Glancing at Calder through the mirror, I continue to brush out and smooth out the frizz in my hair. “What dinner and where?” It’s not the first dinner we’ve gone to, but he typically tells me at least a few days ahead, not hours before. “And where is it?”
“We’re having dinner at the Devore estate. Your father will be there. He’s demanding we have the dinner, to as he put it, solidify the family unit.” Calder scoffs and rolls his eyes.
“Wait,” I whirl around to face him, “you’re telling me we’re having dinner at the Devore estate and it’s with my father?”
“Unfortunately,” Calder confirms.
I could see the annoyance in his gaze. He didn’t like Reggie Campbell. I couldn’t blame him. “What time is this dinner?”
“Six sharp.” Straightening from the door frame, Calder moves closer to me. When he’s close, he wraps an arm around my waist. “This dinner isn’t going to be pleasant. We both know that. Grant knows it. But it’s happening because we want to know exactly what Reggie’s playing at.”
“He wants money and power,” I tell him, knowing exactly what the man is after. “You know I’m not stupid.”
“You’re far from stupid, Bellissima.” I love the way Calder holds me in his arms.
I’m finding that anytime we’re near each other in any way, he reaches for me.
I know what he does when we’re not together . . . what he does for the Devore family. What I also know is that he’d never harm me. Not intentionally.
“I’m not going to let him do anything to you, Emerie.”
I melt further into his touch and nod. “I know.”
“This dinner tonight, as I said moments ago, it’s not going to be pleasant,” Calder mutters and dips his head down to brush his lips across my glossed lips. “I want you to stay close to me at all times during this thing. If at any point you’re not, you’re to stick close to one of the Devore brothers or my men.”
I met the men he’s speaking of. Raiden, Ciro, and Leone. They were all seriously hot and definitely all about following orders when given. Raiden had been tasked with protecting me this past week. Ciro had the week before. I didn’t think I needed a bodyguard, but Calder asked me to humor him. It wasn’t to keep me locked away. He’s kept his word on what he said about that, however, I had them with me to see to it that no one got near to cause me any harm.
“I can do that,” I murmur with a nod. “I don’t even want to go to this thing if he’s going to be there.” Honestly, I’m glad to not be under his thumb anymore.
“Good.” Calder kisses me once more and lets me go. “I’ve got to head out and handle some things, but I’ll be back in time to pick you up. Stick close to Raiden.”
“I’m going to the children’s hospital then finishing up some shopping. I was also planning on having lunch with a couple of my friends at Marcos.”
“You do seem to enjoy eating at Marcos.” Calder smirks.
“They have excellent food there.” Plus, my friends and I like going there because one of them is always hoping to get a glimpse of one of the Devore brothers, because they’re known for eating at the establishment. I’ve even gotten a surprise visit from Calder while eating, as he joined Grant there last week.
“That they do,” he agrees. “Now, be good, and I’ll see you later.” With one last kiss, Calder leaves me to finish getting ready for the day.
Sighing, I do just that, not looking forward to the fact that I now have to attend a dinner that my own father will also be present at.
“You decided that would be an appropriate outfit to wear to a dinner?” My dad sneers without actually sneering. It was all in his tone when he saw me on Calder’s arm coming through the door of Grant Devore’s home.
Calder gives my waist a slight squeeze where he’s got his hand resting. He found my outfit amusing, considering I was wearing another Christmas sweater, but this one was a sweater dress that I paired with black leggings and brown calf-high boots.
It was cut in my opinion, and Calder seemed to like it with the way his lips had twitched. Not to mention that he laid me down on the bed to pull my leggings down and show me with his mouth and cock that he liked the way I looked.
I couldn’t help that I enjoyed wearing all things Christmas this time of year. I mean, hello, it is the season for it. Christmas was coming up fast, and I was looking forward to it.
More this year than I have in the past.
Today, while out, I even finished my shopping for Christmas. My friends and I love to be able to get together on Christmas Eve for a night of fun. We play games that involve drinking. It was my year to do it, but I still need to talk to Calder about it, and make sure he’d be okay with me having guests at the house.
First, though, we need to get through tonight’s dinner. Then I’ll talk to him. Maybe I’ll even mention it to him during dinner if I can manage it without my father hearing.
“You let my daughter out of the house dressed like that?” my father demands, his chin lifted, acting as if he could look down upon me, when in truth most of the men in the room were way taller than him. Actually, all the men were.
“Your daughter is my wife,” Calder retorts. “It is her choice what she wants to wear. Tonight, being a family dinner, she’s supposed to be allowed to dress as she pleases and be comfortable doing so.
