“Gage and Leo are going to lead me in with Evander and Mateo,” I repeat, ensuring they follow what I say, no matter how badly they don’t want to. “Ryder and Dex, you take up the rear with the Perez security.”
“Take it up the rear,” Gage laughs under his breath.
“I said take up the…You know what. Never mind.” I just shake my head at his antics.
Gage pulls himself together when the door opens. He steps out and sticks his hand in to help me out of the car, his eyes lingering on my legs. “I want to fall at your feet, my queen,” he jokes, bowing when I get out.
“Stop,” I laugh, hooking my arm with his and Leo’s when he steps up. Evander and Mateo take up the ends, dressed sharply in classic tuxes with white dress shirts. “Gentlemen, you clean up nicely.”
“You look ravishing as always,” Mateo comments leaning around Leo, who elbows him in the stomach.
“Eyes off our girl, brother,” he warns Mateo.
I hear Ryder chuckle. “That’s more like it.”
Mentally shaking my head, we walk into the hotel lobby before being led to the ballroom. The usher pushes the doors open to extravagant decorations. Way too many fairy lights line the room. Ice sculptures, a huge bar, a dance floor, and tables are set up.
“This is awful,” Gage mutters under his breath, making Evander choke on a laugh.
“You know the drill,” I say to Gage and then turn to Leo.
“We dance a few times. Make our rounds. Donate and get the fuck out of here.” I highlight mine and Gage’s usual MO. “After I talk to Alexey and Dmitri.”
“We,” Ryder reminds me.
“Yes, dear,” I say sarcastically. “Fan out.”
Ryder, Dex, and the Perez security fan out around the room like the rest of the security detail. I hate that they can’t be right here with me, but I need eyes everywhere.
Gage leads me to the table with Poletti and Perez written on the place cards, thankful the people throwing the gala rearranged the tables so we can sit together. I sit in the chair Gage pulls out for me; he and Leo sit on either side of me, with Evander and Mateo in front of us.
I look around the room and lock eyes with none other than Viktor Orlov, his dark eyes matching his sons. His beautiful wife, Nina, sits at his side along with Alexey and Dmitri. I give Viktor a tight smile before looking away.
“Viktor to our left,” I say under my breath. They all nod but don’t look. “I need to make my presence known. Then you two owe me a dance.” I look between Leo and Gage.
“I don’t get a dance?” Mateo pouts.
Gage snorts. “Sure. If you want your fucking arms ripped off.”
Leo laughs, then shrugs at Mateo. “I warned you outside.”
Leo pulls my chair out, taking my hand when I stand. “M’lady,” he says with a grin.
“You guys are the worst,” I laugh, then make my way through the crowd.
Several people greet me on my way through or politely nod theirheads in respect. It’s still surreal that people show me the type of respect they showed my dad.
I walk to the bar and order a glass of wine. I turn around while taking a sip, scanning the room. My eyes land on Ryder leaning against the wall with his line of sight on me and look to his left, pinpointing Dex doing the same, knowing when I move, they mirror me. They both look sexy as hell leaned back, eyes locked onto me. I give them a flirty smile before turning back to the bar.
“You look beautiful, Les.”What the actual fuck?
“What are you doing here, Zane?” I ask without looking in his direction, ignoring his compliment.
“I was invited.” I finally look at him, and he nods toward a blonde at the end of the bar. I raise an eyebrow. “The person I wanted to take me wasn’t interested.”
I look harder at him. “Do you mean me?”
He grins, flashing his perfect white teeth. “I do, Beautiful.”
