If it wasn’t for Mallory’s warning, I wouldn’t have known Ava was even coming. These events are everything she hated about her old life. In spite of her feelings, she fits in. Her beautiful long blonde hair falls over her one shoulder with a gold clip holding it in place.
And that dress. It’s her favorite color, coral, and backless. Her skin is on display for the world to see. My dick twitches at the sight.Now’s not the time, big fella.
As I take in the sight that is not the girl latched on to my arm, I watch Rocco’s hand dip down to her ass and give it a squeeze.Real classy.She must’ve heard my eye-roll because she turns to look behind her and sees yours truly, but she keeps walking.
That doesn’t stop me from following them to the large black marble-topped bar.
Time to act.
“Damien, what are you doing here?” Ava asks me, glaring at my date and back at me. She’s jealous. That’s a good sign.
“It’s the biggest charity gala of the year,Firefly,for the biggest names in the underworld. Gotta come off as upstanding citizens, am I right, Rocco?” I slap him on his back a little harder than I should’ve. That does not fly under his radar.
The Phoenix is about an inch or two shorter, but he’s only a little thicker than I am. If I were to size him up, it would be a pretty fair fight.
Ava leans in so only I can hear. “Don’t call me that, Damien.”
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends, Damien?” The shrill voice next to me makes me wince.
I watch as Ava’s eyes dart to the vessel of the sound.
“Oh, this is Cerulea.”
“Cecilia!” she says, correcting me.
“Right. This is Avalyne and Rocco.”
Cecilia reaches out her hand to shake theirs, but Ava is apprehensive, as she should be.
If there is any part of my dangerous upbringing that I’m proud of, it’s being hyper-aware of my surroundings at all times. After I met Ava, I let my guard down. I’ve gone soft. After the whole thing with Oliver, I knew I had to be more vigilant.
Something flashes across Ava’s face as Rocco hands her a drink. She doesn’t take drinks from anyone but Lilac, Mallory, and me. After that prick drugged her last year, she gets anxious and suspicious when other people hand her drinks. Rightfully so. But that guy was taken care of … wiped off the grid. She looks at me, almost looking for approval. I give her a slight and silent nod.I’m here for you, Firefly. I’ll always be here for you.
After some time passes and Ava is acting normal after her drink, I finally let my date drag me to the dance floor. Rocco has been totally consumed by other attendees; he has been ignoring his date. This reminds me of when Oliver would take her out and ignore her and it makes my insides coil with fury.He’s dead. Relax. He’s dead.
Cecilia nuzzles her face into my neck when Ava’s eyes lock with mine. She is sitting at the table on the side of the dance floor, rubbing the stem of her champagne flute with her manicured thumb. I still can’t get over how she takes my breath away. She could be dressed in sweats and one of my shirts and still steal the attention of every man and woman in the room.
Her eyes shift downward and that's when I realize my date is cupping my flaccid dick through my pants. I pull away. I’m a man, but this is not the time or the place. If I want to be taken seriously in this world, this kind of shit won’t be tolerated at events like this.
I bring my eyes back to my beauty, but I catch her practically running out of the ballroom.
“Excuse me, Stacy.” I release her and make a beeline towards Ava.
“It’s Cecilia!” my date shouts after me.
AVALYNE
Where the hell is the bathroom? Places like these areridiculous. Let’s have someone walk through a maze of hallways and marble pillars with a bladder that's about to burst. But, fortunately, I don’t have to use the restroom. I need air. Any air that doesn’t involve Rocco, Damien, or Damien’s date.
“Finally.” I find a balcony that is lined with white and sand-colored marble. It’s absolutely gorgeous. It reminds me of the balcony my dad has off of his bedroom. A memory that makes me sad. I get lost in thoughts and memories that I’ve tucked away for a while now.
He’s here.“Avalyne.”
Without turning around, I answer in a hushed voice. “Damien. What are you doing here?”
“Ava, I need to talk to you. Please.”
Damien Alarie.My life. My love. My kryptonite.
