I catch his last words. “…play your fucking part.”
I come to stand next to her, glaring at Daniel with all the fury I can muster. “Let her go, or we’ll whoop your ass in front of all these posh people.”
Daniel releases her like the coward he is, sneering at us. “You’re ruiningeverything.”
Misha steps forward, his tone icy enough to freeze hell itself. “Fuck off.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Mr. Stanley demands.
Oliver steps in front of me, his voice filled with a conviction I’ve never heard from him before. “The meaning is that you’ve reached the last straw. Amelia is done being treated like a possession without a will of her own. Wanting to marry her off as if she’s cattle? Do better.”
His words hang heavy in the air, stirring the crowd into a murmur of confusion and scandal. Misha and I exchange a glance with raised eyebrows, but now is not the time to be proud of Oliver.
Amelia’s mother shoots me a quick glare before she adopts a serene, almost theatrical smile. “Dear guests,” she begins, her voice resonating with cultivated grace. “It appears we have encountered a minor... misunderstanding.” She gestures vaguely as if to brush away the issue with a mere flick of her hand. “Our daughter seems a bit... overwhelmed by the sheer excitement of the evening,” Her chuckle is light, but its forced quality is evident, the sound barely conceals her distress. “Ah… but isn’t it just so characteristic of our spirited young ladies? Always adding a touch of drama to any occasion.”
Her attempt at levity rings hollow, and the crowd’s murmurs grow steadily louder.
I turn my focus back to where it should be and cup Amelia’s face, leaning in to look into her eyes. They’re wide and scared, like a deer caught in headlights. “Are you okay?” She still seems frozen, her eyes unblinking. “Ready to leave?” All she gives me is a small nod, but that’s enough. “Good girl. You can punish me later for this.” Without hesitation, I crouch down, lifting her over my shoulder, and grab her thighs securely.
As I straighten up, I turn to the audience, giving them a clear view of what’s happening as I slap her ass firmly. The sharp sound of the slap echoes through the room, drawing a collective gasp from the crowd before we make our way down to the tables. Misha strides ahead of us while Oliver follows closely, forming a protective barrier around us.
With a devilish grin, Misha waves to the crowd, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Bye, everyone. We’ll donate something for the cause online.”
“You can’t just take her!” Mr. Stanley’s voice is almost panicked, but it’s too late.
I turn to see Oliver spin around, yelling over the noise, “Watch us!”
The crowd’s murmurs swell into a cacophony of whispers, then a soft giggle comes from behind my back, a sweet sound of relief that warms my heart.
She’s going to be fine.
We reach the entrance to the ballroom, where James holds the door open with a smile. “Mr. Misha, Mr. Grey, Mr. Oliver… Amelia.”
Once we’re all outside, Misha turns back to the entrance, giving a final wave. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, folks!”
We’ve rescued her from the lion’s den.
Now it’s time to take her home.
FIFTEEN
My rumpled dressslides against the leather of Mother’s Bentley as Wilfred drives us away from my childhood home.
Oliver booked a hotel for us as we waited for the maids to collect our stuff and bring us our bags and suitcases. Now there’s no reason to ever go back there.
I’m somehow still in shock over what just happened. I knew this engagement was my mother’s goal, but I never thought she would orchestrate it like that without my agreement and in such a public way.
They did it publicly because they knew I would never step up against them in front of so many people.
I’m mad at myself for freezing so badly, for not telling them no. I’ve come a long way. I know that. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
I’m sitting between Grey and Oliver, with Misha facing us from the other seat of the car. Glancing at each one of them, warmth blooms in my chest.
They did it for me.
Even Oliver, who’s just as shy, stripped his introverted self away to step up for me tonight.
Twice.
