35. Bash
Chapter 35
Bash
Anastasia’s stunning tonight, draped in a midnight-blue gown that makes her eyes stand out. It clings to her body, flowing to the floor. Goose bumps rise along her bare back as I graze my fingers down her spine, stopping at the small of her back. I fucking love this dress.
I twirl her around the dance floor, tugging her closer than necessary as we move. Tonight’s ball is just another one in a million I’ve attended, but everything’s different with her here. My intriguing little minx has me caught up in her. She thinks all of this is a pretense, a show we’re putting on for the society to believe we’re a couple. There’s nothing fake about this. She’ll be in my arms like this for the rest of her life. It infuriates me that even this close to me, she won’t look at me. I can’t stand it. I swoop her low, head nearly grazing the floor, and my blood hums in my veins when she gasps, gaze piercing mine. She’s wild, glaring at me, and it has me coming alive.
Before she can say anything, I’ve already moved us into a tight turn, stealing her breath. When we even out, I lean in, brushing my lips against her neck, basking in the way her body responds. I’m learning every time I touch her, memorizing each one of her reactions.
That’s how I know she’s lying when she hisses, “Get off of me.”
“No.” I bite the corner of my lip as I take in her flushed cheeks and don’t stop myself from kissing her. She stiffens in my arms, but I lead her into the dance, the years of practice making it instinctive to us both.
“Sebastian Everette. That’s enough.” Her fist pounds into my chest.
“Oh, full name.” I lean in closer, reveling in how she doesn’t pull away. No matter what she says, she’s as captivated as I am. The world around us disappears whenever I’m close to her.
“We’re in public.” Her words are breathy. “We can’t do this.” Her denial is empty.
I tighten my hold. “This is exactly what you signed up for.”
Her rose-tinted lips part as she meets my gaze with hooded eyes. I lower my mouth, crowd be damned, needing to devour every inch of her.
I swallow hard, losing my mind.
She smirks, tilting her head. “The music’s stopped.”
I straighten, not giving a single fuck that all eyes are on us. The only thing I care about is pulling her into a closed room. I’m going to fuck her until she can’t speak. And by the way she’s watching me, she wants it as badly as I do.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I groan. Could I convince her to give up on finding the tiara tonight?
She shifts out of my arms, and I already know the answer to that.
“Is the ceremony starting?” she asks.
I huff. “Yeah, we’ve got ten minutes.”
“I stashed my stuff in the same closet as last time.”
I give her a wicked smirk, and her eyes narrow on me.
“Don’t even think about it.”
I raise my hands in surrender. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My thoughts are completely pure. I can’t speak for yours though.”
Her rage is palpable as she twists on her heels and stomps out of the room. I follow after her, not even caring that I’m acting like a puppy on a leash. As long as she’s holding it, I’ll listen.
My shoulder blades rest against the wall as I wait for Stasia to change. I’m standing guard in front of the closet she disappeared into. I cross my arms and take a relaxed pose, one that no one would question.
A Saint approaches me from down the hall, already wearing his cloak and mask. He’s easy to pick out. The same guy from when Stasia kicked his ass in poker. I glance at the still-closed door. It would be hard to explain if she came out of there. Not that I’d mind finding creative ways to keep him quiet, and God knows I’m not above dropping him to the bottom of the ocean.
He bows. “Lord. It’s a nice evening, isn’t it? I hear we’re doing an initiation ceremony tonight.”
I look at him, making it clear I heard, then look away, dismissing him without words.
Cromwell stiffens, but he doesn’t dare say anything. To challenge me here would be a death sentence, and he knows it. He’d already been pushing his luck the other night.
When he disappears down the hall, I knock on the closet door. “You almost ready?”
It creaks open, a silver mask looking up at me. She’s covered from head to toe, but I can still make out the red of her hair, which she’s tied back into her hood. My small smirk grows with anticipation. This is going to be fun.
“Stop looking at me like that, or everyone will know,” she whispers.
I brush my thumb over her bottom lip, tugging it down. “I can’t help it. How are you so pretty, even dressed like your brother?”
“Don’t tell me you have a crush on him.” I can’t read her face, but her voice is pure annoyance.
Is my girl jealous?
“If he looks like you, I wouldn’t put it past me.” I’m smiling wide now, loving her every reaction.
“Fine. I’ll get you his number when this is all over. Now, get away from me.” She’s tense, and I can see the glint in her eyes through her mask.
“Come on, Princess. You know you’re the only one for me.” I pull her hood lower, covering her completely. The last thing I want is for her to be caught. I may be a Lord, but it’ll still be a pain in the ass to get her out of it.
She turns her head to the side, pointing toward where the stairs lead down the Vault. She’s obviously pissed, but I just like that even more.
Following her again, I let her lead the way to the entrance, where she stops. She’s trembling, and I place my palm on the small of her back. We’re running late, giving us privacy since all the members of the Order of Saints will already be below.
“You don’t have to do this. I can get it,” I tell her, and a sliver of guilt threads through me. I’m fully aware we’re on a pointless mission and Damon’s already moved the Kokoshnik Tiara.
“I have to do this. It’s my job to fix my family.” Her voice is weak, and I hate it.
I want to call her out on it. Tell her she doesn’t need to be the one to do everything, that I’m more than willing to make her problems go away, but she’s already turning away from me and making her way down the stairs. Fuck my life.
I take several beats before heading down the other staircase and meet my brothers at the bottom.
“Where the hell have you been?” Matthias asks.
“Why? Did you miss me?” I wink.
His eyes narrow on me, but Damon’s tossing my robe my way. I tie my mask and wrap the heavy fabric of my cloak over my shoulders, pulling the hood over my head. There’s a buzz of anticipation like a live wire running through me.
I’m thoroughly looking forward to pinning her against that bookshelf, but this time, I won’t stop at kissing her. The idea of fucking her in the Vault, where at any moment, we could get caught, has my dick growing hard.
The thick wood door opens into the ceremony room, and the murmurs grow silent as I enter the hall. The masked figures are lined up on either side of the aisle, heads bowed low, hiding their faces, making it impossible to make them out. I wish I’d paid more attention over the years so I’d know which spot belongs to the Volkov family.
My steps slow, and Matthias nearly crashes into my back. “Hurry the fuck up. I want to get this over with and head home.”
I roll my eyes, hidden under the mask, and make my way to my throne. Each of the Lords has one. Damon’s is placed slightly ahead to denote him as the leader of the Order of Saints.
I collapse into my seat, lounging against the hardwood. You’d think with our positions, we’d be able to get something more comfortable. I glance to Xander’s empty seat, and there’s a hollowness in my chest. That bastard better come back soon. He’s abandoned me here. I’ve been bored out of my mind without him.
Tonight’s different though. Tonight, Stasia’s in the crowd. I scan the sea of black, looking for an indication to figure out which one is her. Part of me would hate it. Anything that reveals who she is is a risk, but the other part fucking wishes I could tell.
It’s the hot brand of her gaze that gives her away. The only one looking at me, not Damon. I can’t make out any of her features, but I’m sure it’s her.
I spend the entire ceremony focused on her. The words being said and the promises made are nothing but background noise. I’m captivated by my girl, and the seconds are ticking down until I can get her into my arms again.
“What the fuck are you looking at?” Matthias asks, his voice a gravelly whisper.
He’s going to kill me if he finds out. “I’m bored.”
“You don’t look bored.”
That’s when I notice I’m sitting forward, elbows pressed on my knees. Fuck.
I relax back in my chair, but Matthias’s attention stays on me as if assessing my every move. He stiffens. “Don’t tell me you brought my future sister into the fucking Vault.”
“Fine. I won’t tell you.” I smirk, knowing damn well it’ll piss him off. What are little brothers for?
“Are you kidding me right now?” His voice rises, and Damon looks back at us in question. Shit.
If we don’t stop, we’ll be the ones who give her away.
Matthias and I stay quiet, both looking forward, but I can practically feel his rage. It’s going to be a bitch getting out of here. He’s used to my antics, but apparently, bringing Stasia into this is more than he can take. If only he knew this was all her. I’m pretty sure she’d kill me if I tried to keep her home. Well, at the very least, she’d go ahead without me, and I can’t let that happen. At first, it was amusing to help her, but now, I’m determined to protect her while not diminishing her light. For whatever reason, my girl wants to do this on her own, and I, for one, won’t stop her…just delay her a little, that’s all.
Finally, the ceremony ends, and the Saints stand. I watch as Stasia gracefully makes her way through the crowd and out the back hallway.
I ignore my brothers as they call me and chase after my little thief.