Walking into the venue,I notice heads turn while we make our entrance. Then hands slap other’s shoulders so their attention will be brought to us.
My statement is being made, and I can’t help but let a too wide grin pull my lips. I see the looks on people’s faces, curious about her. The one girl Tyler Michael Caddell finally brought to an event, and at one of his biggest investments of his career yet.
I place my hand on the low of her back, guiding my girl through the staring faces to make my greetings to the governor. Her eyes dart around as she nervously nibbles on her lower lip. I try my best to ease her by lacing my fingers through hers. Still she holds her head high, despite the staring eyes.
People surround tables sprawled with cards, money, and alcohol. Slot machines line some walls of the venue where people cheer and groan at their earnings and losses. It’s a good show up tonight, and a percentage of all winnings get put towards Governor Goodman’s campaign. The people want him to win again, so they will do whatever it takes to make it happen. They want to feel important, and being here gives them just that.
The look on Matthews face is probably the best damn part of my night outside of having Sunny on my arm.
“Governor Goodman,” I say, reaching a hand out with a fucking smile on my face.
“Tyler Caddell. Tonight’s event is already going better than anticipated. I have your team to thank.” He takes my hand but his face remains tight.
Of course it did. I’m good at what I do. And I’m going to prove my point even further by making this the best damn event he’s had without the contract of a marriage with his daughter.
“And who is this fine young lady here?” Governor Goodman’s eyes roll over Sunny. It makes me want to gouge his eyes out. The audacity he has to run his eyes over her after our little encounter has me questioning if I should’ve just killed him then.
I take a step in front of her, wrapping a secure arm around her waist. “This is Sunny. She is my date for tonight. And the rest of my life if she’ll have me.”
She gives that knee buckling smile and reaches a hand out for him to kiss.
My fucking girl.
Governor Goodman takes her hand and presses his lips to her skin. It makes me want to wire his lips shut. But if he did anything less for her, I’d have him on his knees begging forgiveness.
I pull her closer into me so he knows to back the fuck off.
“We wouldn’t have been able to do it without Tyler here. He has a sway that I don’t.” Goodman releases her hand as he sees my warning stare on him. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I better be finding my wife. I’ll find you later, Tyler,” Goodman gives a fake strained smile and takes off into the crowds.
“One down, a whole lot more to go,” I whisper in Sunny’s ear.
SUNNY
Tyler plays a role tonight, one that I’m not used to as we walk around the venue, greeting all the people here and diving into business and political conversations.
He’s significantly younger than the majority of the people here, yet he holds them like little puppets attached to strings he controls.
I watch as they follow his mannerisms, leave space for his voice, and make room for him whenever he approaches a conversation.
They know who he is, what he can do, the way he and his father hold the secrets, the livelihoods, everything of these people. One misstep from them, and Tyler can have their world come crashing down. His value goes beyond the money in his pockets.
We answer the same questions over and over about who I am, how we met, and soon enough my name is rolling off tongues of people I didn’t even meet.
“Who is she?” A woman whispers to another behind us.
Tyler turns around looking at them. “The best damn part of my day.”
The look on Shelby’s face was priceless when Tyler and I made our appearance. The look on Governor Goodman’s and Mitchell’s were even better.
Standing by his side, I don’t feel like the rest of the women here. Just as he promised. Not a wife. Not a mistress. Not just a date. No. I’m his partner. His equal. If anything, the matching scars on our necks prove that.
The venue is massive, and the amount of people filling it will keep us on our feet all night by the way Tyler’s attention is pulled in every direction. Chandeliers create a low light in thevicinity, adding to the ambiance of the music the band in the corner plays by one of the marble pillars. It’s unlike anywhere I’ve been.
Once my body got over the jitteriness of it all, it settles back into the state I was feeling in my apartment before we made it here. Tyler’s touches feel extra tonight. Maybe it’s because he’s making it known to everyone who I am to him. But each touch sets fire to my skin.
The way his hand grips my waist.
The way he lazily traces fingers down my arms, on my shoulders.
