20. Chapter Twenty
The gala is just as glamorous as I always thought it would be. Everything is beautifully decorated, and the event is a huge success so far. I’ve been monitoring the donation tracker all night, and they’ve already surpassed the goal we set for today and the auction hasn’t even started yet.
The auction that Viktor is all too happy to not be a part of this year. The single men of the Havoc get auctioned off for a date. Usually, this is where the rookies shine, loving the attention. And usually where Becky sinks her claws into one for the season.
“How the hell does Becky get a ticket every year?” I ask Viktor.
“She gets one from the rookie of the week, stays with him long enough to step through the doors, then uses the auction as her own personal menu. I try to warn them, but they never listen. Even after witnessing it themselves.” He shakes his head at them.
Looking around the gala to take in all the hard work that Claire and her team put in, my eye catches on something, or rather someone at the bar. Two someones actually.
Amber Arrington, and a man who isn’t Thad. The thought that she’s cheating on him actually makes me laugh out loud. Which garners Viktor’s attention. I point to the bar where he sees what I’m laughing at.
“That’s not Thad.”
“I know, that’s why it’s funny. She’s cheating on him, or left him, either way it’s karma coming full circle.”
He leans over to kiss my forehead. “Karma got him the second he let you go, Skatten Min.”
“Mr. Karlsen. Ms. Miller,” I turn to see William approaching us. “Meet my wife, Rose.”
A petite woman with strawberry blonde hair steps forward from behind him, but she doesn’t leave his side as he protectively holds her close. Their love for each other shines out loud and it makes me smile for William. He’s become a friend and I’m so glad that he has someone that loves him so much.
“It’s so lovely to meet you, Rose. William talks about you all the time.”
“Oh, it’s my pleasure to meet you. He hasn’t stopped talking about you, Calliope.”
Viktor steps forward and hugs this small woman who disappears in his arms. “How are you feeling today, Rose?”
“I feel wonderful, and I’m really enjoying my new wig.” She touches the top of her head gently. “Thank you so much for the gift, and you Calliope, thank you so much for the gorgeous dress.”
William spins her around, and she giggles at him like they’re teenagers.
We chat for a bit more, then they go to find their table as Viktor is pulled away.
As I head off in search of the bathroom, I swear this baby is just laying on my bladder and kicking it for fun.
I’m so happy I didn’t wear shapewear. It would have been a huge pain in the ass with how many times this baby will have me in the bathroom tonight.
Straightening my dress coming out of the bathroom I walk right into someone who must be as distracted as I am. But then I see the shoes.
Shoes that I bought. Shoes that I saved for months to buy because Thad insisted he needed them for Christmas despite their cost.
My head snaps up to see the man in question.
“Hello, C.” His menacing voice throws me off guard. I’ve never actually been afraid of him, I mean I could probably snap him in two if I tried hard enough, but this look in his eyes is something I’ve never seen.
“Thad, what do you want?” I try to back up a step, but I’m met with the wall instead of space to get away.
“I believe you’re keeping something of mine from me.” He jabs me hard in the stomach.
“You know damn well it’s not yours. You hadn’t touched me in months before you left me for her. Where is she by the way? Still hanging on daddy’s new guy?”
“I think though, sweet C, that the media might see things differently.” He straightens, ignoring my question and I see his eyes well with tears. “She ran off with Viktor Karlsen, he has more money than I do. And they’re using that money to keep me bound in legal paperwork trying to keep my baby from me.”
A sardonic smile takes over his face.
“You wouldn’t.” I dare him.
“Wouldn’t I?”
“What the fuck do you want, Thad?”
He laughs, sadistically, a dark laugh I’ve never heard from him before. “I want you back, C. You and that fucker took everything from me. Amber sees you all over social media. She wasn’t getting that with me so she left. She drained my bank account. Got me demoted when her new boyfriend took over the position I was supposed to get alongside Daddy Arrington. So you see, I’m going to get you back. Or this will continue. I’m going to get you, and all the money that Viktor has to shell out for his kid.”
“No, Thad. That’s not happening.”
He moves in a flash, pushing me against the wall, his hands roaming down my body like they’ve never before. Each path feels dirty, like I can feel the anger he’s leaving behind. I try to push him off but he’s leaning on me, the smell of his whiskey isn’t hindering his strength any.
His lips trail down my turned cheek to my neck as tears stream down my face and I beg him to stop. My only concern is the baby. His body is pressing into mine so tightly, it feels like he’s pushing on my stomach more than he should be, trying to harm my baby.
Viktor, please. Where are you?