I smooth my palms down the fabric of my dress before I take it. He wraps his hand around mine tightly, silently giving me the last bit of courage I need.
And when I step out, he doesn’t let go as Jasper lifts my other hand and places a soft kiss on the back of it. Lawson shoots me one of his rare, true, and genuine smiles, while Beau looks at me as if I’d hung the moon.
For a second, standing between them, heels planted on polished pavement, I feel… powerful.
Confident.
Excited.
The venue rises in front of us—all stone columns and sweeping staircases, light pouring from the massive windows. Crystal chandeliers are glowing through the glass, and valets and waiters move about like a perfectly choreographed dance. Women in gowns. Men in suits. The low hum of wealth and influence.
It’s opulent in a way I don’t imagine most people picture when they picture Montana.
And yet… there’s no doubt in my mind that this state runs on functions like these.
I can feel Lawson’s eyes on me, so I look over at him and find him studying me. “You good?” he mouths.
I nod.
“Do you see him anywhere?” Lincoln asks his brother quietly. It’s so quiet that I almost wonder if he didn’t mean for me to hear it at all.
My pulse stutters.
Lawson’s gaze shifts, scanning the crowd. “No.”
Lincoln fixes his posture, and when he sees me looking up at him, he smiles back down at me.
Yeah, wasn’t supposed to hear that.
We move as a unit up the steps.
Inside, it’s evenmorethan I’d originally thought. White linens. Gold accents. The expensive scent of perfume and aged whiskey hanging in the air.
“You’ve got this, Darlin’,” Beau whispers before kissing my cheek.
And then it begins.
The introductions.
“Abigail, this is Thomas Whitaker from the auction house,” Lawson says.
An older man with sharp eyes and a firm handshake smiles at me. He looks between the four men standing behind me, likely trying to figure out who I “belong” to. But instead of dwelling on it too long, he says, “Pleasure to meet any woman who can keep up with these four.”
Heat creeps into my cheeks. “It’s a very strenuous job, I will say that.”
Beau chokes out a laugh, and I look up to find Jasper curling his lips in, trying not to do the same.
The man excuses himself after another minute of polite conversation. Once he walks away, Lawson growls playfully in my ear. “And here I thought Beau and Jas would be the biggest trouble makers tonight.”
I smile widely. “Looks like you got your hands full, old man.”
His eyes narrow. “If I recall, we’re the same age.”
“Yeah, but I’m prettier, so it doesn’t count.”
He barks out a laugh, and it soothes something deep in my soul.
The next few hours go about the same. All four men take turns introducing me to various people. Each of them seamlessly filling their own roles.
