I grin. “That’s my man.”
“Thank you, baby.” Kai’s dulcet tone filters through my ear like warm chocolate.
“I can hear you!” I exclaim.
Kai quietly laughs. “At least we know it’s working.”
“I can’t believe you punched him. Or, actually, I can. He’s long overdue a punch or ten.”
“He’s overdue a lot more than that, and if you’d heard the shit he was spouting, you’d have wanted to punch his lights out too.”
Bile swims up my throat. “Isshethere with you?”
“She’s over the far side of the room. I’m here with Chad, pretending to talk.”
I draw a long breath. Tonight is going to be challenging in more ways than one.
“We can do this, baby,” Kai says. “This brings us one step closer to our goal. Just keep thinking that. And I’ll keep her at arm’s length. I promise. I don’t want you distracted worrying about her. Trust me to handle her.”
Which is more than I can do for him. Tonight will be torture for Kai, and I can’t be selfish. “I’m fine. Do what you have to do. None of us can afford to lose sight of the end goal.”
“I love you, Abby.”
Drew smiles, not even attempting to hide that he’s listening.
“I love you, too, babe.”
“If you two lovebirds are done,” Rick says, his deep voice tickling my ear. “You better get this show on the road. Charlie is getting an ear bashing from your father over why you aren’t down here already.”
“We’re on our way,” I say. “See you in a few minutes.”
I loop my arm through Drew’s, watching as he taps out a message to Charlie, telling him our ETA. He guides me out of the room, closing it behind me. “Ready?” he inquires.
I pick my head up, thrust my shoulders back, and plant my game face on before eyeballing my twin. “Let’s do this.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The trek from my bedroom to the underground dungeon takes longer than usual, thanks to my voluminous dress. But eventually, we reach the end of the dark passageway, stopping in front of the last door. Noise permeates through the wood, confirming the party is in full swing on the other side.
“You sure about this?” Drew asks me again.
“I’m sure.” I hold onto his arm tighter, ignoring the wild fluttering in my chest. “Let’s do this.”
He opens the door, and Charlie is there, standing in front of the black curtain, which is the last barrier to breach. Heavy pulsing beats reverberate in the air, joined by the loud chorus of voices laughing and talking.
Shock splays across Charlie’s face as he stares at me. His jaw is slack. His eyes widen, as he rakes his gaze over me from head to toe. “Abby,” he whispers, stumbling as he takes a step forward. “You look… incredibly beautiful. I… I seriously have no words.”
“You’re not disappointed?” I coyly ask, swirling the dress around my hips as I look at him through hooded eyes.
“Disappointed?” he chokes, recovering and walking toward me with confidence. “I will be the envy of every man out there.” Before I can say a word, he sweeps me into his arms, dips me down low, and kisses me until I see stars.
Fuck.
I hate when he does that.
Because his lips are the wrong lips.
And I don’t want them touching me.
