Two Hearts

Charity Gala I

Daniel's POV

The drive to the gala was quiet.

Well, as quiet as it could be with Grandmother Liza talking the entire way there.

She spent the ride telling us about the event, her friend who was hosting it, her family, their business empire, and at least a dozen other things I wasn't really listening to.

Laura politely nodded every now and then and added the occasional comment.

Meanwhile, I was somewhere else entirely.

Still trapped in a moment that had happened before we'd even left the house. The zipper. The tattoo. The feel of her skin beneath my fingertips.

I hadn't expected something so simple to affect me this much. Yet somehow it felt more intimate than anything else.

Even now, I could still feel the warmth of her skin against my hand. And the way she had looked.

God.

For a few seconds I'd completely forgotten why she'd called me into the closet in the first place. She had looked breathtaking. Beautiful. Irresistible.

The kind of beautiful that made every man in the room stop and stare. And that was exactly the problem. Because every man in the room was going to stop and stare.

She was going to be the death of me.

Literally.

The moment we arrived, camera flashes exploded around us. Of course they did. Press. Photographers. Reporters. The usual circus.

The second Laura stepped out of the car, I felt her grip tighten around my arm.

Hard.

I glanced down at her. She'd gone pale. Which was understandable. This wasn't her world. She wasn't used to being watched from every angle. Wasn't used to becoming the center of attention the second she entered a room.

Without thinking, I pulled her closer. Then leaned down and whispered into her ear.

"Don't be afraid."

Her eyes immediately found mine.

"I'll be right beside you the entire evening.” I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Just smile."

For a moment she looked uncertain. Then she took a breath. And smiled.

There she is.

Everything would be fine.

The gala was being held in one of the city's most prestigious hotels. The ballroom was enormous. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Soft music drifted through the room. People filled every corner.

Business owners. Politicians. Investors. Socialites. Every single person wealthy enough to receive an invitation.

Some faces I recognized immediately. Others I knew only from public appearances. And some were people I'd spent years trying to avoid.

“Daniel!" A familiar voice suddenly called out.

Great. I already knew who it was before turning around - Michael. Of course.

"Hey, man!” He approached with his usual enthusiasm. "How've you been?"

“Busy." I kept my answer short. Michael never needed much encouragement to continue talking.

"Business good?” He grinned. Then his eyes landed on Laura. And stayed there. A little too long.

"Well, damn.” He looked impressed. "And this beautiful woman must be your wife?"

The way he looked at her instantly killed any friendliness I might have felt. My expression must have changed because Michael's smile disappeared almost immediately.

Good.

Message received.

"Yes, Michael.” I kept my voice calm. "This is my wife, Laura."

Then I offered him a polite smile that wasn't actually polite at all.

"I hope you have a wonderful evening."

Translation: Walk away. Now.

Michael blinked once. Then wisely decided he had somewhere else to be.

“Right." He cleared his throat. "Enjoy the evening."

And disappeared into the crowd.

"What was that?” Laura asked, watching him leave.

"Business associate.” I took a sip of my drink. Nothing more needed to be said.

The beginning of the evening passed surprisingly well.

I greeted several business partners. Introduced Laura countless times. Accepted congratulations from people who hadn't even known I was supposedly married.

The reactions were always the same. Surprise. Curiosity. Then compliments. Lots of compliments.

Most of them directed at Laura.

Honestly?

I hated every single one. I hated the way men looked at her. The way they smiled. The way their eyes lingered. And what made it worse was that I knew exactly what some of those men were like.

I knew what they said behind closed doors. What they did. What they wanted.

Laura, thankfully, seemed completely unaware. Or at least she pretended to be.

Grandmother Liza disappeared almost immediately after arriving.

Not that I minded.

That woman could find trouble in an empty room. The less supervision we had tonight, the better. At least, that was what I'd thought.

My main mission quickly became making sure Laura survived the evening without being eaten alive by half the men in attendance.

Which turned out to be harder than expected.

Every time someone pulled me into a conversation, I found myself searching for her. Constantly. Without realizing it.

Where was she? Who was she talking to? Was she alright?

I wasn't even listening when the mayor spent ten minutes explaining some new city project. Because I was too busy watching Laura laugh with another guest across the room.

She looked comfortable. Relaxed. Elegant. Like she belonged there. She could start a conversation with anyone. And somehow make them feel important.

I wasn't sure if she realized how rare that was.

Then the evening took a turn I hadn't expected. And definitely didn't want.

We were heading toward our assigned table when someone suddenly threw their arms around me. Before I could react.

“Daniel!" A familiar female voice practically squealed. "I'm so happy to see you!"

Every muscle in my body instantly tensed.

No.

Not tonight. Please not tonight. I pulled away and finally looked at the woman standing in front of me.

Dana.

Damn it. Of course she'd be here. Her parents were wealthy enough to attend every charity event in the city. Still...

I'd completely forgotten about her. Which apparently hadn't happened the other way around.

"Hello, Dana.” My voice came out colder than intended.

Automatically, I stepped back. And reached for Laura's hand. I felt her freeze beside me.

Honestly?

I wasn't sure I knew how to react either.

Dana clearly noticed the distance. And didn't like it. But she forced a smile.

"It's been a long time."

"It has.” I kept the conversation short.

Very short.

"How's your father?” For a second she looked confused. Almost disappointed. As if that wasn't the question she'd hoped I would ask.

"He's doing well.” She finally nodded. "Thank you."

Then her gaze shifted to Laura. And I knew exactly what I had to do.

"By the way.” I placed my hand lightly against Laura's back. "This is Laura."

I paused deliberately.

"My wife."

Dana's eyes widened. The shock was immediate. Pain followed a second later. She'd always known the rules. I'd made them clear from the very beginning. There was never going to be anything more between us.

Never.

"Your wife…" She repeated quietly. Then forced another smile. "Congratulations."

And just like that, she turned and walked away. Without looking back. For a brief moment, I thought I saw tears gathering in her eyes.

But my attention wasn't on Dana anymore. Because the only thing I cared about now...

Was whether Laura had noticed.

The moment Dana disappeared into the crowd, I knew there was a problem. I didn't even need to look at Laura.

I could feel it.

The silence. The distance. The tension radiating from her.

Great.

Exactly what I needed tonight.

The charity auction began shortly afterward. Expensive paintings. Vintage wines. Jewelry. Vacation packages. The usual things wealthy people loved spending absurd amounts of money on.

I barely paid attention. And neither did Laura. She sat quietly beside me. Far quieter than before.

Every now and then I caught her staring into space. Thinking. Overthinking. Which usually meant trouble.

For me.

Eventually the auction ended, and guests began moving into the adjacent ballroom.

The atmosphere there was completely different. The music was softer. People were dancing. Laughing. Gathering around cocktail tables.

For the first time that evening, things felt relaxed. Or at least they should have. I guided Laura toward one of the standing tables.

"Would you like something to drink?"

She offered a small smile.

"Yes, please.” Her voice was polite. Too polite.

Something was definitely wrong.

"I'll be right back.” I headed toward the bar.

While waiting for our drinks, I heard familiar voices behind me. Of course. Michael and Thomas.

“Hey." Thomas raised his glass. "Enjoying the evening?"

"More or less."

Michael chuckled. Then rubbed the back of his neck.

"By the way, sorry if I crossed a line earlier."

I glanced at him.

"What line?"

"When I talked to your wife.” His expression looked genuinely apologetic. "I wasn't trying anything."

"It's fine.” And surprisingly, it was. Michael flirted with everything that breathed, but he generally respected boundaries. At least once they were clearly established.

Then Thomas smirked.

"You know…" He took a sip of his drink. "She's stunning."

I looked at him. He immediately raised both hands.

"I'm just stating facts. You're lucky."

Lucky.

The word should have felt ridiculous. Laura wasn't really my wife. This whole thing was temporary. A contract. An arrangement. A lie.

So why did hearing someone call me lucky feel so right?

“Mhm." I looked away.

And that's when I saw him - Robert. Walking directly toward Laura.

Oh, hell no.

Of all people. Robert. The man was a walking disaster. A professional womanizer. A spoiled rich kid whose greatest achievement was spending his father's money faster than anyone thought possible.

I knew exactly how he operated. And I knew exactly why he was approaching Laura. My jaw tightened.

"What is it?” Michael asked.

I didn't answer. Because I was already watching Robert smile at her. Watching Laura smile back politely. Watching him move closer.

Too close. Way too close.

What was he saying? Why was she laughing? Why was he standing practically on top of her?

The bartender placed the drinks in front of me. I grabbed them immediately.

"Sorry, guys.” I turned away. "I have to go."

Without waiting for a response, I headed straight toward Laura.

“Robert." The single word came out colder than intended.

Both of them turned. Robert immediately grinned. Of course he did.

“Daniel." His smile widened. "What a surprise."

Not really.

"Long time no see."

"Been busy.” I set the drinks down.

Then casually slipped my arm around Laura's waist. Pulling her against my side.

Mine.

The thought appeared so naturally it startled even me.

"By the way," I continued. "You've met my wife, Laura?"

The victory disappeared from Robert's face instantly. Beautiful.

“Ah." He looked between us. "Your wife."

"That's right."

He laughed awkwardly.

“Well." His confidence visibly shrank. "You're a lucky man."

"I know.” The words escaped before I could stop them.

Robert blinked. Then wisely decided retreat was the better option.

"Enjoy your evening."

And just like that, he was gone.

The second he disappeared, Laura stepped away from me. Fast. Much faster than necessary.

Then she turned. And glared.

Uh-oh.

"What's wrong?” I asked.

Bad decision. Very bad decision.

"What was that?” Her voice was low. Dangerously low.

"The conversation?” I pretended not to understand.

Another mistake.

“Daniel." Her eyes narrowed. "I am not a trophy."

Ah. That.

"Laura—"

“No." She cut me off immediately. "Stop acting like some alpha male marking his territory every time another man talks to me."

Her voice remained controlled. Quiet enough that nobody else could hear. Which somehow made it worse. Because when Laura actually started yelling, there was still hope.

This?

This was genuine anger.

I lifted an eyebrow.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

The look she gave me could have killed a lesser man.

"You are impossible.” Then she turned. And walked away.

Just like that. Disappearing into the crowd.

At first, I expected her to stop. She didn’t. Then I expected her to look back. She didn’t. Then I expected her to reappear a minute later. She didn't.

And suddenly...

I couldn't see her anymore.

My stomach dropped. A cold, unpleasant feeling settled in my chest. Because for the first time all evening—

I had absolutely no idea where Laura was.