The Lutkus estate is truly a thing of wonder. From its gated driveway to its massive, well-manicured gardens. From its high-end, black-stone architecture to the spacious entrance before us – the place really leaves one at a loss for words as it glimmers brilliantly under the winged glass chandeliers hung from abstract gypsum ceilings. The spiral stairs on either side lead to a set of bedrooms, and every few seconds, I see the uniformed serving staff all but gliding up and down said stairs, offering appetizers and bubbly champagne to the mingling guests.
Speaking of the guests…
The four of us have already attracted some attention, and we’ve only been here a few minutes. As I glance around, I notice a few upper classes staring blatantly at us, while others are making sure they’re standing at least thirty feet away from us. Fear, intrigue, and a pinch of anger – I can all buttastethese emotions on my tongue while watching these suited and glammed snobs measuring us with well-practiced smiles on their faces.
“Are you idiots planning on standing here all night, or are you planning on moving any time soon?”
That voice…
Oh my God, thatvoice. It all but jerks me out of my train of thought, and makes me swivel on my feet so fast that I almost stumble when my dress tangles itself beneath my heels.
“Solo?” Dorran says, looking rightfully surprised to see his mentor, and Riverside’s ex sheriff standing before us.
“Hey, kid.” He grins and spreads his arms, and Dorran wastes no time in embracing the smug prick.
“What’re you doing here?” he asks once they’ve let go of each other.
“Not happy to see me?” Solo sasses with a raise of his brows. His grey hair is styled in a coif, and the powder-blue suit he’s wearing hugs his tall frame like second skin. The asshole looks polished, that’s for sure, but why the fuck is he here right now?
“Of course I’m happy to see you,” Dorran tells him. “But last I checked, you weren’t planning on attending the gala. So, what changed?”
“Semantics, Ledge,” Alex mumbles, then steps forward and hugs Solo, who chuckles and returns the favor.
Varsha joins them, and once their little reunion is over and done with, I clear my throat, which immediately catches Solo’s attention.
“Hey, Cigs.” He has the absolute audacity to act casual with me, the old rug.
I smile clinically. “Hey, dick-weasel.”
Dorran coughs, whereas Alex and Varsha step away from Solo as if he might smite them or some shit.
“Is that the nickname we’re going with, then?” Solo muses. “I thought you said you were merely warming up when you called me that on the phone this morning.”
“It matches your caliber really well, so why mess with it, eh?”
He laughs. “Oh, I’ve missed you, you menace of a human being.”
Despite my anger towards him, I do end up cracking a smile. “It’s good to see that you’ve realized how wrong you were b–”
“Solo!”
We all turn in the direction of the voice, and I finally come face-to-face with our client.
Arasander Lutkus has a presence that commands attention. He waltzes into the foyer with his best friend – Magner, I believe his name is – and an undeniable air of suave regality. When he reaches us, he smiles and inclines his head at the five of us. He’s dressed in a crimson tuxedo, which complements his dual-colored eyes and pushed-back hair quite well. Magner has his hair tied in a high bun, and is wearing a black dress shirt with its sleeves rolled up, along with dark pants that seem too tight for his frame. The fashion freak in me wants to critique him on it, but I keep my mouth shut because I’m smart enough to know that this ain’t the time for my two cents, valuable as it may be.
“So glad you could make it on such short notice,” Aras says to Solo. He then shakes hands with us all, and when Magner moves forward to do the same, I see how his eyes linger on Alex, despite his hand being wrapped around mine.
I look at Dor, who gives me a slight nod, letting me know that he, too, has noticed Magner’s intrigue.
Alex is still learning to recover from Jayce’s loss. All these months, he hasn’t so much as mentioned wanting to start seeing other people, let alone wanting to get back into the whole dating game. And even right now, he seems oblivious – or is trying to act like it – to Magner’s gaze. Yet another thing I can’t comment on, and only keep to myself, since it’s not my place to interfere. Alex is family, but I would never openly exploit his comfort by saying something that might upset him. He deserves so much better than what happened to him back in Riverside, and it kills me that I can’t fix everything for him.
“Am I interrupting something?” Dorran says, making me blink and look at him.
Magner immediately lets go of my hand, realizing he’s held it for too long. “Sorry about that,” he mutters.
I shake my head at him. “That’s completely alr–”
“You’re lucky it’s notheryou were ogling,” Dorran cuts in, his voice beautifully icy. He then wraps a strong arm around my waist and smiles darkly at Magner, who chuckles and leans close to him.
