Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
Darcy
I sat in Jake’s seat next to Ashley and couldn’t resist laughing with everyone at the table. Jim and Avery sat to the right of Ashley and me, and Spencer and Natalia sat to our left beside Jim’s friend, Alex, and his wife, Breanne. I looked curiously at the two empty chairs where John and Mickie should’ve sat.
“Where’s Mickie and John?” I asked.
“John was called into the hospital for an emergency in Labor and Delivery,” Ashley said, “so Mickie went home after cocktail hour to relieve the nanny so she could put the baby to bed. I’m pretty sure she was thrilled to get out of a Margot Aster production.”
Nat laughed. “I don’t blame that girl one bit. Is that why you called Collin?” Nat asked, directing her question toward Jim.
“Someone had to help Jake take the heat off Sebastian,” Jim shrugged with amusement.
“Wait, you did what?” I asked in confusion, looking at the culprit.
“My baby brother was feeling empathetic toward Sebastian’s predicament, so we called Collin and asked him to drop by after his twenty-four-hour shift so he could help Jake run interference.” He smirked and sipped his bourbon, “With Collin being sleep deprived, then forced for good reason to show up at this affair tonight, God only knows what will take place when they auction off Sebastian.”
“Margot—”
“Don’t worry about that woman,” Jim assured me. “Her nonsense is merely being met with more nonsense.”
“Sebastian texted Jacob,” Ashley said, bringing my attention to her, “and asked him to bid on him tonight, and that he’d cover the cost, no matter how high.”
“Fortunately,” Spencer interjected, “Sebastian knows enough about Jake and Collin to know those two love to play the butt-buddy games at any given time.”
“Considering all the homo-erotic bullshit those two are always pulling, it makes me wonder if they’re actually playing games anymore,” Alex joked, bringing my attention to where he sat in amusement next to his wife.
I didn’t know much about Alex Grayson except that he used to be Jim’s VP at Mitchell and Associates but had since acquired Brooks and Stone Architects and that he looked eerily like a young Johnny Depp, and I’m not talking about the Edward Scissorhands version.
“Well, if tonight doesn’t prove that the wealthy are weirdos, then I don’t know what will,” I chuckled.
“Plenty of shit can prove that. Just be glad they don’t start the human sacrifices until after midnight,” Avery said with a wink, cutting into the quail that was just placed before her. “I’m shocked you’re allowing your brother to do this, Jim. God only knows the damage Jake could do to the Mitchell family name.”
“That’s my man,” Ashley laughed.
Jim smiled over at his wife as he swallowed a bite of beef tenderloin and washed it down with a sip of water, “If I concerned myself with what anyone in this crowd thinks about my family name or what my brother could do to damage it, I would’ve had a heart attack long ago, sweetheart.”
“That is true,” Spencer said. “The havoc that Jake and Collin wreaked before they were married will live in infamy. When Jim took over Mitchell and Associates, I thought he’d never gain respect amongst his peers because of those two and their endless shenanigans.”
“Thankfully, I did,” Jim nodded toward Alex, “but that’s only because Alex and I were a force to be reckoned with against all those old mules.” He looked at Spencer and grinned, “Now that you’ve stepped into Alex’s place as my resident bulldog, I have nothing to worry about and everything to gain from whatever might transpire this evening.”
“You’re goddamn right,” Spencer said with a cocky laugh. “You know what they say; there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
“I don’t know if this will be bad or good,” I whispered to Ashley.
“With my adorable husband and his best friend getting turned loose on this particular event?” she said, shaking her head.
“It’s going to be all bad,” Nat said, laughing in advance about what she knew would be an embarrassing situation for Margot Aster.
“And as Spencer said,” Avery cut into her vegetables with an arched eyebrow and a grin, “even bad publicity is good.” She looked at Jim, “I’m guessing the company shares should be going up, then?”
“Don’t worry, Darcy,” Jim answered. “My brother and Collin are aware that I am in business with Sebastian’s family, so there won’t be any scandals tonight. Not at their hands, anyway. I can’t speak for the rest of the lunatics.”
“Thanks, Jim,” I said, happy that Jim was focused on the reality that my parents’ business was the reason this shindig was happening. “I was starting to think that the winery would be forgotten in all this extravagant chaos.”
“I would never risk your family’s business for any reason,” Jim smiled reassuringly. “The guys are just in place so that no unnecessary drama unfolds for you and your man. And allow me to make myself very clear: it was Sebastian’s idea to have Jakey come to his rescue, not mine.”
“Just to outbid the women?” Ashley asked.
“That was the request, but you know Jacob,” Jim shrugged. “He has a mind of his own, especially at events like these. Any chance he gets to poke fun at these people, he takes,” Jim chuckled.
“And tonight?” I questioned, knowing Jacob Mitchell was a wild party child before meeting Ashley.
Jake and Collin were the rebellious ones of their group, and the main reason they and their friend group were dubbed the Billionaires’ Club from all the women they loved and left in the dust. I would venture to guess that they still enjoyed stretching their legs a bit when the leashes were taken off, and tonight might be one of those nights.
“Tonight, he was tasked to go up against Collin and bid on your man, outbidding every single and married woman who should want to date him.”
“Isn’t that just wasting money?” I asked.
Jim chuckled. “If money were an issue to Sebastian Aster, he would be fucked.”
The stage was massive, and Margot walked out to the slender golden podium placed in the center like she was Meryl Streep, getting ready to announce the nominees for the Best Actor award. She wore a floor-length, golden chiffon gown, and her hair was swept up into a damn impressive coif that must’ve been held together by witchcraft because it didn’t seem possible that it hadn’t moved an inch and yet it didn’t look plastered with hairspray.
The men were brought out in a line like contestants for a beauty pageant, and Sebastian’s expression would’ve amused me greatly if I didn’t know how miserable he was.
Even so, it was still pretty funny.
As Margot prattled on about the men, I quickly realized that she loved the sound of her own voice, and the amount of fake, obligatory laughter at her stupid remarks about each bachelor made me want to gag. I hated when shitty people were encouraged by other shitty people.
“And now for our final candidate, Sebastian Aster the fourth,” Margot said, her voice more chipper than when she started. She smirked over at Sebastian, who stared on in disgust, “I think you all know very well who he is.” She walked over to stand closer to him since he wouldn’t take a step in her direction. “Come, darling,” she giggled into the microphone, and I glanced around at everyone’s mystified expressions.
“Is it me, or is this woman on?—”
“It’s not you,” Nat said. “Margot has drowned at a couple of milligrams of benzos in a vat of pinot grigio if you ask me. She’s making herself look ridiculous.”
“Now we all know why Mickie couldn’t wait to get out of here,” I said.
“Like Mick told us,” Avery said, “John won’t have anything to do with his family’s bullshit. This would be the family bullshit he’s referring to.”
“He and Mick have their own family now, and I’m happy they don’t sacrifice their time for people who don’t respect that. It takes a lot for Mickie to come to one of these things, especially when their daughter is at home with the nanny,” Ashley said.
“Kind of makes the rest of us look like horrible parents,” Breanne stated.
“Oh, no you don’t, Bree,” Nat scoffed at her best friend. “Everyone values their time differently. Just because we have nannies at home with our children doesn’t mean we’re any less amazing parents than John and Mick?—”
“He was an amazing husband,” Margot’s shriek caused Nat to pause, and we all returned our attention to the monologue performed on stage, complete with crocodile tears. “My husband, who is unable to attend tonight, is so proud of him, the man he has become, and what he’s done to keep our family name wholesome and strong. I understand there are many false impressions that he isn’t single, but I am here to correct this fake news. This benefit is being held to set those rumors straight. He is neither engaged nor has he entered any relationship with Darcel Burke.”
That fucking bitch! I thought in horror.
I knew I should be outraged about her talking shit about our relationship, but my real beef was with that damn family for getting off on calling me Dar- fucking -cel every time they were afforded the opportunity.
“Darcel?” I heard Avery say.
“Don’t ask!” I said, my tone lethal.
“I think it’s a lovely name,” Ashley said.
“I think it’s bullshit,” I snapped. “And I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s just that?—”
“That bitch just announced to every piranha in this room that Sebastian isn’t in a relationship with you?” Breanne asked.
“What? No,” I said. “I could give a fuck less about whether they think he’s available or not. It’s that fucking name that my mom gave me when she was too high to think.”
“Forget the name, honey,” Nat added. “Your man has just been announced as available.”
“Now,” Margot continued, “all of you know very well why my son’s bidding will start at a reasonable one million-dollar offer. I will now hand over the reins to our auctioneer and open the bidding. Good luck to you all.”
I rolled my eyes while the auctioneer took off, and the paddles started rising and brought my attention to Sebastian, standing awkwardly at the podium and glaring at his mom as she walked regally down the stage steps.
“Five million going once, going?—”
“Twenty million on that handsome ass,” Jake finally said, entering the game.
I immediately glanced at Margot, seeing her nearly choke on her champagne.
“Celebrate later, bitch,” I said in a low voice, watching the horror cross her face that a man had just bid on her son, and there was nothing she could do about it.
I saw Charlotte raise her paddle when the auctioneer upped the bid by another million.
“I swear, you all have way too much money to waste,” I said, looking at my amused friends.
When Charlotte looked at Jake as if she had him beaten, Collin stood up from the table next to theirs.
“I’ve got twenty- two million on this sexy man’s ass,” he looked over at Jake as if this were down to him and his best friend only.
“Twenty- five million, bitch,” Jake countered, standing.
Now, the spectacle had been made. I watched Charlotte look toward Margot Aster’s stern and extremely lethal gaze before Margot gave a quick nod of approval.
“ Forty million dollars ,” Charlotte said through gritted teeth, glaring at Collin and Jake as if her gaze would shut them down.
“Forty- three million dollars, gorgeous,” Jake taunted.
“Sixty million for the prized stallion that I’m ready to ride into the sunset,” Collin said, interrupting the showdown between Jake and Charlotte.
Charlotte looked back at Margot, got the nod of approval again, and turned back with a snobby grin to both men, “One hundred million.”
“One hundred and five—” Jake paused and looked at Collin. “What the fuck is your limit, sweetheart?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be an auction, would it?” Collin answered. “Don’t worry about me, partner. You know I’ll go all night if you wanna play hardball,” he said, looking at Jake with a silly expression.
“Charlotte, sit down,” Margot said, practically rushing the stage. “Do you men think this is a joke?” She stared down at Jake and Collin with the fury of all the Nordic gods.
“Far from that, madam, but it’s easy to see that you do,” Jake answered. “Just because you don’t want your son to date the stunning woman in the back doesn’t mean he can’t date me or my other boyfriend, does it?”
“He’s not your type,” she seethed, and the only sound in the room was the soft laughter coming from the table where I sat.
“Not my type?” Jake scoffed. “Sure he is. He’s just as pampered and cute as I ever was, and we both have something in common with our mothers.”
Jake’s voice grew serious when he said that, and that’s when Jim stood up.
“That’s enough of the auction and of the games,” Jim interrupted Jake from giving Margot a considerable insult, given that Jake and Jim’s mom was a horrible person.
The room grew quiet as Jim excused himself from the table, and his long strides swiftly ushered him onto the stage. We watched as Margot glared at Jim, but she could say nothing. Her husband was in business with Jim, and keeping the peace between the two powerful families was essential.
“This evening has been eventful, to say the very least,” Jim snickered, taking his place at the podium and dousing the fires that’d been ignited. “The bidding is closed for Sebastian. Although if I allow Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Brooks to continue bidding on Miss Burke’s boyfriend, I’m afraid I might lose the amazing winery my adorable wife insisted I invest in.”
I smiled but had no idea what the hell was happening.
“Darcy, please join me on the stage,” Jim said, and now I could kill this guy.
I stood and made my way to the front of the room and up the stairs, imagining how embarrassed those actresses must’ve been when they tripped over their dresses on the way to receive their awards. Once I was on stage, Sebastian came over to stand at my side, and Jim continued his speech.
“I am truly honored and extremely grateful to have all of you in attendance tonight. Mitchell and Associates has never hosted an event like this, and I must admit that it has been quite a treat for me to experience. Mrs. Aster,” he looked at Margot, who was glaring over at the three of us, “it is an honor to have you in our presence tonight. I want to thank you for being such a good sport tonight for pretending that you would dare auction off your own son merely to raise money for the winery.” He looked out at the audience, “I truly hope that none of you feel you’ve wasted your money at this event, as it was all done from Mrs. Aster’s beautiful mind with one goal: to benefit the winery from your charitable offerings. As with all these galas, it’s not only the donations that make it worthwhile,” he glanced back to Margot, “it’s the friendships and new relationships we form from being in the same room together. I am privileged to have joined all of you tonight. Now, I’m sure Sebastian here must be relieved to go home tonight with the woman he loves, but I hope the rest of the bachelors enjoy their dates. I am amused and grateful to have joined you all tonight in the amazing venue that only Margot Aster could’ve put together for us.” He smiled at Margot’s deadly gaze, “Cheers to you, Mrs. Aster. Burke Wines is indebted to you for this boost. Thank you, everyone.”
We exited the stage, and I clenched Sebastian’s hand when he snatched mine to hold it. God only knew what his mother would do to us now. This night was filled with plot twists that no one saw coming.
It was a game of chess well played, won by the only people smiling in the room—Jim, his friends, and Sebastian. But I wasn’t so quick to celebrate. I stayed quiet, waiting for Margot to pull the fire alarm because something told me this show wasn’t over yet.