“Well, she was stupid enough to believe that she was taking vitamins instead of birth control pills,” Oliver stated and puffed his chest up. “How dumb can you be?”
Aaron froze, and beyond Oliver, Cain snapped his head towards Oliver quicker than a speeding bullet. His eyes narrowed, and I wondered what was going through Cain’s mind. He’d been nice to me, and I hated him thinking badly of me. Somehow his reaction meant more than Devon’s.
“Takes a special kind of idiot to take tablets and not know what they were,” Eve tittered.
“Takes a special kind of whore to have a blow job forced on her. Was the diamond ring worth it? Starla said you were choking rather desperately,” Oceane snapped, and my eyes widened. Wow, Oceane had no intention of holding back. Then again, neither did Oliver nor Eve. I was grateful my mask covered my face because otherwise my embarrassment would be on display for everyone.
“Did you just admit to a felony?” Aaron quickly asked. Silence fell as the peanut gallery watched, entranced.
“What?” Oliver demanded.
“Did you fucking idiots confess to a crime? Drugging someone without their knowledge and agreement is against the law. You told Alicia they were vitamins, but they were birth control. There’s over a hundred witnesses to that, Kensington, you fuckin’ prick,” Cain snarled as Oliver paled. Cain stomped forward and towered over Oliver, who looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him.
“I didn’t say that,” Oliver denied, stammering.
Whispers rose around us as Eve flushed red as Zinnia laughed. “Who’s dumb now, fuckers?” she taunted.
“You are such hateful women!” Eve hissed. “People don’t like you. They’re frightened of you.”
“They should be. Because we don’t stand there making a scene without having the balls to back it up. Cross us and we’ll come for you, and wewilldestroy you,” Oceane stated seriously.
“Eve, come. They’re clearly on some sort of deluded power trip. Mystique, I’m going to be rethinking our future.”
“Go ahead,” I said finally. I waved an unconcerned hand and turned away. Voices rose as the gossip gained traction. Ryder seemed to sense I was ready to run, and he hauled me against his side. Oceane took my other and wrapped her arm around me, crossing over Ryder’s.
“Watch out, Oliver will spread rumours you’re having a threesome next,” Zinnia said loudly as she turned her back on Oliver, too.
I could feel the heat radiating off Oliver as my friends effectively dismissed him. Devon stood close by, concern evident. He raised an eyebrow, and I knew what he was asking. I nodded slightly, and his face relaxed. Devon sent me a reassuring smile and continued talking to a woman I vaguely recognised.
Eyes bored into me, and I felt threatened. I was sure it was Oliver, but I was too scared to turn around. Therefore, I was shocked when a large hand touched my back and my body sprang to awareness.
Cain.
“Would you mind if I borrowed Mystique for a few moments?”
Aaron held his gaze. “That’s her choice.”
“Actually, can we talk later?” I murmured lightly, laying my fingers on Cain’s arm. “I’m just about to do something.”
Cain moved into my direct line of sight and captured my gaze. Those ice-green eyes were as hard as stone as he bent his head. “After your announcement, you’re mine,” he murmured. Anyone else would have taken that as a threat, not me. Cain would never hurt me; I was one hundred and ten per cent certain of that. I nodded as my mouth dried at his closeness, and his gaze softened briefly as I swallowed.
Cain raised a hand and moved a strand of hair out of the way. “You know I’d never harm you.”
For a moment I relaxed into his words, and then my eyes widened in alarm. Had Cain guessed who I was? A slight, knowing smile crossed his lips.
“Mystique, are you ready?” Devon asked, approaching. His gaze flicked between Cain and me with puzzlement. Devon clearly wondered what Cain was doing here. “Mr Russell, I’m Devon Harrison.”
“I’m aware of who you are. Congratulations on what you’ve achieved so far. This is my business card; if you require any help, please call. I believe we have a certain person in common who we both wish to see… put in his place,” Cain stated.
Did Cain mean Oliver? Was Cain annoyed at Oliver too?
“Appreciate that,” Devon replied. “Are you ready, Mystique?”
Cain looked between us, and awareness crossed his face. “Allow me,” he said. He picked his glass up and tapped on it. “May I have everyone’s attention?”
Everyone stopped talking and turned towards us. Even flanked by Cain, Aaron, Oceane, Zinnia, Ryder, and Devon, I wanted to flee. Oliver’s eyes bored into me, and there was a clear threat in them. A hand landed on my back, and I knew without a doubt it was Cain. He was offering silent support.
“I’d like to make an announcement,” Devon said with a smile. “Zade has signed Mystique exclusively to our line stores, beginning with the twenty-twenty-six spring range.”
