Quinn #2
I instantly freeze, unsure as to what to do now.
"You're doing fine," he says, low enough that only I can hear him
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "I know," I say, unable to hide the sass.
He glances at me sideways. "You’re stressing. Relax."
"Relax?" I whisper. “Do you know how to do that?” I ask, running my gaze along his body.
"I’ve been known to," he says flatly, which makes me almost smile.
We stand here for a moment, his hand stays at my back, and I'm too damn aware of it.
"Prior's been watching you since you came in," Lorenzo says low, his mouth close to my ear.
I glance toward the East Street Kings without making it obvious. Prior King has the look of a man who hasn't trusted anyone in a very long time and sees no reason to start now. "Is that a problem?"
"Depends on what he wants. The man watches everyone. I'm curious as to why his gaze keeps coming back to you."
"Are you sure it's me he’s watching and not you?" I ask. “He could be wondering why you’re paying so much attention to me?”
The curve at the corner of Lorenzo's mouth gets slightly more pronounced. "Tonight will go as planned, no need to worry."
"What would I have to be worried about?"
He doesn’t respond, just glances down at me before looking away. I guess that means the conversation is over.
An hour later, my mood takes a dramatic turn as Mam appears, with Daire immediately behind her.
Daire is wearing a deep red dress that fits her perfectly, and her blonde hair is up in a fancy updo.
She looks very beautiful, her bump is very noticeable now and she’s not hiding it, her hand presses against her stomach as she makes her rounds greeting everyone.
I’ve noticed that she’s fielding questions about her own wedding.
She and Rurik Morozov were to be married by now, but Rurik’s father, Olezka, had to fly to Russia on urgent business.
He made it clear that his son would not be getting married without him present.
So as of right now, the wedding date is up in the air.
"Quinn, darling," Mam says loudly, and if I didn't know her, I'd think the warmth in her voice was real. "You look lovely." She’s seen me more than once already this evening. This is just for show, in case someone could overhear.
"Thank you, Mam," I reply softly but politely, my voice is cooler than it has been all evening.
She leans in to kiss my cheek, which she's doing for the benefit of anyone watching. Then she straightens and looks at my dress. "Is that the blue?"
"Yes."
"I thought you'd gone with the green." She pauses just long enough. "It would have suited you better, I think."
"I like the blue," I say.
"Of course you do." She looks past me, scanning the room. "Where's Lorenzo?"
"Speaking with Cesare."
"You should be with him. It doesn't look good, standing separately. Everyone is watching. They’ll notice you’re not together."
"I'm aware," I say through clenched teeth.
Daire steps up beside Mam, she's been quiet this whole time, which with Daire usually means she's listening and deciding which direction to take things.
"Lorenzo seems attentive tonight," she says with a smirk on her face and I know that she’s trying to goad me.
"He's being a good fiancé," I say evenly. I won’t let her get to me. Not today, not ever again.
"That's nice." She tilts her glass, that sly smirk on her lips growing even more.
"He was never particularly attentive with me.
We barely spoke at most events," she pauses, her eyes flashing with mischief, and I brace myself for what she’s about to say.
"But then again, everyone knew I was the one he wanted. There was no need to pretend or put on a show. Everyone knows that you are second best, that you’ll always be second best. You will never be me. "
Her words hit just as she had wanted. They hit me hard, and it takes everything in me not to let the tears that are threatening to pool behind my eyes fall. My chest feels as though it is cleaved in two. The one thing Daire does better than anyone else is cut you down with just her words.
She’s vicious on the best of days. Today, she is venomous.
"If that’s what you think," I say, grateful that my voice didn’t break. I’ve managed to keep that cold tone in my voice.
Mam is watching me as usual. Whenever Daire unleashes her tongue, Mam watches me, hoping to find some sign of weakness that she can pounce on and join in with Daire in trying to tear me down.
I smile at her pleasantly . I learned a long time ago to hide all weaknesses from Mam and Daire. Sometimes it’s easier than others, but I won’t let them see the hurt today.
"I should find Lorenzo," I say to Mam, ignoring Daire completely now. "You're right that it doesn't look good to stand separately." I press a kiss to her cheek the same way she pressed one to mine. "Enjoy the evening, Mam."
I walk away before either her or Daire can speak once more.
Caden materializes at my elbow two minutes later with a fresh glass of champagne. Where the hell did he come from?
"How bad?" he asks, his voice low so that only I can hear.
"Fine," I reply and take a huge gulp of the champagne, hoping it’ll help ease the pain I still feel in my chest.
"Mam and Daire fine or actually fine?"
"Somewhere in the middle. Daire mentioned that Lorenzo was never attentive with her but he didn’t need to pretend. Oh, and that everyone knows I’m second choice and always will be."
"Christ," he says quietly. "She's working already."
"She's always working." I look at him. "Go enjoy yourself, Caden. I'm alright."
He gives me a look that says he doesn't really want to, but he must see the resolve in my eyes, and sighs. "Daithí's watching from the east corner," he tells me, squeezing my arm. "He's been keeping an eye."
"I know." I spotted Daithí the moment I walked away from my mam. He's positioned himself with a direct sightline to most of the room, which is either about security or about making sure he can see what's happening with me, or probably both. "Go. I mean it."
He goes, though not without a look over his shoulder. He’s worried, and from the look Daithí has as he looks at me, he is too. I need space, time to breathe, and to get my thoughts together.
I need a minute away from prying eyes.
The bathroom is on the first floor, which requires going up the main staircase. I can feel heavy gazes on me with every step I take up the stairs. I make it to the bathroom and sigh, glad that I’m able to breathe in a moment of privacy.
I fix my lipstick in the mirror, and as I run my hands along my dress I hear the door handle move.
Shit. I didn't lock it properly.
I hold my breath as the door opens and in walks Sabrina Laskaris.
She has beautiful dark hair, dark eyes, and she’s wearing a red dress that hugs every curve that she possesses.
"Quinn," she says, coming in and letting the door fall shut behind her. "I was hoping I'd get a chance to speak with you tonight."
"Sabrina," I greet, tilting my head to the right as I watch her step closer.
She steps up close to me, her gaze roams over me, stopping at my ring before turning back to my face. "You look well," she says and I can hear the little sneer in her tone. "The ring is beautiful."
"Thank you," I reply politely, my manners kicking in.
"Very classic,” she says with a smile. "Lorenzo has traditional taste, he always has."
Here we go. Yet another person telling me that Lorenzo doesn’t want me.
"I wouldn't know his taste that well yet," I say pleasantly. "We're still getting there."
"Of course." She grins as she looks at me in the mirror. "It's a lot to navigate, isn't it? Walking into something that was already in motion."
"Most things in our world are already in motion," I say. "You navigate or you don't."