She was a vision right off the silver screen walking through the Drake’s lobby, the long clingy skirt of her velvet gown swaying around her feet. The smile on her face was genuine, as was the matching pleasure of her escort’s smirk.
Under the soft chandelier light, Charlie offered her hand in a final goodbye. “Thank you for seeing me back.”
Tommy Kennedy took her fingers and kissed them. “Now you see. I’m not so bad once you get to know me.”
Incredulously, she pointed to the scar on her lower lip. “I have known you since I was eight.”
He pouted, looking at her mouth like he might take another kiss. “Come on now… that’s not fair.”
The man flirted so flawlessly Charlie couldn’t help but chuckle. “Good night, Tommy. I’d tell you to stay out of trouble, but I doubt you have the capacity.”
“I don’t.” Laughing, wicked, he swept forward and gathered her in his arms.
Before the man could steal a second kiss, fury roared behind him. “Get your goddamn hands off her!”
Tommy’s lips brushed Charlie’s ear when she turned her wide-eyed attention over her shoulder to find a bristled Matthew Emerson. “Your guard dog is barking at me, Lottie.”
A fist connected with the gangster’s jaw and Tommy fell flat on his ass.
“What the hell?” Charlie demanded, her hands flaring against Matthew’s chest in an attempt to stop the stamping bull. “Knock it off!”
Matthew, murderous, stood over the gangster scrambling to his feet. “I see you touch this woman again and I will break every bone in your body.”
Nostrils flared, Tommy smoothed back his hair. “You may be a hick of some influence in the hills you crawled out of, Mr. Emerson. But here in Chicago, you threaten a man like me and I guarantee it will not bode well for you.”
Matthew lowered his chin to his chest, irate eyes unimpressed. “A man like you?”
Charlie grit her teeth and interceded before the two idiots got blood on her dress. Her first words were for Matthew. “I’m gonna deal with you in a second.”
Her golden hair caught the light, as Charlie looked back to Tommy. “And, Tommy, do you know what kind of trouble you could stir up tossing threats at the men who keep you in business? Even Radcliffe knows which snakes not to tread on.” She took the hiss out of her voice, trying to make peace. “For your sake, I would not mention this to your boss.”
When Tommy narrowed his eyes and looked ready to argue, Charlie offered her hand. “I had a good time tonight. Thank you for escorting me.”
With a cocky smile, Tommy brought her fingers to his lips. Pressing an extended kiss to her knuckles, he made a derisive point to the man grinding his teeth at Charlie’s side. “Good night, Lottie. I enjoyed our evening as well.” He turned on his heels, announcing over his shoulder, “Best New Year’s kiss I’ve had.”
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Charlie screwed her eyes shut and tried to get a hold of her anger. She wasn’t very successful. Three seconds later, a sapphire gaze flared, darting back and forth to find she had more than just Matthew to contend with. Nathaniel stood by, wearing his outdated Sunday suit, and clearly itching to take the damn thing off. At his side, Eli stared at the floor.
Nathaniel tried to break the tension, “Ummm, you, ahh, look awful purdy in your fancy dress, Charlie.”
She didn’t care if the whole damn hotel heard her swear up a storm, she didn’t care if a crowd of drunken revelers stood gawking, she just wanted answers. “I’m going to give you to the count of three to explain just what the fuck you are doing here.”
Matthew spoke. “We came to bring you home, Charlotte.”
“Bring me home?” She didn’t even know where to begin. “By threatening Radcliffe’s closest kiss ass? By causing an uproar?”
“He had his hands all over you,” Matthew growled, sounding more animal than man. “Someone touches what’s mine and I ain’t gonna stand by.” He took another step closer and grit out, “You love Monroe.”
Charlotte waved him off. “I have ties here. Beaumont—”
“Beaumont Radcliffe?” Matthew spoke the name with spite. “That man’s the reason you shouldn’t be here. Just associatin’ with him and his wife draws attention you don’t need. How long before someone else comes bangin’ on your door?”
Charlie stood her ground. “You think I’m mistaken for caring for the Radcliffes? They’re the only real family I have—share a history with me you know nothing about. And though you may not like Beau’s methods, I am alive today because of him. And I’m capable of caring for myself because of what he taught me.”
“But you’re lonely, Charlotte,” Matthew said it with such conviction, his tone imploring her to meet his eyes. “It’s time you understood more than the familiar slice of bad you been livin’ in. You’ll find that peace in Monroe, where you can sit all you like and look at things. Not going to fancy parties, rubbing elbows with gangsters. It ain’t pleasin’ to you. I can see it plain as day on your face.”
That shut her up right quick.
After a moment’s consideration, she took a breath and spoke, “No, it’s not pleasing to me. But being near Martha and Beau is. I’m included, cared for—them knowing me for exactly who I am, and wanting me anyway.”