The Charitable Bastard (B*stards of Corruption Book 1)
Jessica McCrory
1
Two Years Ago
Norah worked hard. She worked two jobs plus volunteered at the local women’s and children’s shelter. She cooked and cleaned for them and still found time to organize special events to raise money and awareness. The shelter was falling down, and they weren’t even halfway to raising enough money to repair it.
“How does this look?” Reagan Murphy, Norah’s only friend and a fellow volunteer, held up a napkin that had been perfectly folded into an envelope to hold silverware.
Norah smiled, “Looks great, Reagan.”
“Thanks, I figured it would need to look the part since we were trying to have it appear like an expensive dinner without it actually being—you know—expensive.”
Norah nodded absently and turned back to the room. The large banquet hall they had rented had cost them most of their budget. She had invited ever charity donor in the area and surrounding states and hoped that the fancy location would add to their generosity. As backwards as it was, it seemed as if only the elaborate events drew in the donors.
It was looking nice, though, she thought to herself. She had pulled from her own personal savings to help decorate. College could wait for her, but those who sought safety at her shelter needed these repairs now. Her shelter. She had always considered it as such, seeing as how she had spent quite a few years living in it. Not just this one, either; she had lived in shelters all over the city once her parents had decided not to come home anymore.
“Hector, can you move that podium over just a few feet? I want the pictures on the slide to show clearly.”
“You got it, Norah.” Hector smiled and moved the podium.
She walked around the room and checked everything, from the table covers to the tiny mints placed at each setting. Everything had to be perfect.
“Everything’s going to be great.” Reagan smiled and wrapped her arm around Norah, “you’ve done great.”
“Thanks,” Norah smiled at her, “now I just have to find something to wear.”
“Come with me, I’ve got you covered.” Reagan pulled her towards the exit and into the early evening. “Tomorrow night is going to go off without a hitch!” Reagan squeezed her. She was always so optimistic, and it made Norah smile.
She had met Reagan nearly a year ago when she had come into the shelter to get away from her abusive boyfriend. She had been banged up pretty bad, and the two of them had stayed up all night talking. They had become instant friends, and although Reagan had only stayed for a few days, she continued volunteering even after she moved into her own apartment.
“Did I tell you I have a date tomorrow night?”
“Really? With who? Please tell me it’s that cute coffee barista.”
Reagan threw her head back and laughed, “No, not him. With a guy I met at my gym. He’s a bartender.”
“Where does he work?”
“Timber’s.”
Norah raised her eyebrows. Timber’s was a local bar where the men all worked shirtless. “Girls’ night?”
“Oh yes.” Reagan grinned widely. “Maybe he has a friend?”
It was Norah’s turn to laugh. She had no interest in dating anyone until her life was on the right path. She didn’t want to risk derailing before she accomplished what she wanted most, to become a social worker. “Maybe.”
Reagan pulled her into a dress shop and Norah stared wide-eyed at their displays.
“Reagan, I can’t afford any of this.”
“Relax, you rent them here.”
“Rent?”
“Yeah, you pick one out, set what time you want to pick it up, and then just pay by the hour.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it’s quite brilliant. This way you can get the fancy look without draining your bank account for one event.”
Norah picked up a price tag on one of the dresses. Sixty dollars an hour. She smiled and nodded. This would absolutely work.
* * *
NORAH STOOD STARING at herself in the mirror. The long, shimmery blue gown fit her perfectly and made her look as if she didn’t have to work two jobs just to survive. She smiled, feeling and looking like a million bucks. The feeling gave her faith that everything was going to go perfectly.
“Guests are starting to arrive.”
“Thanks, Mia, I’ll be there in a minute.”
Once the door had been shut, Norah took a deep breath. You can do this. She repeated it to herself three more times and then headed for the door.
She spent her time greeting each guest she came across. The smile that was plastered on her face was an easy one. Hundreds of possible donors had shown up tonight. The guests were all dressed up in lavish gowns. Sparkling diamonds shone from the necks, wrists, and fingers of the women, while the men in their dark suits smiled proudly.
The guests had spent four hundred dollars a plate for tonight’s meal, and so far, they all seemed thoroughly impressed with her decorating.
“Hi.”
Norah turned to see a handsome man extending his hand to her. When she held it out for him, he gently pressed his lips to her hand, and Norah’s stomach flipped.
“Hi.”
“I’m Clayton Matthews.”
“Norah McNamara.”
“It is lovely to meet you, Miss McNamara.” His dark brown eyes were framed with thick eyelashes, and when he smiled at her she saw a small dimple on the left side of his mouth. His dark hair was combed up slightly in the front, and he looked out of place among the older donors. Maybe he was a son?
“Lovely to meet you as well, Mr. Matthews.”
“Just Clayton, please.”
“Clayton.” She felt foolish for almost whispering his name, but she couldn’t help it. He was gorgeous, and as of right now, all of his attention was on her.
“Did you put this event together?”
She nodded.
“It’s very noble.”
“Not really.” She laughed lightly. “I just wanted to see what I could do to get the women and children’s shelter repaired. It’s absolutely falling apart.” She forced herself to find her voice. He may be handsome, but they weren’t there so she could attract a man. She was here to help those who needed it. “I practically grew up in that shelter, and I want to see them get what they need.” Color flooded her cheeks in embarrassment when she realized what she had divulged. If Clayton noticed, he didn’t seem to care, because the look of interest never left his face.
“As I said, very noble. I would like to speak with you more about this, maybe over dinner tomorrow?”
“All the information is in the slides. Once I do the presentation, you shouldn’t have any more questions.” When he smiled at her, she blushed again. “But you weren’t asking because you wanted to know more about the shelter.”
“Not exactly.” Clayton smiled and rubbed the back of his neck slightly. “But I want to know more about you, and I don’t think I’ll get that from the slides.”
“I would love to go to dinner tomorrow.”