Leaning against the wall next to the door, I shove my hands into thepockets of my dress slacks. A Lord walks down the hallway and nods at me, and I do the same. His dark eyes slide to the women’s bathroom before he enters the door across from me for the men’s.
Everett exits and I push away. I take her hand, and we return to the ballroom in silence. The only people at our table are Saint and Ashtyn. They’re in their chairs facing one another and look like they are in a deep conversation.
I feel Eve slow down, and I decide to head to the dance floor instead. I don’t know anything about her and Ashtyn, but I want to keep them separated until I do. I’m going to defend my girl, no matter the situation between them.
“What are we doing?” she whispers in my ear.
Pulling her to the center, I turn to face her. “Dancing,” I answer.
She lets out a huff before her green eyes quickly scan the room.
EVERETT
“I Found” by Amber Run filters through the speakers in the ballroom as Kashton takes my hands.
I’m nervous. Afraid all eyes will be on us.
“Eyes on me, angel,” Kashton says softly in my ear.
Looking at him, a calmness washes over me. It shouldn’t be like this. Him and me. I tell myself I’m supposed to hate him, but even I know my past isn’t his fault.
Every woman here tonight is a Lord’s whore. Each one might church it up as a Lady, but she still belongs to him. He’ll decide tonight if his cock is the only one that fucks her.
I have to remind myself that I’m not Kashton’s Lady. I can walk away at any time if I want. This isn’t a death sentence. It’s fun and harmless.
For now.
How long until it turns deadly? Everything with the Lords does eventually. I’m not new to this.
“Eve?”
“Hmm?” I blink.
Kashton gives me a smile, pulling me closer with his arm tightening around my waist. Goose bumps break out along my exposed skin. “Let it go, angel,” he whispers in my ear. “Whatever it is…I’m right here.”
He reads me so well. I was never able to hide. My face shows my emotions all too well. Is “I’m right here” supposed to mean something? I can’t allow myself to let my guard down. Not like he wants. It’s not who I am. Too many years of abuse and manipulation have taught me to never trust another person. No matter how much I crave that.
I’ve always wanted someone to put me first. To let me shut off my mind and lead me. But I know how that ends—me in chains and drugged. I’m an adult, so I have to step up and do it myself.
The song comes to an end, and he kisses my cheek before he pulls me off the dance floor. He strikes up a conversation with Sin while we make our way back to the table, but I spot my father. “I’ll be right there,” I announce and pull away from Kashton before he can stop me.
“Eve.” Bill smiles at me as I approach.
I walk right into his open arms and feel a knot form in my throat.They’re not all bad.
“Hello, Dad,” I say, pulling away. “Where is Janice?” I ask quickly, glancing around. I notice that Kashton didn’t return to the table. Instead, he’s standing right where I left him, still talking to Sin. His eyes on me.
“She went to the restroom.”
I frown. Must have just missed her.
“I know she’d love to speak to you,” he adds. “She also wants to get some photos of all of us together.”
Photos? I’ve never taken family photos before. It feels so weird to be a part of this. To be included in something so simple yet important at the same time. “Of course,” I tell him.
“I see you’re here with Kashton,” he says, looking over my shoulder at him behind me.
“Yeah,” I say nervously. Not like I can hide it. This is what Kash wanted to do—parade me around as his. Show me off.
