Chapter Ten
Claire brushed her dress down one more time as she stepped out of the car. The last thing she wanted to be doing was going to some large party, but if today was any indication, she was going to need the support of some big money behind her.
She had been lucky that there were no reporters when she showed up at her house this morning. After a quick shower and change, she returned to the living room, only to find her phone overloaded with messages and news vans waiting outside.
The questions had not been what she was expecting. She was ready to offer sympathy for the family and friends of Harriet, a sad ending. Instead, Claire was hit with accusations that her family had something to do with it. After all this time, she had avoided anything like that, and it was surfacing now? Claire smelled a rat, and she didn’t have to think hard to guess who. Ennis had all the reason in the world to destroy her. If she wasn’t going to join him, then he would take her out, one way or another.
Over and over her mind flashed back to Conor. In all this, she’d just hoped that he would be the man she knew him to be, but it was getting harder and harder to believe that when he had aligned himself with men like Ennis and the Russians. Harriet deserved some jail time, not to be killed.
She shook her head. It seemed Conor dominated her thoughts. If she was going to get supporters, she needed to keep her head in the game.
The long satin blue dress moved with her beautifully, so she at least fit the part. She’d swept her hair in a neat bun and found that the look gave her an edge of sophistication.
She smiled when Anna met her at the door.
“How’s the shark tank looking?” she whispered in her ear.
Anna grinned. “Primed for new bait.” She looked down at the blue dress. “And in that, you should do just fine.”
Claire smiled. She hoped so. The last thing she needed was more drama.
Sweet notes of classical music drifted through the air as she entered, and Claire fell in love with the place. They had decided to use the old history museum, and it was a winner in her book, with large staircases that made for a dramatic entrance, a domed ceiling that separated the night sky with a wall of glass and impressive art. She assumed that all the higher-end pieces left during the move to the new museum, but what was left was still just as amazing.
Claire beamed at Anna, who was preoccupied with scoping out backers.
“This is amazing,” Claire said, mostly to herself.
“I’m glad you think so,” an older man standing near said quietly.
Claire turned to make her introductions. She was surprised to find, unlike the other men in the room, he had opted for slightly less formal dress. His jacket had patches on the elbows and matched his bow tie. He looked like he fit better in a college classroom than a gala.
“So, which outfit were we admiring?” the man snarked.
Claire liked him instantly.
“I’m quite fond of his outfit.” She pointed to a nearby painting in which a man stood tall in his native head dress.
The older man raised his brows in surprise and grinned. “It’s a fine choice. I’m afraid it wouldn’t go over so well here.”
Claire crossed her arms in thought. “How about next time we put that theory to the test?” She winked at him and grinned when he began to laugh.
“Maxwell.” He stuck out his hand.
“Claire McClure.” She smiled.
Something about his name seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him.
“Oh, art lover and future council member.” His scruffy beard and round glasses only made him seem even more approachable.
“Only if tonight goes well I’m afraid. Otherwise, I’ll just be an unemployed art lover.” She waved a hand. “But I don’t think I’d be the first.”
“Ah, yes, sponsorship.” Maxwell nodded. “A tedious part of the job.”
“Maybe not so tedious when you have the chance to meet others like yourself.”
Maxwell chuckled. “I think you’ll do just fine tonight.” He gestured over to Anna. “It would seem your friend has found some prospective donors.”
Claire looked across the room and found Anna lost in a sea of older men.
She turned to Maxwell. “Wish me luck.” She winked.
He chuckled. “That and maybe some disinfectant. I think you’ll need it after tonight.”
She shook her head as she made her way across the room to where Anna was.
“Gentlemen,” Anna began, smiling brightly. “I’d like to introduce Claire McClure.”
* * *
Much like the rest of her day, the gala was shaping up to be annoying. She spent more time talking about Harriet than herself. For sure, it wasn’t the best way to get backers. Most either seemed to think she did it or that her family had. Half had even come right out and asked.
Claire laughed as she sat in the garden out back. It didn’t seem to her like the brightest idea to ask someone if they killed another person. If they had no problem killing one person, what would make them not kill the next? It just seemed like flawed logic to her. Perhaps the wealthy party goers found a bit of excitement in the idea they might be around someone dangerous.
She pulled off her shoes and massaged her feet. Heels were cute, but they were murder on her arches.
“I see I’m not the only one trying to escape,” Jason said from just behind her.
He came down the winding path and stopped just beside her.
Claire stood. “Oh, Jason, I didn’t realize you were here,” she said.
Anna had spent most of the night with her, making sure that each person knew who she was.
“I’m not surprised,” he said and moved a little closer. “Anna’s busy working while you and I get to slip away.”
Claire narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“No need to get huffy,” he snapped. She noticed he seemed far more disheveled than she had ever seen him before. “Just some people are made for more in life.”
“Anna is very good at her job,” she said, irritation seeping into her voice.
Jason gave a hollow laugh. “I’m sure she is. She should be considering she isn’t going to progress much further.”
Claire frowned.
“So, I hear congratulations are in order.” He smiled at her, but there didn't seem to be much warmth in it. “Too bad your little plan backfired.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked and backed up just a little. Her legs hit the bench as he stepped forward.
“Having your cousin take out Harriet,” he said. “Of course it put a crimp in my plans.” He gave her a wicked grin. “But then I started thinking, why be with a nobody when I could be with a somebody?”
Her stomach churned as his meaning dawned on her.
“You’re married to Anna,” she said quietly. Maybe he was just drunk, and she could fix this.
“Your cousin took care of Harriet. I’m sure he could do the same for Anna,” he said simply, as if he hadn’t just asked her to have his wife killed.
“That’s not how Finn works. He’s not in that line of work anymore,” she said. “I can’t even do this.”
She turned to walk away but stopped when he grabbed her arm tightly.
“Listen here, bitch, you took my chance at partner,” he ground out. She stared into his eyes and shivered at what she found. “I’ll be getting something out of this.”
His other hand came down and cupped her ass hard. Without a thought to where she was or what might happened, Claire pulled back hit him in the nose with everything she had. Jason crumpled to the ground
“You listen,” she yelled at him. “You are a disgusting little worm. You ever touch me or come near Anna again, I’ll make sure my cousin does something about you.” She leaned forward.
“I thought you said he didn’t do that kind of thing,” he cried.
She gave him a once over and leaned back. “I think for you, he’d make an exception.”
Claire turned to a find a crowd had gathered around them. Anna stared at them in shock.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Jason was the first to talk. “She attacked me. She’s just like her cousin. Is this the kind of thug you want on the city council?”
Claire glared at him. She'd show him a thug.
“That’s not exactly right,” Maxwell said, emerging from the shadows. “From were I sat, it sounded like you threatened to have your wife killed and then propositioned and assaulted Ms. McClure.”
There were several gasps from the crowd. Jason’s face contorted in rage.
“And who the fuck are you then, old man?” Jason yelled. He sneered at him.
Maxwell laughed. “You really have no idea whose gala this is, do you?” He stepped forward. “I’m Maxwell Cross. As in Cross Enterprises.” A tight smile appeared on his face.
Claire’s eyes nearly fell out. All that time she’d been making an ass out of herself to one of the richest people at the party.
“Claire,” someone called from the back.
The crowd parted as Conor made his way to the front.
“What are you doing here?” She stared at him.
He stood there, clad in a black tuxedo with a red bow tie and matching red cummerbund. It was the first time she’d seen him so dressed up, and although the look suited him, she missed his stretched t-shirt and rippling muscles.
Conor ran a hand through his sandy brown hair.
“I just...” He glanced around. People near them were leaning in to catch what he had to say. He looked over at Jason and frowned. “What the fuck is going on here?”
“I punched him,” Claire said. She waved a hand in dismissal. “He had it coming.”
She watched as he looked around at the growing crowd. She either had just blown the election or made an entire room of fans.
“We’re getting out of here,” he said and took her hand.
Without waiting, he pulled her though the mass of people and back into the great hall. When they had made it out the front door, she pulled back a little.
“Conor,” she said. She yanked a little harder until he stopped to look at her. “We can’t just leave.”
“The hell we can’t,” he said. “I stay here with that prick, and I might just finish him off.”
She glanced around as a few people scurried out of their way.
“What about Anna?” she asked.
“Claire,” Anna called from behind them.
“Oh, Anna.” She rushed to her. “I’m so sorry.”
Anna pulled back and shook her head. “I suspected as much,” she said. “I’m so sorry he put you through that.”
“In the end, he got the worst of it.” She shrugged.
Anna nodded. “I caught that part.”
“I’m going to call Finn and have him send someone over to pick you up,” she said.
Anna shook her head. “Maxwell has offered me a ride. You have made a very affluent friend. I guess he likes your moxie or whatever.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I'll be okay. Jason won't, and that makes me...happier than I'd have thought.”
She nodded, still slightly shocked at the change. Claire gave a quick hug and moved back to Conor.
“Let’s go,” he said and pulled her beside him again.
“Where are we going?” she asked, almost afraid to even know.
Conor pulled her between two cars and pressed her against him. His mouth came hard against her, and she gasped in surprise. Wasting no time, he slipped his tongue into her mouth and groaned. His hands came up to cup her face, and he pulled away.
“I’m taking you back to your place, and then I’m going to have you all the ways I’ve dreamed about,” he whispered. “No more running, no more obstacles. I’ve wanted you from the moment we met and not an ounce of that has gone away over the years.”
Her heart filled to the brim with all the love she’d been holding on to. In just a few words, Conor had said everything she ever hoped to hear from him. Claire threw her arms around his neck. Tears of joy splashed his nice clothes, but she couldn’t seem to turn them off.
“I think I’ve got to keep you close,” he whispered in her ear. “Every time I let you out of my sight, you're either getting into car chases or picking fights.”
Claire laughed through her tears. “I think you’d better.”