On the other, I’m rightfully seething. Over shards and lies and never knowing who the hell I am, what’s real, or what I feel.
Tessa and Remy are playing with his cars, using the leg of an upside-down chair as a makeshift ramp. Their shared giggles slice through my irritation.
“Nervous? Take a deep breath and relax.” Amy points to a grand buffet set out. “Ryker wants you to enjoy yourself and told me to be certain you ate. I knew he’d be over the top and doting if he ever found the right person.”
She must assume my disinterest in these dresses is due to nerves about the Prohibition Ball. This attracts the most exclusive La Lune Noire members. For them, this event is more anticipated than Mardi Gras. It’s invitation only and full ofsecrets and surprises. This one night is the pinnacle of Noire exclusivity.
That has nothing to do with my mood though. I’ve managed to avoid alone time with Ryker for the last nine days, but I won’t be able to when I’m on his arm all night.
Playing the lovesick fiancée role, I extend my best puppy-dog pout to Amy while strutting over to the buffet and helping myself to some coffee. “That man is always in the details. Keeping stress off my shoulders atanycost.”
She smacks both hands over her heart. “Aww. So sweet.”
A text pings on my phone. Speak of the devil.
Ryker: I need you in my office as soon as you’re done.
Me: Sounds like a you problem.
Ryker: I have a thousand things on my plate. I’ve given you plenty of space to freeze me out. Tonight is important. Time to cooperate.
He’s surely gripping something to death right now, his knuckles blanching in fury. That mental imagery pleases me. He’s being dramatic. I haven’t been freezing him out. We’ve done the mandatory family meals, and he’s been busy, especially with prepping for the event. Still, I’ve been cordial. Mostly. And I know the Prohibition Ball is important and sentimental, so I’ll be on my best behavior … tonight.
Amy unveils a few more dresses and places them on the rack for me to flip through. “Is that your attentive man now?”
“Of course.” I proffer a sly smile, like we’re in a secret club. “You know how it is with all the endless declarations.”
Tessa snickers from behind me, but Amy doesn’t seem to notice.
“I do.” She bobs her head, her caramel strands swishing from her ponytail while she sets out several more heel options. “Vander is still like that. Obsessed. Which, from what I’ve heard about the methods Ryker used to convince you to transfer back here, he is too. And with the way you two look at each other, I’m sure there’s some”—her eyes flit to Remy as she chooses her phrasing—“racy texting going on.”
“For sure. Since we were long distance, I’ve mastered keeping him in a chokehold.” I waggle my brows before swiping my response to Ryker.
Me: You do know how to make a girl swoon. As much fun as it sounds to be one of the thousand things on your plate, I think I’ll pass and let you choke on the rest.
Tessa bounds to her feet, carting Remy toward the food and keeping her voice low as she passes me. “Chokehold? Are you feeding him pussy or cyanide?”
I shrug. “Both.”
Her mouth pops open, turquoise eyes widening with a you’d-better-fill-me-in-on-that-shit glare. She’s onto me, aware that this engagement isn’t traditional and that I’m hopping mad. I’m not sure how. I’ve kept my word, and I haven’t revealed anything. Despite how enraged I feel, especially after my meeting with Axel this week.
He confirmed much of what I’d guessed after talking to Jax and what Ryker had admitted during our hotter-than-hell safe-room blow job.
I’m a lifer. Forever a La Lune Noire employee.
Axel had a lot of upside viewpoints, which centered upon protection and how this was where I belonged anyway. Heinsisted that being a member of his executive staff—and therefore, by extension, a member of KORT—would open doors and provide safety far greater than I could even expectwhen I married Ryker.I’m also apparently the only one who bought into the fake part of the engagement—well, and Tessa. He shared a bit about this cabal, and Jax hadn’t been exaggerating. It’s twisted and intense.
What in the ever-loving hell is this shit?
I knew the Noires were connected to various underground organized crime groups, but this exceeds anything my imagination could have trumped up. That’s without even touching the mess with my parents.
Ryker trapped me. And what’s worse is, he trapped Remy.
But the grimmest realization is that Ty—my only contact who has the means to free Remy and me from this—can’t intervene because he, too, is a member of this cabal. While Ryker copped to that, Ty’s inability to intervene on my behalf was yet one more lovely tidbit Axel divulged.
It’s not that I want to leave, but I don’t appreciate the choice being revoked.
Amy selects a few dresses and takes them to the bedroom that we’re using for a changing room as another text pings through.
