2. Scarlet
Chapter 2
Scarlet
My gaze skims over the crowd of impeccably dressed attendees. Unsurprisingly, the event is being held in one of the best restaurants in the city, privately booked, just for us. There can’t be more than fifty people here, our community purposely kept small.
Today’s luncheon kicks off the Order of Saints’ summer social season. For the next several months, I’ll be subjected to any number of galas, balls, or archaic rituals, each one hidden under the guise of charity, but in reality, it’s just another game of influence and money for the Order members to flaunt their power over each other.
I managed to avoid attending the last seven seasons while I studied at Stanford Law. I chose the West Coast so I could get as far away from this world as possible. I couldn’t avoid it forever. Even with Damon’s protection, I had to come back. There are expectations for members, and even though I technically don’t have a position in the Order, my family still holds a seat.
The Saints stand tall with stunning women draped over their arms, their Unsainted offspring a step or two behind them.
I inwardly roll my eyes at their pretentious titles. Saints are full-fledged members of the Order, and the Unsainted are the initiates. The entire thing makes me nauseous. There was a time I looked forward to this, when excitement filled my veins at the idea of dressing up and spending the evening dancing, but all that changed when my family betrayed the Everettes and turned my world upside down.
I curl my fingers to stop myself from fidgeting. I don’t belong here, and they all know it. The Laurent name has been tarnished so badly I could never be anything more than a pariah, and the worst thing is it’s justified.
What my family did was unforgivable, and even though Damon appeared to have forgiven me, I can’t help but think there’s hidden resentment there.
I’m lost in my thoughts when an eerie hush falls over the room, making my hair stand up on end as the crowd gasps in unison, all eyes pointed behind me. I spin in place, hands fisted at my sides and my heart racing in my chest, ready for whatever I’ll find.
At least, I thought I was.
Adrenaline shifts to annoyance at the sight of Liam kneeling in front of me, a giant diamond ring held out between us. We’d barely gone out a handful of times, and his transparency of wanting my family’s seat in the Order makes me sick. I should have known better after meeting him through an Order contact. All they ever wanted was to get my family’s seat in the Order of Saints.
Which won’t be this asshole.
Unfortunately, I can’t just turn him down in front of all of these people. That’s not how things are done in this world. No, it’s whispers and secrets. Closed-door conversations.
No doubt why he chose this as the perfect opportunity to pop the question.
Too bad for him I have no problem turning him down the second we’re in private.
“Of course.” I put on my fakest bright smile and take the ring box from his hand, not letting him put it on me. I’m seriously starting to regret moving back here. Life was so much easier when I’d been three thousand miles away.
Liam pulls me into a one-armed hug while I comfort myself with all the countless ways I’m going to humiliate him in the future.
Not yet though. Not here.
This man has some audacity. We haven’t even kissed yet! The only reason I’d dated him in the first place is he appeared to be an easy lay, and as a nearly twenty-five-year-old virgin, I’ve become desperate to get it over with.
Of course, every man that approaches me is looking for marriage, not a one-night stand. My life would be so much easier if they’d stripped the Laurent name of their spot. Instead, they’re holding it for whoever I’m unfortunate enough to marry. Of course, that doesn’t explain why I couldn’t find anyone to date while I was at school. No one knew my ties to the Order of Saints, and I made sure to keep it that way.
I smile and accept congratulations from the people who hate me. I nod and laugh at their fakeness, just like they do for me.
No one wants me here. The feeling is entirely mutual.
This bullshit is all because the ruling families insisted if I’m going to live, they’re going to keep a close eye on me. Of course, they hide it under the facade of kindness, letting me bounce between their homes until my family’s money switched to me when I turned eighteen and I disappeared to college. My dead father’s money felt dirty, but after everything they’d done to me, I figured it was my right to spend it.
I’d gotten out of here the second the money hit my account like I was being chased by the devil himself, holding the secret of which college I enrolled in under lock and key.
I’ve been told I should be grateful. That I’m lucky, but what is luck?
Was it lucky to have my entire family killed if it meant escaping them?
A sane person would say no. That nothing could justify the cruel bloodshed that happened all those years ago.
But I never claimed to be sane.
I helped free the Everette brothers, and in exchange, they freed me.
Just like I wanted.
Needed.
I’d spent my entire childhood with the invisible collar around my neck and bidding wars behind closed doors.
Everyone wanted their shot at marrying the little helpless Laurent daughter and to take advantage of my family’s place in the Order of Saints. Although my older brother, Christopher, would have taken the head seat as the Saint representative for the Laurent family—that is, if Damon hadn’t blown his face off—whoever I marry would still become a Saint.
The appeal to marry me is even higher since whoever does will control the seat. Which is no doubt why Liam took the risk to publicly propose.
I killed my father to escape, and Liam better watch out because I’m more than happy to do it again.
As if sensing my thoughts drifting, my fiancé turns to me. “Smile. You said yes , remember.”
Oh, too bad for him that’s not binding.
I slip my hand down my dress to where a knife is hidden in a custom pocket. A little poke in his side should shut him up, right? No real harm, a little blood and a ruined shirt.
After what my family did to me, I swore to never be that helpless again. I enrolled in every self-defense lesson until I was more than capable of protecting myself.
“I’ll go fetch us some drinks.” Liam escapes just in the nick of time.
It’s for the best. There’s no way I could jab him without him screaming.
“I’ve been dying to meet you.” A cheerful voice pulls my attention toward them, and for the first time today, my smile turns genuine.
Damon’s standing in front of me, face stern as his wife, Misty, grins. She’s stunning with her lavender hair bouncing around her shoulders, dressed in bright colors that both have no business here and completely belong.
Damon’s watching me, cautious as to how I’ll respond. Will I try to snub his beautiful wife, like no doubt countless idiots have done since she’s been introduced to our fucked-up society?
I grab her hands and pull them into mine. “I can’t believe you married this ogre.”
“He’s not that bad.” She laughs.
“ Sure . I’m excited to get to know you. Whoever tames this guy must be amazing.”
A slight blush covers her cheeks. “I’m not sure I had a choice in the matter.”
I freeze at the idea of another girl being stuck in a forced marriage, but her tone is light and playful, earning a smirk from her standoffish husband.
“Well, I owe Damon a lot.” No doubt the only reason I wasn’t murdered along with my family. “So I’m happy to see him so content.”
I point at him. “Don’t mess it up.”
He wraps both arms around Misty’s shoulders in an affectionate display that stands out here. “Don’t worry. I know exactly what I have. So, you’re getting married? I didn’t think that guy was really your type,” Damon asks with one raised brow.
I shrug, not bothering to lie to him. No point anyway. All of the Everette brothers can spot them.
“He’s not… Surprise proposal. I’ll deal with it later,” I grumble.
Misty snorts, and her smile takes up her whole face. “I hope to see more of you. You should come by sometime.”
“Yes, that sounds great,” Liam says, appearing out of nowhere. No way he’d miss his opportunity to speak directly to a Lord. Too bad for him Damon’s looking at him like a bug to squish.
“You weren’t invited,” Damon says, voice flat.
“Of…of course not. Girls’ date, right?” Liam tries to recover, poorly.
Damon talks circles around my soon-to-be ex-fiancé, who has no idea that he’s being repeatedly insulted, as I let my gaze drift over the crowd.
Pretending I don’t know who I’m looking for, I scan the room. No matter how hard I try to forget Matthias Everette, I can’t help but search him out. From the second he’d dismissed me all those years ago, he treated me like I had some kind of plague, and it pisses me off.
A hint of movement catches my eyes, and for just a second, I think I see the unmistakable curve of Matthias’s jaw. I blink, and it’s gone.
“Scarlet. Are you listening?” Liam cuts in, annoyance edging his tone at my inattention. “Mr. Everette asked you a question.”
My head snaps back to a smirking Damon, who’s looking over at my shoulder to where I’d been staring.
“What?” I huff out, tired of everything that’s happened today.
“I said if you need anything for the wedding, let us know.” Mischief is evident on his face. He’s making fun of me.
I wouldn’t call us close, but he’s always taken an interest in watching over me from afar. As if he owes me for helping him find his brothers.
He’s wrong. It’s my family’s fault they were taken to begin with.
“I’ll make sure to take you up on that.” My voice is soft and serene. Everything a society lady’s should be. Which just makes Damon’s grin grow wider.
“It was great meeting you,” Misty says, glancing behind me, then back to me again. She can’t hide her curiosity when she says, “Let’s have lunch.”
“I’d love that.” She smiles wide, pouring a welcoming warmth over me. Her good mood is addictive, and I can see exactly why Damon’s drawn to her.
Once they’re gone, Liam relaxes, letting his arm drop from my side.
“Congratulations!” A man with nearly white hair claps Liam on the back. His hair stands out in a way that doesn’t match his young face. He shakes my soon-to-be ex-fiancé playfully, and his sleeve lifts momentarily, revealing what appears to be a family crest tattooed on his wrist. “You should have told me.”
“I didn’t want to waste time.” Liam shrugs, then looks at me. “I’ve told you about Trip, haven’t I? We went to Harvard together.”
I internally roll my eyes. We’ve gone on three dates. When exactly would he have told me about his friends?
“I’m sorry, I must have forgotten.” I reach out a hand to Trip. “I’m Scarlet Laur?—”
“Laurent, I know. Liam’s told me all about you. I’m hurt that he hasn’t mentioned me.”
“Knock it off. I’m sure she’s just forgetting,” Liam responds.
Now this asshole is really pissing me off.
“Do you mind if I steal your fiancé? We have some pressing work things to take care of.” The look Trip gives Liam belies his lie.
“Yes, that’s no problem.” I leave out the fact that I don’t want to be near him either.
“Perfect.” Liam kisses my cheek, and I barely suppress my shudder. “I’ll call you.”
I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t.
It’s clear now that Damon’s gone, there’s no point in him sticking around. He’s not even bothering to pretend he’s here for me. Which is good because it would just piss me off even more.
I guess I won’t be dumping him tonight. I down my champagne in two swallows before grabbing a replacement from one of the trays circling the room. I’m going to need to dull my senses if I’m going to be stuck here for any longer.
“Shouldn’t you slow down?” Oliver, my burly security guard, says in an even tone. Like he’s saying it out of obligation, knowing I won’t listen to him anyway. He’s been with me since I moved out on my own; pretty sure he’s given up on trying to talk sense into me. Oliver is in his late forties, and there’s been more than one occasion I caught him questioning why he took this job.
The Order stuck him with me without asking if having a guard is something that I want, but apparently, as someone who’s “unprotected” by men in my family, it’s not a choice.
“What? You don’t think I should celebrate this happy occasion?” Sarcasm drips from my lips, and I take another sip to wash the taste out.
There’s no teasing in Oliver’s eyes like there was with Damon. He doesn’t like what’s happening here any more than I do.
“Relax.” I grin at him. “It’s either drink or commit murder. You decide.”
Oliver hands me another glass, taking my empty one.
“That’s what I thought.”
It’s not long before a fuzzy contentment takes over me, and I begin to sway with the music. It’s been a long time since I let my guard down like this in public, but there’s only so much bullshit I can take, and Liam hit my limit.
Of course, the happy feeling doesn’t last long as the crowd’s whispers reach me. I’m not surprised they’re talking about the proposal, but it’s the way they point out he’s only marrying me for my place in the Order that has me annoyed.
My stomach flips at the idea of marrying any of these men. I want to get away from these stuffy people as fast as possible. I take a step toward the hall, but Oliver’s gentle grasp on my arm stills me.
“Where are you going?”
“The little girls’ room.” I huff out a breath, the alcohol making me sound more like a child than I care for. He’s being a little too overprotective for where we are, but he’s also my ride out of here.
“Actually…grab the car, and I’ll meet you around the front.”
He examines me for several seconds. “Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you?”
I raise one perfectly arched brow, and he just shakes his head, taking a step back. “I’ll meet you out front.”
I turn before he can say anything else and slip through the groups of chatting people, trying my best to ignore the whispers as I go.
“They should’ve ripped the Laurent seat from her years ago.”
“There are several families who are a better fit. Now we have to deal with Liam Dupont.”
A lady meets my gaze, but that doesn’t stop her from saying in a hushed tone, “ I can’t believe he went as far as tricking that useless girl. She should know better than to think someone at this level would want to marry her for anything other than her name.”
With each word, my steps turn more frantic, needing to escape. I much prefer when they gossip behind my back.
I’m still looking back at her when my foot slips, tipping me forward. I brace for impact, knowing in this tight dress, there’s nothing I can do about the fall, when I slam into a wall that wasn’t there a second ago.
My hands go up to catch myself, and they’re met with hard muscle under thin fabric. I follow the path of pearl buttons, a black tie and crisp collar, all the way up a thick, tanned neck and pouty, curved lips, a hint of a grin curling the corner.
The air whooshes out of me as I meet a pair of familiar brown eyes with gold-rimmed centers. He looms over me, several inches above six feet, his broad shoulders double my width.
Matthias.
I jolt back, but his arm bands around my back, holding me in place. My heart ricochets against my ribs, fluttering in my stomach. How can being held by a man I haven’t been close to in a decade feel so good?
For a brief moment, I allow myself to relax into him before reality comes crashing back.
“I’m so sorry,” I rush out.
He’s made it perfectly clear he’s the last person who wants to see me, and embarrassment, mixed with something I refuse to examine, crawls up my neck into my cheeks.
He dips his head to my ear so only I can hear him, and I can’t stop my shiver when he says, “I’ve caught you, Little Sparrow.”