“Anytime. You’ve got an excellent young man by your side and a new family. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re going to be all right. And this is my beautiful wife, Janice.”
Janice didn’t bother with a handshake. Instead, she released her husband’s arm and hugged me. Her affection caught me off guard, and it took me a moment to return her embrace. She stepped back, compassion filling her big brown eyes. “You’re just as beautiful as Marilyn said you were. I’m so happy that you’re safe and sound. It will take some time to heal, but it gets better. I promise.” She moved back, allowing Pierce to shake Layne’s hand.
“Good to see you again,” Layne said, grasping Pierce’s outstretched hand.
“You take good care of her. You’ve got good instincts. Listen to them. And if you ever want a job …” Pierce paused, assessing Layne’s reaction.
Layne’s brows shot up. “Really? I might have to see what that looks like.”
Pierce handed him a business card. “Call me if you’re interested.”
I stared at them dumbly, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Layne, a bodyguard? I didn’t think I liked the sound of that, not at all.
“I’m looking to fill several positions inside the company. I’ve got a strong team of bodyguards but not enough good people behind the scenes, so let’s do lunch soon.” Pierce patted Layne on the back and returned to his wife’s side.
I mentally sighed, relief flooding through me.
A soft laugh reached my ears, and my gaze landed on Sutton.
“It’s all right, Tensley. We won’t put him in too much danger if he comes on board.” Her smile lit up the room.
“I think I’ve had enough danger to last a lifetime,” I said. “But I wanted to thank you for delivering the chip so Vaughn and Layne could hide it in my coat. It saved my life. We were up in the mountains …” I felt a sharp pang in my chest. I didn’t want to discuss it. I was determined to stay focused on the future. A flush crept over my cheeks as my pulse spiked. I couldn’t think about what had happened, not right then. “Anyway, thank you.”
She gave me a brief hug. “You’re very welcome. And congrats on the adoption.”
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” Michael’s voice boomed through the speakers. “If everyone would take a seat for just a few minutes …”
Layne guided me to a table toward the front. We joined Marilyn and Avery, and I looked around. I hadn’t seen Benji in a while and wondered where he was. My pulse spiked as my mind fucked with me. My biggest unexpressed fear was that Jack had an acquaintance in his line of work that would come after me or the people I loved.
“Thank you all for coming tonight. As the invitation mentioned, Marilyn and I have officially adopted Tensley into our family.”
Where is Benji? He should be present for this. My body began to tremble.
“Babe?” Layne whispered in my ear. “What’s wrong?”
“Benji. Where’s Benji? He should be here with us.” I bit my lip, willing myself to not go into a full-on frenzy.
“Tensley, would you come up here, please?”
Fuck. Now? Dammit. My knees wobbled as I stood. I willed myself to take the twenty steps toward Michael without collapsing. Blood pounded in my ears, and I hoped like hell I wouldn’t pass out.
Michael took my hand and lowered the microphone. “Are you okay?” he whispered.
I nodded, then smiled at him.
“Don’t be nervous. I’m right here with you,” he reassured me.
“I know, but where’s your son?”
Michael squeezed my fingers and raised the mic again. “One of the things I’ve always loved and respected about Tensley is that she doesn’t miss a thing. She’s sharp and has a keen ability to read people and assess a situation.”
Like my father.
“Benji, I don’t think we can hide it any longer. She’s about to pass out up here, she’s so worried about you.”
I turned to face Michael, confused as hell. “What?”
Michael nodded toward the door of the room, and my mouth dropped open. Tears immediately filled my eyes, and my hands flew over my face as I attempted to hold it together in front of everyone. Benji took a step toward me using crutches. Then he slowly took another, and another.
“Benji,” I whispered through my tears. “You’re walking.”
The beautiful smile I loved so much spread across his face. “Just a little something I’ve been working on.” He chuckled and took another step.
I bolted across the room and threw my arms around him while the entire audience stood and clapped.
“Careful. Don’t knock me over.” He leaned his head on my shoulder, unable to return my hug due to the crutches.
I laughed and stood back. “How? When?” I had so many questions.
“I wanted to be able to dance with you tonight. Ya know, not only as best friends, but as brother and sister.”
“Shit.” The tears kept coming. “You’re messing up my makeup. I was terrified something bad had happened to you.”
“Nope. I wouldn’t miss tonight for anything. Now, would you be so kind as to allow me to escort you back to Dad?” Benji’s eyes misted over, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Absolutely.”
Michael continued to talk about what I’d overcome and how proud he was of both his kids. I got Benji settled at the table with us as relief flooded through me. I slipped into my chair next to Layne and discreetly dabbed my eyes, hoping my mascara wasn’t running down my cheeks.
Layne planted a kiss on my temple and rubbed little circles on my back. My heartrate began to slow as I pulled myself back together. Gratitude washed over me because, not only was Benji okay, but he was walking again. After he’d been attacked, the doctors hadn’t been able to determine if that were a possibility or not. Apparently it was. But I suspected Benji’s raw determination had a lot to do with it as well.
“We’ve all grown to love Tensley so much, and we wanted to legally make her a part of our family. We couldn’t be more honored to call her our daughter.”
Everyone clapped and cheered. A flush crept up my neck. I wasn’t used to being the center of attention, and it was a bit overwhelming.
Layne scooted his chair out and released my hand.
“Where are you going?” I asked, frowning.
He nodded then strolled up to the front and joined Michael. Michael hugged him then handed him the microphone.
What is he doing?
“I met Tensley in high school. In Arkansas, actually. It was fate that we both ended up in Spokane together. She’s by far the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Babe, will you come up here for a minute?”
What in the world is he up to? I shot a look at Marilyn, Benji, and Avery, but they just shrugged.
I stood, then made my way next to him.
“I’ve found over the years that all the crap that happens in life also steers us toward what we want, to who we want. The moment I laid eyes on you in high school, I knew. But then life happened, and it pulled us in opposite directions.”
Layne knelt down on one knee and produced a small box from the inside of his tux. “There is no doubt in my heart that you’re the one for me. You’re strong, genuine, smart, and beautiful. I’d be a fool not to want you by my side for the rest of our lives. Tensley Parker, will you marry me?”