He swings his gaze from side to side searching for the man, but the slime ball has already melted away into the crowd.
“I’ll fucking kill him,” he growls.
I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it.”
I focus back on the two men standing around us, each sporting a grin as wide as Dray’s.
“Hello again,” I say.
Dray snaps his gaze back to me. “Sorry, Kitten, I tried to keep them away, but they were fucking persistent. You’re overwhelming the poor girl. In fact, fuck off.”
“What?” they both moan together.
“Go on. Get,” he says.
His two brothers grin at me once more and then, without a word of protest, skip off into the crowd. I realize that it’s very likely they have as much crazy energy as their older brother.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say. “I like them.”
“They’re not bad,” Dray says. “My favorite brothers Dirk, Deny, and Dob aren’t here. Too young.”
“Hopefully I’ll get to meet them another time,” I say, smiling at him.
“Yeah,” he says. “Hopefully.”
Then he guides me back toward the other Princes, Beaufort handing me a glass of champagne as we approach. I haven’t even had time for one sip, though, before a giant gong rings out, and everyone starts to move toward the far end of the hall.
Chapter Twenty-One
Beaufort
As a Prince, I out-rank most of the people in this room, which means I am entitled to push us through the crowd waiting to enter the banquet hall and be formally announced before we are seated. I’m doing just that when I spot him, arrogant smirk on his face, lecherous gaze locked on Briony, pushing his way towards us.
He’s already wasted, swaying as he walks, champagne flying from his glass.
I make to spin our thrall away and walk us in the opposite direction, not caring if we’re seated last and hopefully losing him in the throng of people. I’m too slow.
“Beaufort, old boy,” he slurs, slapping his hand violently against my shoulder, a gesture which probably appears friendly and familial to any observers but stings of his true feelings for me. “I didn’t think you were coming and I don’t remember seeing a companion on the list tonight and I went over it more than once with Cecil for security reasons.”
“We’re a last-minute addition,” I say, lying through my teeth.
“But I bet you’re pleased we’re here,” Dray adds, with a grin that’s full of menace.
“Delighted,” Aaron responds through gritted teeth because even if people aren’t gazing at us, they’re still watching us, still listening in to our conversation. “Even more delighted you’ve brought such a pretty little thing along with you.”
He dips his head like he actually has manners, taking a shocked Briony’s hand in his and planting a sloppy kiss there.
“And what is your name, pretty little thing?”
“Briony,” she says, yanking her hand from his grip, her expression growing even more shocked as he lifts his head and meets her gaze with his silvery one.
“Prince Aaron,” he says, pressing his hand to his chest, and dipping his head a second time.
“Pr-pr-pr-prince,” she repeats, frowning.
“So tell me, Briony, how did my little brother capture such a pretty thing like you?”
“Brother?!” she repeats again, this time with a lot more animation, snatching her gaze my way. “Half-brother?”
