Chapter 21 #2
I’m in Remy’s strong arms as he dances with me.
There’s no dance floor, but I don’t think he cares.
We’re in a corner away from everyone, while he smoothly turns me in a circle.
While some would hate charity events, I don’t mind them.
The cause is solid, and I did a little research at the bar while Remy got me another drink earlier.
There’s no issues with any of the people involved in the Let Kids Be Kids organization that are collecting donations here tonight.
I searched through their bank accounts and statements, searched for any evidence of fraud, and didn’t find anything.
I gave in and placed a few bids on items that were in the silent auction, but if I don’t win anything, I’ll just donate a check.
I am all for safe places for kids to play, hang out after school, and do homework.
“You’re so pretty,” Remy whispers in my ear.
“Thank you. I snagged a pretty gorgeous alpha tonight,” I reply, brushing my lips against his.
Is making out at a charity event allowed?
He smiles against my lips and deepens the kiss before growling softly.
“I’m ready to throw you over my shoulder and take you home,” he says.
“I’m almost ready to let you,” I chuckle.
“Argh, I guess there’s one more person I need to speak to before we go,” he grumbles, grabbing my hand.
“Who?” I ask, following him. I notice how careful he is as he looks around the room, ensuring that we remain away from Emilia.
I can’t even say that she’s only here because I am, since nobody knew that I would be here.
“Aria, Rowan, and Drew are foster sisters that put on this event. The three of them grew up together, and each year, decide to fund a new project for the city,” he says.
I knew the names of the organizers, but this provides insight to why they have charity events at all.
“I definitely want to meet them,” I say excitedly.
Remy manages to track them down, and introduces me.
“I’m new to your organization, but I’m learning more as I’m here,” I say honestly.
“We aren’t really big on media attention,” Aria explains. She appears to be the youngest of the three women, and has long dark brown hair pulled back into a complicated braid. Her dress is a black cocktail dress, simple and classic.
If I were to guess, the three of them are probably between their early twenties and thirty years old.
“Instead, we work with the community, and have had people reach out to us,” Rowan says. “It started with local support, until companies in the area started hearing how we were renovating a playground or trying to clean up a neighborhood full of gang members.”
Drew makes a face at the last part. “Mistakes were made there,” she sighs. “We were young and stupid. Aria was barely nineteen, and she got tired of hearing gunshots in our shitty apartment.”
Rowan and Drew shrug together, while I stare at them in fascination.
“I lived in a shitty apartment once,” I confess. “I was younger than Aria, and I lived alone. It sounds like you had each other though.”
Rowan nods, her long blonde hair down in elegant waves. The three of them are all wearing black dresses, and at least one looks vintage. They fit in with everyone that they’re rubbing elbows with, and it appears that their fundraising events are successful based on the amount of people here.
“We bonded together immediately as friends,” Rowan says. “Foster care was rough, but it’s nice to be able to help others.”
“I have a feeling that I’m going to be outbid at the silent auction,” I tease, glancing over to where people are huddled. There’s also a large group by The Naughty Tote’s basket. It figures. “Can I write you a check?”
“Are you serious?” Drew asks, her voice throaty and surprised. It almost sounds as if she’s smoked several cigarettes, but I doubt that’s the case. Her lips are painted a pretty metallic red, and her hair is up in a bun with curled whisps around her face.
Her hazel eyes tell me that she doesn’t trust easily, and I nod as I pull out my checkbook from my purse.
“I am,” I say. I make out a check for five thousand dollars and sign it before handing it to her. “I’m always pretty serious, Drew.”
She bites her lip as she takes the check before nodding. “Most of the people here have heard about us, or have come by to see what we’re about. Remy and his pack were driving by when we were painting over some graffiti.”
“Mal pulled over and we spent the afternoon helping,” Remy says with a grin. “We’ve been coming to events for the past two years.”
“Is there a reason why you haven’t done much social media marketing?” I ask.
I know it can be hard, and sometimes dangerous. I have first hand experience with that.
“We’re trying to stay under the radar since we’re single omegas without a pack,” Rowan says.
My lips purse as I search for Emilia, making a noise under my breath as I see her.
“This may sound crazy, but please be careful of Emilia Richardson and her organization,” I say. “I don’t blame you for wanting to stay under the radar. She’s just not a safe person.”
Aria gazes at me for a long moment, her brown eyes trying to find the truth in my words.
“May I ask why you say that?” she asks.
“She has to stay twenty feet away from me at all times,” I sigh. “A judge slapped her with a protection order on my behalf.”
“Wait, she’s here,” Rowan says with wide eyes.
“And staying away from me,” I add. “I can’t stay in my own home without fear of being beaten or kidnapped. Please feel free to read between those lines.”
“I’m so sorry,” Rowan breathes.
“It’s not your fault, and I doubt she knew that I would be here,” I say.
Remy continues to talk to them, while my attention is pulled toward Emilia and her group. There is a young woman with black hair who says something to her before turning to walk straight toward me, making me curse this damn protection order.
What good is it if her little minions can do Emilia’s dirty work?