Chapter 17

“You’re home,” Jada said when Bree made it back to her apartment the next morning. Jada was sitting on the couch in her pajamas holding a mug of coffee.

“Yes, I’m back,” Bree said to Jada as she closed her front door, “though I’m surprised to see you.” She had believed her baby sister would still be at the ranch.

Jada rose to her feet. “I couldn’t stay there. I had to come and see you. But you didn’t come back here last night. Are you okay?”

Bree swept past her sister and into her bedroom.

“Were you at Grayson’s?”

Bree turned back and stared incredulously at Jada.

“Of course you were,” Jada answered her own question. “I realize you have strong feelings for the man.”

“I love him,” Bree responded.

Jada sighed. “I know that. I’m just scared for you.”

“What the hell, Jada? You’ve been back for all of five seconds. How dare you judge me or my relationship with Grayson.”

“I’m sorry, Bree.” Jada rushed to Bree’s side. “I didn’t mean to imply that Grayson’s feelings toward you aren’t genuine. I just want you to be happy.”

“Do you?”

Jada’s eyes filled with tears. “Of course. How could you doubt that?”

“I don’t know, Jada.” Bree shrugged. “Maybe because you didn’t come with me when I left the ranch last night. You didn’t have my back.”

“I have always had your back,” Jada said fiercely. “And I never for a second believed Daddy’s accusations, but I was trying to calm the waters and get everyone to see reason. It’s why I came here immediately yesterday after you left the ranch. But you were gone, and your phone was off. I couldn’t reach you.”

Bree had forgotten her charger, so her phone had been dead. “Alright, I suppose you’re right,” she conceded.

Bree sat down on her bed in defeat. It was so tiring being angry with her family, especially Jada. Being less than two years apart in age, they’d always been thick as thieves. Jada was her confidante and vice versa.

“You seem okay,” Jada said, sitting beside her. “I presume Grayson has a lot to do with your improved mood?”

Bree glanced at Jada. “He does.”

“I want to meet him.”

“He’s supposed to take me to the Crystal Charity Ball tonight.”

“Are you sure that’s best, given how Daddy feels about him?”

“No,” Bree said. “But that’s business, and Duke’s just going to have to deal with it. Or we don’t have to sit at the family table, as I doubt very much he wants to see either of us.”

“You know that’s not true, Bree. Daddy will want to see you. Grayson, I can’t speak for, but I’ll speak to Daddy and make sure he knows he has to be on his best behavior tonight. Otherwise you won’t come.”

“I don’t know.” Bree didn’t want another epic battle royale on her hands like they’d had yesterday.

“Please,” Jada implored. “It’s why I came.”

Bree had never been able to say no to her baby sister, and today was no different. “Alright.”

Bree stared back at her reflection in the mirror many hours later that evening. She could hardly believe the magic Jada and her team of hair and makeup artists had performed. Jada had found her the most elegant champagne-colored strapless satin gown with a sweetheart ruffled neckline. Her unruly curls had been tamed into a flattering updo, and her makeup was so flawless it looked like she barely had any on.

“Love it!” Jada said as she came up behind her to look in the cheval mirror. “I outdid myself.”

Bree turned around. “You did, but I have to say the dress you’re wearing is killer.”

“Thank you.” Jada grinned and pranced around the room in her form-fitting black spaghetti-strap dress with a fierce slide slit. With her slender model-like figure, Jada easily pulled it off along with her signature sleek, straight hairdo.

The doorbell chimed signaling Grayson’s arrival, and Bree’s heart sped up. She wanted this first meeting with her sister and family to go off without a hitch. “C’mon, diva,” she said, looping her arm in Jada’s. “Let’s go.”

Bree didn’t answer her door. Instead, another woman who appeared to be the makeup stylist let Grayson in. And just as he was about to inquire about Bree’s whereabouts, she sauntered out of the bedroom with another slender female. This other woman was taller than Bree by several inches and equally beautiful, but Grayson only had eyes for Bree.

She looked like a golden goddess in the champagne dress with the sweetheart neckline that gave him a tantalizing view of her breasts as she approached him.

“Grayson, I’d like you to meet my sister, Jada.”

He forced his eyes to return to Bree’s face rather than her décolletage and look at her sister. He offered her a smile. “Jada, it’s great to meet you.”

“You as well.” Jada leaned in to give him a quick, yet unexpected hug. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

He patted her back, then pulled away. “I hope all good things.” He glanced in Bree’s direction and winked at her.

“Nothing but the best,” Jada responded, though for some reason she couldn’t put her finger on, she felt uneasy about Grayson.

“Well, if you ladies are ready to go,” Grayson said, offering them each one of his arms, “our chariot awaits downstairs.”

Bree and Jada both took an arm, and he led them out of the apartment.

Once they were in the elevator, Grayson whispered in Bree’s ear, “You look ravishing.”

Bree glanced up at him through mascara-coated lashes. “So do you,” she murmured.

“Later, when I have you all to myself, I’m going to do wicked things to you.”

Bree’s entire face flushed, and her sister looked over at her. “Enough you two, or I’m going to regret my decision to ride with you versus driving in with Daddy.”

Perhaps it was a good thing they had Jada as a chaperone tonight. Otherwise, it would have been very hard for Grayson not to take Bree in the limo on their way to the charity gala.

The drive to the ball was relatively short, but there was a long line of cars and limos once they made it to the main street. It took nearly a half-hour, but eventually they disembarked from the vehicle with Grayson lending a hand to both Jada and Bree.

Grayson couldn’t wait to see the look on Duke’s face when he realized he was bringing both his daughters to the annual charity event. The man would probably have a coronary right on the spot. Not that Grayson wanted that. He wanted Duke to suffer, to feel the same sort of despair for years that Grayson and his family had had to endure when his father walked out on them.

Grayson saw several people he knew. He stopped to introduce Bree and Jada to them. He saw Jada’s brow rise when he introduced Bree as his girlfriend. Even though she was being cordial to him, Jada gave off an air of mistrust. She didn’t trust him or like him with Bree. And she was right not to, but he wasn’t letting Bree go. At least not yet.

Not until she asked him to.

“Would you ladies care for some champagne?” Grayson asked when they finally had a quiet moment.

“Love some,” they said in unison.

“I’m on it.”

Grayson left them in search of cordials. Once he found the bar, he ordered them champagne and himself a Scotch.

“Does she know you plan on ruining her family?” a familiar voice said from Grayson’s side.

He turned to find Brooke Jenkins standing next to him in a tuxedo. Brooke was frowning as he looked in Bree’s direction. “Quite frankly, that’s none of your business,” Grayson shot back.

Brooke shrugged. “It’s not my problem. I’ve paid you back the favor I owed you, so I am no longer in your debt.”

Grayson’s eyes narrowed. “No, you’re not.”

“Good. Otherwise, my people will be speaking with yours about transporting Wells Oil.” Seconds later, he was gone.

Grayson glanced over at Bree, and his heart turned over. He was being incredibly selfish wanting to keep Bree. He should let her go so she could be with someone better. Someone worthy of her, instead of a liar, gambler, and a con artist like him.

Just then, Grayson watched Duke Hart, his nephew Caleb, Caleb’s wife, Addison, and a stunning older woman who must be Bree’s mother, Abigail, join Bree and Jada in a circle. A low growl escaped Grayson’s lips. He didn’t want Duke around his woman, but he was her family after all.

“Here you are, sir.” The attendant handed Grayson two champagne flutes and his Scotch.

Once they were in hand, Grayson made a beeline for the circle. When he arrived, he stood back for a second, assessing Duke Hart. At six foot five, Duke was taller than him by a couple of inches. He was a big man who, in his heyday, could have flattened Grayson . . . but not now. Their battle would be nothing short of David and Goliath proportions.

“Daddy, Mama, I’d like you to meet Grayson Wells,” Bree stated when she saw Grayson standing slightly off to the side from their semicircle. She was happy when she’d seen his bald head behind them. He handed her and Jada their flutes and retained his Scotch.

Bree had been prepared to make small talk with her father. And, of course, he’d arrived in good spirits because her mother was there. His mood inspired him to make amends, and he tried to pull Bree into a hug, but she flatly refused. Embarrassed, he stepped backward.

The lines had been drawn.

Suddenly, Duke turned around to face Grayson, and Bree could see the two men assessing each other like gladiators in battle.

Grayson broke the standoff by offering his hand. “Mr. Hart, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Wish I could say the same, Wells.”

“Daddy, you promised,” Jada hissed.

“Settle down, girl,” Duke told her. “This is a night for charity. We grown folks know how to behave. Isn’t that right, Wells?”

Bree knew her father was purposely calling Grayson by his last name to rile him up. She’d seen him do it with lots of men. It was a tactic he used to undermine them.

“That’s right,” Grayson said, sipping his drink.

“Yes, it is,” Abigail said from Duke’s side. She came forward to Grayson. Bree had to admit her mother looked stunning in a silk sheath dress with her dark-brown hair piled high on her head. “Grayson,” Abigail said as she held out her hand. Grayson swept his mouth across it.

“A pleasure, Ms. Hart.”

Abigail beamed, but Duke didn’t when Grayson walked over to Bree and with his eyes not leaving her father’s, circled his arm around her waist. He’d just made it clear that their relationship wasn’t just business. It was personal.

First hit. Grayson.

Duke’s eyes darkened at the action, but he didn’t say anything.

“Caleb Hart,” Caleb introduced himself.

Grayson handed Bree his drink to shake Caleb’s hand. His other hand didn’t leave Bree’s side. “I’m Grayson. Nice to meet you. And who’s this?”

Caleb motioned Addison forward. “My wife, Addison.”

“Addison, you’re looking lovely,” Grayson said.

“Thank you.” Addison beamed.

“It looks like the doors are opening,” Duke finally spoke. “Shall we?”

“After you,” Grayson said.

“No, after you,” Duke ordered.

Bree was just happy that her mother was in attendance because she knew Duke would behave himself with her around. Abigail didn’t join their family gatherings often, but this charity was near and dear to her heart, so she always came to this.

Grayson touched her arm and led her into the ballroom.

Bree sat ramrod straight in her Chiavari chair as she watched the verbal repartee between her father and Grayson now that the entire family was seated at the table. There was no avoiding the undisguised hostility in her father’s eyes, but Grayson? He was definitely on edge. They were so in tune with each other’s bodies that she sensed an underlying rage even though he was trying his best to hide it. Bree didn’t understand why he would have a beef with her father. But there was something there that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

While they ate their salads, her father wasted no time grilling Grayson. “So, Wells, tell us a little bit about yourself. You’ve had my daughter so holed up, none of us have been able to talk to her. So we’re eager to get to know you.”

Grayson feigned a smile and used his napkin to wipe the sides of his mouth before placing it in his lap. “What would you like to know?”

“For starters, how you amassed the kind of wealth it would take to start an oil business at such a young age.”

“It’s simple, really. I made the right connections and of course, a lot of luck was involved.”

“That’s quite vague,” Duke commented, regarding him warily.

“I won my first oil well when I was twenty-five,” Grayson offered.

“You won it?” Even Caleb was intrigued by his answer and joined the conversation.

Grayson turned to look at Caleb. “That’s right. I’ve always been quite good at poker. And well, I made friends with Sheikh Arash bin Rashid Al Kadar and attended a few high-stakes games with him. And the rest, as they say, is history.”

“That is awfully lucky,” Duke responded. “And damn stupid on the part of the man who gambled away his oil well.”

“My sentiments exactly,” Grayson said. “He was careless with something very precious, but I don’t make those same mistakes.” He turned to Bree, giving her a warm smile.

Bree felt it in the pit of her stomach and slowly her unease since the evening began started to fade a bit. All Grayson had to do was look at her with his penetrating gaze and she melted.

Duke remained silent for most of the dinner and ball events, but many times throughout the course of the evening, Bree felt his eyes on her and Grayson. He was watching them. Or should she say watching him. Jada, Caleb, and Addison covered for Duke’s lack of conversation with funny stories and anecdotes; but Bree knew her father was seething and plotting his next move. When she’d gone to the ladies’ room, she’d overheard him questioning Caleb about his investigation of Grayson. She wasn’t surprised that Duke wanted to know about the man dating his daughter—the man who had stolen Jack Johnson’s land right out from under him.

But what does he hope to find? Bree wondered.

When Grayson departed to bid on several items for the charity’s silent auction, Jada scooted next to Bree. “If looks could kill, both Daddy and Grayson would be dead.”

Bree chuckled. “You’re not lying. You can cut the tension at the table with a knife.”

Jada rolled her eyes. “Don’t talk about knives, otherwise Daddy might get ideas.”

“Jada, you’re incorrigible!”

Jada shrugged.

Once the program was over, the host opened the floor up to dancing and Grayson rose to his feet, offering Bree his hand. “Join me on the dance floor?”

Bree placed her hand in his. “Love to.” She was happy to get away from the prying eyes.

On the floor, Grayson pulled her into his arms and placed his hands at the small of her back. His touch made Bree forget about everyone in the room but him. She felt like a giddy schoolgirl.

She loved the feel of his body pressed against hers, loved feeling his heat emanating through his tuxedo.

“Hmmm,” he moaned as he leaned in closer to whisper in her ear. “I’ve been waiting all night to have you in my arms.”

Bree glanced up at him. “Is that so?”

Grayson pressed Bree closer so she could feel the hard ridge of his erection. “Yes, and I can’t wait to get you home so I can show you just how much.”

He lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers, softly and gently. When he lifted his head, Bree whimpered in protest.

“Later,” he murmured.

The song ended, and they left the dance floor and came back to the table. Duke was scowling. He didn’t want Bree with Grayson. Bree prayed for inner strength to get through the evening. Luckily, her mother wanted to dance and that seemed to improve Duke’s mood. Bree watched her parents cut the rug and wondered what life would have been like if they had remained married. It was clear that they still cared a great deal about one another.

When they returned to the table and the winners of the silent auction were announced, Addison spoke up, stating she was ready to retire for the evening.

“If you don’t mind, everyone, we’re going to cut out,” Caleb said. “Addison’s a bit tired.”

“That’s understandable,” Bree said and gave her cousin-in-law a hug and a kiss. “Get some rest, and we’ll talk soon.”

“You can count on it,” Addison whispered so only Bree could hear.

After they left, Grayson spoke up. “I think Addison was right on the money. Are you ready to get going, darling?” he asked, turning to Bree.

Bree glanced at Jada.

“It’s okay.” Jada patted her hand. “I’ll hitch a ride with Daddy.”

“But all your stuff is at my place,” Bree murmured.

Jada shook her head. “I’ll get it tomorrow. You go on and enjoy your evening. It looks like Grayson is anxious to get you alone.”

“Jada!” Bree blushed, and she could feel her cheeks burning. She refused to glance at Duke because she knew how he felt. “Alright, call me in the morning.”

“Will do.”

“Mr. Hart,” Grayson said as he walked over to Duke, who had risen upon his approach and held out his hand. “It was great to meet you, sir.”

At first, Bree thought Duke wasn’t going to shake Grayson’s hand, but after some hesitation, he shook it firmly and then planted another hand on Duke’s shoulder. “Wells, you hurt my daughter and I’ll break every bone in your body.”

“Daddy!” Bree shot to her feet. She’d heard every word. “Please don’t make a scene.”

Duke released his hold on Grayson and raised his hand in the air innocently. “No scene. I was just letting Wells know that you have family who cares about your well-being and that we’ll have our eyes on him. Isn’t that right, Wells?” He dared Grayson to say otherwise.

Grayson plastered a smile across his face and through clenched teeth said, “Of course. Good evening.” It was there again, that look he’d given Duke as if there was more going on beneath the surface, but just as quickly it was gone. It left Bree to wonder if perhaps her father was on to something.

“Ms. Hart. Jada.” Grayson bowed his head to both women and offered his hand to Bree, and she took it.

As Bree left with Grayson and her family behind in the ballroom, she wondered, Is Grayson hiding something from me? And if so, what is it?