Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Landon
The evening is busy but it’s also a good time.
Once we get to the cocktail party, which is kind of a kick-off for Alexa’s weekend event, Allora seems to relax.
She’s with colleagues, for the most part, and we start mingling.
Luckily, most people aren’t aware of the kidnapping, so she’s able to talk and socialize without having to discuss what happened.
And she looks spectacular as she works the room.
Her light blue dress is clingy until the bottom.
The final six inches consist of fluffy layers of fabric—I have no idea what they’re called—but they hit at mid-thigh and move as she walks.
The back of the dress is mostly open, with a scooping neckline that shows miles of skin.
She has on really high iridescent heels that show off her long legs and it’s a damn good thing I’m a professional because I just want to eat her up like a full-blown meal.
But I’m supposed to be working.
And my boss is here.
Courtney isn’t technically my boss—that’s not the hierarchy she and Daniil set up at the company and we’re also family—but if someone has to make a final decision, it’s either her or Daniil.
When they first opened the company, they offered to let me buy a stake in it.
I haven’t done it yet because I’m not a fan of permanence.
I’ve never been interested in being tied down, whether it’s to a place or a person or even a job. That’s why both the military and private security have worked well for me, allowing me to move around, travel, and rarely do the same job twice.
I didn’t tell them that, of course. I made it sound like my money was tied up in investments I couldn’t easily pull out on short notice. That part is true, but I could get my hands on it if I really wanted to.
I just haven’t been sure I do.
Do I want to be a part owner? Do I want to commit to Shadow Security for essentially the foreseeable future? I worked for Westfield & Carruthers for more than five years, so it’s not like I change jobs every few months. But it was different there. It wasn’t personal like it is now.
That was one of the things we were going to talk about at the meeting I was on my way to when I ran into Allora, and it hasn’t come up again.
But I know Daniil and Courtney well enough to know they haven’t forgotten.
And neither have I. I just hope I have a little more time to figure out what to do.
The truth is, I haven’t given it a second thought until just now.
Allora is having an animated conversation with a well-known model, her demeanor as carefree as I’ve seen it since I met her. It gives me a little time to watch without hovering, even though I’m supposed to be her date tonight.
“She’s beautiful,” Courtney murmurs, startling me.
“She is,” I agree casually.
She playfully digs her elbow into my ribs. “You like her.”
“What’s not to like?” I ask in a reasonable tone.
“Don’t play games with me, big brother. I see the way you look at her.”
“How do I look at her?” I ask drolly.
“Like you’ve never looked at any other woman.”
“You and I spent many, many years apart,” I hedge. “How would you know how I look at women?”
“Come on, why are you being cagey? It’s okay to like her.”
I nod. “I know. But this isn’t the right time for either of us. She’s going through…a lot. And I’m trying to get a foothold on a new job.”
“Bullshit. I mean, she is going through a lot, for sure, but that other thing you said is nonsense. You just don’t want to set down roots and I’m here to tell you it’s time. Maybe not with her, but definitely with Shadow Security.”
It’s like she can read my mind sometimes.
It’s annoying.
But she loves me and only wants what’s best for me.
If only I knew what that was.
“I like having the freedom—and plenty of cash—to do whatever I want.”
“In theory, sure. But in practice? What do you do that’s impulsive? You work a lot of hours and spend your free time with me and Micah. Which I love, don’t get me wrong. But don’t you want something of your own?”
Do I?
This isn’t the place for a conversation like this but if I’m honest, there will never be a good time or place to discuss the idea of me settling down.
I’ve avoided it my entire life. Not out of fear or unwillingness, but more because I never felt the pull, so if that’s my attitude, why would any woman settle for that? Or me.
“Does she return your feelings?” she asks when I don’t answer her question.
“It’s been two weeks,” I reply. “Any feelings are related to trauma and protectiveness. We haven’t had the opportunity to dig into anything deeper.”
“Do you want to?”
Lying would be stupid. She’s my sister and the last person on earth to want to hurt me.
“I don’t know,” I admit, staring at Allora, who has just thrown her head back in a real laugh. One that shakes her entire body and is…breathtaking.
Just like her.
“I think she’s special,” Courtney says softly.
“Why?” I ask curiously.
“Partly because of how you met but also because she’s resilient as fuck.
Look at her. Two weeks ago, she was being assaulted, on the verge of being trafficked or some other horrible thing.
Tonight, she’s alive. Genuinely happy. Back in her element.
Every minute isn’t like that but the fact that she’s able to be here tonight and enjoy herself is a testament to her fortitude.
And I think it has a lot to do with you. ”
I shake my head. “No. That’s all her. Yes, I’ve helped her feel safe so she could deal with everything on the inside, but this isn’t about me.”
She smiles. “When you find your person, it’s not black and white. There’s no more her and you—there’s just the two of you. And you’ve already become a couple, even if you don’t realize it.”
“What are you talking about, Court?” I give her an impatient look.
“Walk over there. Don’t be intrusive, just be her boyfriend, which is your role tonight anyway. Touch her back or her arm and watch how she reacts. Watch how natural it is for her to bring you into the fold. Go on. I dare you.”
I hate my sister sometimes.
But I’m not going to argue.
Instead, I stroll the twenty feet over to where Allora is talking and slide my arm around her waist. “May I join you?” I ask casually.
As Courtney predicted, she melts into my embrace and greets me with a welcoming smile. “Of course. This is my friend Serena Everhart. She’s—”
“Marissa from Dusty Peaks,” I interject with a genuine smile.
Serena laughs. “I used to be, yes.”
“Serena, this is Landon Grimshaw.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Serena looks around. “My husband is somewhere but I seem to have lost him.”
“She’s married to West McGregor from—”
“The hockey player?” I ask in surprise. “We’ve met. We have some mutual friends.”
“Of course. He lived in L.A. for a long time, playing for the Vipers. He’s with the Atlanta Thunder now. They’re in the playoffs at the moment but they swept the second round so they had some time off and he was able to come with me for the show.”
“They’re doing a reboot of Dusty Peaks,” Allora says. “And I’m angling for a one-liner cameo.”
Serena laughs. “Absolutely. Between Lacy and me, we’ll make it happen.”
They go back to chatting about people they know but it’s not awkward or weird because Allora doesn’t allow it. She includes me, explaining who they’re talking about and occasionally I already know them.
Suddenly a woman approaches us. She’s moving quickly, like she’s on a mission and I instinctively pull Allora tighter into my side.
“Allora Sterling.” The woman says her name like she already knows it’s her but has to doublecheck before she does whatever it is she’s going to do.
I feel Allora stiffen, and I unobtrusively step between them.
“Can we help you?” I ask.
She blinks up at me, clearly surprised that I would interfere.
“Allora.” She tries to peer around me. “I’m Caitlyn Stewart from Entertainment Lifestyles and I want to ask you about the kidnapping. Rumor has it that it was a thwarted sex trafficking—”
“Not tonight, Caitlyn.” Serena interrupts before I can say anything.
“Oh, I’m not the only one,” she says with a shrug. “I just got here first. As you can see—” She motions to a handful of photographers who are now snapping photos. “—this is big news.”
Luckily, we have a million contingencies for stuff like this. Ways to avoid drama and unwanted attention. Because this is what we do. And since Daniil is a prince, who’s often had to avoid drama even when walking away would have been warranted, sometimes…chaos is a better solution.
I turn and catch Chaos’s eye. I give him our signal and he grins.
I see Courtney grimace because she knows he’s a wild card and when left to his own devices, he’s as hilarious as he is smart and capable.
Before Caitlyn can say another word, Chaos has already tipped the DJ and jumped on a nearby table. The music changes abruptly and “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” starts to play. Chaos takes off his suit jacket and tosses it at Courtney. Then he rips open his shirt and starts to dance.
“Who wants to ride this cowboy?!” he yells.
Jesus.
It’s fascinating the way he can work a room.
You’d think he’s actually a male stripper instead of former Special Forces and an elite bodyguard. He’s a good-looking bastard, though, which doesn’t hurt.
The women in the room immediately surround the table he’s on and suddenly everything is very…chaotic. All the photographers immediately begin taking pictures, everyone is now making a circle around the table he’s on, and someone actually throws a bunch of dollar bills in the air.
“What just happened?” Allora whispers to me, her voice filled with shock.
“This is why they call him Chaos.”