Chapter 30

Laine

"Knock, knock." I pop my head into Tag's office and am struck stupid as his expression lights up. "Do you mind an interruption?"

He waves me in and pushes his chair back from his desk. "You are the best kind of interruption, luv. What have you got there?"

"Well, you've had your head down all day, so I thought I'd bring you an afternoon sweet treat and give you a bit of a break—if you have time, of course."

He watches as I set the strawberry shortcakes and cream down and then pats his lap. I take a seat and twist to wrap my arms around the back of his neck. Leaning forward, he brushes our lips together. "How can a man say no to a sweet gesture like that?"

I chuckle. "Very easily. I've been a business person my entire adult life. I respect the time and commitment it takes to stay at the top of the game and with the fight coming up in a few hours, there are probably a dozen things that need your attention."

He leans closer and skims his lips along my jawline to the tender flesh just below my ears. "I've made my donation and called upon the wealthy donors of the past. Brendan and Bryan will take care of the rest."

"So, you're free to snack with me?"

"With you, on you, however it works."

I laugh and hop off his lap before this becomes an X-rated afternoon distraction. Shuffling to the other side of the desk, I tug the heavy visitor's chair along the fancy carpet until I can sit with him.

Knees to knees, I hand him his strawberry shortcake and then collect my own. "I wanted to ask you something, and whatever your answer is, I want you to understand that it won't hurt my feelings or upset me, no matter what you say."

His easygoing smile drops, and a crease appears between his brows. "I don't like the sound of this."

I take a large dollop of cream and plop it on top of my shortcake. "No. It's fine. That's what I'm saying. I'm good. I just wondered about something and want you to give me an honest answer."

His frown deepens into a scowl. "I'll always be honest with you, Laine. I may not be forthcoming with all details of all things, but what I tell you will always be the truth."

I swallow a bite of the sweet berry bliss and set my plate down. If this were a cartoon, I could see the thundercloud gathering over his head. "Maybe I'm doing this wrong. It's nothing. I just wanted to ask?—"

"Then ask, luv. You're making me nervous."

I roll my eyes. "I was just wondering about the charity fight. I know it's an elegant affair and that you and your brothers are kind of the unofficial hosts, and I just wondered if there was a reason you haven't brought up taking me."

I hold out my hands before he can speak. "Like I said, I'm just curious about what you're thinking. There's no wrong answer. I just wondered. Is it too soon to consider me your plus one? Is it a brother thing? Do you prefer to go stag to these things?"

Whatever he was worried about seems to ease because the thundercloud dissipates as quickly as it gathered. "Ah, is that all?"

"Yes. I told you it was nothing, but you got bent out of shape, anyway."

He chuckles. "Aye, I suppose I did."

I pick up my shortcake and scoop a bite, extending my hand to feed him. "And now that you're calm, try your treat."

He opens his mouth and accepts the offering. As he chews, his smile returns. "Delicious."

"Right? Cora does it differently with the biscuits instead of the sponge cake we use back home, but it's yummy."

He reclaims his plate and returns the favor, dishing me up a bite and feeding it to me. "And as for an answer to your question, it's all of the above."

I accept the bite of his dessert and decide it tastes even better with him feeding me.

"In truth, I've daydreamed about having my American beauty on my arm tonight, but worried it might draw unwanted attention from the wrong people. You're still working out your past and I didn't want to risk bringing that to light."

I open my mouth and accept the next bite. "That's one reason I came up with. That's fine."

He shakes his head as he pulls the empty spoon from my mouth. "I also worried you might not appreciate the violence of the event. It's not a boxing match or anything civilized—it's street-fighting. It's essentially a no-holds barred cage fight."

"And Bryan and Brendan like that sort of thing?"

"Aye, they might come across as the Casanova types, but there's nothing they love more than getting bloody and beating the piss out of someone."

They definitely both have the physique for it, but I would never have guessed it from knowing them. Then again, they are part of a crime family, so…

"And lastly, I was concerned that with Mattie and the McGuires angry that we interrupted two of their human trafficking shipments and freeing their girls, they might retaliate tonight. If that happens, I don't want you caught in the crosshairs."

He waits while I consider his words and I shrug and get back to the shortcakes. "Thank you. I was just curious, wondering what you are thinking."

"Well, I'm glad you asked, rather than stewing on it. I appreciate you being direct."

"So, I'll find myself a good book or something to tide me over tonight. That's fine."

He shakes his head. "Would you like to see the dress I bought while I deliberated what the right course of action was?"

"You bought me a dress?"

"Aye, I did. I've been wavering back and forth and didn't want to be caught unprepared if I changed my mind." He sets his half-eaten dessert on the tray and strides over to one of the two wall cabinets over on the wall by the door.

He pulls out a large dress box with a big, iridescent bow wrapped around it. After holding it up for me to see, he heads back to his desk. "We'll take it out for a night on the town as soon as the hostilities die down. I promise."

Jumping out of my chair, I make quick work of the bow and the layers of tissue inside. The dress is the same emerald green as his eyes and when I hold it up against my chest, I can't believe how soft the velvet pile is. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

"You are very welcome, luv. I'm only sorry I won't get to show off with you on my arm tonight."

"And you truly don't think it's safe?"

He shakes his head. "If Mattie wants to take a swing at us, tonight is the night he'll make a move. I can't risk you being out there beside me. Not tonight. I'm sorry."

I run a caressing hand over the ruching of the dress. It's decadent and I can't wait to try it on. "Don't be sorry. I have my beautiful dress to keep me company and will be waiting in your bed to welcome you home after a long and successful night of schmoozing. Just make sure you keep all the pawing hands of wealthy women off you tonight, or all bets are off."

He grins. "Getting possessive are you, my wee wildcat?"

I waggle my brows. "If I am yours, then you are equally mine. And just so you know, I don't share well with others."

He shifts to stand before me and lifts my chin with a gentle finger. "Understood. You'll never have to worry about me wandering, luv. You are everything I want and need."

I reach up and kiss him. "Good answer."