He turned his head, looking out the window, still holding his swollen nose. "I know him. I guess I can see the resemblance a bit. But I'd never guess he'd raise an asshole like that."

I bit my tongue. I wasn't excusing Darren's rash behavior, but he had done it in my defense. No one had championed for me that way. Ever. Even if it had been a stupid decision. He wasn't anyone's enemy.

"Obviously I'm not going to be able to go to the investor cocktail tonight. I can't show up like this. You'll have to go and work the room with Bill and Adriana."

"How will I know who to talk to?"

"Adriana will brief you. You'll do fine. Just...be who you are. Nice, professional. I'm sure you'll make friends fast."

"Okay." I exhaled heavily, closing my eyes as I leaned my head back against the cool leather of the town car. "I'm sorry," I said quietly. I wished none of this had happened. What a mess.

"You don't have to be. He will be though."

I turned toward him, ready to beg. "David...please."

He waved his hand. "It's nothing you need to worry about. I'm going to take care of it."

I'd never known Reilly to be the forgiving type. I clamped my jaw tight. God, if Darren weren't going to be in so much trouble as it was I'd call him and scream at him for being so foolish to cross a man like David Reilly.

Chapter Sixteen.

DARREN.

I'd just started my shift when the captain came into the kitchen.

"Bridge, there's someone here to see you. He's out front."

I rose and made my way through the truck stalls to the front of the station.

A man in a suit pivoted away from the street and came into full view. He took a small step toward me and then stopped.

"Darren Bridge. I'm David Reilly. We didn't get a formal introduction earlier." His lips were a thin line, and he was trying like hell to level me with his eyes.

He was the picture of Wall Street. I knew his type too well-the three-piece suits, the buffed-up shoes, the air of superiority that came with playing with other people's money all day long.

Only the bruises on his face didn't fit quite right. Dark purple streaked under his eyes and marred the place where his nose had been set.

"Come back for round two?" I wasn't joking. I curled my fist into a ball, even if my knuckles still ached a bit from busting his face hours earlier. I had a lot more insights I wanted to share with this guy.

The stony expression didn't waver. "Don't press your luck."

I crossed my arms. "What the hell are you doing here, then?"

His glared twisted into a snide smile. "You know, Bridge, the only reason I'm not pressing charges against you is because of your father. We go back."

I wanted to ask how he knew my father, but the puzzle pieces fit together quickly enough.

"I let him know I wasn't impressed with being attacked by his son. He was more than glad to make it up to me though. He's invested heavily in the fund I'm starting. I'm sure Vanessa has told you about our new venture."

I ground my teeth down. "Glad it worked out for you. Hope it covers the medical bills."

He chuckled quietly and scuffed the sole of his expensive shoe against the pavement. "Oh, it doesn't make a big difference to me. Seemed like a fitting penance though. I've got all the money I need. I'm just killing time. You see, Bridge, you might be able to give her a nice tumble in the sheets, but as long as this is how you plan to spend your life, it'll never be enough."

He gestured toward the station, and his judgment speared through me, all the way down to my bones. I wouldn't let on, but he could have been my father in that moment. Didn't matter if the whole damn country thought I was a hero. I'd always be a disappointment.

"Vanessa's special," he said. "She deserves more, and I can give it to her. I can't imagine what you make here, but I can guarantee it's not enough to give her all the things she really wants."

"Maybe it's not, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't want you."

His lips curved up into a smug grin. "I don't need to chase women, Bridge. I don't imagine you need to either. It's pretty easy to tell when a woman is interested. I have a keen sense for what exactly they're interested in too. You've got a uniform. I've got a credit card with no limit. I think we'll find out soon enough what and who she wants."

Was he trying to convince me that Vanessa actually wanted him? Not a chance. She had been seriously rattled when I talked to her last night. Then again, she'd been quick to keep me from going out there and rescuing her. Reilly watched as the wheels spun in my mind.

"You don't believe me. Let me ask you this, Bridge. Why does a beautiful woman like Vanessa work for a man like me?"

"Pretty simple. She needs a job." She's miserable with you. You treat her like shit, and the only reason she stays is to pay her bills. But saying it out loud would only threaten her job more than I already had.

"If you believe that's true, you're dumber than I thought."

"Fuck you."

I took a threatening step his way. He stiffened but didn't move back. He withdrew his hands from his pockets and pointed to me.

"No, fuck you. And you touch me again, you're going to have some serious problems that even your dad won't be able to pay away. I'll make goddamn sure you're arrested, and I'm sure it won't sit too well with the department. You love this job so much? Be grateful you have it, because you won't have anything to fall back on after this."

He took a few short breaths, lowering his tone as he continued.

"I came here to tell you to stay away from Vanessa and stay away from me. That's what we both want." He turned without another word, walked a few paces down the street, and slipped into the back of a black Lincoln idling at the curb.

I paced around the station for a while, trying to get Reilly's words out of my head. That guy had real fucking nerve.

Finally, I fished my phone out of my pocket. Calling Vanessa right now would probably only add more fuel to the fire. Instead, I dialed my father's number. We hadn't spoken since the wedding, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd actually picked up the phone to call him. The rule was mandatory-only.

"Son, good to hear from you." His tone was even, professional, like I was a client, a good old boy.

I was a man now, but he was still my father. The sound of his voice elicited emotions that would probably never go away. The most pronounced being resentment, and maybe a twinge of remembered jealousy that he'd chosen to spend our childhood with bankers and boardrooms.

"You know why I'm calling," I said.

He cleared his throat and waited.

"I'm an adult. I can take responsibility for my actions."

"I've come to terms with your choices, Darren. I didn't expect you to start becoming violent. And over what, a woman?" Disappointment infused the calm, collected voice of a man I'd never truly know.

"That woman is Vanessa. The prick that you're investing your money with had his hands all over her. He had it coming."

"Sounds like that's something she needs to work out with him."

"As long as she's my girlfriend, it's something he'll need to work out with me."

He sighed quietly on the other end of the phone. "What do you want me to say? I can't have you assaulting people. Especially people who share connections with me in the industry."

I swallowed a string of curses and kept my voice steady. "Just pull the funds, Dad. I don't want you paying people off to save me trouble. It's not your job."

"I'm your father. It will always be my job to protect you, even if I don't always agree with how you've chosen to live your life."

I winced. I couldn't remember the last time he'd agreed with my choices. To enlist and start a career doing something that I loved. Nothing would ever measure up.

"Have you written the check already?"

"It's done, son. Just forget it and move on. A million dollars isn't going to break me, especially if Reilly and Donovan can do what they say they can. I'm interested to see how the funds perform."

A tone sounded, and my radio started going with specifics of the call.

"Dad, I've got to go."

"I'll talk to you soon, son. Don't worry about any of this. It's all taken care of."

VANESSA.

The party was being hosted at the Terrace Room at the Plaza. With its ornately painted high ceilings and breathtaking chandeliers, the room was as opulent as any I'd ever seen. Then again, this event was about attracting money-celebrating it, enjoying it, and making more of it. I was confident Adriana had picked the perfect venue with that theme in mind.

I checked in with the hotel staff to ensure everything was on track. Adriana and Bill had arrived, and several guests had started trickling in. I'd spent most of the afternoon memorizing faces. Adriana had more experience with this sort of event and seemed to have enough confidence for both of us. My nerves were getting to me a little, but without Reilly snipping at me every five minutes, I actually felt more competent than I'd expected to.

I escaped to the bathroom, which was no less lavish than any other room in the historic hotel. I checked my appearance in the wall-sized mirror, reassuring myself that I could pull this night off.

I smoothed my hair, which fell down my back in loose curls. Black was the official dress code for New York, but I had gone off script with a deep red cap-sleeved dress with a plunging surplice neckline. The fabric had a subtle shimmer to it. I silently thanked Reilly's expense account for this one. He'd wanted me to look the part, and I thought I did.

Darren's voice echoed in my head. Beautiful. I closed my eyes and envisioned his handsome face, eyes that saw me like no one ever had.

I hadn't had a chance to talk to him yet, and heaven knew we had a lot to discuss. Boundaries when it came to work and our relationship were at the top of that list. I was more worried than angry, but I didn't have time to deal with the aftermath of this morning's drama until this party was behind me.

I checked myself over one last time and ventured back into the event room. I scanned the room for familiar faces when a cool hand touched my arm.

"Vanessa."

Jia was beside me, a lowball glass filled with amber liquid in her hand. She was stunning in a black cocktail dress that draped beautifully over her petite frame.

"It's good to see you again. I wasn't expecting you," I said guiltily. She hadn't been on the guest list.

"I'm here with Will. He hates coming to these things alone, so I figured I'd keep him company." She lifted her glass in the direction of a young man in a suit speaking with Bill and a few others. "Bill wants him to work the room. Making connections."

Will Donovan was Bill's son, and though we'd never met, Adriana had mentioned he'd be attending tonight. He was striking. Tall with dark blond hair and a chiseled, handsome face. No surprise that the gorgeous Jia was his date. They made a handsome pair.

"Where's Reilly?"

I drew in a steeling breath, reaching for my prepared excuse. "He came down with something. He was really disappointed to miss this."

"I'm sure." She pursed her lips and took a slow sip from her drink, looking me up and down. "You look lovely, Vanessa. I'm surprised Reilly can keep his hands off of you."

I'm sure the comment was meant as a joke, but I felt the blood drain from my face.

She paused a moment. "Oh, wow. Don't tell me he's already moved on from Cheryl?"

I shook my head. "It's not like that."

"Oh?" The black wing of her brow arched high.

I chewed the inside of my lip. Good God, Reilly shouldn't have left me here on my own. The event had barely started and already I was eating my words. I cleared my throat, desperate to change the subject.

"So is Dermott all settled in now?"

"I wish I could tell you." She shrugged, swirling the ice in her glass. "He intended to bring me up with him, but...there were some complications."

Her smile was tight. I couldn't read her well, but I sensed more to that story.

"That's disappointing," I hedged.

She lifted her chin, seeming to still whatever emotions embroiled within her. "We've been working closely for months. Reilly took care of him. Dermott didn't take care of me. Sometimes the women get left behind."

"Maybe it was for the best."

She didn't blink. "Maybe women like us shouldn't be underestimated."

The discontentment rolled off her in invisible waves. This woman was disgruntled. No doubt about it. I fidgeted with my clutch. Jia didn't strike me as someone to underestimate. I really should move on, work the room like Reilly wanted me to.

"You're friends with Maya, aren't you?"

I hesitated. "I am. You know her?"

"I mentored her a bit. Until she left, of course. Did Maya ever tell you why she left the firm?"

"No, she didn't."

Her expression was frozen in a quiet analyzing stare, as if she were studying my very pores. I got the strong sense that she knew exactly why Maya had left.

"Maya is a very private person," I continued. "I was sorry she left, but I knew she wasn't happy. She didn't want to talk about it, so I left it alone."

"I should probably leave it alone too. Let's just say...Dermott and Reilly have a lot in common."