good thing, right?” he soothed.
“He doesn’t feel the same way.”
“You guys had fun. Once this is over you’ll have your entire life ahead of you. You’ll meet someone super cool.”
I took off down the hallway, not wanting to cry in front of him.
Theo shouted. “Pandora!”
Needing to compose myself, I quickly put distance between us, heading in the opposite direction of the event. I needed time to figure things out.
There was no other way—I was going to have to find another solution to my dad’s looming scandal and stop that news story from going live. There had to be some kind of leverage I could use. I had the means, too. Access to contacts. The ability to dig deeper using tech.
I’d do it myself.
Oh, no.
Damien’s brother was talking with someone at the end of the hallway.
Pivoting fast, I turned right, lifting my hem and scurrying off. A security guard stood at a doorway gesturing I couldn’t go that way. I tried to retrace my steps but I couldn’t remember which way I’d come.
I picked up speed as I rounded a corner—and bumped right into Carter’s chest.
“Steady,” he said, grabbing my arm and leading me away. “You can’t be here. My dad’s having a drink with the Ambassador of Germany. Security’s a bitch.”
“Let go.” I was dragged behind his tall frame.
He glanced left and right as though checking to make sure no one was looking, and then he opened a door and pulled me inside an empty room, shoving me up against the wall.
Trapping me.
My breaths came short and sharp against the pressure of his firm chest as my arms pushed against him, my heart rate thundering in my ears. I tried to break free but he was too strong, too tall and too threatening.
“I heard about Sanibel.” He whistled.
“Get off.”
“No, I don’t think so. My family paid for you fair and square.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You for a seat at the table. I’m just taking what’s ours.”
“The last I heard my father wasn’t in the running anymore.”
“I know Damien is doing what he can to deal with that dumpster fire.”
“He is?” It came out wistful.
He clutched my jaw. “Anything to get you to open your legs.”
My face twisted in disgust, his touch causing sickness to roil in my stomach.
His lips snarled in a rebuke. “Those photos of you were something else.” He dug his fingernails into my jaw.
“What?”
“You didn’t see yourself in The Inquirer?”
My breath caught in my throat as the door flew open.
Damien barreled toward us and grabbed his brother by the scruff of the neck, yanking him back and thrusting him up against the door.
He pointed a finger in his face. “If you ever touch my fiancée again, I’ll end you.”
Carter smirked. “You don’t even like her.”
“That’s not true.”
“Really? I was there when you stormed into Dad’s office and demanded a way out of your engagement.”
“Asshole. That was before I’d met her.”
“I’m the asshole?” He scoffed. “You’re the one who was sent away to fix the mess you made. Two weeks before the election.”
Damien glanced my way. “The issue’s resolved.”
“She’s an issue?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Carter shoved him back. “What I’m hearing is there’s no sharing your bitch?”
The strike of Damien’s fist into his stomach made Carter double over.
“If you come within one mile of my girlfriend—”
“Which one?” Carter gasped, his hand on his stomach. “So hard to keep up with them all.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you!” Damien stepped back. “You’re a sociopath.”
“They always did say I take after Dad.”
“That’s not a compliment.”
“Well, the last time I checked he’s about to become President.”
“He’s just waiting for you to fuck it up, Carter.”
“I’m not the one with a stalled multi-million dollar construction site. Fairfield was destined to fail.”
Damien spun around to look at me, trying to appear calm. “Did he hurt you?”
Trembling, I managed to shake my head to show I was okay.
“It’s like arguing with a fucking wall.” Damien straightened and tugged his jacket down, his demeanor becoming more composed.
“It’s unlike you to lose it,” said Carter.
Damien seemed to realize this, his brows knitting together as his gaze scanned over me. “I apologize on behalf of my brother.”
My heart swelled with hope knowing that Damien had found and saved me.
Clutching my hand tightly, he led me out of the room.
We made our way through the mansion, reaching a sitting room that had a door that led out to a patio. We walked across the sprawling lawn and took a path over to a private terrace with a