“Why would he be killed?”
“I know you saw Russell’s face when you introduced him,” she continued.
I smacked my lips and rolled my eyes.
“Umm, Russell has a date, too, so he has no right to be upset.”
We entered the bathroom, and I checked the stalls to make sure we were alone.
“Russell has every right to be upset. He’s only with her because he can’t be with you. In his mind, you shouldn’t be with anyone unless it’s him,” Rue said.
“He ended things with me?—”
“Not because he wanted to. He felt forced,” she said.
“He gave me an ultimatum.”
“Eh, it was more of a choice,” she said with a shrug.
“And I made the right choice for me.”
I entered one of the stalls to relieve my bladder, and I heard them doing the same. We met at the sink as we washed our hands, and they looked at me through the mirror.
“You know all three of these brothers are unhinged,” Noelani said cautiously.
“And this won’t end well,” Rue warned.
“I think you two worry too much. Russell and I ended things a year ago. Besides, he wouldn’t do anything to ruin the gala.”
They didn’t look convinced as we headed back to our table. Preston stood and helped me into my seat. When he sat down, he leaned in and asked if everything was okay.
“Everything is fine. How’s the food?” I responded.
“It’s good, and I was starving.”
I could barely enjoy my food because I could feel Russell’s eyes on me. When the speeches and presentations began, I was relieved because he had to focus on something else for a while, but he kept stealing glances at me every few minutes.
An hour later, after awards and special recognition were given to donors, the dance floor opened. Much to my surprise, Preston loved to dance. He pulled me onto the dance floor, and we didn’t sit down for at least thirty minutes. I was genuinely tired when we returned to our seats.
As I sipped on a glass of water, my phone, which was face down on the table, vibrated and flashed. I picked it up and read the text.
Russ:
Meet me in my office.
Now!
I looked around and saw Gayle talking to a woman I didn’t recognize, but I didn’t see Russell nearby. I ignored his text and returned my phone to the table. Less than a minute later, it vibrated and flashed again. I sighed because I knew it was Russell, and if I didn’t go to his office, he would come and get me.
“I’ll be right back,” I told Preston.
He nodded as he sipped his drink and moved his shoulders to the beat. As I headed out of the gym, I read the text from Russell.
Russ:
Rose, don’t make me embarrass you in front of your friend.
I blew out a breath and shook my head at his threat, although I knew it was a promise. I took quick strides through the hallway and rounded a few corners until I made it to his office. The blinds were drawn, the light was dim, and the door was cracked.
