Blunt, but fair. I didn’t miss the way Ally gripped Sam’s knee, but I answered as honestly as I could, “I don’t have any plans currently. I’m not positive what I want to do yet. Maybe get a part-time job somewhere and go to school here. I’ll have to see. I have a little money saved up, so if you need me out of your place, I can leave.” A lot of that was the truth. No one knew about my trust fund, other than the bastard. And even that account had been put on hold.
“No!” Ally’s yell startled everyone, including the cab driver. He swerved and I groaned as everyone leaned on me and a foul bruise on my rib hit the door handle. She stuttered when Sam eyed her, “What I mean is, that you are welcome at our place until you get on your feet,” her voice softened, “I owe you that much.”
I didn’t think she owed me anything and told her as much.
She patted my knee. “You can stay either way. I don’t care what you think is owed.”
Hmm…I would have to think about her reasoning. She didn’t owe me a darn thing and I didn’t want pity handouts. Friendships one thing. Pity is a whole other mess-‘o-crap.
In silence, we arrived at a building that was tastefully modern, but still managed to be unpretentious. Most likely because it was only three stories high. The entire front on the structure was glass and the lobby was lit brightly while the top two levels appeared to glow red, then purple. The colors attracted every eye as folks shuffled to home or work on the sidewalks. Twilight blanketed the city making the radiant building its own piece of art, I decided from my perch inside the cab.
Exiting the taxi I immediately wished I had changed or stopped to buy something else to wear. Everyone streaming up and down the red carpet decorating the cold concrete sidewalk was dressed the same, if not better, than Sam and Ally. My cheeks flush – darn a redheads pale skin, but I followed closely behind. I noticed the party was already in full swing as Ally handed over our couriered tickets to the doorman. He nodded at them politely, and then noticed me.
He wasn’t meaning to be rude, I hope, but my face got even hotter as he took in my attire. He slowly glanced at my face and gave me a candid grin. He opened the door, letting us inside. Blowing out a relieved breath, I tried not to fidget. For all I knew there was a darn dress code, but he hadn’t argued, so I presumed I was fine.
I crossed into a whole different world than what I was used to. Jewelry dangled from wrists, throats, and ears, sparkling brilliantly and matching the unusual and trendy surrounding outfits. Men wore designer silk suits or dress slacks and cashmere sweaters with watches costing in at 100k easily. I already wasn’t a huge supporter. I didn’t like individuals flaunting what one had.
Jewelry that cost that much was definitely showy. I should have felt comforted knowing how much those watches even costs, the bastard had a few, but it didn’t help that I felt completely out of place. I stuck close to Ally and Sam, and I immediately went mute. It always happens when I’m in a situation that I don’t know how to handle. Bless Ally, because she seemed to sense it. Plus, she had a fantastic memory and I knew she was remembering my uneasy flaw. So, we moseyed on with me sidled up real close-like to Ally. Amazingly, Sam didn’t seem to mind.
“Definitely should have changed or bought something different,” I whispered to them. Sam’s eyes were clear and she didn’t tease, but I could tell she really wanted to say “Told you so!”
“You’re fine. Quit worry. And loosen your grip. You’re cutting off my circulation,” Ally grumbled and I glanced at where I had ahold of her wrist. Sure enough, her hand was turning a funky color and I let go. Or maybe it was the lighting on this second floor?
So far there had been no sign of Brent. Didn’t the artist come to these things, too? I would be might pissed off if he didn’t show. Well, maybe not. He didn’t know I was coming, after all.
“I need a drink,” Sam said offhand, while she stared a photo. I hadn’t even taken the opportunity to glance at the art. I was too busy scanning the crowd. Bad friend. Oh, well. I couldn’t wait to see him.
“Will you be okay by yourself if we head over to the bar for a second? I don’t think you could eye the crowd well from over there,” Ally asked dryly.
My startled gaze caught hers and she chuckled. “Honey, Brent’s work is brilliant and you haven’t commented once. I’m not even sure you’ve even blinked since we walked in.”
I did blink then and realized my eyes were kind of dry. “Go on. Get your drink. I’ll be fine.”
“Sure?” she double checked and I nodded, giving her a tiny shove. They sauntered off getting a few looks of their own. Yeah, they were downright gorgeous. It was kinda nice to watch them walk away.
When I could no longer see them in the dark bar area, I started perusing the crowd again. Pretty and sophisticated. Rich and elegant. Snobby and fat. Spoiled and pompous. It didn’t vary a whole lot.
Until…
Hello.
Three men. Handsome and daring at nine o’clock. All wore dark suits, but that’s where their similarities ended. The one of the left had dark curly, shoulder length hair that was a sexy mess, matching his dark, dangerous eyes. The one on the right had sandy blond hair that was straight and cut stylishly over one of his velvety, brown eyes. And the middle man had black hair cut and shaped with intentionally disarrayed spikes and ocean blue eyes – cold and deadly. All were built like mac trucks, even though they tried to hide it under their posh apparel. And if I wasn’t mistaken – and a southern girl never is on this account – they were all packing beneath their perfectly tailored jackets. They were tan and tall and, oh so, scrumptious.
Dark and Dangerous’ eyes scanned the crowd. Velvet smirked and said something to Cold and Deadly while they both watched over the crowd, all the while pretending interest in the artwork. Cold and Deadly didn’t laugh at what Velvet said, but Dark and Dangerous rolled his eyes. Interesting.
I edged closer and pretended to study the art, too. It wasn’t working for them so well, but heck, it might work for me. I wanted to know what they were talking about. Darn that curiosity bug. There was a whole heaping of females aroundthem, vying for their attention – I didn’t blame them. With my small size, I could sneak in real easy-like. At least, I hoped.
I was moving through two idiot women, whose breasts were practically spilling out of their dresses, when a truly stunning piece of Brent’s work grabbed my attention. It was of an elderly Hispanic woman holding a shotgun against a mysterious foe. There was a shack of a house behind her and open fields blowing in the wind surrounding it. The sky appeared overcast, but the picture had been shot in black and white, so it could have been sunny, for all I knew. The only word for it was: captivating.
And, it stopped me in my tracks.
That wasn’t a good thing. Especially when everyone else kept on moving. One of the flamboyant women’s breasts hit me in the back of the head and sent me a tumbling. I flew for a moment, and then stopped hard against a warm and breathing, muscular barrier. Steel arms enveloped me.
I shook my head so those pesky stars would go away.
I had landed smack dab into my prey’s arms. I knew it was them by the feel of metal under the suit jacket. Yep, this one was at least carrying. I knew it! Strong hands lifted me away by my shoulders and I tried not to wince. Darn bruise.
“Are you okay, Miss?” Dark and Dangerous asked me. Staring up into his eyes, I nodded cautiously.Oh, my.Yeah, this guy was fatal caution disguised as man, even if polite. He released me and my bones hummed a silent thank you as I rolled my shoulders. “You need to watch were you’re going.”
