
“I know, but I only ever see you like this when they’re talking about you on the news, if you can even call those shows news. It’s different in person seeing you all dolled up.”
Smiling, I reach up to straighten his bowtie. “And I only see you like this in pictures. So handsome. You know, you waited so long, your old-school tux is back in fashion again. You’ll fit right in.”
His eyes dim a little. “Fitting in isn’t my main concern tonight.”
“Oh?” I try to give it a breezy casualness. “So what actually brought you out?”
His warmth recedes a little more. His attention shifts to the other people rushing around the room, packing up their kits. I take his hand and lead him to the hallway, where we can have more privacy.
“Gramps?” I press. “What is it? Is everything okay? What did you and Mom talk about the other day?”
He clears his throat. “First and foremost, we discussed your safety.”
“Okay.” I draw the word out a little. “That’s a good thing, right?”
His features are more formidable as they tighten in a frown. “I’m still not convinced her head is in the right place with all this.”
I swallow hard. “You don’t?”
“Kara. I don’t doubt your mother cares for you. I just worry some pieces of this have more to do with her ego than what’s truly best for you.” He pauses. “And I decided it was time to stop hiding.”
I shake my head, unsure what he means.
He finally laughs then, but it’s underlined by sadness. “You don’t think I stay holed up in the guest house all day because she keeps me prisoner there, do you?”
“Well…” That is sort of how I’ve thought about it. It’s never seemed fair that he couldn’t join us for events. But here he is, as if he’s always been with us.
“I haven’t just been staying away from you or from my family. I’ve stayed away from everyone. Don’t let this monkey suit fool you. I’m terrified to go down there and be recognized. I’m not flattering myself that someone will—”
“Of course they will, Gramps. You’re a legend. Everyone who’s anyone in this town knows Giovani Valari. That will never change.”
His lips pull into another rueful smile. “Yes, well, that sort of attention isn’t always good. You know how that goes.”
I rest my hand on his shoulder. “People are going to be thrilled you’re here. Piper and the movie’s team, especially. They’ll be honored to have you.”
“Maybe.” He’s still terse. “If I can just get through the night without someone asking me about what happened all those years ago, it’ll be a miracle.”
Suddenly I understand what his apprehension is made of, at least in part. I tell him so with a firmer hold. “It’ll be fine,” I assert, but I don’t kid myself. It’s for my benefit as much as his. “You don’t need any miracles.”
But he has a bloody past, rife with questions that were never answered. And people in this town will make up the truth if they don’t get their greedy hands on the real deal. That’s exactly what they’ve done to him for years. Made up reasons why he was caught between one of the most notorious couples of his time and why they both ended up dead after a night of suspicious circumstances. He was the only one who pulled through that violent drama, so he’s the only one who can set the record straight. I just don’t think he wants to.
But I don’t tell him that. Now’s not the time nor the place.
The show must go on. Which means it’s time for a subject change.
“Mom was really okay with this?” I ask. “She was a bit bent a while ago. Tonight was supposed to be Maximus’s big debut to the industry’s elite.”
“At first? No. But you know her. She soon realized having me here would be even bigger buzz for her. I haven’t walked a red carpet in…” He runs a hand through his silvery hair, which is also on-trend in its unkempt glory. “Hell, it’s been a long time.”
“Is that why you came? For her?”
He winces. “No, ladybug. I’m here because if someone has any designs about taking you from us, in any realm, you can be damn sure I won’t let that happen.”
I smile once more and fight the emotion welling up inside. This side of him, fierce and firm, is new—and I like it. Not that I haven’t felt his protectiveness