“Hey, Mr.Clark.”
“Hi, boys.” My uncle inclined his head before pulling open the back door and holding out a hand to help me up. “You’re all looking mighty dappertonight.”
“Well, you know the Pines and their hoity-toityevents.”
Jeb offered a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You boys keep my niece safe, now. I don’t like the look of themyoung’uns.”
“Oh, Ness doesn’t need us for that,” Lucas drawled. “Especially now that she’s besties with Julian’sniece.”
Jeb blinked at me. “You’re friends with SarahMatz?”
“Is that not allowed?” I wasn’t in a good mood. Not at all. But it had little to do with Lucas’s comment and everything to do withJeb’s.
“Is Ness ever in a good mood?” Lucas asked myuncle.
I growled as I strapped myselfin.
My uncle didn’t answer Lucas, too busy scrutinizing myface.
Evelyn wouldn’t lie tome.
She wasn’t a woman calledGloria.
“Are you sensing you’re going to fail miserably? Is that it?” Lucaschirped.
Liam glanced into his rearview mirror, and our eyes met for the briefest of moments. I looked away before hedid.
“You’re so astute at reading people, Lucas.” I didn’t want to fight with himtonight.
He simpered at me before rubbing his hands together. “Should we get this party on the road? I’m dying for some canapés or whatever dainty shit the Pines feedon.”
The entire way to Julian’s estate, Liam didn’t speak once, but there was never a dull moment, because Lucas was a freaking word-mill. The boylovedthe sound of hisvoice.
When we passed through the gates that were manned by two burly wolves in skin, I nibbled on my lip before remembering I’d slicked on bright-red lipstick to match my dress. I checked my reflection in my phone’s camera, fixed my lipstick, then smoothed the glossy curls I’d made with my mom’s old flat iron after watching ten tutorials on YouTube and failing nine times out of the ten at recreatingthem.
Julian’s home loomed at the top of a knoll like a pale cloud. During the ride over, Lucas had informed me the Pine Alpha’s inspiration had been a Frenchcastle.
“The dude thinks he’s a fucking king,” Lucas hadsaid.
As I took in the smooth stone façade and the grid of diamond-cut window panes that seemed to stretch an entire acre long, I had to agree with Lucas—Julian definitely fancied himself asovereign.
A valet dressed in black pants and a high-collared red jacket drew open my door and held out a gloved hand. Before I could latch onto it, Liam rounded the car, stepped in front of the parking attendant, and extended his ownhand.
I hesitated to touch him, and he sensed it because his gaze grew stormy. He didn’t lower his hand, though. He held it out stubbornly. I gathered the folds of red chiffon in one hand and then yielded to Liam’s will, grasping his fingers. Angering him would work against me when I pleaded for mylife.
As soon as my feet touched the ground, I removed my fingers from his. His shoulders tightened, creasing the fine fabric of his tuxedo. Lucas walked ahead of us through the mammoth front doors, his head swiveling from right to left. Either he was ascertaining threats or he was admiring Julian’s black-marbled lair. Gold finishes accented the dark furnishings, and crystal vases overflowing with scarlet roses adorned every table insight.
“Did Julian ever marry?” Iasked.
“Why? Are you interested?” Lucas shotback.
I rolled my eyes but caught Liam observing me. Even though I hadn’t planned on answering Lucas’s inane question, Liam’s weighty stare made me say, “Of course not. He could be myfather.”
“I didn’t think age mattered to you,” Lucassaid.
I snapped my attention to the shaggy-haired male who drove me insane. “Can you cut me some slack tonight, Lucas? I’m really not in themood.”
A server approached us with a platter of champagne flutes. I grabbed one and downed it in a very un-ladylike manner. I didn’t care, though. Tonight was going to be rough, and I needed as much liquid courage as I could get. I set the stemmed glass back down on the man’s platter before emerging from the black entrails of the house onto the packedterrace.
