KASHTON
Ihold Eve’s hand under the table, resting on her thigh. I can feel her crossed legs bounce.
She’s not used to getting out. Eve prefers to be in the dark cemetery or a smoky bar. She’s front and center here with me. A woman on display in the middle of a crowd. I might as well have tied her to this table and branded my name across her forehead.
Everyone keeps looking our way, staring at her. Probably trying to figure out who the fuck this gorgeous woman is.
Mine.
That’s all they need to fucking know. I saw her staring at the bruises that the handcuffs left, so I bought her something to cover them up. It turns me on that we’re the only two who know they exist and how they got there. Same goes for the ones on her thighs from the rubber bands. No one knows my girl needs a little pain to get off, and I will keep it that way.
She sips her champagne, and I know she’s dying for a shot of vodka or whiskey.
“Anyone seen Tyson?” Saint asks the table.
“No,” Haidyn answers before turning to say something to his wife.
“They’re running a little late.” I feel Eve stiffen when Ashtyn speaks. “Lake messaged me twenty minutes ago.”
Adam told me that Eve was in Vegas helping him spy on Ashtyn, but Eve doesn’t know that I’m aware of that.
I know what I saw the few weeks that Saint and I were there spying on Ashtyn. It makes me wonder what Eve saw. Did she dance at Glass? Was she working as a Queen at Kingdom?
Adam is so deep in another world that I can’t help but think Eve was too. Especially now that I know what she does for Adam. He asked her if the guy the other night had raped her. How many have succeeded? How close has she been to death because she’s willing to put her life on the line to take out one piece of shit?
She has to quit. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I love how fierce she is, but at some point, she’s got to step back. I can’t have her out here risking her life.
My wife will be at home, waiting for me to return from a long day of work. Not out and half naked in a run-down motel with another man who thinks he’s going to get lucky.
Call it sexist if you want; it is what it is. She’s fucking mine. I’ve claimed her, and I will take care of mine in every aspect of her life. I don’t want her sexting another Lord in hopes of setting him up so she can shoot the bastard.
“There you are,” Saint says, and I look up to see Tyson and Laikyn step up to the table.
“Sorry.” Lake gives a nervous smile, dropping her hand to her growing belly.
“What’s up, bitches?” Sin walks up to the table with Ellington, and I let go of Eve’s hand to greet him.
Elli glares at me like I’m still the most hated person on her long list. I introduce her to Eve when she says. “We’ve met.” Her voice is flat, but she smiles at Eve as they strike up a conversation about their dresses.
At least she likes her.
We’ve been here for over an hour. Bill made a toast to his wife and thanked us all for coming. I kept my eyes on Sin the entire time. He seems to be accepting his new stepfather better than he was when he first found out. Either he’s decided to kill the man in his sleep or he’s going to let his mother be happy. Only time will tell.
Everett gets my attention when she stands from her seat. I do the same, taking her hand. “Everything okay?”
She frowns but answers. “I need to use the restroom.”
“I’ll take you.” I escort her out of the ballroom and down the hallway.
“Kash, I know where the restroom is.” Eve gives a small laugh, and I ignore her.
She’s my girl. My responsibility. I’m not going to leave her alone here. Or anywhere, for that matter. Bill kept it on the smaller side and only invited around a hundred Lords to the reception. How many among those here have seen her on the Dollhouse videos that Adam and Bill are searching for? How many have raped her that she doesn’t remember? I won’t take that chance.
Stopping in front of the door, I push it open for her.
She places her hands on my face and leans in, giving me a quick thank-you kiss, then disappears into the women’s restroom.
I don’t think she meant to do it, but I’ll take it. She’s coming around to the idea of us.
