Chapter 25
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Two days later
SHILOH
“Do not break Marlene’s neck,” I remind myself under my breath.
“Yes, I expect killing Cassidy’s mom would be bad,” Abbott drawls. “We’ll say hello and then avoid her as much as possible.”
Bellamy shoves his hands deep in the pockets of his tuxedo, having been sent downstairs while Cassidy and Winter finished getting dressed. I can tell he’s uncomfortable being away from Winter, and he’s seconds away from heading upstairs to check on her if they don’t come down soon.
It doesn’t matter that he can tell through their bond that she’s fine, he typically likes to be able to see her. He confessed to Abbott the other day that the only reason he can concentrate while he’s working is because he loses himself in the art.
It honestly makes sense to me that painting is the only time he can disconnect himself enough from a bond that takes up so much of his mind.
I can hear heels clicking on the hardwood floor and my eyes move to the top of the stairs as Cassidy and Winter appear.
“There may still be people dying tonight,” Ansel says under his breath.
Damn, he’s not wrong. They look amazing. Winter is wearing a shimmering silver floor length mermaid gown that makes her ash blonde hair look incredible, while Cassidy wears a gold one that sweeps the ground behind her as she walks down the stairs.
They’re like light and darkness flipped, and my mouth dries at the sight as my cock hardens. Fuck are they sexy. Ansel is right. If someone is an arsehole to them, I may end up killing people.
“Damn, look who cleans up like a dream,” I tease them with a smile, holding my hands out to both of them as they take their final steps down in their heels.
Winter has spent the last couple of days practicing in them, and is starting to get the hang of her shoes. There will always be one of us nearby when her feet start to hurt to lift her just far enough off the ground for relief.
No one ever notices when we do this for Cassidy. She can look fabulous in her heels without the repercussions of sore feet. We also all tower over her despite her height, so we always vote that she should wear what makes her happiest.
“You both look gorgeous,” Abbott says, stealing them away from me to twirl them in a circle. Winter gasps but manages the turn well in her heels. “I guess we should go make an appearance.”
“We’re not late,” Cassidy admonishes him. “I paid attention to the time.”
“I wouldn’t mind being late to this,” Ansel grumbles as we head out to the car. “I dislike the schmoozing involved at these things.”
“I plan to dance with Bellamy, Cass, and Winter so I can avoid all that,” I say smugly. “Be like me.”
“Yes, almighty caveman,” Cassidy laughs. She sounds slightly self conscious, though she’s trying to hide it as she smooths down her gown over her hips.
I make sure everyone else gets into the car before I pull her against me while we continue standing on the sidewalk.
“We’re going to avoid the negative self-talk, Precious,” I remind her, kissing her red lips. Her hair is pulled into a low bun, and she’s giving off old Hollywood glam vibes.
She’s fucking perfect, and I need to remind her of this.
“If I’m a very good boy, maybe I’ll corner you at the event so I can hide under your dress,” I murmur, rubbing my cheek gently against hers.
“Shouldn’t that be the other way around? Turning me on is bad,” she whimpers. “I can’t wear panties with this dress.”
“Best news I’ve heard all night. I love easy access, Precious,” I murmur. “My reward is your cum on my tongue. Also, your mother could rival Nina’s for Bitch of the Year.”
“Well, only one is still standing,” she says, shrugging.
“For now,” I grunt. “I still hate her.”
“We aren’t making my mother disappear,” she says with a smile. “I am looking forward to the public orgasm later though.”
“Whatever you want, Precious,” I promise, helping her into the car.
I keep my promises. Charity, helping others, and getting a mouthful of her cum later. This party might not suck after all.
Getting into the passenger seat, I smirk at Abbott as he rolls his eyes.
“Buckle up, Casanova,” he murmurs, putting the car into drive to pull out.
“Yes, oh great Alpha Daddy,” I tease him, doing as he asked.
“God, you’re looking to be fucked at this thing, aren’t you?”
“Is that an option?” Bellamy asks, making me laugh.
“The only way to get through these things is to see how many dark corners of the art museum we can christen,” Ansel grumbles.
“Well, maybe this thing won’t be so boring,” Bellamy says blandly.
Fuck, I can’t tell if he’s playing along or serious. The cameras in the house picked up the midnight sex he and Ansel had. Abbott and I watched it while jacking off, and then I wiped it from the camera and put it into an encrypted folder on my computer.
I don’t want that getting into the wrong hands, after all. I’m just happy Bellamy is finding his way with us. We all know that their heats will probably end up syncing very soon.
We need to make sure he’s prepared and not afraid of us. One step at a time is all we can encourage.
“We should make sure there’s an easy exit,” Cassidy murmurs.
“Henri is pretending to be valet tonight,” Ansel says. “He’ll make sure we get out when we need to.”
“That man needs a raise,” Winter says under her breath. “I swear, he’s everywhere.”
“Oh he’s paid very well,” I chuckle. “He also insisted on this since we’re taking you with us tonight. We have a few men at the event as well just in case.”
Winter nods, and I’d swear she relaxes just a little. Her run in with that foul goddamned alpha at the boutique affected her. The employees are now much more cognizant about who comes in, and she said she’s no longer left alone.
Winter has the weekend off, and I’m happy to have her and Bellamy with us. Our guys have cleared the scourge of rapists who frequented The Hug Project, and they’re all dead now but for a few men.
Anyone still alive either no longer lives in Savannah, or were visiting at the time they went to The Hug Project. I’ll be paying attention to when they return, as I don’t want to spread our men too thin by chasing them.
As promised, Henri opens the door for us as we pull into the museum entrance, and helps Cassidy out of the car.
Cass in turn assists our omegas, and Henri goes around to accept the keys from Abbott.
Henri understands how possessive alphas are about their omegas, no matter how well trusted those around them are.
Together, we walk into the lobby as Henri takes care of the SUV, and Cassidy takes my arm as Abbott takes Bellamy’s with a smirk. Ansel shakes his head at our antics, happily stealing Winter’s attention, and his small smile may as well light up the world.
We’ve always been proudly bisexual, and while not everyone accepts that, there are enough people who do. Our friends who run in the same high society circles that we do turn the conversations away from the gossip mongers, reminding them no one cares who’s fucking who unless they’re cheating.
Only then can they gossip to their heart’s content.
“Look how wonderful you all look,” Lyle says, flanked by Silas and Easton. “Bellamy, make sure you check out the private collection while you’re here with Winter. They opened it just for us.”
Bellamy and Winter’s eyes grow large, making me grin.
“Ansel and I will take them before it gets any busier,” Abbott chuckles. “There are perks to these events.”
Lyle watches as they walk away and I raise my brow now that I’m alone with Cassidy.
“Anything up?” I ask.
“I don’t think they should be left alone tonight,” he finally says. “There are people I don’t recognize here tonight, and while it could be fine, I have this odd feeling.”
“We’ll trust your gut,” Cassidy says simply, taking a flute of champagne as she’s offered one by a passing server. “Have you seen our parents yet?”
“I saw Regina,” Lyle murmurs, who is my mother. “Your parents aren’t here yet, Cassidy.”
We stroll through the museum together, commenting on things here and there, while Lyle, Easton, and Silas point out people to us.
“There are two women here tonight I don’t recognize. You said Bellamy and Winter were sold to a woman with blonde hair named Clara, and I heard that name tonight,” Silas explains. “It’s a popular name, but nothing is a coincidence in our lives.”
“That’s correct,” Cassidy breathes. “Thank you. It feels as if there’s always something trying to take them from us. I don’t want to keep Bellamy and Winter from living their lives.”
“So you don’t,” Easton chimes in. “It’s not fair to bubble wrap them after everything they’ve gone through. We’ll do our best to keep them safe.”
“Thank you,” I breathe, catching a glimpse of Cassidy’s parents. “We have deeply disappointed parents at one o’clock.”
Silas hides a smile as he glances in that direction, sighing as they catch sight of us.
“Should I distract them?” he asks.
“I can only dodge them for so long,” Cassidy grumbles. “Thank you for the offer though.”
“Anytime,” Silas says. “It’s still on the table if you need to escape. Tap your middle finger and thumb together, and we’ll be there.”
“It’s so hot when you decide you’re a secret spy, instead of an ex-hockey player,” Easton chuckles.
Silas is the perfect southern gentleman who doesn’t seem to have a job, yet runs various charity clubs while being completely available to his pack. It makes people misunderstand that he’s a walking grapevine of information. He really is the perfect spy despite all their teasing.
“Shhh, don’t tell everyone my secrets,” Silas replies, winking at us.
“Oh, there is one thing that I need,” Cass says suddenly. “Mrs. Lorena Larson caused an issue at the Spanish Moss and Silk boutique recently. Do you know any good dirt on her that you could share with the party’s guests?”