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We then sat and ate a sumptuous meal. Each attendee tonight had been personally invited by us, and each one had paid five thousand dollars to attend. It was expected they would all make a donation to the foundation on top of that, and the thousands of people on the waiting list would do the same. An invitation to our ball was the most highly coveted amongst the cream of New York, and poor Marian had to fend off people for weeks ahead of it, desperate to be invited.
She didn’t mind the bribes that were sent to our office so much, though, as we allowed her to keep most of them. Flowers, chocolates, jewelry, tickets to sports games and theater shows, even vouchers for all expenses paid getaways. You name it, we got it. Marian kept a meticulous log of all gifts received, and thank you notes were sent along with the bank account details for our charity.
She was also here, ostensibly to run interference with the event manager from the hotel, but we always made sure she attended because she loved being part of the event. We’d pampered her with a day at the salon and had bought her a designer dress to keep, because we knew she would never buy one for herself. It was our small way of saying thank you for all her hard work.
Jase kissed her hand as she came over to us to let us know it was time for us to give our speech and lead the dancing for the evening. Color rose on her cheeks, and she smiled as she led us up to the stage that had been set up for us. Marian handed us both a microphone and stood off to the side.
“Good evening, everyone.” Jase’s smooth, deep voice could easily be heard all over the vast room, and the chatter stopped as all eyes focused on us. “On behalf of Emilia and myself, welcome to the ball. We’re so glad you could join us tonight.”
A round of applause met his greeting, and we then took turns speaking about the charity and filling everyone in on the work that had been done in the past year. We’d completed renovations on dozens of new homes across several states. Our foundation now housed hundreds of foster children across fourteen states, and it was our dream to eventually be present in all fifty.
Once we’d finished our speech and the thunderous applause had died down, we invited everyone to join us on the large dance floor in the middle of the ballroom. Jase took my hand in his and led me into the center of it, and once the live band we’d hired started playing, he slid one arm around my waist and held my hand in the other.
I curled my free hand around his shoulder as we swayed together. Couples began to fill the floor around us, but we shut them out for one song, looking only at each other as we danced slowly.
“Seems to be going well.”
I nodded at his statement. “It is. I’m sure we’ll make some good money for the kids tonight, and everything looks beautiful.”
“Want to know a secret?”
“Always.”
“The most beautiful thing in the room is in my arms right now.”
I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. “Charmer.”
He grinned, and despite everything we’d been through in life, I was so grateful to have had Jason Bennett walk into mine.
He kissed my temple and twirled me around, but when I caught sight of our assistant, who was standing on the edge of the dance floor with a distraught look on her face, I frowned. “Something’s wrong. Marian looks upset.”
Jase turned to look at her, and then led me to her side, keeping hold of my hand. “What is it, Marian?”
“I’m so sorry to bother you two, but Senator Richardson is upsetting the other guests.”
Fuck. I knew it was a mistake to invite the lecherous old asshole, but since he made an annual six figure contribution to the foundation we’d left him on the invitation list.
I spoke first. “What’s his problem?”
“I’m not really sure. He’s warning other guests to do their homework before making a donation to the charity.”
“Fuck.” Jase’s curse echoed the one in my head. “We’ll deal with him. Thanks.”
We went over to where the pompous old bastard stood, a small, enraptured audience surrounding him. They scattered as soon as we appeared, Jase encouraging them to grab a drink and join the others on the dance floor.
My business partner held his hand out to Mark Richardson and shook it tightly. “Senator, good to see you. We’re glad you could join us tonight. We’ve been advised you have a concern about the foundation? We’d love to address it for you to clear up any misunderstanding.”
By the time Jase released the older man’s hand, it was red. The senator puffed out his chest. “It’s recently been brought to my attention that some of the money donated to the foundation is being funneled into somewhat…illegal enterprises.”
“Such as?” I glanced up at my partner and while his expression was impassive, I could see the anger flaring up in his eyes. The way he clenched his hands into fists.
“I’d rather not say, but I will be looking further into it.”
I placed my hand over Jase’s. “Look all you want, Senator. You’ll find everything is above board. We have always been transparent when it comes to the foundation.”
I leaned in and dropped my voice so only the three of us could hear it. “I’m surprised you, of all people, would listen to nasty rumors like that.”
His eyes narrowed at me. “What’s that supposed to mean, Miss Quinn?”
