Chapter 11
BEASTY
This time felt different.
There wasn't the nervous anticipation that had plagued me the last time Kim got me ready for the fashion show at the museum. Today, there was a level of normalcy that I'd come to know in the weeks since we'd been discharged from the hospital.
"Look at how stunning you are," Kim praised as he swept his hand down the dark navy gown that had enough gems sewn in that I looked like the glittering night sky back in West Virginia.
He'd put my hair up into some kind of elaborate twist that had taken two hours but looked effortlessly simple and classy.
My makeup though, he'd gone over the top with that.
Giving me a dramatic smoky eye with a touch of purple that brought out the brown tones in my hazel eyes.
He'd made sure to use at least four products on my lips until they were so saturated and shiny, I could swim through the Ohio River and eat my weight in cake and the color wouldn't budge.
I stared at the woman in the mirror who looked nothing like the version of myself I saw every morning. This woman looked confident, sexy, and like nothing could touch her.
If Kim knew anything, it was how to make a woman feel like a million bucks.
That actually felt stranger than the normalcy I'd settled into, but I didn’t hate it. Maybe this life suited me more than I'd thought it would.
"Beasty, you look..." Lake froze in the doorway to Kim's room. "Absolutely devastating. In the best way." He clutched his chest and butterflies erupted in my stomach.
Lake wasn’t the kind of man who was loud and in your face with his actions or emotions. Not like Kim and certainly not like Atlas. It made this kind of reaction from him powerful.
He was achingly handsome in a black on black suit. I'd learned they were all he ever wore, much to Kim's frustration.
I turned to Kim, dressed in a matching navy suit with a plum tie and white handkerchief. He was a picture of fun and quirkiness, if you could describe a beautiful specimen as that.
"We're ready!" Joaquin had been speeding past the door when he froze. "You're gorgeous." He cleared his throat as Atlas stopped behind him.
Atlas didn't have to say anything, his eyes said it all.
Swallowing, I soaked them in. Joaquin’s suit was a muted silver with a navy vest. Atlas’ was a vibrant plum with a navy button-down. All of them in various colors that matched my dress so well. I saw what Kim had done. I was the center-piece and their suits the perfect complements.
Blinking, I grinned. "Not so bad, right?"
"Not so—" Kim shook his head. "I don't want to hear that talk out of you." Kim swatted my ass and I yelped from the sting. What the hell? Kim never did anything like that. "You are a goddess and I'll not hear you say anything otherwise."
Atlas smirked while Lake and Joaquin just watched, not even attempting to appear like they were going to come to my rescue.
Pushing past them, I forced down my huff of irritation. "Let's go."
I stopped in the hallway. What was I doing? That shouldn't anger me. He thought I was beautiful, and tonight, I believed him. Turning slowly, I cleared my throat. "All of you are so handsome. I'm honored to be your date tonight."
Atlas snorted. "You say that like we aren't a sure thing." He pulled my hand through his and started walking us down the stairs. The others didn't say anything but the mood lifted as if all had been set right between us.
In the foyer, Guy was there decked out in a black security outfit complete with a vest, walkie-talkie, and holster with at least two weapons strapped on.
Books stood next to him in a navy suit and matching silver vest, not trying to hide his curiosity as he took everything in. I guess this was his first time being inside the boys' house.
Footsteps padded softly from the kitchen and Desiree appeared. "Oh!" She started to backpedal, but I raised a hand to stop her.
"Desiree," I greeted. Shit, I forgot she was here half the time. I was surprised Lake wasn't more livid I'd made the offer to let her stay, but Atlas told me he'd installed cameras for every angle of every room and she wouldn't make a wrong move without him knowing it.
I was constantly astonished at how quickly they operated. They must have had men come in while I was working because I hadn't seen any contractors here.
"You-um, you're going out tonight." She pulled her zip up jacket tighter around her body as she flicked her gaze at my dress, then over each of the guys before landing on Guy with a gulp. There was a fear in her that I hated, but there was nothing I could do about it. Not now.
"Yes. We have an event to attend. We'll be back tomorrow. Will you be okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, yeah, of course. You keep this place stocked like crazy. I'll clean up after myself. Don't worry." She was babbling.
I snuck a look at the guys. No one seemed alarmed. Books didn't even seem concerned. So this must be normal.
"You can call Holly if you need anything, her number is on the fridge."
"Great! Okay, thanks! Have a good time." She scrambled back to the kitchen like hell was on her heels.
Clearing his throat, Guy nodded to the door. Taking the cue, Lake opened the door, and Atlas ushered me out along with the rest of the guys.
Outside, there were a few more men hanging around by the fountain. They straightened as Guy came out.
My heart started to race as we stopped by the extended hummer. I suppose this was our ride for the night.
Lake caught my eye and angled his head closer. "This is a loaner from Parker. It's bulletproof and Guy had one of our men inspect it twenty minutes ago."
Nodding, I sucked in a shaky breath. I hadn't thought I was nervous, but facing any kind of ride like this, dressed like we were, and heading to the same location where it all fell apart last time, I suddenly had trouble keeping my thoughts in check.
"It's okay," Atlas murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. "This time is different. We've added so many fail-safes and contingency plans, not even the president could take us down."
"Damn straight." Joaquin stepped up next to me, shuffling his favorite deck of cards. Just that small action belied his confidence. "We're not going to let that asshole stop us from living our life, may he burn in hell."
The driver's side door opened and a tall man stepped out with a rich tan and black hair. He was attractive, but in a more rough and ready kind of way. His straight face said he had zero fucks to give and had never heard of mercy.
I relaxed. Strange that that would put my mind at ease, but this man oozed competence.
"Good evening." His accent was thick, but understandable.
I think this man must have been from South America.
That was where Lake told me Parker was from.
"I'm Jorge. I'll be your driver tonight.
I have strict instructions on what to do once we get there, and I'll be on standby in a smaller SUV in case you need to make a quick get away.
" He faced me and he dipped his head. "I was told to tell you not to worry.
Nothing will happen to you and your men tonight. "
Hot air whooshed out of me, and Atlas held me steady. Damn, I had really needed to hear that.
"We know the plan then?" Books walked around us, his gaze flitting to me, concern in his eyes.
"We know the plan. This should be an easy in-and-out job.
" Lake adjusted the watch on his wrist that held his GPS tracker.
I touched the pendant on my throat that held mine.
Each of us had some kind of jewelry or device with one and the signals all went to the phone Books clutched in his right hand.
That made me feel better too. I had a feeling Books wouldn't let that phone go unless it was pried from his lifeless hands.
Jorge held the door open as we said our goodbyes and climbed in the back, while Books and Guy got in their own car together.
Soon, we were pulling down the driveway. Despite their assurances, a clogging fear sat in the car with us. We all felt it, judging by the way we stared at each other in silence.
We were remembering.
Joaquin was the first to break the spell. "We need some music in here, or else, we're going to be exhausted by the time we get there," he muttered as he moved to the console. He plugged his phone in and soft music started to play.
I hadn't realized he was a fan of soft jazz. When he caught me watching him, he shrugged. "We needed something to calm our nerves. This was the best I could on short notice."
When nothing strange happened after a few minutes, I relaxed even more and so did the boys. It was still a quiet ride to the city. Then we slowed down as city lights passed by. Lake coughed.
We all looked at him.
"It's almost time." He met each of our stares. "Remember what you're supposed to do. Kim, Beasty, you're to be in the spotlight at all times."
Kim nodded, but I was reluctant. This was our plan and it was too late to change it now, but I wasn't happy about it. It was the number one argument we'd had leading up to today. I wanted to actually help, and all four of them were against it.
This wasn't the same as the Valencia situation. I wasn't being stupid, but their reasoning didn't make sense. For Kim, yes. He was the one people wanted to see most. It wouldn't be easy for him to slip away, and he'd be memorable to any of the people who spotted him. But me? I was a nobody.
Joaquin had argued that I wasn't, that just doing the show with Kim had placed me in the spotlight and if for no other reason, people would pay attention to me because Kim had brought our relationship into the public in a big way. So I'd reluctantly agreed.
Lake narrowed his eyes on me.
"I know. We're the distraction." My voice was level. No emotions bleeding through.
"Good." He moved on. "Atlas, you're also to stay in the Gala unless we need you." Finally, he looked at Joaquin. "You and I will slip away at some point, find the statue, and make sure it gets out."
"Understood." Joaquin finished his shuffle and neatly lined the cards back up in their stack. "Books has our GPS signals." His gaze landed on me, as if I needed this reassurance, but something told me the reminder helped him too.
"I don't know about you all, but I think he'd really fight to the death to protect Beasty." Kim rolled his lips together as he looked at the floor. When he raised his eyes, a soft smile was painted on his mouth. "I trust him, if for no other reason than he doesn't want to let her down."
"And he'll have Bishop with him." Atlas threaded his fingers through mine and started tracing his name on the back of my hand in an invisible brand. "That lady scares me, in a bubbly kind of way." He snickered, and I laughed.
It was just the break we needed in our anxiety.
We rounded a corner and Lake scooted to the edge of his seat. "We're almost there. Get ready." He pulled out a box of ear plugs and just like before, he handed them out.
The entire experience was surreal as we slowed even more. Bright pops of light flashed through the windows. The screams of the crowd seemed more muted than last time.
We each put the plugs in, and my heart raced. I kept moving my gaze from man to man, making sure they were okay with my own eyes. My attention to detail was razor sharp as I watched for signs of drowsiness, or a scent change in the air.
The car slowed to a stop, and Lake’s hand hovered over the handle as if he wanted to make sure we really were stopped.
Then he opened the door.