Luisa sits up straight, and I can already tell she’s pulling on her general manager hat. She may be in charge of hiring and trading players for the team, but the woman has an eye for talent and can never pass up an opportunity to grow the Monarchs family. “What kind of photography?”
“Well, I started with street photography. Easiest way to practice when your test subjects are strangers running to catch the train. But that got old quickly, so I moved on to weddings to keep a steady stream of income while I shot what I really loved on the side.”
“Which is?” I prompt.
She looks up from her martini, looking slightly panicked. “Oh, um. We don’t have to keep talking about me. I’m pretty boring.” We all keep our eyes on her until she tips her drink all the way back and answers quietly. “Sports photography.”
Luisa’s lips lift into a pleased smile. “You hear that, ladies? A sports photographer.”
Valentina scrambles to cut in. “I-I mean I’m not even that good. Half the time I can’t get the shot of the baseball flying out of the stadium, and that’s the shot that everyone wants to—”
“Abaseballphotographer?” Isabella throws her hands up and leans against the cushioned booth. “You’re on your own now, girl. I can already smell the Benjamins on the contract Luisa is drafting in her head.”
“Isn’t Tom retiring?” I lean forward, and I fear my smile must be matching Luisa’s at this point.
I definitely want Valentina to feel comfortable around us, but I think I may want her to join the Monarchs family a tad bit more now that I’m in love with her brother and would adore the opportunity for all of us to work together.
We’re deep in conversation about logistics with the team when a low murmur settles across the bar. For a moment I think the rum is getting to me, but then I hear it.
I hearhim.
“There you are, love. Ready to call it a night?”
I’m too slow to react, frozen in place. Only when cold lips press against my cheek and bright flashes of light coming from the window blind me, do I finally jump into action.
“Damien, what the fuck are you doing here?” I hiss at the same time I hear Luisa shouting for security.
The bullpen phone rings, lighting up the bar and sending everyone around us into a fit of cheers.
With the crowd preoccupied with the mass exodus of men and some of their significant others, Damien moves in close,his hand wrapping around my upper arm and squeezing until I wince. “Let’s go. Don’t make a scene. And remember to smile for the cameras waiting outside. If you behave, I’ll even let you pick out your own dress for our next wedding. But the new hairdo has got to go.”
I manage to pull free right as a mean-looking security guard places a heavy hand on his shoulder. Damien looks up with his billion-dollar smile and nods at me. “Sorry about the confusion. I’m picking up my fiancée. Seems like she had a bit too many…” He lowers his voice so only I can hear the rest. “And has forgotten her place.”
Valentina comes up from behind me and steps between us. We may be the same height, but her personality makes her seem ten feet tall. She looks back at me. “Do you want to call the cops? I saw him grab you.”
Damien fake laughs. “Oh honey, please introduce me to your new friend. She seems very funny, although I fail to understand her attempt at a joke.”
“I’m Valentina, and I’m pretty sure the woman you’re callinghoneyis my future sister-in-law since I’m certain my brother is biding his time before he locks her down and marries her.” She leans in closer, and I tug her arm back, but she’s still hovering over him menacingly as she fumes. “He also owns land outside the city and is very well versed in the art of swinging an axe, so I suggest you don’t take it as ajokewhen I tell you to fuck all the way off and never think about laying a finger, or better yet, your beady little eyes, on Daisy Stonehaven ever again.”
Damien takes a step away from us and the bouncer. “Enjoy the rest of your night honey. See you at home,” he yells over the crowd, keeping that creepy smile in place the entire time. He speed-walks out of the bar, probably so it doesn’t seem like he’s being escorted out.
“Are you okay?” all the girls ask at the same time as I absentmindedly rub a hand over my arm where he grabbed me.
“Yeah, I’m fine. But I need to get out of here. I want to get to Luke before Damien pulls another stunt.”
“Good idea. I’d rather you be with him when he sees those photos,” Valentina says as she pulls me through the crowd to the exit.
“What pho—” I say as we’re met with flashes from outside. Knowing how Damien and his campaign work, that was probably a hired photographer from their team, tasked with getting a candid of us.
“I’m calling Nick. Isa, maybe check with Mateo. See if he’s still with Coach. Need to gauge whether we’re going to need to use him to hold back one furious boyfriend plus an unhinged brother.”
I don’t wait for them to coordinate. Only I know how deeply affected Luke was when he found out his ex-girlfriend cheated on him with his best friend. And while I know there was nothing I could do to stop Damien, I’m not going to be careless with Luke’s feelings and allow even a shred of doubt to cross his mind by not giving him a heads up. I’m pretty sure I can talk him down from a blind rage, but I could not bear it if my silence caused him pain.
I click on his contact, and he answers on the second ring. “Thank God. Mateo was giving me shit for wanting to call and check in on you.” I can hear Mateo shout something lighthearted in the background, letting me know they’re still together.
“Are you guys almost done? Or will you—”
“Fuck yes. We’re walking to our cars on our way to crash the place. Nick said he was gonna call the bullpen phone and clear out the men first.”
