“What are you doing here, Hamilton?” Jake growls, volume restrained.
“I heard you wanted another piece of me. So here I am.”
“I should clock you right now.” He smiles as four socialites pass and greet him by name. “Ladies. Looking very beautiful tonight.” They giggle and continue on their path. He returns, about to threaten me, but his eyes flicker.
“Daddy,” I hear Emma say from behind me before I turn. The sound of her voice does me in. I inhale sharply as she joins us and places a hand on his arm. Her face betrays nothing of what occurred between us. In fact she acts like she doesn’t even see me. “Grandma Nance needs your help. There’s an electrical problem in the kitchen and nobody knows wires better than you.” Glancing to me her eyes light up with recognition. “Oh, Mr. Hamilton! I didn’t know that was you. Gosh, I haven’t seen you since I showed you that wonderful property. Have you made a decision on it?”
“I’m wondering if the buyer is still interested in selling.”
Her smile stiffens. “That’s a very good question we’ll have to address at a later time as I really do need to steal my father from you. Doesn’t he look handsome this evening?”
She takes his hand and smoothes his tie. Jake melts a little, but as he passes me he mutters, “Stay away from Drew this time or I’ll break every bone, Tanner.”
Emma looks over her shoulder. The frown that darkens her face sinks my heart into the ground.
CHAPTER 30
T ANNER
I ’ve had some time to think of how to handle this and I think honesty is best. Coming out and telling her what really happened, no matter how stupid it sounds, is the only way she’ll forgive me and give me a chance.
Over the hour and a half I’ve been here I gathered more information from the guests as I mingled about. It’s not difficult to get people talking about the Cockers. From them I’ve learned who Jake’s brothers are among the crowd, but they don’t seem aware of my existence. I’ve not caught any of them watching me. I think our battle must not be common knowledge, otherwise they’d be hyper alert. This gives me the advantage I need to get closer to the only person I truly care about.
Outside near the bar Emma sees me coming. Her blonde cousin turns to drink me in, eyes almost as cold, but there’s a hint of curiosity in hers that’s lacking in Emma’s.
I offer my hand. “Tanner. You must be Hannah.”
She holds her wine glass with both hands instead of one. “I know who you are.”
“Take that as a compliment,” I smirk.
“It isn’t one.”
I dip my head that I’ll concede this war of wit, and turn to the whiskey-eyed beauty, wishing more than anything we were alone for this conversation. “May I have a moment of your time?”
Her chin juts upward. “You may not.”
“You think I made a move on your mother.”
Her eyes flash with affirmation and the question of how I could do such a thing and kiss her, years afterward?
Sliding anxious hands in my pockets I tell her, “I met your great-grandmother tonight.” Surprise and something else, crosses Emma’s face but she hurriedly masks it. “May charmed me. I called her blunt. She corrected me and said she was honest and too old for pretense. It struck me, because I’m too old for pretense, too. Or games, as you said the last time I saw you. I don’t play games, Emma.” My voice deepens with earnestness. “I never made a move on your mother. I didn’t even know Jake thought I did, until tonight. In my mind I thought he fought me because I was a jerk and said something stupid, so I defended myself out of ego. Back then I was willing to fight anyone, anywhere. Drew is a beautiful woman but, I was sleeping with Cora then, remember? And I never go after married women. Too many complications and I always stay away from those. That is, until I met you.”
Emma’s beautiful mouth goes lax.
Realizing she’s the third wheel, Hannah mumbles, “I’m just going to go…inside now.” She slinks by me. “Nice eyes.”
My head turns in amusement, since May Cocker said the same thing. Emma’s wine glass is gripped in front of her like a barricade. I take it away and cup her chin. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I’m not here to help them raise money, though I put a hefty amount on some truly ridiculous silent auctions. I came here for you. I want you, Emma. I haven’t been the same since I met you and I need you in my life.”
She releases her breath. It’s gratifying to know I wasn’t the only one holding it. Touching my temple she whispers, “I want you, too.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t call. I needed to do this in person and I assumed you’d be here. Plus I needed time to think. This is new for me. I don’t do feelings well.”
“You’re doing a pretty good job.”
“With effort even a man like me can change.” I kiss the hint of wine from her lips.
“Tanner, I don’t know how we’re going to do this.”
“We’ll figure it out.” She leans into me for a deeper kiss, and gasps as I’m yanked off her and spun around. Emma shouts, “Dad, don’t!”
Jake punches me so hard I almost crash into her, but I stop just short, regaining my balance and standing firm. If it were any other man, I’d be punching back, but I can’t fault him for this hit even though my teeth are gritted—my baser instincts want to take him to the ground. But I won’t.
And then there’s them.
His brothers surround him.
Ready to pitch in.
Shit…now that’s a lineup.
I’m screwed.
Hannah is back and she pulls at her famous Senator father, “Daddy, this isn’t what you think!”
But Justin Cocker doesn’t want to hear it. “Stay back, Hannah!”
Jake punches
