27. Twenty-Seven
27
TWENTY-SEVEN
MILA
T he shrill and persistent ring of my cell phone jolted me awake from my deep slumber. Groggily, I blindly extended my arm in the darkness, searching for my phone. Finally, my fingers found the familiar shape, and I answered with a scratchy voice.
"Hello?" I mumbled, not bothering to check the caller ID.
"Mila? It's your dad."
"Daddy? Hey, what's going on?" I asked, still groggy and trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
"What time will you be leaving to head to the charity event tonight?"
"That charity event?"
"Come on, Mila. The Carnival of Love. I told you about it over a month ago. Please tell me you didn't forget." His voice was filled with annoyance.
I sat up abruptly, instantly wide awake. How could I have forgotten about the Carnival of Love? It was my father's company's most anticipated charity event of the year. He needed all the support he could get with him running for governor. As his daughter, it was expected that I would be there to represent the family and help him pad his ballet by flirting with the other rich people, convincing them that my father was worthy of their monetary donations.
"Of course not. I'm actually on the way to pick up my dress now," I stammered, panic creeping into my voice as I glanced at the clock. It was already late afternoon.
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before my dad replied, his voice softer this time. "Mila, don't be late. This is a very important night for me. I need you by my side. Don’t forget your speech."
"I understand, Daddy," I replied, my heart sinking further with every word.
"Okay, princess. I'll see you tonight at 7 p.m. sharp."
"See you then."
"Love you."
"Love you too."
Hanging up the call, I threw off the covers and rushed to the bathroom. The panic swirling inside me only intensified as I looked at my disheveled reflection in the mirror. My usually smooth, black hair was a tangled mess, and my eyes were puffy. There was no way I could be seen in public like this.
As Archer came in and leaned against the doorway, watching me with a cocky grin as I scurried around the bathroom, I became more flustered.
"My dad just called me and reminded me of this charity benefit in the city, and he needs me to be there by 7 p.m. I have nothing to wear, and I look like this," I blurted out, gesturing toward my face.
"You look beautiful," he said with genuine admiration, walking toward me and pulling me into his arms.
"I thought we weren't lying to each other," I teased, trying to calm myself.
"I'm not lying. How could you be anything but beautiful with your freshly fucked hair and my cum running out of your ass?"
I laughed and playfully shoved him. "Do you ever think about anything else?"
"Do you?" he challenged back with a wicked glint in his eyes .
"No. Not really, I guess," I admitted.
"Come here. I want to show you something." He grabbed my hand, led me to the closet, and turned on the lights. The closet was filled with racks of designer clothes organized by color and style. In the center was a large full-length mirror surrounded by bright vanity lights. A soft black rug covered the floor, and plush seating sat in one corner. The closet was spacious and luxurious, reflecting his wealth and taste. On one side was a rack of elegant dresses in various colors and styles, with shoes and accessories neatly displayed next to them. On the other side, tailored suits and tuxedos were hanging perfectly in place. A small table sat in front of the mirror, with expensive perfumes and jewelry displayed on top.
At the center of the room, a breathtaking dress dazzled under the soft glow of chandeliers. The dress was a work of art, with its luxurious layers of deep red fabric cascading like a waterfall to the ground. The delicate lace sleeves and bodice were adorned with intricate beadwork, each sparkling and shimmering like stars in the night sky. Lace flowers and vines adorned the thin lace sleeves and bodice and flowed into the skirt, each meticulously sewn into place to create a mesmerizing pattern. It was stunning.
"I was going to surprise you and ask you to be my date to the charity event, so I picked a dress for you to match my tux."
"That...that's gorgeous," I said, my breath catching in my throat. "I was about to ask you if you'd be my date too."
Archer grinned and pulled me back into the bathroom, turning the shower on. "Take a shower, and when you get out, someone will be here to do your hair and makeup."
"What?" I asked him, confused.
"Baby, worry about showering. I'll take care of everything else."
As promised, when I stepped out of the shower, Archer and a thin but immaculately dressed male were waiting for me in the closet. "This is my stylist, Laurent," Archer introduced us with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Laurent said with a slight French accent .
"The pleasure is mine," I replied, feeling slightly self-conscious in my towel.
"Laurent has been with our family since he was a boy," Archer said proudly. "There's no one else I would trust to take care of you. You are in good hands. I'll leave you two alone and meet you downstairs when you're ready."
He kissed me softly on my cheek, letting his lips linger for a moment before he left. I sat on the chair in front of Laurent and met his gaze through the mirror. Laurent had perfectly styled light brown hair, slicked back to perfection. He wore a tailored suit that accentuated his sharp features and fit his lean frame perfectly. His dark eyes were lined with a touch of eyeliner, making them stand out even more. His flawless complexion glowed under the soft lighting, and a hint of pink blush adorned his high cheekbones. I couldn't help but be captivated by his stunning appearance.
"In all my years of working with the families of The Brotherhood, I have never had the pleasure of working with someone as naturally beautiful as you," Laurent murmured as he carefully brushed out my damp hair.
"I'm sure you tell all your clients that," I replied, trying to hide the flush creeping up my neck.
"Oh no, my darling. Have you seen some of the women in the family? I don't think they've been able to smile since they were children. They look like the Kardashians, all plastic and filler."
A look of disgust crossed Laurent's face, causing me to laugh and feel at ease in his presence.
"What made you decide to work with The Kings and the other families?"
"Ah, that's quite the ghastly tale, Ms. Grey. One that I don't think you want to hear."
"I would love to hear it if you feel comfortable telling it."
"When I was a wee boy, I always knew I was different. I liked to play with Barbies and dolls, styling their hair and painting their nails. I always loved beauty. Unfortunately, when you're born into a life of luxury, you are expected to present a certain appearance, and my father was not a kind man. He was quite cruel, and he loved the sound his belt made on my skin. My mother tried to stop my father, but he would turn his wrath onto her. One day, my father was in a particularly foul mood. He had pissed off The Brotherhood by participating in some uncouth business activities, and he knew that they would come to collect his head. He sold me to a particularly nasty Russian human trafficking ring to make quick cash so he could flee before The Brotherhood came for him. Do you know how much a gay fourteen-year-old boy sells for?"
I shook my head, my eyes filling with tears.
"A gay fourteen-year-old boy that comes from a rich family is like gold in our world." He paused, and his expression became distant. "Fifty million dollars can get you almost anywhere."
"I'm so sorry, Laurent," I gasped, touching the hand he had rested on my shoulder unknowingly.
"I was kept in a cellar for six months before I was found. My mother died from the grief of losing me. She made The Brotherhood promise to find me. I'll never forget the day they came for me. I thought I was imagining my rescue. I hadn't seen the light for so long. And this dark-haired boy with the brightest green eyes and the most heavenly voice was speaking to me. I thought I had died, and this was an angel welcoming me to heaven. He held my hand the entire flight to America, reassuring me that everything would be okay. My life was forever changed because of him."
"The boy was Archer?" I asked, remembering how Laurent looked at Archer when I entered the closet.
Tears brimmed in Laurent's eyes as he confirmed my suspicions. A wave of conflicting emotions crashed over me—shock, disbelief, and a newfound understanding of the man I loved.
"You love him," I stated, feeling a pang of heartache for Laurent's unrequited feelings.
A hint of sadness crept into his voice as he replied, "I will always be grateful for him. But I am no fool. I know he does not love me in that way. And now he has you. "
I reached out and took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We can both love him."
Laurent's eyes softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I can see why he loves you, Ms. Grey."
"Please call me Mila."
"Mila," he repeated, my name rolling off his tongue like a sad song. "A fitting name for such a beautiful and kind-hearted human."
"I'm sorry for what you went through," I said sincerely, feeling a strong sense of empathy toward this sweet man who had endured so much pain. "But I am happy that Archer found you."
He nodded gratefully, the weight of his past slowly lifting off his shoulders. "You know, I don't think I've ever spoken about that night to anyone since it happened. Thank you for giving me a safe space to talk about it."
I couldn't help but smile softly, feeling warm affection for this man who had been through so much. As Laurent continued to do my hair and makeup, I thought about Archer and realized there was still so much I didn't know about him or his life. I had more questions than answers and wanted to know everything about the man.
Laurent's skilled hands crafted a look for me that exuded romance and sensuality. My long hair cascaded in loose waves, framing my face perfectly. The glamorous makeup he applied accentuated my features, with bold red lipstick that matched the stunning dress Archer had chosen for me. As I slipped into the elegant ball gown, I felt like a movie star and a powerful seductress. As I stared at myself in the mirror, I couldn't deny the intense rush of excitement and intimacy that stirred within me. This wasn't just any dress. Hell, I had worn my fair share of ball gowns in my life. But this was the dress he specifically picked for me—a symbol of his desire. Every part of the dress had his touch on it, and I clenched my thighs thinking about going to this event with him on my arm.
Laurent handed me a pair of elegant heels that perfectly matched the dress with ties that wrapped around my calves. Once I was fully dressed and ready to go, he gave me a small clutch purse that held all my essentials. "You're ready to make your grand entrance, Cinderella," he declared with satisfaction.
"Laurent, you have outdone yourself."
"I only accentuated your natural beauty."
I turned toward him and wrapped my arms around him. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. Laurent was tense at first but seemed to loosen in my embrace, savoring a hug that I knew he desperately needed, and somehow, I knew that he hadn't had often.
"Shall we?" Laurent offered his arm, and I gladly took it as he guided me toward the stairwell. We stopped at the top, and I looked down to the front room, where the sound of voices caught my attention. Archer, Kai, Theo, and about half a dozen bodyguards dressed in tuxedos stood waiting, deep in conversation with each other, adjusting their vests and checking their weapons before sliding them into the holsters hidden in their jackets. I suddenly felt nervous, and Laurent could sense it.
"You are a queen, Mila. Own it," he whispered.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and held tightly to his arm as he escorted me down the stairs. My eyes drifted upward, searching for Archer, and when they found him, my heart skipped a beat. The intensity in his stare was like a warm and fiery flame, engulfing me wholly in its essence. It was as if the world around us disappeared, and it was just him and me. I could see the love and the longing in his eyes, which made me stronger.
As I descended the stairs, the room went silent, and everyone turned to look at me. Their eyes locked onto me, and mouths hung open in awe. It was a moment straight out of a movie, where all eyes were on the leading lady, and I felt just like her. Laurent's arm kept me steady and grounded. When we reached the bottom, Archer strode forward with a slow smile.
"You look stunning," he said as he reached us, his voice low and intense.
"Thank you," I managed, feeling my cheeks heat up. "So do you."
His tuxedo was sleek, jet black, and fit him like a glove, accentuating his physique. A vibrant red bow tie and cufflinks coordinated perfectly with the crimson hue of my dress. A single red rose peeked out from his jacket pocket, adding to his charming appearance. His dark hair was neatly combed over to the side and held in place with gel, giving him a dapper appearance and highlighting his piercing green eyes.
"Wow, Mila. You are going to steal the show tonight," Theo smiled, straightening his bow tie and flashing me his pearly white teeth.
"I second that," Kai chimed in, tucking his gun into his waistband.
"Thank you both," I smiled, appreciating how handsome they all looked. The three of them would turn heads in every room they went into, especially when they were all together.
"Where's Maddie?" I asked Kai.
"Fashionably late, like always," he rolled his eyes. "Speaking of," he nodded toward the stairs as Maddie came down. Her blonde hair was pinned to the top of her head, and she was wearing a bright pink dress that hugged her curves.
"Ah, Miss Maddie," Laurent exclaimed, his eyes widening with admiration. "You look absolutely stunning."
"Why, thank you, Laurent," Maddie said. "You always know how to make a girl feel beautiful."
A chorus of compliments accompanied her arrival, and she beamed with pride. She always had this overt confidence that I found endearing and was a bit envious of. I wish I were as confident in myself as she was. I watched her turn in a circle for everyone to admire her dress.
"She doesn't hold a candle to you, baby," Archer leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"Thank you," I mouthed.
I loved how he was so in tune with my feelings, like he could read my mind.
"Mila!" Maddie turned her attention to me, embracing me in a hug. She pulled back, keeping contact with my arms, and her mouth dropped. "You look like a goddess. Wow!" She admired my dress, touching the flowers on the bodice. "This dress is exquisite. "
"Thank you," I smiled warmly at her. "You are stunning yourself."
I hadn't seen her since the night of The Hunt, and I wasn't sure what she thought of me after seeing me bash Emily's head with the golden apple. I had avoided having the conversation with anyone, but it didn't seem like she was phased by anything that transpired that night. Watching her push herself into the crook of Kai's arm, I knew she had settled into her role the same way I had.
Maybe we had both found our happiness.
Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my hands down my dress and held onto Archer's arm, feeling the swell of nervousness beneath my stomach. This would be the first time I brought a guy around my father, and I wasn't entirely sure how he would react. Archer, Kai, and Theo cast a protective shadow over me as they led me outside toward the blacked-out limousine. Archer wrapped his arm around me, holding me close, planting kisses on my neck. Kai and Theo climbed into the limo, and Laurent closed the door behind them, waving goodbye with a slight wave.