Chapter Forty-Four
Josh
Klein’s fingers flex on my forearm as we walk inside the opera house.
It’s a modern structure with bronze mirrored walls and chic contemporary chandeliers hanging from the cathedral ceiling.
A thick burgundy carpet muffles our footsteps, and empty wine glasses and round coasters dot several tall tables.
I had the driver take the scenic route along the Pacific so that she could enjoy the gorgeous blue ocean and take her mind off what’s to come.
I love the way her eyes sparkle, how she flushes with pleasure at the scenery and her sheer confidence after being pampered and fussed over.
Lareina and Fiona were right to suggest that I treat Klein to a team of experts who can make any woman feel special and beautiful.
Not that Klein ever needs anybody to make her shine.
She’s like the moon in the sky. She already glows, just because she’s who she is.
Other than to repay Elizabeth’s favor, I harbor a selfish reason for bringing Klein here. I want to show her off to everyone. To announce that she’s my woman—and that they’d better treat her with respect.
Also, the events Elizabeth hosts have tight security. Assholes like my mom and her brothers won’t be able to enter to cause trouble.
Klein lets out a soft breath. I place a hand on the back of her neck and stroke the taut skin to soothe her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just a little nervous. I’ve never been to anything like this before. Katt never took me to anything fancy.”
“Relax,” I say. “Nobody here bites. They prefer to munch on beef tartare canapés.”
She giggles, then eyes a tray on a waiter’s hand as he passes by. “They look delicious.”
“We’ll grab some later.”
I scan the audience, looking for someone kind to introduce her to.
I spot Elizabeth chatting with Barron Sterling ahead of us.
She’s dressed elegantly as always—in a magenta-and-white gown that hugs her lean figure.
Barron’s gray hair glints under the chandelier.
A bespoke tuxedo fits his frame well—he wouldn’t wear it otherwise.
He’s built like a tank, with thick bones and still a decent amount of muscle on him, although he’s gotten softer recently.
The man’s older than dirt, with great-grandchildren, and he probably just doesn’t give that much of a damn anymore.
“Let’s go over and say hello to those two,” I say to Klein.
She squints at Elizabeth and Barron. “Who are they?”
“Family friends,” I say, keeping things simple. “You’ll like them.”
She straightens her spine as though readying herself for battle. I slip a hand into my pocket and quietly raise the intensity of the vibrator. Gasping, she swivels her head in my direction. I give her a look.
“What was that about?” she whispers, her face reddening and her eyes glazing with pleasure.
“Relax. Or I’ll give you a reason to relax.”
Her face flames. “You wouldn’t…!”
“I totally would. I brought you here to meet some people and have a good time.”
“I thought you believed in the charity the concert is for?”
“You having fun is the cause. The charity is secondary. I already donate tons of money to various organizations. Didn’t have to come here just for that.”
She licks her lips, then squirms. “Fine. But can you please l-lower it? It’s too distracting, which means I really won’t be able to relax.”
The glimmer of her getting turned on makes my dick eager. But I can’t go around with a hard-on already.
I kill the unit. She lets out a soft sigh, eyes closing briefly and shoulders sagging. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” She laughs like I intended. “Now, be good or get punished.”
I lead her toward the two.
“Hello, Josh.” Elizabeth smiles, then glances at Klein, her smile still warm and welcoming. “And this must be your fiancée.”
“Yes. Ailee Klein. Klein, meet Elizabeth Pryce-King and Barron Sterling.”
“Hello. Nice to meet you.” Klein and Elizabeth shake hands. “I used to wonder what woman would nab his heart, and you’re exactly what I expected. Love your hair, by the way. It’s so pretty.”
Klein flushes, too shy and pleased. “Thank you. You’re stunning, too.”
She turns to Barron, who takes her hand and kisses the fingertips. She starts slightly, but he lets go like a gentleman without commenting on her reaction.
“I can’t put my finger on it, but you look familiar,” he says.
“She’s Katt Klein’s sister,” Elizabeth says.
He stares at her blankly.
“The model,” Elizabeth says.
“A fraternal twin,” Klein adds with a forced smile, likely bracing for some negative comparison.
Barron frowns impressively. “Hmm. Doesn’t seem likely.”
Klein stiffens. I scowl at the old man, ready to rip into him if he says anything hurtful.
“You have the bone structure of a model, but you look like a more relaxed sort of girl. The type who’d love to sit down and share some of my favorite sugar cookies and some Earl Grey tea.
Justin and Nate—my grandnephews—dated a few models, and those girls all acted like I was trying to commit murder if I offered them a nice, tasty cookie. ” He rolls his eyes. “Models.”
I lean over to Klein. “He’s really fond of his sugar cookies.”
“Thanks, I…got that.” She smiles. “I’d love to have cookies with you. If you want, I can even bake some for us. I have the best double chocolate chip cookie recipe. They taste like soft fudge.”
Barron turns to me. “You seem to have chosen well, young man.”
Beside me, I can practically sense Klein relaxing, growing open and warm.
I smile. “Thank you. I think so. And how is Stella?”
“Oh, capital! Keeps me on my toes, I can tell you that.” He turns back to Klein. “Also makes a mean batch of cookies.” He winks.
“Unless it’s a secret, I’d love to get that recipe from you,” Elizabeth says.
“My son is obsessed with baking after watching The Greatest British Bake Off. Since I have to at least try whatever comes out of the oven, I prefer that it’s something good.
The tart he made last time was… To borrow my cousin’s chef’s phrasing, ‘Only fit for pigs that you find particularly displeasing.’” She sniffs daintily.
Klein laughs. “Of course.”
“By the way, you’re coming to the art auction that I’m planning in L.A., right?” Elizabeth says.
Klein glances up at me. I make a go-ahead gesture with my hand. “You can go if you want. She’s inviting you.”
Klein relaxes and smiles. “Sure. I’d love that.”
“Excellent. I’ll be there too. You should come as well,” Barron says to me. “I’ll bring Stella, if I can convince her to get on the jet.” He turns to Klein. “She didn’t want to make the trip tonight. Too enamored with her new grandbaby to leave.”
“Perfect. It’ll be awesome,” Elizabeth says, her eyes bright. “I’ll add you to the invite list.”
“Where’s Tolyan?” Barron says, looking around. “Isn’t that his job?”
It’s true, her “assistant” is missing. The rumor is that her husband, Dominic King, insists Tolyan be present, especially when Dominic can’t accompany her himself. That Russian is most definitely a bodyguard, even if Barron doesn’t seem to realize that.
“He’s helping with the security because the team the organizers hired flaked out and sent only half the number of people contracted for.
” Elizabeth scowls. “I swear, if anything happens, I’m going to hire Prescott to sue.
” She takes security as seriously as anyone I’ve ever met—myself included.
But her concern is understandable. Some psycho breaking into your home and trying to kill you and your husband tends to make you paranoid.
“Anyway, I’ll remember to add you, don’t worry. ” She smiles at Klein.
It’s nice to see the way Elizabeth and Barron warmly take Klein into their fold. Not that I really had any doubts.
A new wave of guests comes over to say hello to Elizabeth, and an art collector starts talking to Barron about some new artists he met. Since Klein wanted the beef tartare canapés earlier, I grab a couple of tiny plates from a passing waiter and hand one to her.
“Oh wow, look what the cat dragged in.”
Klein’s body tightens, her hand flinching and almost dropping the canapé. I can feel my face twist at the smug, annoying voice. I turn around to see Katt standing with a hand on her cocked hip and a superior sneer, like she owns the entire opera house.