“Tie?” she asked him as Mr. Tom waited at the end of the bed.
Sebastian looked up from his phone. “No. I don’t follow the same rules as everyone else, not as Elliot Graves. They probably won’t even realize I was the idiot in the cape yesterday. Popped collar, a couple buttons undone, and no time for anyone. I just need to do my hair and spritz on a little cologne and I’m good.”
“Is everyone waiting for me?”
“Ulric and Jasper are waiting for you. They want to make sure you dress the part. Also, that you tag along and face your demons. They see no reason why you should be embarrassed for last night, and showing up today will put you straight. Their words, obviously.Iam waiting for you because I’m hoping you’ll provide a buffer between me and Niamh, who sees through this persona, and is liable to make me nervous enough to drop the act and do whatever harebrained scheme she is up to today.”
“A simplenowould work wonders for you,” Mr. Tom told him.
“One would think. And yet, it never does. I might as well discuss the philosophy of flowers with Edgar.”
Nessa paused as she looked down on a different dress than Jasper had picked out. Her suitcase had been set to rights with crisp folds and put in a different order that fit better.
“I took the liberty of properly packing your suitcase,” Mr. Tom said, “since it seems you lack the ability.”
“Thanks…”
“Yes. And that dress will work better if you plan to dazzle the gargoyles, though in your current state ofwilt, we’ll have to work harder at your makeup to reduce the puffy state of your eyes. Maybe if you look good, it will hide the fact that you clearly do not feel good. You should’ve had someone heal you. Or, I don’t know, maybe not tried to drown yourself in a whiskey bottle.” He sighed. “Into the bathroom. We’ll do your face first, and while you dress, I’ll run over and grab some jewelry.”
“What about Jessie?” Nessa asked. “Won’t she be needing the jewelry?”
“Not that her whereabouts are any of your concern, but she is indisposed with the alpha and will relish in her freedom for the evening. She gets so few days off. She won’t be needing jewelry, and if she did, I have brought plenty for the pair of you. Just don’t let the Irishwoman get ahold of it, or she’ll make sure the whole place erupts in chaos.”
He shooed her into the bathroom and then tsked at her appearance. “Must I constantly need to fix up people who find enjoyment by guzzling down the contents of a bottle? Well.” He sighed. “At least I have experience. Take a seat, come on. We haven’t got all day.”
34
Tristan
A hush fellover the bar, the same establishment they’d been to the night before. Instead of the small area tucked into the corner, though, this time they had a section blocked off on one side. Two signs were posted at the entrance of the area, and a waitress occasionally walked around to get orders. It was a far cry from the VIP section in Los Angeles over Christmas. They weren’t in a Dick world anymore, and it showed.
Gerard had invited anyone of high status, which included the leaders, betas, lead enforcers…and anyone from Jessie’s crew who wanted to come. He’d known that Jessie and Austin planned to stay in tonight, and Evan and his lead enforcer would be busy hashing out details, but he’d made his invitations for them clear.
Most people thought he was making a statement, putting Jessie’s entire crew on level with the best and the brightest. And part of that was likely true. Tristan knew, though, that in reality, Gerard wanted to party, and he knew the Ivy House gang was a damn good time.
Previously loud chatter and barks of laughter reduced to a murmur. Shoes slid against the floor, people shifting and jostling each other to change position. It reminded him of when Jessie entered the bar in O’Briens, and her gargoyle forced everyone to simmer down and step aside so she could greet her mate.
“She decided to show,” John said in a low voice, seated next to Tristan on a high stool with his back to the wall.
Tristan’s heart picked up its pace. The crowd parted to let the newcomers through, not usual for gargoyles. Tristan got his first glimpse, and his breath caught.
Natasha walked slightly in front of Sebastian clad in a stunning, form-fitting evening gown. The nude tone of the dress was overlaid with vertical lines of silver sequins and beading that caught the light and created an elegant shimmer. The plunging neckline was framed by a slight scallop over her breasts, adding drama and polish. A thigh-high slit ran to the floor, and her long hair cascaded past her shoulders in a wave. A diamond and sapphire necklace adorned her neck, as extravagant as something Jessie might wear to an important dinner, and instead of a watch, she wore a matching cuff bracelet that must’ve cost a fortune.
Her hips swayed suggestively as she moved through the room, catching everyone’s eye, male and female alike. She held her shoulders back, arrogance and confidence, while her energy flirted with everyone she passed, adding a flare of sexy sophistication. Dark makeup outlined her eyes and a pop of color drew attention to her lips, pulled into a smile as though she were just about to laugh.
He watched, transfixed, not able to tear his eyes away from her, not caring who walked in behind them.
John moved to give her the seat next to Tristan.
“No,” he said. “Stay there. Just move a little away if you would. Not far.”
John didn’t ask questions. He followed the directions to the letter.
Natasha paused in her progress to say hi to Gerard and thank him for the invitation. His lead enforcer stepped closer eagerly, looking for an introduction. She’d already stepped away, finding Hollace. Cyra drifted closer, and Fred met them there, Natasha drawing people like bears to honey.
“Not to stick my nose into your business,” John said, his voice still low, “but it was a good move, taking her to her bed last night. I spoke to her this morning. She seemed to like it.”
“She probably thought I had an ulterior motive.”
