“We have sponsors but there are huge costs, obviously. Food, drink and talent being the top three most expensive items.” Her amazing eyes pinned him to the sofa. “You are exorbitantly expensive, O’Hare.”
Griff didn’t bother to tell her that he’d quoted Ryder International a lower hourly rate than he normally charged because the profits from the event were going to charity. And if she was trying to make him feel bad about his remuneration, she was going to have to wait a while. He’d worked his ass off for more than twenty-five years to command the prices he did.
“We’re hoping to raise around a hundred million for our foundation. My mom is the family representative on the foundation’s board and that’s her goal.”
That was seriously impressive. He wasn’t a slouch at donating. He quietly funneled considerable amounts to causes he believed in—fighting climate change and promoting literacy were two of his favorites—but this was next-level philanthropy. It inspired him to up his game.
Kinga leaned forward to put her wineglass on the coffee table, creating a gap between her pajama top and her chest and giving Griff a view of small but beautiful breasts.
God, he wanted her.
Kinga looked down at her clasped hands. “The Ryder name is associated with luxury and class and elegance. Our drinking establishments can be found in some of the most expensive and exclusive hotels all over the world. We host a ball for charity every year but this one, because it’s our centenary year, has been designed to be our biggest and best one ever. It’s a big deal.
“That’s why I’ve been so vociferous about your involvement. I can’t help but be scared that you will ruin our hard work and our reputation by doing something stupid, O’Hare.”
He’d been called selfish and irresponsible, out of control and inconsiderate, and he’d trained himself to let the insults roll off his back. But her words, quietly uttered, hurt a lot more than they should.
Would she understand his reasoning for doing what he did? Would she understand his need to protect his twin? And weren’t those stupid questions to ask himself, because he couldn’t tell her or anyone else the truth?
“I will not tolerate you, or anyone else, derailing my event,” Kinga added.
Griff looked at her pugnacious expression and sighed. “Would you believe me if I told you that I have no intention of doing anything of the sort?”
Kinga held his eyes and for half a heartbeat, Griff thought she might say that she did. Then her eyes cooled and she shook her head. “I believe you’d try, but you’re impulsive and headstrong and I don’t think you consider the consequences of your actions so, no, I wouldn’t believe you.”
He’d known that his past would come back to bite him in the ass and here it was, merrily snacking away.
Kinga picked up her wineglass and drained it, her eyes not leaving his face. “So, where are you staying while you are in Portland?”
He was grateful for the change in subject. “I booked the Portland Harbor Hotel.”
“I know it well. And are you going to stay there until the ball? You’ll be inundated by the press and you won’t have a moment’s peace,” Kinga pointed out.
Situation normal, Griff thought.
Kinga scrunched up her nose. “But I suppose that’s a given wherever you are.”
Unfortunately.
“So, are you going to be sticking around until the second week in February?” she asked, a little wistfully, suggesting that she already knew the answer to the question she’d asked him weeks before.
“I’m leaving tomorrow, after our meeting.”
He needed to get back to his stud farm in Kentucky. Eloise was scheduled to take a four-day break and he needed to be around for Sam. Sian was a good mom, she loved her son but her condition required an extra set of hands and eyes. Nevertheless, spending time with Sam, and his sister, was one of his favorite things to do.
“But I need you to be in Portland until the concert.”
Right, he could tolerate her bossiness—it amused him and he never allowed anyone to push him where he didn’t want to go—but now she was being imperious. “Nope.”
“What?”
Griff smiled at her. “Oh, sorry, that didn’t come out right. No can do,princess.”
He silently admitted that temporarily relocating to Portland did make sense. He should be on hand to give input into Kinga’s decisions around his publicity and his favorite band members would be a lot more amenable to relocating to Portland than to his stud farm for practice sessions. But Sam and Sian came first and he couldn’t leave Eloise with them on her own for weeks at a time.
Griff watched, amused, as annoyance filtered across Kinga’s face and settled in her eyes. “If you are going to perform atmyball, I need you to be close at hand.”
“No, you want to keep me out of trouble.” Griff stood up abruptly and walked around the coffee table to place one hand on the arm of her sofa, bending down to look into her lovely face.