Chapter 21
twenty-one
We exit the bathroom to a few condemning but curious looks from the ladies waiting outside. Magnolia blushes the deep red color I love most on her and I smirk.
“So sorry, ladies. The zipper was stuck.” I say with a shrug, and Magnolia chokes out a strangled laugh. No matter what she says, I know she loves how crass I am.
“There you guys are,” Ember says with a smile as we reenter the living room.
The girls all huddle close to their men as Eli and Everett whisper something heatedly to each other and Breaker’s deadliest stare is locked on someone outside the back window.
I follow his gaze and see the one man I knew would have the fucking audacity to show up here.
I flex my wrist, the twinge of pain from falling on it fueling my fire, all my rage focused on one man.
Aaron Montgomery, a fucking dead man walking.
I will watch the life leave his eyes and feel not a second of remorse for it. I could get over his bullshit attempt to kill me. Better men have tried and failed. But he came after my woman, and for that he dies. I feel Magnolia tense beside me and I know she’s caught on to what we’ve all seen.
“It’s okay, angel. He comes anywhere near you and I’ll skin him alive,” I say, placing a sweet kiss against her temple. Her spine straightens, and she rolls her neck.
“I know you will,” she says with a smirk. That’s my girl.
“Let’s go outside. I think they’re gonna start the fireworks show soon.” Rory says, looping her arm in the crook of her husband’s elbow.
We make our way back outside and I catch sight of Magnolia’s parents talking and laughing with another couple.
I’ll say this, her mother is an excellent actress.
To the naked eye, it seems like she’s the perfect example of what a perfect southern wife should be.
She laughs at the perfect time, compliments her husband as if they were made to be a matching set.
But underneath it all, she’s the biggest snake I’ve ever known.
The same man that she laughs next to here in front of these people has a target on his back because of her.
She’s a twisted, sadistic bitch, and she deserves everything that’s coming to her.
“You sure we can’t call Sebastian?” Rory whispers to Breaker, and I scoff.
“Who’s Sebastian?” Magnolia asks, and Breaker glares at his wife.
“Just a mafia boss who owes Break a favor.” I shrug and Magnolia’s eyes go wide.
“What the hell? Why does a mafia boss owe you a favor?!” she squeaks, clutching my arm tighter.
“I’m not calling Arsenio, princess. I wouldn’t bring it up again in such a public place unless you want him to pay us a house call. That’s the kind of shit you don’t talk about in a room full of so much money.” Breaker says.
“You want me to call Axel? He’s still obsessed with my wife, so I’m sure I could guilt him into losing a body or two in the bayou.
” Everett shrugs and Kelsea rolls her eyes.
The son of the Bayou Reapers president took a liking to Kelsea as soon as he laid eyes on her, and I’m not above exploiting a connection if I really thought it would protect Magnolia.
But involving anyone else in this mess is the last resort.
“Nobody is calling anybody. This is my mess and I already feel like shit involving all of you. I won’t put anybody else at risk.” Magnolia says, and I squeeze her hand.
Aaron stares at us from across the pool deck as Magnolia’s mother comes up at his side and whispers something in his ear before disappearing into the crowd.
To anyone else at the party, it probably looks like just another session of secret swapping among the upper class, but we all know better.
My gut twists, and I have the aching feeling those two are going to do something really fucking stupid.
Before I lose my control and rip his heart out with my bare hands, I shift my focus back to my woman.
The fear in her eyes makes my blood boil.
I wish I could take that pain from her and turn it into something good, something that could bring her joy and relief from all the anxiety she carries.
But I know it will end soon enough. I swore to her she would never know this kind of pain again and I won’t break a promise to this woman as long as I live.
“Don’t do something I’m gonna have to bail you out for later,” Everett whispers to the right of me and I shrug.
As much as I’d like to do something rash, I’d never embarrass Magnolia that way.
I want to shield her from every ugly thing in this world, but at the same time I want to encourage her to stand tall in her own strength and resiliency.
She’s an incredible woman and she should be so proud of herself.
“Magnolia Azalea, get over here immediately!” The sharp whispering tone of Magnolia’s mother’s voice cuts through the din of noise all around us. Magnolia squeezes my hand quickly, as if something startled her. The amount of fucking audacity this woman has astounds me.
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s gonna happen,” I interject, stepping in front of Magnolia to shield her from her mother’s view. Magnolia places her hand on my shoulder blade, leaning around to look at her mother.
“It’s ok, Dalton.” Magnolia says. I see fear in her eyes, but also fire. Maybe tonight will be the night she stands up to her mother once and for all before things really get out of hand.
“You think I would ever be a danger to my own daughter?” Her mother scoffs, and I level her with the coldest glare.
“No, not with all of us here. We just think you’re a nasty bitch who isn’t worth Magnolia’s time or energy,” Kelsea says, and I can’t help but snort out a laugh.
Magnolia looks around uncomfortably. I’m sure she’s never heard anyone speak to her mother in such a brash way.
She moves to step past me towards her mother, but before she gets too far, I grab her wrist and pull her back against my front.
I wrap a possessive arm across her collarbone and drop my lips to her ear where only she can hear me.
“Do not leave my sight, angel. She won’t lay a finger on you in front of all of these people, but she cannot be trusted.
No matter what she says, you are an amazing woman.
My woman. And you are so fucking strong.
” I kiss her temple as she gives me a sharp nod.
She steps out of my hold and I can’t help but instantly regret letting her entertain a conversation with this bitch.