Chapter Twenty-Six #2
Before we know it, we are all ready, and just in time.
Cap knocks on the door to signal it’s time to leave.
I open the door and Cap peeks inside and his eyes lock on Adrianne.
What is it with these girls and my security?
Adrianne blushes and giggles. When I raise a brow at her, she quickly pulls herself together.
“Ladies, the men are waiting for you downstairs,” Cap announces, stepping aside to let us leave.
Sawyer told me Frost has upped the security tonight.
They’ve taken over the hotel security system, there is a guard at every door, and Cap and Frost will be following me tonight.
Everyone that enters the building will be searched for weapons.
I forced Jasper to take the night off to be Elsie’s date.
He tried to argue, but I told him that I would feel better knowing he was with her in the event of anything happening, and by not being on shift he can promise me her safety.
He reluctantly agreed, knowing he had no other choice and arranged for someone else to collect my dad from the airport too.
Frost joins us as we near the stairs that lead down to the glass domed atrium in the entranceway. Tonight’s event is in the grand ballroom just down the corridor. Adrianne heads down first, and I can hear Kalen cracking jokes a moment later. So help me god if he winds her up tonight.
Elsie walks down next, and this time I hear Kalen wolf whistle. It makes me smile. Maybe he can behave himself for once in his damn life.
“Before you go down, I want you to put this on. I know you’ve been practising and we need you to be safe.” Frost pulls out a knife and kneels in front of me, I pull up the dress and he straps it to my thigh, before I release the material and it falls back, concealing it.
“I can’t give you a gun. Everyone has been searched, and the only guns will be on security.
That, and you’re not properly trained, so in the event of an emergency you are to go down to the basement via any of the lifts.
Once you reach the basement level, you click this.
” He holds up a small beeper and hands it to me.
I shove it into my bra and he shakes his head ruefully.
“It will unlock a bullet proof car. You lie down on the backseat and wait for one of us to get there. The car is designed to keep you in and everyone else out.”
I nod at what he’s saying.
“Now, go and knock them dead, you look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Frost,” I reply, pulling him into a hug. He pulls back after a few seconds, and I give him a kiss on the cheek before walking towards the stairs.
As I descend, four sets of eyes connect with mine and my heart seizes in my chest. The way they’re all staring at me…it floors me. No one has ever looked at me that way before. Not even my brother or Smalls. Kalen doesn’t even make any smart ass or lewd comments, and Sawyer’s eyes blaze with love.
It finally makes me feel worthy.
They are all stunning in their suits too.
Sawyer has opted for a three piece suit with a waistcoat, and Kalen has braces on.
The effect is very Peaky Blinders – a show Onyx got me hooked on – and I have to say I like it a lot.
Slate looks sharp in a navy fitted suit and Onyx has opted to wear all black, which totally works for him.
They all look mouth-wateringly good and I wonder, not for the first time, how I got so lucky.
I smile shyly at them and make my way down the stairs. Thank fuck I manage it smoothly and don’t send myself flying arse over tit, as Kalen would say. I reach the bottom of the stairs and the guys still don’t say anything, and things turn a little awkward.
“Shall we…erm…head in then?”
“No,” is all Onyx replies.
“Um, okay?” I hesitate, nervous as to what’s going on. “Is everything alright?”
“Everything is just perfect. You’re perfect,” Slate reassures me.
Kalen whistles low between his teeth. “Damn, someone better put a ring on it.” His words create a frisson of panic in my chest, reminding me of what his mother said the other day.
“Fuck it. It’s me. I’m putting a ring on it.
I saw her first and I’ll sure as shit share her with you, but I called it the first time I saw her: this here is my future wife. ”
I laugh, the tension easing because it’s just Kalen being Kalen, and it somehow breaks the spell. Slate steps forward first to carefully kiss my cheek. “You look enchanting.”
I’m plucked from his hold by Kalen who comes at me lips first for a sloppy kiss but at the last second I manage to turn my head and offer him the other cheek. I chuckle when he protests. “I’m wearing red lipstick, Kalen. You can’t go into the ball with me all over your face.”
“Now that does sound tempting,” Sawyer whispers in my ear. “But if I was going to have you on my face, it wouldn’t be your lipstick covering me.” I shiver at the promise in his words.
“Later,” I promise. “Business first.”
He winks at me, a silent vow that business and pleasure may just mix tonight, and steps to the side. Onyx comes forward and runs his hands down my sides, over my hips and to my thighs.
Smirking when he finds the knife holster on my thigh, he slips his hand through the split in my skirt and checks out the weapon Frost gave me.
Satisfied, he drops his hands away and I immediately feel his loss.
He chuckles at my pout and holds out his arm for me.
I loop mine through his and allow everyone to lead us into the ballroom.
A short while later, I’m meeting and greeting all sorts of people and forgetting names almost as soon as they’re introduced.
I have a constant stream of champagne being delivered my way, but I’m savouring my glass, taking small sips.
I need a clear head tonight. Despite Monty insisting it’s my night, this is work and I will not embarrass myself in front of a room full of people I need to respect me.
“Miss Rossi, ma’am?” A security detail that I don’t recognise steps forward and tentatively draws my attention.
“Yes?”
“You have a meeting in five minutes. I was told to remind you, and to…erm…escort you to the conference room. Your appointment is already here and waiting.”
“Thank you. I’ll be one moment,” I tell him.
“You have a meeting?” Slate frowns. “Tonight?”
“I do,” is all I reply.
“I’ll come with you,” Kalen offers.
“No thank you. I’m perfectly capable.”
“It’s dangerous,” Onyx protests, getting my back up. I know it comes from a place of love and concern for my wellbeing, but it’s frustrating that he thinks I need a constant chaperone. “I’m coming with you.”
“No, Onyx, you’re not.” I state firmly. “I’m not some little lady who needs to be escorted everywhere by a big strong man.
Nor do I need one to hold my purse. I’ll never be taken seriously if I show up to every meeting with you guys as my entourage.
Everyone knows we’re sleeping together, I refuse to give them anything to gossip about. ”
“Amelie—” he goes to protest, and I fix him with a hard stare.
“Do not fuck with me on this, Onyx,” I warn. His eyes blaze with anger, but when Slate elbows him in the side, he gives a jerky, reluctant nod of his head. That’s the best I can hope for from him I guess. The others nod respectfully, honouring my wishes.
“Glad that’s settled then. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting before tonight’s shenanigans get under way.”
I drain the rest of my champagne, place the empty flute on the table, and make my way to the ballroom doors.
“Amelie, wait!” Kalen calls out. I look back over my shoulder and raise a brow at him in question. “Who are you meeting?”
“The three musketeers.”
A chorus of groans hits my back as I leave them in my wake, a smile on my face.
I wait for them to demand that they attend the meeting now that they know who it’s with, but I don’t turn back.
I keep my head held high, even though I’m not really alone because security will have eyes on me at all times.
Nerves swarm in the bottom of my stomach; this is my first ever meeting with men like this, and I need them to take me seriously.
If I can get them to respect me, I have a feeling that others will follow suit.