23. June #2
I take in each of them, my gaze not quite sure which one to settle on.
All three of the handsome men stare at me, their own bodies decked out in hand-crafted designer suits.
Matching, but with their own individual embellishments.
They're fucking breathtaking, a sight I cannot believe I’ve been allowed to witness these last few weeks.
My heart sputters in my chest, a feeling I’ve never felt before. Not even with Coen all those years ago. Sure, I loved him then, but this…this is something different altogether.
Now it’s more…whole. And for once in my life, I don’t want to run away from it.
What the fuck is happening to me? I’m going soft. I need to get my head back in the game and focus on the task at hand—helping them win this war.
Dominic slides a felt black box off the counter and opens it, holding it out toward me. “You didn’t think I’d allow you to wear those department store earrings, did you?”
But he didn’t just stop there. Next to the solid gold hoops are a matching necklace and tennis bracelet.
I stifle the gasp at just how stunning each piece is.
Handcrafted for sure, and probably more expensive than I could even imagine.
What hasn’t he thought of? At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dominic pulled out a tiara to go with the entire ensemble.
“When did you have time to do all of this?” I glance from the jewelry up to him.
The wrinkles beside his eyes crease and I’d wager to say under his salt and pepper beard his cheeks flush. “I have my ways.”
"You do, don't you?" These three, it's like they can pull anything off, no matter how extreme. Getting away with murder, securing the perfect dress and embellishments, mind-blowing orgasms…you name it, they deliver.
“May I?” Coen motions towards the box and waits for Dominic’s nod before reaching in and gently taking the long delicate chain.
I scoop my hair to the side and make way for him to secure the thing around my neck.
A section of it clings to me like a choker, while another layer creates a soft point a few inches below my collarbone, a long dangling piece comes off that making a home between my breasts, complimenting the plunging neckline effortlessly.
A chill runs down my spine at Coen’s fingertips brushing my skin as he finishes clasping it in place.
Magnus plucks the bracelet out without Dominic’s approval, obviously not wanting to be excluded from this interaction. “You look radiant, princess.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Haven’t you had enough of the princess thing?”
Magnus smirks. “Never. Although tonight, you’re more fit to be a queen.”
“You sure you’re up for this, J?” Coen skims my arm with the knuckle of his index finger.
It’s not like I could back out now even if I wasn’t.
Sure, using me could definitely be a make or break for them, but they planned on doing this without me from the start.
My fear of letting them down far outweighs going face to face with a criminal organization.
Does that make me a fool? More than likely.
Do I care? Not really. What do I have to lose?
Aside from Cora, these guys standing in front of me have become the most important thing in my life.
I’d do anything to secure their win, regardless of how dangerous and potentially idiotic it is.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about what happens if they do win.
What will that mean for us? For me? Will they no longer need me or feel obligated to keep me under their protection?
Will I be tossed aside? A used-up pawn in a never-ending game of chess.
It shouldn’t matter though. My goal is to help them succeed, anything else is unimportant compared to the greater task at hand.
I managed just fine without them before all of this, I’ll figure it out after. I can live with whatever the consequences are if I know I did my all to assist in this monumental battle.
Steadying myself for what’s to come, I let out a breath. “Let’s do this.”
Dominic extends his hand to help me out of the blacked-out car we arrived in. “Remember, this is an amnesty zone. There will be no violence or bloodshed while on these grounds.”
I glance at the dark tinted glass separating us from the driver. “Does someone need to tip him or something?”
“He’s on the payroll, princess.” Magnus hops out of the other side and appears next to Dominic in a flash, his hand outreached, too.
I slip my palms into both of theirs, using what I can to support me onto the brick-paved driveway we arrived at.
My sights skim the massive structure behind these two, and then on the numerous bodies getting out of other vehicles around us.
I swallow down the knee-jerk reaction to be intimidated and assume my fake it till you make it bravado.
I refuse to allow these people to make me feel any less than them based on their status in this cold-blooded world.
I’m in over my head but they don’t need to know that.
Coen takes his time walking around and joining us, his gaze scanning everyone around us, too. It’s then that I remember he’s the head of their security and this is him in his element, doing what he does best.
Once I’ve adjusted my dress and gathered my bearings, I slide my hand around Dominic’s offered elbow and allow him to set our pace.
He doesn’t hurry us, yet he walks with purpose and intensity, something that causes people to pause and stare.
I glance over my shoulder at Magnus and Coen leading up the rear, only further reinforcing how entirely badass we must appear.
Pride swells in my chest. These men chose me to be here tonight, not some other female.
It could have been anyone, but it’s me. I’m either stupid or lucky, definitely one or the other.
I’ll decide that once this is all said and done.
“You okay?” Dominic mutters to me.
“Mmhm.” I’m being stared at by potentially murderous strangers, what more could a girl ask for?
“You keep shaking that ass…” Magnus whispers from his spot in my wake.
Coen cuts him off. “Bryant, not the time or place.”
I hide a smile that creeps up at their seemingly constant banter.
Or well, Magnus being a perv at inopportune moments and Co snapping at him.
If it’s not Coen, it’s Dom telling Magnus to keep it in his pants.
Either way, I adore the dynamic shared between these three, no matter how serious or light-hearted it becomes.
We approach a rather large entrance with numerous men standing guard. I note the little clear earpieces they wear and their matching brandless black attire. One guy who looks like all the others nods approval to the couple ahead of us.
“Mr. Adler.” The nameless man closest to us says.
Dominic tips his head only slightly, acknowledging him.
Is that Dom’s last name? I guess I never paid much attention to the fact that they use Magnus and Coen’s last names, but Dom’s first.
“Your guest is aware of the house rules?” The man doesn’t meet my gaze.
“Yes,” is all Dom replies.
“You may enter.”
Two of the men hold the large, oversized double doors open for us.
The air is thick with expensive leather and a plethora of other decadent scents.
Rich tobacco, the finest perfumes, and something resembling apple pie.
It’s a bit overkill if you ask me. But who am I to judge in this mansion full of people way more accomplished than me?
I’m a no-one here; my opinion doesn’t matter.
Heads continue to turn, some of their sights lingering longer than others. It’s almost as though people are surprised Dominic brought a date with him.
The number of men outweighs the women two to one, each of them wearing some kind of overpriced suit or dress. Between the luxurious vehicles they arrived in and their attire, I can only imagine the sheer amount of money spent by those in attendance tonight.
A few older women catch my eye. They chatter among themselves while staring right at us as we walk further through the massive foyer. One of them breaks away and comes directly toward us. It’s not until she’s within a foot of me that I realize who it is.
Gwyneth Sharp.
I steady my nerves, engaging every ounce of acting skill I have. I have to prove myself to her in order to secure her vote, to be sly enough to get her to convince the others, too.
“Oh my.” She smiles kindly. “You bunch look handsome as ever. I’m not at all surprised.” Winnie tilts her head around to glance at Magnus and Hayes behind me.
“Winnie, it’s great to see you.” Dominic releases me to kiss the older woman’s cheek.
I run the numbers in my head, recognizing that they’re probably closer in age than me and Dom are. Yet imagining the two of them together seems much more far-fetched.
“And who might we have here?” She continues to gawk at me.
“Winnie, this is June.”
Winnie narrows her gaze. “June…” It comes across as more of a question than anything. “Your face is so familiar.”
“Croissants, toasted, chicken salad with extra grapes on the side.” I spit out the last order I delivered to her.
An imaginary light bulb flicks on above her head. Her cheeks turn up. “That’s right. I knew I recognized you from somewhere.” She reaches for me, tugging my hands toward her. “Come. We have much to discuss.”
Holy shit, already? I didn’t think she’d pull me aside quite yet, if at all. I thought I’d have to slip subtle hints in here and there. I didn’t imagine she’d drag me away the first chance she got, giving me no time at all with my three guys watching over me so I don’t shove my foot in my mouth.
What better time than now, though?