Chapter Thirty-Three - The urge to protect.

Paxton

Carter and I are waiting in the hotel lobby for McKenna. Our car will soon arrive to take us to the event. I am anxious to see her in her dress again. I need to be careful of my reaction, though, with Carter right next to me. I need to keep it together, no matter how much I know a part of me will want to pull her close, kiss her, and tell her how incredible she looks.

My eyes are firmly on the elevator. They have been since we came down ten minutes ago. I hope to see her walk out every time it pings, but she hasn’t. The sound comes again; this time, when the doors open, I see Kenna. I gulp at the sight a few feet away from me. She looks even more beautiful in it than when she tried it on. Her hair is in loose curls, flowing over her shoulders. She smiles when her eyes fall on us and walks towards us. I forget how to breathe for a second as she gets closer.

“Wow, little sister, you scrub up well.” Carter smiles.

“Thank you. You guys are looking dapper.” She replies, smiling back.

“You look great, McKenna,” I say softly.

I prefer to give her a better compliment, but I can’t, not right now.

She blushes, tucking her hair behind her ear, “Thank you.”

“Ready? The car is outside.” I ask.

The nod, and the three of us head out. What I didn’t expect was the press to be outside. What the hell are they doing here? How did they know where I was staying? The cameras started flashing, and the questions were being fired at me as soon as we stepped out. I see Kenna out of the corner of my eye, and she is panicking. This is not what I wanted for her. It would be fine if it were only Carter and I because I am used to it, and it doesn’t bother Carter.

Her eyes meet mine, and I sense she wants nothing more than to turn and run back inside. I am not going to let them ruin this for her. I move to her side, slipping my arm protectively around her and keeping her close as we push through them. She keeps her head down and grips onto my side. Carter stands at the other side of her. I can imagine what the headlines will read, but I don’t care. My priority is protecting her from them.

I only let go when we arrived at the car to let her climb in first. I slip in after her, and Carter follows, our driver closing the door. Kenna seems to be struggling to catch her breath.

“McKenna, are you okay?” Carter asks, worried.

She doesn’t answer with words; she can only nod. I grab a bottle of water and kneel in front of her. “Kenna, look at me,” I say softly.

She lifts her head, and I can see how stressed she is out.

I take her hand in mine, “You are okay. Deep breaths.” I say softly.

She closes her eyes, nods, and takes deep breaths. It takes a moment, but she finally calms down and drinks water. I instinctively reach in and caress her cheek, “Better?”

“Yes.” She whispers.

I smile, “Good.”

I finally take my seat, and when I do, Carter is looking at me strangely. I only realised he had seen and heard everything I had done. Fuck. I forget he was there for a moment because I was concerned about Kenna. I wait for him to say something or kill me, but he doesn’t. I sigh in relief. I don’t think he suspects anything. He would have said or done something if he did.

I tell the driver we are ready to leave. Carter and I take a glass of champagne for the car ride. Kenna sticking to her water. The trip would take about half an hour. It will give us time to enjoy our drinks and for Kenna to gather her thoughts. I can only hope the media inside doesn’t get too much for her. If she needs to leave, then we will leave with her. My management can get mad at me all they want, but I am not going to force her to stay to make them happy. I am used to them being mad at me.

****
Carter and I finally get inside after getting stopped by the press for photos and interviews. Carter tried to leave me, but I made him stay. If I were alone, it would have taken longer. I felt terrible for leaving Kenna inside by herself. I wasn’t expecting things to take as long. She sneaked in the back with one of my security guys. I wish they had been there at the hotel. It would have made things less stressful for her.

We rush inside, looking around for her.

“There she is at the bar,” Carter says.

She looks nervous and awkward, but my security guy is still with her. We head over.

“Sorry. I didn’t think it would take as long.” I say.

“It is fine. Roman here has been keeping me company.” She laughs, patting his arm.

He chuckles and nods. I smile. It isn’t like Roman to laugh; Kenna must have brought that side out of him. I can understand, though. It is hard not to have a soft spot for her.

“Drinks. Let’s get drinks.” I smile.

I order a scotch for us guys and a glass of white wine for Kenna. We don’t need to be seated at our table for another half an hour. I will have to greet people, but I am not in the mood right now. I will, eventually, because I am not rude.

“Shouldn’t you be mingling?” Carter chuckles.

I roll my eyes, “I will in a little while. For now, I want to enjoy a drink with my friends.” I smile.

I would take them with me, but Kenna is not ready to meet multiple people. They can all wait.

“Come on, let’s find a corner table to hide at for now.” I laugh.

I saw my manager outside. He will be in soon to look for me and tell me what he expects from me tonight. He will warn me to behave and stay out of trouble. We find a table to have our drinks at. Roman is staying close by, along with my other security guy, Ryan. They will stay close for the rest of the night.

Carter excuses himself to use the bathroom. I focus on Kenna.

“Are you doing okay, beautiful?” I ask.

“I am now.”

“Good. You look so stunning tonight.” I smile and squeeze her knee under the table.

“Thank you. And you look handsome.” She beams, patting my chest.

“Thanks, angel. Promise me you will tell me if you want to leave before it is finished.” I say softly, circling my finger on her knee.

“I promise I will. I am going to try and make it until the end.”

“I hope you can do it, but if not, do not hesitate to tell,” I reply.

She nods and I put a distance between us again. I want her to have a good time tonight. She needs to try socialising more. It would be good for her.