“You’re gorgeous,” Aiden said before kissing my nose. I giggled and Rafe tutted us as he entered the foyer, no longer looking flustered.
“She’s always gorgeous,” he said. “Don’t smudge her makeup. And don’t roll your eyes at me.”
Aiden rolled his eyes a second time, then kissed my nose again.
“Alright, listen up.” Rafe said. Wyatt scoffed, and Rafe narrowed his eyes at him for a moment. I got the sense that if we weren’t all dressed up, he probably would’ve shoved him. “This is a big night. My informant has just let me know that Lucille will be in attendance, but Dick will not.”
Wyatt breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Your informant?” Aiden questioned.
“Yes,” Rafe said with a sigh. “Raaz, my mother’s personal guard. He slipped me the guest list. The Crusader is not on this list, but I have a feeling that was intentional. He may still be there. In fact, I’m almost positive we’re walking into a trap.”
“Almost positive?” Aiden asked.
“Yes, if Wyatt’s father were in attendance, I’d be one hundred percent positive.” Rafe said.
“What am I supposed to do if the Crusader is there?” I asked.
He hadn’t been part of our plan. The goal was for me to draw attention and to cause a scene if absolutely needed, giving Rafe and Wyatt time to go down to the dungeons and see what the fuck was going on.
Rafe sighed again, looking to Wyatt, who also looked fucking edible, reclined against the wall with his hands in his pockets. He’d trimmed up his beard into a longer version of stubble, and his hair was effortlessly styled. He was wearing a full tux just like the other two, and while it wasn’t tailored to absolute perfection like Rafe’s, it still fit his muscles well. I couldn’t even see his veiny forearms and I still wanted to bite him.
“I say continue with the distraction,” Wyatt said.
Rafe nodded, looking to me.
“What’s the distraction again?” Aiden asked.
“Don’t know yet,” I said lightly. “I’m gonna go with the flow.”
Aiden chuckled while the other two grinned. “You sure you’re up for that? It’ll be a lot of eyes on you.”
“It’s to keep Rafe and Wyatt safe,” I said, mostly believing myself. “I’ll do what I have to. Besides, the scene I’ll cause will probably just be some rude words to your mother.”
Aiden grimaced. “Hopefully it doesn’t go farther than that.”
“It won’t,” Rafe promised. “Just act a little aloof and pretentious and it’ll keep enough attention that no one goes looking for me. They’ve already been gossiping about you, and seeing Aiden alongside you will only make things more juicy.”
We were gathering our things to shadow-walk a moment later. I kissed Rafe quickly, then fell in Aiden’s arms for a longer kiss. He snuggled me against his chest.
I love you, Skye. Everything will be okay.
I love you, too. I’ll make sure everything is okay. I promise.
Rafe took Aiden first, and I chewed my lip as they disappeared into a wall of shadows.
Wyatt and I made eye contact, then both looked away with a blush. I giggled while he shook his head.
“You look really nice,” he said softly.
“So do you,” I replied.
Wyatt’s hazel eyes slid down my frame, pausing on the different jewels before coming back to my lips.
He stepped forward, reaching out and placing a finger on my neck, above the necklace. The warmth of his healing affinity spread through me, and my cheeks flushed as I realized he was healing the welt Rafe gave me.
The warmth of the affinity left me a moment later, but Wyatt’s hand drifted around the back of my neck before he angled my face upward, and then his lips landed on mine. I couldn’t help but sigh, tightening my arms around his neck and slipping my tongue against his. Wyatt groaned, then loosened his hold on me, pulling back slowly.
