My mouth hung open, but no air passed my lips. The blinding lights from before faded, leaving behind Lucian in his all-black tux, conquering a nightmare from my past. Leaving behind a darkness that I used to hate.
Now, taking in his darkness, all I heard was him saying,my wife,and a thrill surged through me, flutters of excitement chasing away the nausea that gripped me moments before.
“I-I-I’m…I didn’t mean…” Brian floundered under Lucian’s assault, floundering like a fish out of water, his mouth flapping open and closed.
“I don’t give a shit.” Lucian’s deep growl, alluded to the calm control with which he delivered the threat, was slipping.
It should have terrified me—watching the man I entrusted with my control begin to lose it.
It didn’t, though.
It sent a shiver of desire down my spine.
“You are officially uninvited from all future events and any others I might see your name on the guest list for,” Lucian stated.
“Y-you can’t do that.”
A deep, rumbled laugh fell from Lucian’s feral smile. “Oh, yes. I can. Now get the fuck out before I remove you myself.”
Brian looked around our group, as if seeking an ally. Instead, we all stood with stony expressions, devoid of empathy. With a huff, he downed the last of his drink and straightened his jacket, proving to be the pompous ass he always was, and turned to leave.
I didn’t dare breathe until he disappeared through the arched exit. The moment he did, my eyes burned, but I blinked it back and reached for that frozen exterior, digging deep to lock it in place. I needed it now more than ever. Because I knew the second I turned back to the three of them, I’d be met with questions and—God forbid—pity.
Shockingly, neither look was present. Lucian and Corbin still glared at the exit like they half expected him to come back, while Rose met my gaze with a wrinkled nose and a look that said, well that fucking sucked.
“What a douche,” she announced. “I can’t believe you had to deal with him through high school. I’ve known him for thirty minutes, and I already feel like I need at least ten showers.”
A laugh tumbled free, releasing some of the tension holding me rigid. “That about sums it up.”
“Don’t worry, baby,” Corbin crooned. “I’ll help you get yourself clean again.”
“Promises, promises,” Rose taunted, earning a low growl from Corbin.
Lucian shifted closer, tilting his head to murmur to me without drawing attention. “Are you okay?”
No,I wanted to scream. I wanted to follow Brian and beat him with my heels. I wanted to breathe as deeply as I had before I heard his nasally voice. I wanted…I wanted…
I wanted it never to have happened.
But it had, and I had no choice but to face that reality despite what I wanted.
So, I took a deep breath.
I lifted my chin high.
I pulled my shoulders back.
I slid a simple smile in place.
And I faced Lucian.
“I’m fine,” I answered, my voice calm and serene. His brows pinched with doubt, and his lips parted, but I continued before he could question my false bravado. “However, I do need to use the restroom. If you’ll excuse me.”
With a smile to Rose and Corbin, I extracted myself, already missing the heated weight of Lucian’s hand at my back. Despite my feigned strength, fine fractures spidered through my armor, and with every second I pretended they weren’t there, they widened. I needed space—air—to breathe and mend the damage before it spread too far, and I crumbled.
All I needed was a few minutes, and I’d be fine.
CHAPTER 6
