A Silken Thread - Brenda Jackson [49]
“You let him hurt her.”
Blair’s words made Karen cringe again. She frowned and her lips began trembling in anger. She leaned in closer and said in a biting tone, “Shut up, damn you. What was I supposed to do? She should have kept her mouth closed and gone along with it like we’ve always done.”
Karen wondered why she was even wasting her breath. Half the time Blair didn’t know what day it was, didn’t even know her own name. But there were times like these when she remembered far too much to suit Karen. “Keep making those stupid outbursts and I’ll make sure Dr. Miller gives you something to calm you down.”
She could tell by the fearful look in her sister’s eyes that she didn’t want that. Good. Maybe now she would behave and act like a Delbert.
Chapter Thirteen
Griffin Hayes wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting when the mistress of ceremonies finally called April’s name and she began walking across the stage. He had read about the event in the newspaper, and since he hadn’t been able to eradicate her from his mind since seeing her that day in New York, he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to fly here and see April. Chicago’s Daley Civic Center was packed, and not surprisingly there appeared to be more men here than women, at least more who chose to come as single men. There were quite a number of couples who were probably here to do their charitable duty. But he was certain that most were here, like him, to see all the beautiful women scheduled to be auctioned off.
Okay, they weren’t being auctioned off. The jewelry they were wearing, compliments of several nationally known jewelers, would be sold. However, each of the women had agreed to at least share a drink later with the highest bidder for her jewelry.
But Griffin knew not one man there was concentrating on the diamond necklace around April’s neck, compliments of Tiffany’s. Like him, they were concentrating on the soft curves of a body dressed in an outfit that would bring even the strongest man to his knees.
He’d always thought April was a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, she’d had to leave Hattersville and earn the title of one of the foremost supermodels for others to see what he’d known all along. And tonight that short black dress she wore was exposing her beauty for all to see. Her legs, long and shapely, seemed destined to go on forever.
“Hey, man, she’s the reason I’m here tonight,” he heard one man whisper to another behind him. “I’ve had a thing for her ever since she did that Sports Illustrated cover. Miss Hot April and I won’t just be sharing a drink later,” the man continued to whisper rather loudly. “But I’m going to try my best to talk her into something else.”
Griffin frowned as he listened to the conversation. He had news for the man if he thought for one minute that he would be the one April would be sharing a drink with. Now that the applause, whistles and catcalls had died down, the MC was talking, asking for everyone’s attention. “All right, guys, we have April North, and just take a look at this necklace April is wearing….”
Griffin rolled his eyes. Did the woman really expect any man, including him, especially him, to divert his attention from April’s legs to check out her jewelry? Evidently she did, since she went on to describe the jewelry in great detail. He was sure the necklace was nice but he was of the mind that April’s legs were nicer.
Even from where he was sitting, halfway back in the auditorium, the bright lights captured her in a way no magazine ad ever could. And he swore he could pick up her scent.
“We have ten thousand. Do I hear fifteen?”
He blinked, realizing the bidding had begun when the man behind him shouted out a bid. It was apparent he was determined to be the recipient of both the necklace and April. Griffin shrugged. It was all for charity and he’d always had a competitive