Believe In Us (Servite Academy #3)

Chapter 41

Chapter

Forty-One

JADE

M ost teenage girls spend their entire childhood and adolescent years dreaming about days like today. They make scrapbooks, cut out magazine pages and create collages, even window shop in every boutique, planning, plotting, and predicting what their night will be like. The perfect dress, perfect hair, and perfect date. They giggle and gossip about who will ask who, which popular mean girl - or if you are the popular mean girl, which one of you - will be crowned queen. Though most of all, the most invigorating of questions is, will he be your king? Everyone has their own king, the teenage crush they picture watching them intently as they descend the spiral staircase in their gorgeous ball gown, then find themselves waltzing along the dance floor, his eyes never once leaving theirs. A total Cinderella Story moment. Each and every eighteen-year old’s high school existence leads up to this very moment.

Prom night.

Screw graduation, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for, the day we’ve been preparing for. Well most teenage girls, sadly that’s another category I don’t quite fit into. For me, today is just another reminder of how different my life has been and truly continues to be. Scar and I stand across from Stella, who’s happens to be one of those teenage girls I was talking about, dressed to the fucking tens, looking like a real-life princess. If the dress was pink, she’d give that Aurora chick a run for her money. Instead the expensive gown we chose for her is a long, beaded off white dress with an off the shoulder neckline, long sleeves, a corset bodice, and high slit on one side. We’ve curled her light auburn hair into soft barrel curls, applying the slightest bit of makeup on her already flawless facade.

She looks perfect.

“No matter what happens tonight Stella, you are our prom queen,” I murmur, teary eyed and so fucking proud at my newfound best friend, the perfect addition to our duo.

Scar stands beside me in her bra and panties, her small bump looking like she’s had one to many tacos. Her pregnancy is a whole four weeks ahead of mine, but our baby bumps, which are already slightly visible, are about the same size. “Oh Stella you're so beautiful,” Scar adds, the two of us complete and utter blubbering messes before her.

“Seriously guys, it’s like you swallowed a whole canister of feeling pills and are overdosing. Ever since you two became pregnant it’s like you’ve become, well me,” Stella says, laughing at the realization that we have in fact become Stella Silver. Overly emotional and dangerously sentimental.

Nonetheless, here we are, though not at all how we would have ever expected. Scar and I, eighteen years old and on our way to Prom, yet instead of wearing sensual form fitting gowns and turning ourselves into runway models for the night, we’re eating our feelings and stuffing our faces with all the junk food we can possibly find.

“Okay you girls need to get dressed,” Stella calls out as she stares at her own reflection in the mirror. “The guys are picking us up at seven, so we need to be ready, and it’s already five thirty.”

“Ugh fine, but I swear if at any moment tonight I pop out of this dress, that’s it, I’m fucking leaving.” I storm off, reaching for the garment bag hung on the outside of my closet. Scar and I came back to the dorms, figuring we could get ready here since the reception is going to be at an old Castle looking mansion down the road from the academy. “What’s the name of the creepy castle we’re going to?” I ask.

“Wyndham Castle, it’s an ancient palace that belonged to George Wyndham Masters. He was some sort of noble man, descended from royalty or something. His eldest grandson Henry owns it now but not as his primary residence, it’s more of a landmark now, rented out for events like today and other charity galas. Henry is actually Beckett’s father, so I guess technically the Castle, which is massive, not like our mansions but way bigger, belongs to Beckett.”

I shake my head, of course Beck, the posh little prince, owns a fucking castle. I carry the garment bag over to my bed and unzip it revealing a gorgeous, black silk gown, shimmering with rhinestones and actual fucking diamonds sown into its corset like bodice.

No fucking way. Sebastian Silver out-fucking-did himself.

“That dress is gorgeous Jade,” Scar shrieks, carrying over her dark red, beaded, lace gown.

“Sebastian picked it out,” I mumble, still in shock, “I actually hadn’t seen it until just now.” I hold the delicate silk against my body, turning to face the large mirror in front of me.

“Well what are you waiting for,” Scar squeals, “Put it on babe, it’s going to look fucking amazing.”

I nod excitedly, slipping into the dress with Scar zipping me into the corset top. It fits me like a glove, extenuating my curves and molding to the exact shape of my body. Every part. I turn to my side, admiring the way the fabric wraps tightly around my ass but also notice the small bump beginning to protrude over my stomach. I cradle my bump, placing a hand against it, a wave of emotions rushing over me.

They’re going to see. Everyone is going to be able to see the bump protruding from my usually flat stomach.

“Jade,” Scar whispers, placing a hand on my shoulder, noticing my unease. “You okay?” I try to nod my head, assuring her I’m fine, but I can’t. I’m frozen in place staring at my daunting reflection. An unrecognizable girl with wide green eyes outlined in dark liner and gray shimmery shadow, pink plump lips, and a body that looks like she’s undergone a breast augmentation and consumes at least three thousand calories a day. My blonde hair is straightened and parted down the center, falling down my back like a blanket of gold. Gone is the reckless girl who always wore the tightest jeans and the smallest shirts known to mankind, in her place is a woman, a pregnant woman, terrified of what the future will bring. I close my eyes, tears streaming down my face as I picture the little girl who used to dream of having a mother, of what her life would be like if she hadn’t lost hers.

I’m caught in a web of lies, spun by my own mistakes, and weaved by my reckless decisions. A hell of a sticky situation.

Sobs erupt from deep within me as I crouch forward cradling my stomach and weeping continuously. Scar grabs me by my shoulders, while Stella rushes to my side,

“Oh god, Jade, are you okay?” Stella cries out, kneeling before me as Scar helps me sit back on my bed.

“Oh God, what am I doing? What the hell am I doing?”

“Jade baby, come on talk to me,” Scar pleads, gently caressing my hair. “Whatever it is Sis, we can help you, we’re here for you.”

“Scar, how do you do it?”

“What do you mean?”

“How can you just seem so at ease with the fact that you are pregnant?”

“I’m not at all at ease Jade, I’m terrified. So is Ace, we don’t know the first thing about being parents, you forget we were given the shitiest role models. What we do know is that we love each other, and that trumps every obstacle that comes at us.”

My sobs turn into hysterical laughter at her response. Love. Sebastian may have told me he loves me and I may have even said it back, but how do we know we really mean it, if the only reason we’re together is because of our situation.

“I’m pregnant, Sebastian and I are together because I’m pregnant. Our situation is in no way similar to yours. I’ve trapped him, have him wrapped around my little finger because he feels like he has some duty to us.”

“Is that what he thinks or is that some story you’ve concocted in your head. Jade the mind is a dangerous thing, especially for us. Any semblance of happiness and we force ourselves to self-sabotage, to question everything because nothing in our lives has led us to believe we deserve to be happy. But we do, you do.”

“Scarlett’s right Jade,” Stella whispers, still kneeling before me, holding my hand in hers. “Sebastian isn’t the type of guy that can be so easily persuaded. My uncle has been able to manipulate him his whole life with his ideals of pride and family that are more bogus than anything, but he’s not a good man. Bass sees that now, you helped him see that.”

“How do you know he’s not just with me because I’m the one pulling the strings now?”

“Jade, Bass loves you, he’s willing to go against his father in order to be with you. He’s standing up to the monster he used to fear more than anything in the world. Whether he ever accepts it or not Bass, both of us, are terrified of Stephan Silver.

“That doesn’t mean he’s with me because he wants to be. Maybe it’s just a big fuck you to his father. Did I tell you he did it on purpose, he knew I’d probably get pregnant and he hoped it would happen. Maybe he did it just to get back at dear old dad for thinking he could control his future.”

“Jade, why are you trying to find reasons this isn’t real? You’re doing it again, self-sabotaging. He loves you Jade, he wants this baby just as much as he wants you, and I am one hundred percent certain if you weren’t pregnant, he’d still be here.”

“He shouldn’t be Scar, that’s what I’m trying to get you guys to see. I’m not the one. Not the girl he’s supposed to be going to these things with. Prom? In what world would I have ever gone to prom. I don’t fit into this mold of perfection he expects, the one he deserves. This life, I mean look at these clothes,” I tug on the expensive material of my dress, “the money, I look like a fucking imposter. Who the fuck am I kidding here Scar?” I cradle my face in my palms sobbing silently into my hands. “I’m not Kinsley fucking Carlyle!” I cry out, my screams muffled by my cries.

I feel Scarlett wrap her arms around my shoulders tucking me against her body, “He doesn’t want her Jade,” she assures me, but I don’t want to fucking hear it.

“I got lucky, secured a ticket on the baby daddy train, but one day the train will come to a stop, turn on a fucking detour and get lost, just like everything else in my life.” I shake my head, abruptly standing and turning to face them. “He should be going with Clingy Kinsley, not me, I’m not...”

The door of my bedroom is suddenly pushed open, forcing our attention to the figures standing before us. Sebastian stands under the doorway, looking like he’s just seen a ghost, with Ace equally puzzled right behind him. His eyes look furious but quickly glow with adoration when he catches a glimpse of me in the stunning dress he picked out, his eyes fixating on my baby bump visible with the way I’m standing. “Why in the world would I fucking do that?’ he says, shocking me as he steps into the room and advances toward me.

My heart skips a beat as I watch him walk toward me, his hands wrapping around my waist, and not directly reaching for my stomach like I thought they would. He is absolutely perfect, impeccably dressed in an all-black tuxedo, his hair slicked back and virtually glowing because of how dark it is. He heard me. He sees me. He’s looking directly at me.

He tilts my face upward to meet his gaze head on, his fingers gently gripping my chin. “Why would I ever want to be anywhere without you. Jade, you are my everything. We don’t have to go anywhere, we can stay here, go back to the house, anywhere you want to go. I don’t give a fuck about any of this if you are not by my side.” Without another word he lowers his lips to mine, kissing me softly in front of everyone in the room. His hand comes around my waist, resting above my bump, “The baby is just an added bonus Jade, not the only prize.”

Tears continue to fall upon my cheeks, staining them with black mascara, although this time they’re not caused by anger nor fear, but happiness. Genuine happiness, overwhelming and all consuming. It’s a strange sensation, something I don’t ever remember feeling, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sebastian makes me happy, and I’ve decided, I’m never letting him go. Kinsley be fucking damned.

Speed. Power. Classic sophistication. I am so turned on by the velocity at which Sebastian is driving right now. Windows rolled down, wind in my hair, the sound of the engine roaring into the beautiful sunset, the sky turning purple and orange lighting up the way. I’m in love with this car. Oh and the man driving it isn’t so bad, driving with one hand on the wheel the other resting on my thigh.

“A Bugatti Chiron Noire, isn’t there like only five of these in the world?” I ask Sebastian, as I run my hand back and forth over the sleek black interior. “Mmm, so smooth,” I moan.

“Twenty,” he snaps, glaring at the way my hands move back and forth over the dashboard. “Stop fucking touching it, I’m getting hard just by the sight of you rubbing your hands on a goddamn car. If you get me hard, you’re going to have to help alleviate the tension.” I laugh loudly, smacking his knee, but he flinches at my touch. Well this could be fun.

“You mean like this,” I tease, rubbing my left hand up and down his thigh. His grip on the steering wheel tightens while he steps on the gas accelerating and making me jolt back in my seat.

“Jade,” he warns, the deep rasp of his voice only exciting me further.

I chuckle, removing my hand from his thigh and falling back into my seat. “What are you going to tell him when he realizes you’re not here with her?” I mumble quietly, afraid of his response. Bass confessed to me his father bought him this car with the condition he accepted Kinsley as his prom date. He mentioned how his father threatened him, forcing him to bring Kinsley tonight, in order to save face with her father, who he’s currently trying to convince to invest in his new hotel. He told me about the car, the dress, and his grandmother’s ring his father expects him to give to her after graduation. My heart nearly stopped as he spoke, my fears threatening to come back to life and drag me down to the darkest depths of my subconscious, but I didn’t allow it.

He turns down the long road behind the academy, leading to the castle at the far end of the large property. We would have arrived in only about five minutes, but I forced him to take me on a joyride. “Nothing,” he replies matter-of-fact, his eyes never once straying from the road ahead. The castle comes into view as we drive through the golden gates, and it’s bigger than I would have ever imagined. White stone pillars outline the entirety of the ground floor, the towers on both sides stand at least three stories high, with wide rooftop balconies on each end it’s like a fucking fairy tale. It is the most amazing place I have ever seen. After being around these elite fuckers that is saying something because their childhood homes would leave most breathless, but this place? Yeah this is what you see in the dictionary under the word enchanting .

I shift in my seat, not allowing the beauty of the castle to further distract me from the conversation we need to have. “He won’t just back off Bass, we need to be ready. If he threatened you, I need to know what it is he wants.”

“Don’t worry about it, okay, whatever he threatened me with, I’ll never allow it to happen.” He reaches over to me cupping my cheek in his right palm, rubbing his thumb gently over my bottom lip. “I don’t want you to worry your pretty little head about it, okay? It’s not healthy for the baby to have your anxiety shot through the roof.”

I try to pull my face away but he doesn’t allow my gaze to leave his, “Sebastian, you know I hate when you keep shit from me, I need to know.”

“You don’t babe, I’ll handle it I promise. Tonight, let's just try and enjoy ourselves. Remember we’re here because you want to see the look on Kinsley’s face when she sees you walking on my arm. She must have realized by now I’m not showing up for her.”

I can’t help the wide grin that flashes over my face at the mention of the bitch surely waiting by the door, her hair perfectly combed and dressed in a thousand-dollar gown. The pathetic look on her face when instead Liam shows up to pick her up. Bass told me he asked Liam to take his place and drive Kinsley here, telling her he was sent to pick her up and bring her here. I was pissed at first, Liam doesn’t deserve to have his Prom night ruined because of that bitch, but Bass assured me Liam wouldn’t mind as his date was out with the flu.

We pull up to the long, circular driveway, the valet employee quickly rushing over to us, clearly anxious for the opportunity to drive this babe of a car. Bass quickly exits the car and walks around to my side to open the door, while I anxiously wait, everything inside of me yelling, telling me I should just open it myself, chivalry be damned, though I’m also strangely aroused by the gesture. Fuck these damn hormones .

He opens the door, reaching out for me to take his hand. “Madame,” he says, a gorgeous smile making my knees weak.

I immediately take his hand stepping out of the car, but suddenly I’m pushed against it, my back pressed into the door that slams shut behind me. “Fuck baby you look so damn beautiful. I should have fucked you before we left, I don’t think I can hold off until tonight.”

“Bass,” I whimper, as his hand finds the slit of my dress, rubbing my inner thigh here in the middle of the driveway, with the valet employee merely a foot away. “You’re going to have to wait, we can’t do this here baby, not in front of all of these assholes.”

He brings his forehead down to mine, nodding against me in agreement. “These fuckers don’t get to see what I do to you, but I can’t help it, I want you so fucking bad Jade.” He kisses me fiercely, his lips ravishing mine, leaving me panting and horny as fuck as he continues to explore every inch of my mouth.

“Ahem,” Ace clears his throat, Scar and him coming over to where we are, practically dry humping against the Bugatti.

Bass growls in my ear, “I swear to God man, I’m going to kill you Ace. When have I ever fucking cock-blocked you.”

I laugh, as do they, at how grumpy Bass looks, his erection visibly hard pressing against his pants. “Bass, baby, let’s go. We’re going to get escorted out if you fuck me in the middle of the valet.”

“That’s the plan baby, the quicker we get out of here,” his fingers trail under my dress, teasing me and inching closer to my entrance, “The faster I get in, here.”

“Sebastian!” I shout, smacking his hand away. “You don’t get to fuck me right now.” Ace and Scarlett laugh behind us, the valet guy still standing nervously nearby, his cheek flushed bright red.

“Fuck, that just made me hot,” Scar admits, fanning herself. “Good thing I got thoroughly fucked in the car,” she adds with a wink. My jaw drops open at her admission, and Bass looks extremely annoyed as Ace and Scar quickly disappear into the crowd entering the castle. Fuck. Now I’m also thoroughly aroused.

Bass’s lowers his head back down to mine, kissing me softly on the forehead, the gesture so tender and intimate, it warms my fucking heart. “Soon baby, I promise.”

The interior of the castle is of course more boujee than anything I’ve ever seen let alone stepped foot in. Beckett’s father is clearly fucking loaded. The line for the elevator that takes us up to the top floor wraps around the room, those ropes they use at theme parks keeping everyone in order.

“Fuck this,” Bass says, gripping my arm and pulling me toward the right corridor. “I’m not waiting in that line. I know where the service elevator is.” He drags me down to the end of the corridor, and down another long hallway, past the staff quarters, and toward a hidden bank of elevators.

“How do you know where these are?” I ask, as he continuously presses the elevator button up.

“This is Beck’s dad’s place. Well he doesn’t live here anymore, he moved back to England, but we used to hang out here a lot after his mom married my dad. They actually got married here. Henry and Eliza have some fucked up relationship, they can’t stand each other let alone be in the same room, but it’s like their aristocratic, English blood doesn’t allow them to feud. Appearances are everything,” he mocks in a terrible English accent.

I laugh, but my reply is cut short when the elevator doors open and Bass nearly shoves me inside. He presses the button for the third floor, but slams his fist against the emergency break, harshly halting the elevator's ascension.

“What the hell Sebastian?” I shout, holding myself up against the elevator railing. He slowly turns toward me, a feral creature instantly taking his place and possessing his body. He’s unrecognizable, in the blink of an eye his silver eyes turned dark as night, glaring at me with an intensity that threatens to make me internally combust. A shiver runs through me as he prowls over to me, like literally prowls like a fucking predator, a hungry, heated wolf. My alpha. He removes his coat, dropping it to the floor and quickly unbuttoning the top three buttons of his dress shirt, undoing his cuffs, and rolling his sleeves up to his elbows.

I’m tempted to drop to my knees, to cower my head, and tuck my tail between my legs at his dominance, but I’m frozen in place. He reaches a hand toward me, gripping me tightly by my neck and pulls me into him. “You know you only call me Sebastian when you’re pissed at me,” his voice dropping to a whisper as he licks his way down my cheek, biting down on my chin, “When you’re trying to prove your point,” he sucks on the sensitive skin of my neck, leaving red blemishes in a trail down to my chest. The thin straps of my dress fall off my shoulders, exposing me and giving him further access. His hand creeps under the slit of my dress, hiking it up as he spreads my legs open, all in a matter of seconds.

“Fuck,” I moan, already needy and heaving loudly just with the soft caress of his knuckles through the crotch of my thong.

“And lastly,” he mutters, gravelly against my collarbones, “When you’re crying out my name in ecstasy.” Without warning he enters me, roughly shoving two fingers in at a time, my legs instinctively spreading wider to give him better access, my groin pressing against his hand needing to find release.

“Sebastian not now, the elevator, someone’s going to see,” I cry out in between heated breaths, his fingers never once stopping their exploration of the inside of my pussy.

He bites down hard on my shoulder, making me cry out in pain, “Gah!”

“Fuck no baby, you don’t get to tell me when I can have this sweet little cunt. It belongs to me.” His thumb presses against my clit nearly making me shudder, my orgasm teasing me with its impending arrival.

I’m so hot, so wet, and so ready. “Please, baby, I need you inside of me.” I throw my head back, desperate to have all of him, his thick erection thrusting in and out of me forcefully.

“First my love, I need a taste.” He drops to his knees, hiking my dress up further, and lifting both my legs bringing them to rest over his shoulder. I’m floating in thin air, pushed up against the elevator, as he continues to push me open. One hand pushes against my thigh as his tongue works its fucking magic, sucking and licking me with vigorous agility. I hear my wetness on his lips as he devours me, his tongue fucking me with precision as he pinches my clit in between his fingers, making me cry out in pleasure.

“Gaah, baby your tongue. God I can stand here and feel it work inside of me all fucking day.” His excitement is noticeable in the way his tongue moves faster, thrusting into me with acute force, the cool metal ball of his piercing rubbing back and forth against my clit. His fingers join his mouth, fingering me with an intensity that brings me to the edge with such ease. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m pregnant, but I’m coming in record time, squirting into his mouth as my orgasm ripples through me. I reach out to grip the railing, my legs threatening to give out on me, aching to be set down.

“Sebastian,” I whimper, “I can’t stand up.”

He lowers my legs down slowly, one at a time, his arms gripping my waist as he steadies me on my feet. “Yes you can baby.” He watches me with adoration as I try to compose myself after that crippling orgasm.

“You taste so fucking good baby, so sweet. My own personal delectable dessert.” He kisses me brutally, letting me taste just how sweet I am against his lips, the gesture making me wet and ready once again.

“It’s my turn baby,” I whisper, trying to get down to my knees but he stops me.

“Oh I’m nowhere near done baby.” He releases me, stepping back to unbuckle his pants and yanks them down below his knees along with his underwear. “Now I’m going to fuck you, thoroughly fuck you like you deserve for making me crave you so badly. For teasing me with this dress and looking so fucking beautiful.”

I nod, unable to form a coherent thought let alone speak silly little words. He grips the silk of my dress tightly in one hand, lifting it up and over my stomach, using the same hand to angle my leg up to meet his cock which rubs against my entrance. He grabs my waist with his other hand and in one quick thrust enters me, making me cry out in painful pleasure.

“Shit, yes, Sebastian, fuck, yes.” I rip open the rest of his shirt, wrapping my hands around his back under his shirt, trying to grip on for dear life. My tits, which are free since this dress gave me no room to wear a bra, I fuck him back and forth as his dick continues to slam into me. He releases his hold on my waist, wrapping his right hand around my neck, squeezing as he fucks me relentlessly. I gasp for air, his grip around my neck restricting the oxygen flowing through me, asphyxiating me, my lungs burning with the need for air, but my need to come is much more important. Somehow my fucked-up mind needs the choking, breath play intensifying my orgasm.

I try to scream, clawing my nails against his back to let him know that I’m ready, I need to come and I’m just about to do so when he releases into me causing a domino effect of emotions as my orgasm ripples through me with such force it threatens to make me pass out.

“Fuck, come with me baby.”

How is one supposed to recover from what just occurred in the service elevator? How am I supposed to stand here, in the middle of a room filled with my classmates, which by the way hate me and everything I represent, after what I just did. To mingle and dance amongst these pretentious high schoolers, pretending my mind wasn’t just fucking blown by their king. The girls gawking at me and hissing like the snakes they are when I walk by, the guys with jaws hung open, drooling as they admire my figure in the curve-hugging dress, wishing it was their arm I walked on.

Of course as soon as he looks their way, their gazes hit the floor, turning away from him in case his stone-gray eyes turn them to stone for staring at his girlfriend. Just the thought of being his sends me under another hypnosis, envisioning how fucking good he felt inside of me. It feels too good, I don’t ever want to stop. Worst of all, I don’t think I can.

I begged Sebastian to take me home, to drag my ass back to his beach house and fuck me over every surface, in every room, in the middle of the fucking ocean if need be. However, here I am waiting for the bitch to arrive.

“Here she comes,” Scarlett squeals, clapping her hands giddily beside me. She looks like a real-life mermaid in her red lace dress which perfectly hugs the curves of her waist before flaring out mid-knee into a skirt of black tulle. Her black hair is slick straight down her back, and on her lips the same dark blood red color of the dress. “Is it wrong that I’m this fucking excited to see the look on her face when she sees you on Bass’s arm.”

“Babe, play nice,” Ace groans, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing the crook of her neck.

“Well I’m fucking sick to my stomach from just the thought.” I lean my elbows against the cocktail table we’re standing by trying my hardest not to look toward the entrance. I know Kinsley will be walking through any moment now. I feel Bass’s hand on my lower back, rubbing softly in circular motions trying to calm my nerves.

“So have they arrived?” Ruby asks, appearing behind wearing a stunning gold sequined strapless gown, with Jaxon on her arm. Behind her, Stella, who looks like a fucking princess, walks hand in hand with Drake, both of them looking awfully uncomfortable being here together .

I’m not sure why Drake asked her, but I assume it has something to do with the fact Kai decided to skip out on tonight's festivities. However, according to Scar, Stella and Dragon have been going steady, hanging out quite often, going to parties together, even going as far as flirting in public with each other. Now hand holding in the middle of a school event, the rumor mill is going to be buzzing with fresh gossip once the night is through.

I hear them before I see them, the whole room suddenly goes quiet before erupting in loud shouts and chants. The Queens have arrived, only not in the arms of the kings they have chosen.

“No fucking way,” Ruby shouts out, and she is definitely right. Front and center are the last two people I ever thought I’d see in the same room together, especially not walking into it arm in arm. Carrington Prescott waltzes into the place like she fucking owns it on the arm of none other than my friend, Malachi Saint.

No fucking way. I don’t even pay attention to Kinsley walking in behind them next to Liam, nor Wynter on her right with some guy I’ve never seen before, who looks older than her, because I’m still in shock. Immediately I turn to Stella, who despite the fact she’s still holding onto Drake’s hand, is watching them with miserable eyes. She blinks rapidly trying to push away the tears trying to make their appearance, but before I can console her Drake wraps his arm around her kissing her softly on the cheek. I turn back to Kai, who’s watching us, surely seeing what is happening between Stella and Drake if the glower on his face means anything.

“What the hell is he doing here with her?” Scar sneers, and that’s the million-dollar question.

“Beats me, all I know is he better fucking watch his back. Nothing good will come from hanging around the four of them.” Drake adds, grabbing Stella and leading her toward the drink station.

“You think it has anything to do with those two coming together?” I ask Scar, as we watch Stella and Drake walk off together. He’s obviously trying to calm her down, holding her close to his body as she turns back to where Kai and Carrington have now moved to stand. However, I don’t see Kinsley nor Liam beside them anymore.

“You fucking bastard!” Kinsley shouts, suddenly showing up at our table. She’s clearly enraged, her round blue eyes glaring murderously between Bass and me. “You are going to regret standing me up, I promise you that. We’ll see what daddy has to say when I tell him that you're here, with her.”

“Do it Kinsley,” Bass growls, stepping forward and making her cower down in fear. “I fucking dare you. While you’re at it tell him all about how you failed at securing his place at my father’s table. That’s all you were right, a pawn. A chess piece daddy used to try and manipulate me and my father into letting him have a piece of our fortune. I know your dirty little secret Kins, Liam actually helped me uncover it when he went to pick you up. Daddy Carlyle is fucking broke. He gambled away his entire fortune at my father’s casinos and now suddenly he wants to invest in opening another one, the house always wins right?”

I’m stunned by everything Bass is saying, while Kinsley stands there in disbelief never once denying any of it.

“That’s not true, I’m not broke, I can’t be broke. I’m a fucking Carlyle.” The crowd which formed around us begins to snicker, glaring disgustedly at Kinsley, just finding out she has not a dime to her name. It’s like they’ve just discovered she had some deadly contagious disease, the way everyone backs away slowly.

“Try that pathetic little stunt on someone else Kins, I’m not fucking stupid. Jade and I are together now, whether you, your father, or my father like it or not. I couldn’t care less what you and Thomas Carlyle think, and my father, well I’ll deal with him on my own. As for you, you're dead to us, I found my queen, and she is ten times the woman you will ever be.”

Kinsley storms off practically in tears, but no one follows after her. Not Carrington, nor Wynter, not even Drea, Alek’s sister, who watches silently from the back. Alek and Beckett show up just as Kins runs off both of them looking back at her silently asking what the fuck just happened.

“What the hell was that about?” Alek asks.

“Kinsley is gone, she doesn’t belong to our group anymore,” Bass states matter-of-fact, all the while here I am standing beside him, wondering if I do.