“Of course. I’ll catch you both later.” He laughs softly, muttering something about young love, and I register the sound of his footsteps fading but I can’t tear my eyes off Ria.
“Hi,” she whispers, her palms resting on my pecs. The heat radiates through the fabric of my shirt, and I suppress a shudder.
“Hi.” My fingers flex at her side. “Having fun?”
“More than you by the sounds of it.” Her lips twitch.
“Thank you for saving me.” Mirroring her expression, I give her a cheeky grin. “I swear if I had to hear him talk about how he loves driving those balls down the green anymore, I would have asked him to hit me in mine just so I could have a reason to escape.”
“Why do your conversations always revolve around balls?” She giggles, turning so she’s tucked into my side as we start to move through the ballroom toward our table where our friends are now gathered.
“They’re fun to talk about, Ri Ri.”
“What is fun to talk about?” Hunter asks when we reach the group. He frowns at my hold on Ria, but he quickly masks it before kissing Jade on the top of her head.
“Balls,” Ria and I say at the same time and then both start laughing uncontrollably.
“Okay, how much have you two been drinking?” Grace questions, moving into the group and passing Deacon his scotch as he gives her an appreciative smile.
“I’m perfectly sober, thank you, but I won’t say no to a glass of something.” Ria nudges my arm and I roll my eyes playfully.
“Yes, boss.”
“Oh, I love that.” Lily’s voice filters through, and I can tell by her tone she is about to say something that will either shock usor have us in stitches. “Does he kiss your shoes while you call him a good boy?”
“Lily.” Marcus shakes his head next to her.
“What? I bet he looks good on his knees, or with a collar.” She shrugs.
“Jesus, woman, we need to find you a filter.”
“You love my unfiltered mouth.” She kisses him and he smiles against her lips as everyone erupts into laughter around them. But I don’t miss the slight flush of color on Ria’s cheeks.
Before I can go to get her a drink, the sound of someone tapping their fork against a glass stops me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?” We all turn toward the sound of Cole’s voice over the rumble of conversations around us. “I hope you all are having a wonderful evening, and dig deep.” He eyes the crowd, and there is a titter of laughter from the room, and Ria nudges my shoulder.
“There’s a signed Celine vinyl,” she mumbles out of the corner of her mouth.
“Already put my bid in; it was calling my name earlier.”
“Of course it was.” She gives me a wry smile just as Cole continues.
“Anyway, I know you’ll all help us make our target this evening, but I would like to introduce someone up here who would like to say a few words. Mr. St. Claire, is now a good time?”
“Absolutely.” Ezra’s booming voice carries over everyone, and instinctively the hold I have on Ria tightens, as I watch him swagger up to the front of the room and shake Cole’s hand. Cole claps him on the back, causing my spine to straighten. Could Cole and Ezra be closer than we originally thought? My brain goes to Dale, and I wonder if he has any connections with the West family. Craning my neck, I scan the room for him, but he is nowhere to be seen.
“Thank you, Cole,” Ezra’s voice booms as Cole moves off to one side and Ezra focuses his attention on the crowd.
“What is going on?” Ria whispers next to me, and I tighten my protective hold on her.
“No idea.”
“I won’t keep you long.” Ezra’s cold eyes meet mine, and I swear whatever he has planned is meant to shock and is also completely for our benefit. “I’m sure you all want to enjoy the evening and hopefully bid on some amazing prizes and give plenty of money to this incredible charity.”God, I want to punch his cocky face. What the hell is he playing at?
“Trixie?” He breaks our stare down and plasters a fake-as-shit smile on his face as he theatrically looks around the ballroom. “Where’s my girl?” I sense all of the girls next to me tense as the crowd parts and Trixie makes her way to Ezra. I look down at Ria, and she nods and smiles at me. I know she doesn’t feel anything for Ezra anymore, but it’s still a sore subject especially with what is going on right now. Her hand crosses her body, and she grips my hand that is on her hip, giving it a reassuring squeeze, and my body relaxes slightly.
The girls, Jade and Lily in particular, are cautious of Ezra with Trixie. But it’s Beck who is hurting the most. He is broken right now. Watching the woman you love fall for another man does something to you. My chest tightens at the thought. Catching his eye from where he stands next to Deacon, I notice his brow furrow, and his hands ball into fists at his sides when Trixie reaches Ezra and he takes her hands in his.
