“Is this a way for you to claim me?” I ask, reaching up and running my fingers over the diamonds. “Collar me for all to see?”
He tilts his head to the side in thought. “Is that such a bad thing? To belong to me?”
“No,” I say breathlessly, hating how good that sounds. I have a feeling this will mean more than the forty-eight hours he made me his.
Kashton picks up another sack that’s on the dresser, and I seeBeauvincewritten on it. I swallow nervously. “You didn’t?—”
“I did,” he interrupts me, giving me a smile that lights up his handsome face and shows off two dimples. Fuck, it makes me weak in the knees. Pulling a box out, he opens it for me, and I gasp.
“Kashton.” My eyes go from the diamonds to his and then back to it.
“Beauvince Eloise diamond bracelet,” he explains, removing it from the box. “It consists of round, marquise, and pear-shaped diamonds.” Kashtonthen wraps it around my wrist, fastening the two locks. I blink as he goes back to the sack. “There’s more?”
“Two. One for each wrist.” He places the second one on and slides them over the bruises that the handcuffs left from the last time I let him touch me. “Our little secret,” he whispers.
I swallow against the knot that returns and look away from him. “Why?” I can’t help but whisper.
“I just want to spoil you.”
His words are innocent, and I hate that I believe him. That he may not have an agenda. Maybe he does want to spoil me. The thought also enters my mind that his love language is gift giving and I’m nothing special—he gives every woman he fucks gifts.
“You look stunning, Eve.” Kashton takes in my appearance with a long, slow once-over. His heated eyes burn my skin.
I hate that butterflies fill my stomach. Life isn’t supposed to be like this for me. I’m not the girl someone marries. Or loves, for that matter. I’m the whore they fuck. The one they use. I don’t receive gifts. No one puts in that kind of effort for me. I don’t want to be the stupid girl who gets attached only for him to leave me. I’ve survived a lot, but I’m not sure I could survive that kind of loss.
He places his fingers under my chin and lifts my head. His lips softly touch mine, and I kiss him back before he pulls away. “Ready?”
I take a shaky breath at the loaded question. This is more than us hiding out in my house where no one can find us. “Yeah. I just need to grab my purse.”
He nods, letting go of me, and I walk into my bathroom and closet, trying to calm my breathing. I take a second to collect my thoughts before I grab my Christian Louboutin clutch off the shelf, ready to go.
This is it.
We pull up to the valet in front of the mansion, and a man opens his door and another gets mine. I step out and wait for Kashton to walk around to me. He keeps my hand in his as we make our way up the steps and inside. There are two men dressed in tuxedos standing in the grand foyer. They greet us as two more enter, telling us to follow them.
We walk through the house and to the ballroom. I spot his brothers at a round table immediately. You can’t miss them. They’re the outcasts of the Lords. The majority of Lords run multibillion-dollar companies. The Spade brothers run their hell—a dungeon full of torture devices.
I keep my head high, but my heart is pounding at the feeling of so many eyes on me. I see Ashtyn leaning into Saint, speaking into his ear. I bet she’s asking,Who is that woman with Kashton?
Saint shakes his head, not having an answer, and she sits back in her chair. She looks me up and down, eyes full of judgment. I want to laugh. She’s the last one who should judge anyone.
Haidyn and Saint both stand as we approach the table. Kashton releases my hand as he brings each of the guys in for a hug. I straighten my shoulders and take a deep breath. I’m not someone who makes themselves small in a room full of people; not anymore. I demand to be seen and heard. So I’m going to make sure they know who the fuck I am.
Saint turns to me first and Kashton introduces me. “Guys, this is Everett. Eve, these are my brothers, Haidyn and Saint.”
“Hello. It’s nice to meet you.” I shake Saint’s hand.
He looks me up and down before I turn my attention to Haidyn. He also shakes my hand, and I wish the floor would swallow me up. “Nice to meet you.” He nods and then turns to sit down next to his wife, dismissing me.
He doesn’t recognize you, Eve. It’s in your head.
Kashton pulls out my seat and takes my hand to help me sit. I take a deep breath as the guys introduce me to their wives. Charlotte looks so innocent and sweet. Just like she is. Ashtyn looks like she wants to murder me. The feeling is mutual.
She had everything. Four men who loved and would do anything for her, and she threw it away. In the end, she lost the baby anyway. Even I know that the Spade brothers would have protected it just like they did her. If you ask me, she had choices and she chose wrong.
Saint deserves better.
THIRTY
