28 Mine to Hold

[P.O.V. Kendrick Ryans]

(An Hour before the Charity Ball- 6:00 p.m.)

Jennifer and Cassidy have been in the bedroom in Jennifer and I hotel room. Getting ready for tonight's charity ball. While doing so, Nolan and I sit out on the couch watching tv, waiting for them. I normally don't go to any of these gatherings; there very few that I do go to. For example, this one is the only charity ball I go to that the Rills throw every year. What's the charity going to? To animals in shelters, reserves, zoos, endangered species, etc. I have a strong passion for these kinds of situations that animals are in. It's one of the many reasons why I saved Rhea and Duke from the shelter. Just because it's the only one I go to doesn't mean I don't donate to the other charity balls they throw. Nolan usually goes and puts a donation down from me using my credit card.

Looking at the watch on my wrist, it was starting to get late soon the Ball will start. Getting off the couch, I head to the bedroom door and knock on it.

"Yes?" Jennifer answers.

"If you girls want to get there on time, we need to leave now." Telling her

"Just a few more seconds!" Rolling my eyes, I walk away from the door. Walking to the bar, I pour myself a small drink of brandy. Nolan comes next to me, telling me he wants one too. Pouring him one and handing it to him.

"Women, huh?" He asks

"Yea, women." Answering back, I know what he means by it.

Women always have to make themselves look perfect. Both of us shoot back our drinks, leaving our glasses empty. While doing so, they finally come out of the bedroom. When my eyes landed on her, they have gone wide, and my mouth is all but dropping. I probably look like a complete idiot right now. I had no words to describe how beautiful she looked.

For some reason, deep down inside of me, A feeling I haven't felt in a long time but at the same time felt a little different related itself. I didn't want to admit this feeling I have been trying so hard to stay away from. And I still won't admit it, for I know. The moment I do admit it, I won't be able to escape. Pushing down that feeling, I ignore it.

"Well, what do you think?" Jennifer asks me while slowly spinning around.

"You look stunning," I reply to her. Stunning doesn't even cover how she looks. After complimenting her, she blushes that damn blush that I enjoy. While complimenting her, Nolan does the same for Cassidy. "Are you ladies already to go?" They both nodded their heads and said yes. "Then shall we?"

Holding my arm out to Jennifer, she takes it. Nolan and Cassidy head to the elevator first. Before I took Jennifer out of the room, I hurried and kissed her. It was a short, ruff, and passionate kiss. The moment I pulled my lips from away her, she blushes and looks a little stunned from my unexpected kiss.

"What was that? " She asks surprisingly.

"You looked so stunning tonight I had the urge to steal a kiss from you." Admitting the truth to why I did it. My answer only made her blush deepen a little more. She looked like she had lost her words. Which only made me smile inside, knowing that I had that effect on her. Taking her out of the room and locking it, we head to the elevator.

(Present time in the Ballroom)

Jennifer tried to convince me not to take her on the dance floor. I knew she didn't know how to dance. I learned that at our wedding when my mother made me do the newly wedded couple dance. It took a lot to keep her from stumbling on her face. The reason I wanted to danced with her not only because I wanted to dance with my wife. Simply because the day I took her on my motorcycle and we got to know one another. I remember her telling me that she wanted to learn how to dance. Now is the moment she can scratch that off the list of the things she wants.

Taking her in my arms, holding her tight to me, I taught her step by step how to dance by whispering it in her ear so nobody would notice too much that she didn't know how to dance. She stepped on my toes a few times and stumbled a little bit every time she did. I would ignore the pain and catch her before she could fall. After a couple of songs, she caught on pretty fast and was almost a natural at it. After our final dance, she excused herself to the restroom.

Before going to our table, I went to the bar to get a drink. After all the dancing we did, the emotion I felt earlier was trying to return. The bartender gives me a brandy and shot it down my throat, leaving the glass clean. Signaling to the bartender, they pour me one more. After that one, I was able to push down my feeling once more. Leaving the glass on the bar, the weirdest and most awkward thing happened to me. A man stood next to me; he was my age and had dark brown hair and grey eyes.

"I'll have what he's having," The man says. The bartender nods their head. "We need to talk."

"Why in the hell would I talk to you? " Replying to the man, also known as Zach Montgomery.

"Because it involves Lucia up to one of her manipulating and deceiving plans." The bartender pours me one more and Zach one.

"I don't have to worry about that kind of thing anymore. She is your problem, not mine." Picking the glass back up into my hand.

"It is your problem if it involves your wife." Giving him a dead man look and feeling very protective.

"If you're threatening my wife Zach, don't go there.." Before I could finish, he cuts me off.

"I'm not, but Lucia is planning on trying to destroy your relationship with Jennifer. By using Jennifer to hurt you."

"Why does she care about the relationship that I have with my wife?"

"A tiny part of her still loves you and hasn't let go," Zach says, very bitter. Even after telling Lucia off, she still doesn't get it. Rolling my eyes in annoyance, I take a drink of my brandy. "I'm not exactly happy about it either."

"What did you mean she plans on using Jennifer?"

"A few days ago, back at home, Lucy was talking to a man named Carson Jackson. You know how persuasive she can be as well as manipulating. She convinced the guy you were a bigger asshole, more than the newspapers or any reporter could report about you. She convinced him that you treated your wife horribly. He didn't seem like he was too interested in you until she told him that you were married to Jennifer Ross that caught his attention quickly."

"Why would he give a fuck who I married?" Asking in a very calm angry voice.

"Because he and Jennifer were a couple once, they were severe."

"Get to the damn point, Zach."

"Lucia was able to convince him to make Jennifer leave you. In return, my company would give him and his partner a better opportunity than you can give them." The anger was building up; I already could feel the ache in my heart. The ache I have been trying so hard to stay away from. Drinking the rest of my drink in one gulp, I take a deep breath. Trying real hard not to lose my cool here.

"Does Mr. Jackson's partner know about this?"

"I honestly have no idea; all I do know Lucia told Carson not to tell his partner until after Jennifer leaves you. Another thing you need to know Lucia brought Mr. Jackson tonight's ball as her secret plus one."

"Knowing Lucia, if Mr.Jackson doesn't get Jennifer to leave me. He won't get the deal with your company. Neither will he get it with mine for going behind my back. .. Dammit, Lucia... she can be the greatest person in the world, but when it comes to her damn selfish needs, she becomes this insane bitch."

"It's why I love her.." Zach says

"If Mr. Jackson is here, then she plans on putting her plan into action tonight," Rubbing my face with frustration. Maybe we can avoid this if I can stop it before it happens. "Do you know when she will put her plan into action?"

Before Zach could answer, Nolan taps on my shoulder and whispers in my ear. Telling me that Jennifer was out on the balcony talking to Mr. Jackson. Lucia has already put her plan into action. Not saying another word to Zach, I leave the bar with Nolan trying to look calm as I could. I didn't want to draw a lot of attention to this kind of huge crowd.

Getting to the balcony glass door, I could see Mr. Jackson and Jennifer. She was yelling at him about something. Right as I open the balcony door, he grabs her and kisses her. All the anger I felt, and the ache in my heart broke through the wall. Like water braking through a water damn wall. All I could think was the woman he was holding was Mine to Hold, not his. Grabbing the guy by the suit coat, I ripped him off her and punched him right in the face. I punched him so hard he fell on the ground hard. His nose was bleeding, and it was very black and blue.

"Kendrick!" Jennifer yells at me. "What in the hell? I had all control of the situation! You didn't have to break his nose!"

"This situation was not in control! Dammit! Jennifer, the man, was kissing my wife! If it were up to me, I would do more than break his nose!" Yelling back at her.

I'm scared of losing her I'm also scared that this idiot somehow convinced her to leave me and go back to him. The ache I didn't want to feel that I tried so hard to stay away from was weighing on my heart. This ache cut a lot deeper than the last one I had. There was also anger towards this man for even touching her for even thinking he could have her.

"It was in control! And to let you know, I didn't even kiss back! In fact, I was getting ready to slap him for doing it!" Mr. Jackson tries sitting up but lays back down and moans in pain. I didn't want to make a bigger scene than we already made.

"It time to leave." Telling her coldly.

"At least call an ambulance."

"Dammit, Jennifer, I am losing the rest of my patience."

"I won't do until you call a damn ambulance," she says stubbornly. Looking back towards the balcony door, Nolan stood there with Cassidy. Thank to the balcony being away from the Ball, nobody else was around. Except for one person, Zach was watching from inside out of the window.

"Nolan, get Dr. Minks."

Dr. Minks always attend the charity balls. He is the doctor my parents go and see for their check-ups for their blood pressure and other family doctor check-ups. Nolan leaves, and Cassidy follows behind him. Jennifer grabs the handkerchief out of my suit pocket and presses it against Mr. Jackosn's nose, trying to help the bleeding. I need a damn cigarette before I end up punching this guy even more. Putting a little distance between Jennifer and me, I grab the pack out of my suit coat pocket, grab one, and lite it up.