Chapter 13
KIM
With Beasty's arm looped through mine, we whisked our way around the room. This was my element. Having the most stunning, fiercely beautiful woman on my arm as I covertly rubbed it in the faces of these pompous pricks, was the highlight of my week.
Not that it was obvious. It was all in the way I trailed over her sweet curves with my gaze while others tried to hold my attention, or how I couldn't stop touching her cheek, neck, and sides when it was well-known in the industry and among our other circles that I hated touch period.
These simple things achieved a level of smugness that I'd never felt before. I was powerful because I put Beasty on the highest, and most well-deserved pedestal.
The only thing that could make this better was if Beasty was having as much fun as I was.
"What's wrong?" I whispered as I turned us toward the edge of the room, slowly strolling the perimeter.
Men and women alike tried to catch my eye, but for the moment, I was completely focused on Beasty.
She had trouble pulling her searching gaze back to my face, and even then it was only for a second. But still, when our eyes met, my heart stopped. "I'm nervous, Kim." She didn't expand, she didn't have to.
A small thread of guilt stabbed through my chest. I should be more wired, and I couldn't deny the panic threatening to rise now that I let my mind remember exactly why we were here.
I cleared my throat.
Any visible signs of distress were exactly what we didn't need. I was the distraction. If I appeared off, then people would question it, speculate, and when the news broke, it wouldn't be good for us.
"I know, but we have to be the center of attention." I stepped closer to her, peering deep into her eyes as I brushed the back of my knuckles over her cheek. "We have to put on a show. Can you do that?"
If she said no, I'd pull the plug. Lake would likely flip, but I couldn't—wouldn't—let Beasty fall in any way.
Her chest shook as she drew in a shuddering breath, drawing my eye. She raised her gaze and her brows pulled low in her signature Beasty look. It did things to me. "I can do it."
"Good girl," I whispered, but even I knew I couldn't be distracted for too long. Continuing our walk around the room, I discreetly scoped out the next person I wanted to taunt.
Atlas sidled up to us, placing his hand on the small of Beasty's back. "Did you notice the man in the navy suit? Low cut taper fade on my left?" His words were barely a breath as he grinned like he was excited to be here.
Such a faker.
"Mm," I hummed a negative and took a step ahead to try and find him. There, just out of the corner of my eyes, I saw him. He stood off to the side, drink in hand, not engaged in conversation with anyone but instead watching us. He wasn't even trying to be discreet about it.
Atlas moved up to cover my view, and we walked farther away from the man.
"I see him. What about it?" He was suspicious, but I didn't recognize him.
"He came in at the tail end of the presentation. He's been walking around on his own, splitting his time watching either you two or me. I don't like it."
I pressed my lips together in an amateur show of emotion before affecting my signature smile.
"Are you sure it's us he's watching?" Beasty raised her brows in an open gesture miles away from her fierce resting face. She was a quick study and I couldn't be prouder of her.
"Sure." Atlas glanced behind us and a short sigh escaped. "They're back. I don't know when, but they're at the drinks table having a damned good time."
I did turn this time. Lake and Joaquin were propped up on one of the drink tables, laughing with an older couple.
Excitement tore through me and when I looked at Beasty, she mirrored my expression. We were good. I was certain of it. That meant our plan worked—
"Excuse me," a grating feminine voice said from behind us.
We turned and a woman stood there, maybe around thirty with faint smile lines around her mouth and an understated outfit that screamed wealth to the people familiar with the brands she wore.
Even her make-up was done so elegantly, she had to have called in a professional.
"Hello," I said softly, curling my arm around Beasty.
"I'm your biggest fan." Her eyes were bright as she shifted her gaze from me to Atlas, and then back again. I understood it. Atlas wasn't as approachable as I was. Even now, he quirked a brow at her as he inched closer to Beasty.
If he wasn't careful, people would make their assumptions about us before we were ready.
"Thank you for your support—"
"Of course!" she cut me off, taking a step closer.
I tensed, and Beasty bristled in reaction. Forcing myself to relax, I cupped the back of Beasty's neck giving her a squeeze to let her know I was okay.
"Can I have a picture?"
I let the smile stretch over my face, but my mind was racing. Would this be beneficial to us when the story broke? I wanted to check on Lake and Joaquin again, but they were back. This could work. "Sure."
"With...With Atlas too?" She cut her eyes at him and now Beasty was practically spitting for another reason.
"I thought you might take the picture?" When the woman looked at Beasty, some of her feverish intent cooled.
I didn't like that, but when I exchanged glances with Atlas, he imperceptibly nodded.
"I'm sure the love of my life would be delighted to take a photo for you. But please, keep your hands in appropriate places, or I'm afraid it would make my love jealous." My words were light, but they were a warning, for both Beasty's sake and my own.
Now that we were out of that business, I had no desire to have anyone's hands on me except Beasty's ever again.
The woman pouted as she pulled her phone out of her clutch.
When Beasty took it, I could tell just how hard she fought a snarl.
"Let's make this quick," Atlas said, not trying to play nice. I shot him a look. We didn't need that kind of negative press either. At least not tonight.
Atlas and I stepped up to the woman, keeping a healthy distance between us as we hovered our arms around her back. Not touching, but no one in the pictures would know that.
The woman tried to put her arms around us but Atlas tutted no and she dropped them with a huff.
"Smile," Beasty said flatly and I grinned. She was territorial and it was sexy on her. "You know what. I want one for our phone. The boys can post it on their social media. Just angle yourselves to the right a little bit."
She walked to the left, changing direction. "It's a prettier picture with the stage and art behind you."
The woman didn't argue and Beasty snapped a picture on her phone. "There." This time she did smile as she handed the phone back.
"It was lovely to meet you," I said to the lady with a slight head dip. She was already scrolling through the pictures as Atlas and I steered Beasty away.
"I got it." Beasty practically jumped.
"Got what?" I asked, glancing down at her.
"A picture of the guy in the navy suit. I'll show you later, but it was a great shot of his face as he was watching you all. I thought maybe Lake could do something with it later."
Grabbing the back of her neck, Atlas pulled her into his side and kissed her cheek. "I love you," he murmured.
Beasty smiled at the affection.
There was a light titter around us, but I doubted anyone heard what he said. Then when she tipped her head back, he took advantage and plundered her mouth in a very inappropriate kiss for this setting.
I couldn't even find it in me to be angry. I was too excited that Lake and Joaquin had accomplished the mission and that Beasty had snagged a picture of a potential threat.
Now the crowd really did start making waves as people stared. Several women shot me looks as if waiting to see what I'd do. I just smiled and pulled Beasty back into my arms when Atlas released her.
You know what? I pressed two fingers under her chin, tipping her face up to mine and planted a soft kiss on her pillowy lips.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
Gasps of outrage were music to my ears. Atlas chuckled and Beasty sighed.
"I hadn't realized you had that kind of friendship." A snooty voice grabbed my attention.
An elderly woman eyed us with something akin to distaste. That was a very sure way to get us to walk away. In fact, I started to pull Beasty away, when the man in the navy suit stepped up next to her.
"I don't suppose you remember me, but I was at a party a few years back and had the pleasure of being introduced." She waited. Did she expect us to recognize her? "Marlene Brewer? Of Brewer industries?"
I knew Brewer industries, but I didn't know her. I didn't think anyway. But I met so many people that it was difficult to say who I'd met and who I hadn't.
She scoffed, but all my attention was on this man eyeing us a little too much for my comfort. By us, I meant Atlas and me. That was strange. If he was here for the Pescis, he should have been more interested in Beasty. Even if he was here for Gio and Adrian, he would be more interested in Beasty.
"My dear," she turned to the man. "I'm afraid I can't help make an introduction for you since these ingrates can't even remember a beautiful woman's face.”
"That's quite all right. I believe I can take it from here." He squeezed the woman's shoulder as if she'd given it her best efforts and he appreciated it.
The woman waved a hand and without a backward glance at us, she flounced away.
The man watched her leave, then turned to us. "I was hoping for a better introduction than that, but I'm afraid this is where we're at." He gave us a sheepish, closed-lip smile.
Beasty narrowed her eyes at him as Atlas gave him a flat look. He settled on me, as if figuring I was the nice one, and I was, except there was something off about this man, I just couldn't place my finger on it.
"And you are?" I asked, sliding my arm tighter around Beasty and plastering her to my side. She came willingly, but remained tense enough that I knew she didn't like being trapped in the presence of a potential threat.
"Davies. Bran Davies. I have to say, I was surprised to hear you were attending tonight."
"Is that why you came in when the gala is almost done?" Atlas curled his tongue around his canine as he stared him down.
The man coughed, as if caught off guard.
"Noticed that, did you? I'll be the bigger man and say yes, when I heard you were here, I put on my best suit and bribed the man at the door to let me in.
It was more expensive than I'd like to admit.
Who knew attending a fundraiser for abused children would be so expensive?
" He smiled wide enough for us to see all his molars and that slimy feeling inked down my back again.
"Who knew?" Beasty deadpanned.
The man didn't seem offended as he quickly glanced over his shoulder. "Listen, I wanted to make you all a proposition. I tried to come to your club but it's locked up insanely tight. And with it being shut for a few days, I figured this was my best shot." He grinned again like we were old friends.
None of us took the bait. We didn't give one singular fuck, in Lake's words, about his proposition.
"You're not even curious what I want? Need if I'm being honest." He took a step closer, lowering his voice.
"No. We're not interested."
"Listen, I get you're apprehensive, but I've heard on the vine about some of your interests"—alarms started ringing in my head—"And I think we can help each other out."
"Sorry, sounds like you're barking up the wrong tree." Beasty grabbed Atlas' and my hands and turned, walking us away from the man.
"Hey!" he called after us and then cursed. The idiot was drawing attention to himself. And us.
Beasty walked us toward Lake and Joaquin. When we reached them, she didn't waste any time. "I think I'm ready to leave. I'm exhausted."
"Beasty is done peopling," I added with a light laugh for anyone who was close enough to listen.
"Already?" Joaquin drawled, taking in the dim lights. The music was also turning up in volume, preparing for the dancing portion of the night.
"You know us, I'm only a dancer when finger paints are involved." I squeezed Beasty's hand and Atlas snickered. I knew that was a good reference.
Beasty grinned, her face lighting up in a way I'd never seen before.
All of us were momentarily stunned. Lake shook his head, the first to break out of the enamorment. "I'll shoot a text to our driver. He said he'd be a five minute drive, so we can probably head to the exit." Lake had also raised his voice as he started leading the way.
A woman stepped into his path, glaring at Lake with so much hatred and pain it didn't take a genius to know this woman had feelings for him. "Not now, Celeste." He put a palm out and shooed her away. The woman actually stepped to the side as her ears turned bright red.
Beasty coughed uncomfortably as we walked by.
Joaquin and Atlas started talking about how amazing the event was, total bullshit, but they were loud. Heads turned and that was exactly what we wanted, people to see all five of us leave together, just like we'd arrived together.
There were a handful of attendees waiting under the awning as Jorge pulled up. He got out and ran around to the back door, opening it for us.
He winked at Beasty as she climbed in and once we were all secure in the back, he shut the door. My chest squeezed as I waited for him to get back in the driver's seat. Even Joaquin's hands gripped the seat on either side of him as he watched Jorge make his way around the hood through the glass.
We were all on edge, waiting for the worst to happen.