Chapter 52
ALEX
After lunch, we drove toward the marina.
Kali flew down the steep incline and into The Hills.
I pressed my palm to the window as we drove past the house I’d shared with Aiden before disappearing, wishing he were still with me.
Kali floored the gas pedal as we whipped around the bend, snapping me back to reality.
She was driving fast and biting her bottom lip as if on edge.
“You okay, Kali from Cali?”
She forced laughter. “I did something last night with Bastian and Damian… I promised myself I would never do it again.”
“You were with both of them?” I guessed.
She nodded. “I could tell they needed me. It felt so good to let go. But still…”
“You could choose between them.”
“It’s not that simple. They both refuse to let me go.”
“Luca’s obsession with me spans years, so I get it.”
“Obsession and possession,” she groaned. “That’s how the Salvatore brothers roll. Once they set their sights on you, it’s deadly.”
I snorted with laughter. “I didn’t peg either of them as the boyfriend type.”
“They are the competitive type. Tit for tat.” Kali whipped around the bend, changing the subject. “Are you ready for your big debut with the Belles?”
“Please don’t remind me,” I groaned. “I’d rather gouge my eyes out with a spoon than spend the afternoon with Blair.”
She chuckled. “Girl, I feel you. I hate attending these stupid meetings. The things I do for my family…”
I glanced in the mirror at Marcello, who kept several car lengths from us. Kali drove like a lunatic, cutting off an old lady. Marcello caught the red light, and I knew I would get a tongue-lashing for that.
A few minutes later, we arrived at the marina.
As we walked into the yacht club, my eyes darted to Blair Wellington in all her grandmonster glory.
She wore a white Chanel jacket, black tailored pants, and three-inch Valentino heels.
I tried to wrap my head around why she wore a long-sleeved coat in the middle of summer, but that was Blair, an eccentric, rich snob.
Kali grabbed my wrist. “It’s okay, girl. I got you.”
“I’m not afraid of her.”
A flock of women dressed in neutrals and pastels flocked around Blair, all polished to perfection. Their hair looked as if they had just left the salon.
“I thought this was a laid-back meeting.”
Kali flicked her hair over her shoulder and laughed. “Maybe somewhere other than Devil’s Creek.”
Servers floated throughout the ballroom with champagne flutes and bite-sized hors d’oeuvres trays. I stared around the large ballroom, which was decorated as if we were attending a wedding.
“The Founders Ball is the year’s highlight,” she told me. “This is your official introduction to the Devil’s Creek elite.”
“Marcello mentioned this is a big deal. Honestly, I couldn’t care less. I couldn’t feel more disconnected from these people.”
She tapped my shoulder. “Have you ever attended a debutante ball?”
“No.”
“It’s kind of like that. You’ll see.”
Three women moved across the floor with a purpose, headed toward us.
A pretty blonde shot a look in Blair’s direction, though not to seek her approval.
They were the outliers of the group. The peacocks clung to my grandmother’s side, seeking her validation and love, while the three women approaching me looked thrilled to get rid of her.
My cell phone dinged with a new message.
Luca
You drive me fucking crazy, woman. When I text, you need to answer me.
I scanned the screen and noticed I had several messages from Luca.
Luca
I’m trying to protect you. Stop taking stupid risks.
I rolled my eyes, annoyed with his attitude.
He hadn’t spoken to me in days. Even Marcello wouldn’t tell me where Luca had been hiding since the meeting with my grandfather.
To hell with both of them. We ditched Marcello on our drive to the marina, but it’s not like I could get away from them.
My phone had a tracking app installed on it.
Luca
Try dodging Marcello again, and I’ll take you over my knee and spank your ass until it’s raw.
I switched the ringer to vibrate, shoved the phone into my pocket, and smiled at the woman who stopped before us.
A beautiful woman in her late fifties extended her hand to me.
She had long blonde hair that spilled down her shoulders and wore a cream cashmere dress that stopped midway down her calves.
“I’m Savanna Cormac,” she beamed. “We never got to speak at the Midsummer Night’s Dream masquerade ball.”
“You’re Sonny’s mom.” I shook her hand, noting the similarities between Savanna and her son.
“I see my son has made an impression on you.”
I smiled. “Sonny’s a real charmer.”
“That he is.” She cupped my shoulder and turned me toward the woman beside her. “Alexandrea, we’ve been waiting for you to take over for Blair. This is Moira Battle.”
I shook her hand. “Drake’s mom?”
She glowed at the mention of his name. “We’re all very excited for a change in command.”
“I’m Clarice Marshall,” a woman in her sixties said as she held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Cole Marshall’s grandmother.
Before we got in another word, Blaire stood at the front of the ballroom and tapped a knife against her champagne glass. “Can I have your attention?”
Heads snapped in my grandmonster’s direction. Those loyal to Blair hovered around her. Others floated throughout the room as if unsure where to go. I had no intention of taking the Belles away from Blair.
Another message from Luca buzzed in my pocket, then another. He kept secrets from me so he could wait until after the meeting.
After Blaire talked about the Founders’ Ball for twenty minutes, she begrudgingly introduced me to the Belles. I shook at least two dozen hands, attempting to memorize their names and faces. We drank champagne and exchanged formalities about my family and Luca.
Several flutes of champagne later, the alcohol had gone to my head.
I needed a minute alone to gather my thoughts.
I leaned into Kali’s shoulder and whispered that I would be right back.
Then I rushed out of the ballroom, desperate for a break.
As I crept down the hallway, I rounded the corner.
And before I slipped into the bathroom, someone clutched my shoulder from behind and shoved me into a dark room.