Sebastian inclined his head towards the bag. “I can return it if you don’t like it.”
Part of me wanted to rip the gloves off and throw them in his face. But I didn’t want to have to explain to Piper why my hands looked like they’d been smashed inside a door frame over and over again. Tonight, I just wanted to pretend that my other life didn’t exist.
Instead, I shifted my attention back to the raindrops slapping against the floor-to-ceiling windows. Ileaned back into the couch while Sebastian stood up.In my peripheral vision, I watched himgrabthe empty Gucci bag, and tossit into a drawer on his way to thefront door. The staccato of the rain against the windows almost drowned out the sound of the door opening.
“Was that really necessary?” Jared’s voice carried from the front door.
“It’s not the end of the world. My father’s bodyguards always pat guests down when they come into our house,” anunfamiliar deepvoice replied.
“Yeah, but your dad’s a senator. Why the hell do you need bodyguards, Sebastian?” Jared asked.
And there was another reminder that I wasn’t living in a normal world. Outside, were bodyguards that’d love to shoot me if I looked at Sebastian the wrong way. I took another sip of my drink as their footsteps echoed towards me.
“Business has been good,” Sebastian said, his tone leaving no room fordiscussion.
The three guys walked into the living room, and I shifted my attention away from the angry sky. I took a sip of mycosmo as I examined the new addition. The third guy had close shaven brown hair, and matching eyes. His physique was muscular, but the way he carried his bulky body told mehe didn'tknow how to actually use that strength.
“Selene, right?” Jared called to me, while walking towards a black leather chair next to me.
I nodded, but kept my attention on the other guy. He looked familiar, but all the guys in our circles tended to have the same look. Strong noses, angular cheekbones, and clean shaven. There was always a hint of rebellion. Whether that was a tattoo on their arm, or slightly longer hair than they should have had. It was a superficial rebellion, though. They could easily cut their hair, or wear a long sleeve shirt to cover their tattoo.
The guy strode towards the couch and satin the middle. I bet it was a tattoo.Probably atribal tattoocircled aroundhisupper arm.
“Selene, like the moon goddess?” the guy asked, a small smirk on his thin lips. I’m sure he was using the only bitof knowledgehe retained from Intro to Mythology.
“Yep, and what perfectly boring name did your parents give you?” I asked before taking another sip of my drink.
“Micah. It means ‘who is like God’,”he said, his smirk deepening before continuing, “It sounds like we’re a match.”
When someone compared themselves to God, it was always a sign of an over-inflatedego. I glanced towards Sebastian, curious about his response to Micah’s come ons. Would he even care? Since we’d gotten to the penthouse, Sebastian hadn't made a move on me.
Sebastian’s broadback was to me as he poured some whiskey into his glass in thekitchen. When he turned around his expression was completely neutral. I almost felt disappointed.
Why the hell would I feel disappointed? The moment I’d felt something akin to safety at Sebastian’s house, his brother had stuck me with a death bracelet. The last thing I wanted from Sebastian was his presence, let alone his jealousy.
My eyes narrowed into a glare as Sebastian turned his attention to his guests.
“What do you guys want to drink?”hecalled to them, ignoringmy look.
“Whiskey,” Micah replied, predictably.
“Same,” Jaredechoed.
Sebastian grabbed two crystal tumblers and poured the whiskey into them.
The doorbell rang again, and Sebastian set down the bottle of whiskey he’d beenholding.
“You can grab the drinks over here,” Sebastiansaid, as he moved towards the front door.
Micah stood up from the couch, his eyes appraising me as he headed towards the kitchen.
Piper’s high-pitched voice echoed across the hallway, “Hi Sebastian, it’s so good to see you again!”
An alto voice spoke next.“And I’mEmma, it’s a pleasure to meet you,”
I sat up a little straighter, recognizing that voice. Was thatEmmaWilliams? She was the prom queen at my high school. Not that it was muchof an achievementcompared to most schools. Our graduating class was under a 100.
I heard Sebastian’s warm introduction, and then they all came into the room.
