18. Hayden
Knox stalked toward Maddox, giving him a swift shove. “What the hell’s the matter with you?”
“Me?” Maddox snapped. “What’s wrong with all of you? Dressing her like a whore just ready for the taking?”
My face flamed as my shoulders curved in on themselves. All the feelings of confidence and of feeling beautiful slipped away.
Cáel moved before anyone had a chance to say a word. His fist flew through the air and cracked into Maddox’s jaw. Maddox’s head snapped to the side as he stumbled back a few steps.
“What the fuck, Cáel?” Maddox bellowed, holding his jaw.
Cáel charged again, but Knox and Cillian caught him before he could do any damage. He struggled against their hold. “You don’t talk about our mate that way.”
Maddox’s gaze sliced to me. The action had me wrapping my arms around my middle, wishing I already had a jacket on to cover up with. The moment his eyes connected with mine, his face went carefully blank.
“You should’ve dressed her in a damned nun’s habit,” he spat, charging out the door.
I squeezed my arms tighter around my middle. I didn’t think I’d ever heard Maddox curse until tonight. This whole thing had him unraveling. The council, the cocktail party, me.
“You look beautiful, Hayden.” Easton’s words were so low I almost didn’t hear them.
My gaze jerked to his. Easton’s expression was still carefully masked, but there was something brewing underneath, something I couldn’t quite identify.
“Th-thank you,” I mumbled.
He nodded quickly, then slipped out the front door.
Knox stared after his brother, but the moment the door shut, he crossed quickly to me. His hands framed my face, the calluses on his palms creating a pleasant shiver across my skin. “He’s right. You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve seen. But it’s so much more. You’re brave and strong and care for people, even when they don’t deserve it.”
He bent, his lips brushing mine. When he pulled back, his eyes had gone stormy. “We’re with you, every step of the way.”
Cillian cleared his throat, holding up a jacket that was the same color as my dress.
I glanced back at Knox in question.
He shrugged. “I had Sharee order it. You needed something warm.”
“Of course, you did.” I just shook my head and then kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
Cillian helped me into the jacket, and we headed out to the waiting limo. As I slid inside, I couldn’t help but notice that Maddox and Easton were sitting as far away from me as possible. That fact made my stomach twist. But the truth was, I didn’t have time to worry about their hang-ups. Not when I was about to face a council who wanted to manipulate me away from three men who would do anything for me, who made me feel cherished, and who made me feel like I had a home.
Knox sat on one side of me, Cáel on the other, and Cillian sat between us and Maddox and Easton. I had a feeling that his position was strategic. As if to confirm that, Cillian sent Maddox a look of warning. He simply turned his head to stare out the window into the night.
The limo started up, and we were on our way. No one talked during the car ride. I realized I didn’t even know where we were going, but I guessed it didn’t matter.
Before long, the limo slowed in front of what looked like a historic home. It had a sort of Victorian look, and the sign read Ember Hollow Historical Society. Any other time, I would’ve been excited to check out what artifacts the place might hold, but not tonight.
Everything in me vibrated as Knox climbed out of the limo and offered me a hand. I took it, sliding out after him. The night wrapped around us, the stars twinkling up above in the clear sky. I wished I could just disappear into that sky.
Cáel flanked my other side, moving in close. His heat was a reassurance I needed.
Cillian strode to the front of our group as Easton and Maddox took up the rear. I didn’t look at the last two. I wasn’t sure I could take another of Maddox’s glares.
There was a series of expensive-looking vehicles parked in the lot to the side of the home, along with another few limos lining the street. Everyone else was here.
Knox wove his fingers through mine, squeezing. “We’re with you.”
My throat constricted. “I know.”
And that was a gift I hadn’t had in so long. I wasn’t sure that Knox could know just how much it meant.
“Anyone makes a move you don’t like, I’ll snap their neck,” Cáel growled.
I couldn’t help it. I laughed.
“Showing your love via murder?” I asked.
He grinned down at me with a twisted smile. “Always.” Then the curve of his lips fell away. “I don’t know exactly what love is, but I know that you make me feel. I’ve been numb for so long; it’s just been easier that way. But with you…I feel again.”
Tears built in my eyes, and I leaned into Cáel. “I love you. More than you’ll ever know.”
He bent down, taking my mouth in a slow kiss.
When he pulled back, it was to find that the rest of the guys were watching us. Knox had a look of sheer joy on his face. Cillian, smug pride. Easton, longing maybe? It was covered so quickly that I couldn’t be sure. But Maddox wore rage again, so much that it hurt my skin.
I quickly looked away. “We should go.”
I started walking. The guys surrounded me, Cillian leading the way.
As we entered the house, Fionn walked forward to greet us. He extended a hand to Cillian, holding a drink in the other. “And here I was, starting to worry that you’d run away with our little dragon.”
Cillian’s jaw hardened as he shook Fionn’s hand. “We’d never go against the council’s wishes.”
Fionn chuckled, low and rich. “Why do I find that hard to believe?” He glanced at me. “May I take your jacket, Hayden?”
“I’ve got it,” Knox hurried to say, sliding the coat off my shoulders and handing it to a staff member who had miraculously appeared.
Fionn’s gaze swept over me, mischief in his dark eyes. “Come this way. Everyone’s through here.”
He led us into a massive formal living room that had been transformed for the occasion. Whatever furniture that had been in the space was removed and replaced with sporadically placed tall cocktail tables, and a bar was set up against the far wall.
The moment I stepped into the space, I felt eyes on me. So many it had me wanting to shrink back and hide. But I squared my shoulders, summoning every ounce of bravery I had.
But that bravery died the moment a familiar face stepped into view.
The reddish-brown hair and dead eyes had my stomach twisting as Hal Corbett sneered at Easton. “I’m surprised you and your brother are here. Everyone knows your line isn’t cut out for a mate. You could end up murdering everyone around you.”
I sucked in a sharp breath as Knox moved toward his brother, knowing his move before Easton even made it. But it was too late.
Easton lunged.