But when Julian touched her face, it might as well have been a slap. The sensation echoed the night he sent her flying across the living room of her brownstone. She could almost feel the blood dripping down her cheek as the back of his knuckles brushed over her skin, and when he leaned closer she could definitely smell the same stench of alcohol and cigarettes on his breath.

“Perhaps there will be some benefits to this merger after all.” He dropped his hand, replacing his fingers with his lips. Allie’s stomach turned as he kissed her cheek. “I’ll be in touch,” he said before strolling off in the direction of the bar.

Allie turned to find Hudson with his stare locked on hers, and all she could think about was how badly she wanted to feel his arms around her. At least now she had a reason to speak with him. In fact, Julian was probably watching her from somewhere in the room, waiting for her to do just that.

She made a beeline for his table. An hour ago the sight of Melanie, throwing her head back in a soft laugh as her hand came to rest on Hudson’s wrist, would have made Allie see red. But at the moment she had far greater concerns.

Hudson stood as she approached, surprising Melanie, who from the sound of it was mid-sentence.

“Will you excuse us,” Allie said, not giving a shit that she was interrupting the woman who quite literally had her claws in her man. “I need to speak with Mr. Chase.” The words were hardly out of her mouth before he had her in motion. His hand barely touched the small of her back as he ushered them to a corner of the ballroom, but the contact was enough to soothe her.

“Two more minutes and I would have ripped his arms off,” he spit out under his breath.

“We’re out of time.”

“What did he say?”

“Ladies and Gentleman,” the bandleader interrupted before Allie could answer. “Before we begin, our hosts would like to say a few words.”

Colin and Harper both stepped onto the dais, but it was Harper who took the microphone. Allie felt a sense of pride as she watched her friend conquer her fear.

“On behalf of the Ingram Foundation, I’d like to thank everyone for coming this evening. Your generous support funds over twelve charities, ranging from charter schools to cutting-edge cancer research to shelters for battered women and children.” The latter had been a new addition to the Foundation’s mission, one Allie had personally suggested. To her immense satisfaction, she had already secured the necessary donations to launch the program later that spring.

“Before I leave you to enjoy a bit of chocolate and a spin on the dance floor”—she dropped her voice—“and to drink enough wine that you bid ridiculous amounts for the items up for auction.” She smiled at the round of quiet laughter her teasing nudge received. “I would be remiss if I didn’t offer a special thanks to the Ingram board, particularly the CEOs, for their unwavering commitment.”

The double meaning in her words was impossible to miss, but to further prove her point, Harper raised a brow in Allie’s direction as she introduced Allie and Hudson to the room. The spotlight blinded them, the crowd clapped, and then the band began to play.

“I believe it would be customary for us to dance,” Hudson said.

Allie nodded. Thanks to Harper’s little stunt, there was no doubt Julian was watching them. Hell, the entire room was. If anything, a dance would reassure him she was making the progress he’d demanded.

Hudson offered his arm and Allie curled her hand around his bicep. She could feel the tension in his muscles through the fabric of his tuxedo jacket. When they reached the center of the parquet floor, he pulled her into his arms. She wanted to mold her body against his, to feel their connection from head to toe, but she kept a respectable distance fit for public consumption.

After a few bars of the song, other couples joined them on the dance floor, and the low murmur of conversation once again filled the room. Hudson pulled her closer and pressed his cheek to her temple. She knew it was to muffle their conversation, but the skin to skin contact made her shudder nonetheless.

“What did that asshole want?” he murmured into her hair.

“Results. I’m supposed to invite you to dinner tomorrow night and give you the ultimatum.”

“I’ll make a reservation.”

“It needs to be somewhere visible, so he can see. Otherwise . . .” She pulled back to look at him. Hot tears pricked her eyes as she met his concerned gaze. “He’s getting impatient, Hudson. He started making threats.”

Hudson pulled her closer, and the hand holding hers tightened. “I’ll take care of it,” he said. After a beat, he added, “I’ll take care of everything.”

Chapter Twenty-five

Allie eyed the small gadget Hudson held suspended between two fingers. “What is that?”

“The latest acquisition from Max’s team.” He dropped the tiny object back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and smoothed his tie. “Some sort of noise distortion device. It will allow us to speak freely.”

The tiny bistro was already buzzing with sounds of every kind, from the clanking of dishes to the animated conversations at the crowded bar. It was difficult to even hear the person across from you, much less at another table. Unless . . .

“Do you think Julian bugged this place?”

“I never underestimate the competition, Alessandra. And at this point there’s no telling the lengths to which he will go.” Hudson poured more Chianti into her glass. “Whoever is watching us tonight will only be able to decipher our conversation through facial expressions and body language.”

She nodded, and her gaze instinctively shifted to the large window beside their table. Outside people hurried down the sidewalk and cars clogged all four lanes of traffic. In the distance, tourists milled about in front of the historic Water Tower, posing for pictures or embarking on carriage rides. Hudson had not only chosen the restaurant for its proximity to the busy plaza, but he also made sure they were seated right in front of the glass. The hostess seemed surprised that he preferred the fishbowl location over the intimate booth she’d been leading them to, but the fifty slipped discreetly into her palm settled the matter rather quickly.

“Relax, Allie.” Hudson’s tone was meant to reassure her, but it did nothing to quell the anxiety buzzing through her veins. Someone was out there watching their every move. Making small talk was proving more difficult than she’d anticipated.

She poked at her wood-fired pizza. The combination of burrata, arugula, and white truffle oil was usually one of her favorites, but tonight it sat largely untouched.

“Tell me about last night’s projections,” he said in what was obviously an effort to distract her. “Did they hit their target?”

Allie reached for her wine. Despite taking a hefty gulp, she barely tasted it.

“Exceeded, actually. And by quite a bit. Of course that was largely due to the generous check you wrote.”

“Worth every cent to see my brother in a tuxedo.”

A thought occurred to her, and for the first time since they sat down, a genuine smile curved Allie’s lips. “I heard he got a puppy.”

A crease formed between Hudson’s brows. “Yes, seems the redhead thought it would be good for him.”

“Hudson, you know her name is Harper.”

“Fine. Harper,” he said, stressing her name, “can clean up after the thing next time. The little mutt relieved herself everywhere but on the damn pad.”

Allie covered her mouth with her napkin.

“I know the napkin trick, Alessandra. You’re enjoying a laugh at my expense.” His gaze softened. “But I’m glad you have a reason to smile.”