Under Pressure [IAD Agency] (Siren Publishing Classic)

couldn’t find you I thought to look out here. Oh! I apologize for intruding. Bella, who’s your friend?” Liz asked curiously, offering a bright smile.
    He continued to look at Bella with that aggravatingly serious look on his face. “I believe your friend thinks my name is ass, don’t you, love?”
    She let a chuckle escape. “It was arrogant ass, if I remember correctly.” Bella’s obvious amusement sparkled in her eyes. “Liz, I would like you to meet…”
    He shifted so the light played across his face as he turned to face Liz.
    Liz let out a horrified gasp but quickly recovered and held out a graceful hand with a beaming smile plastered on her face, her green eyes glittering with shock and amusement. Nerves had Liz babbling. “Oh my, you are Jason MacBain, aren’t you? Mr. MacBain! It’s a pleasure to have you with us tonight. My name is Elizabeth Trenton. I’m one of the chairs for the Children’s Foundation, and I am so glad you could personally attend this evening. The sculpture you have donated seems to be the most coveted piece of the entire collection up for auction tonight. I cannot thank you enough for your generous contribution!”
    Standing next to Jason, who towered over both women Liz was still shorter at around five nine with heels. Her straight blonde hair was held up in an elegant twist, and her peach chiffon dress showed off her body to perfection. Jason didn’t seem to notice, not taking his eyes off Bella any longer than to murmur a polite hello.
    Jason took her hand and replied with a regal nod. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Trenton. Indeed, that is good to know. I was worried that I would have to buy it back tonight if no one wanted to bid on it,” he easily quipped before immediately shifting his attention back to Bella.
    Liz also turned to Bella with wide eyes, silently asking for the entire story leading up to the strange introduction later. Bella knew that Liz would rip into her later for insulting what she had come to think of as the prize patron of tonight’s event, but right now she didn’t care.
    Bella wanted to groan.
    She completely didn’t see this one coming . He hadn’t come after her because he was attracted. He came out after her to babysit her.
    Jason MacBain. Her brother’s friend.
    Not to mention that Bella’s friend Tara had just taken a job working for him. He wasn’t a stranger. Of course this gorgeous man who had more money than God wasn’t chasing after her.
    He was babysitting her.
    Liz looked at Bella in question when she saw the anger simmering in Bella’s eyes. Liz wanted to know if Bella needed help to make an escape or if she wanted to be left alone with Jason, the indecision evident on her face. Since Bella had moved back to Chicago, Liz had been very protective of Bella. In the old days, that had been the opposite, with Bella taking the lead and looking out for Liz.
    But Bella didn’t look like she needed rescuing.
    She looked pissed.
    “Bella, umm…Tony was looking for you inside,” Liz said, strategically giving her an out. Jason’s jaw clenched at the mention of the man’s name. Bella couldn’t help but notice, and was surprised by his reaction.
    “Oh? I’m surprised my brother would bother,” Bella said, forcing a smile. “Why would he need to, when the two of you are babysitting me?”
    Liz was silent.
    “What?” Bella asked innocently as she finished her cigarette and gulped down what was left of champagne in her glass. Someone called for Liz at the doorway as Bella set the empty glass on a nearby table.
    Liz hesitated and looked from the door back to Bella. “I have to get back inside. I think the bidding is coming to a close. I just came out to see how you were doing. To say hi.”
    Bella relented when she saw the sincerity in Liz’s eyes and heard the hurt in her voice. She reached out and squeezed Liz’s hand in a silent apology. “Go back in. Do your thing. I plead temporary insanity. You know how parties like this make me crazy.” She forced a smile. “I’ll see you later.”
    Liz smiled back at her then turned back to Jason. “Thank you so much for your help tonight. It was nice to finally meet you.” She held out her hand once more and thanked him again, heading back inside with a glance over her shoulder. Bella caught her silent message.
    Jason’s intense eyes were fixated on Bella as he moved in closer to her. “You were upset. What upset you?”
    Her look said “get real” without a