29. Anastasia
Anastasia
I can hardly suppress my triumph. We don’t speak after I prove my little point alone in the bathroom, but the room weighs with delicious tension, waiting for one of us to break, and it will not be me.
So we get ready in silence, but our glances at each other speak far more than words, making the air static and my skin vibrate with his subtle attention on me at all times.
In my dress with my hair and makeup done, I slip into my heels near where Rhett sits adjusting the serpent cufflinks on his all-black tux.
My leg lifts, planting my sole on his shoulder.
I don’t think twice about it since the heels are brand-new.
Rhett’s blue eyes flick up to me, all sinful dark challenge.
“You’re playing with fire, Miss Kinsley,” he warns, but he doesn’t hesitate to cross the straps up my calf before fastening them halfway up.
“You came with matches, Agent—what did you expect?”
He squeezes my calf as if he’s restraining himself from reaching higher.
Calmly lifting my foot from his shoulder, I raise the other, not breaking eye contact.
“You’re a wicked little creature,” he murmurs, this time kissing the inside of my thigh as he finishes fastening the tie. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten for a second what you did. And I can’t wait to deliver your punishment.”
My pussy near aches at the taunt, having not forgotten his threat for a second either. I merely smile in a way that dares him to try. A low groan leaves his throat as I straighten and he stands.
Rhett Kaiser looks absolutely devastating in his tux. Most would at least wear a white shirt, but he never does, always shrouded wholly in black. His silvery hair is sleekly styled, impeccable, though a few loose stands still fall over his forehead.
I pluck another final detail for him, which I bought today. When I stand before him he eyes my hands with a tight jaw, but he allows me to reach up his chest.
“I’ve never seen you wear any color,” I muse, fitting the red handkerchief in his tux pocket.
“I’ve been in mourning,” he says quietly.
My fingers stop moving on his chest. My heart cracks for him in silent agony, like the slow drag of a knife splitting deep inside me. I can’t fathom his pain, his loss. All this time.
“I’m sure I have black?—”
“No.” He catches my wrist as I try to turn. Rhett swallows, at war with what he wants to say. “You make me want to heal, Ana. It’s something I’ve never wanted. Many have tried to persuade me, but you didn’t have to.”
“Rhett, I?—”
“I loved her, Ana. I owe it to her to always love her. But I’m so fucking obsessed with you it’s killing me. Because I don’t deserve it—I never will—but I’m so selfish I can’t let you go.”
“Don’t,” I say, closing my eyes and leaning my head on his chest. “Don’t ever leave me, Rhett Kaiser.
We’re stronger together. I may not be able to fight like you or hack like Allie, or really offer much, but .
.. I can be yours. There has to be something in that. Tell me you want to live for that.”
He sighs, and for a second I think it’s with disappointment and he’s about to push me away.
Rhett takes my face in his hands. “I want to live for you .”
Relief washes over me. He dips a hand into his pocket and I blanch, then turn hot, then?—
Holy fuck, is that . . .?
His chuckle of amusement vibrates against me.
“Not quite the proposal you’re thinking of, little bird.”
Opening the small black velvet box, I gasp at the contents, snapping wide eyes to him.
“The name stays. But if you’re adamant, then let’s make your condemnation official.”
I examine the jewelry closer: two small red serpent earrings. “Red?” I question, taking out the diamonds I have in.
“I’ll get you whatever color you want.”
“No, they’re perfect. But doesn’t everyone have black?”
He smiles at that, lifting one earring from the box and fitting it through my ear. “You are not everyone. You’re mine.”
I admire them in the mirror. They’re perfect. Empowering. I belong. It may be a mark of my space carved in hell, but I’ve already taken the hand of the devil creeping up behind me.
“Beautiful,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to my bare shoulder. Then over my neck, shooting sparks straight to my core, and I start to contemplate ruining my hair and makeup and pushing him onto the bed.
“We should go,” I say, a little breathless as his hands roam my waist until his fingers brush my thigh at the high slit, tempting my lust, while his mouth explores my neck.
“I’m going to be in contact with Rix the whole time. If we find anything, or if something goes awry, you mark every word I say and you do as I command. This isn’t the kind of shit you defy me in. Tell me you understand.”
I find his tone, thick with firm authority, insanely sexy.
“I understand.” I’m ready, though admittedly kind of frightened.
I hope it’s all precautionary and the gala will be as simple to be over with as any other.
But Rhett has turned into someone I’ve only glimpsed before.
A man who won’t take or give a second chance.
Willing to do whatever it takes to keep me safe and stop any villain in his path, even if he has to become one himself.
I spin in his arms, resting my hand on his chest. “Whatever you say, Agent. I trust you.”
The venue is just like any other fancy gathering I’ve been to. A red carpet has been laid out front and photographers are kept behind rope as they snap their shots of each new arrival. My nerves begin to jitter as we pull up. Rhett’s thumb idly strokes mine.
“You ready?” he asks.
I nod and he cuts the engine, heading around to my side, and as soon as he opens my door the flashes begin. I’ve become more used to the attention recently, but this is the most I’ve experienced so far. Rhett is right here with me, circling my waist to keep me close to his side while we walk.
“Anastasia, over here!”
“Is there a proposal on the cards?”
“How long have you been dating?”
“We love the new look, Anastasia!”
They’re all interested in us. Our relationship.
Nothing about my father. We’re requested to stop and pose for the photo op, and I’ve done this plenty of times with my parents, but with Rhett, there’s an element of tension as I consider how he must be feeling.
He didn’t ask for this, and if we’d never been caught that first instance when he was forced to pose as my boyfriend, he’d be on the sidelines now, free from the spotlight.
Yet he plays the part so well. Keeping adoring eyes on me, the people gush over us and my stomach flips.
Then it clenches and I wish it were real.
It’s selfish to want this when he’d been forced into this position.
While this is my life now, it’s temporary for him.
All I can think of then is how tomorrow the headlines will be doting on this facade of a relationship, but in another few months they’ll be spilling the heartache of a breakup.
“You are magnificent,” he whispers in my ear.
I smile at that, my stomach fluttering as he pulls back. His mouth curls too, thumb brushing my lips.
“That’s better,” he says, and then he kisses me.
The snapping amplifies and I don’t care for the attention, lost in the taste of him, which is over far too soon. He takes my hand, leading us inside, and I relax.
“Will you be participating tonight?” the concierge asks.
“Yes,” I reply. “And I believe my father has made a few donations for auction that will go toward my charity?”
I feel Rhett’s eyes on me as the man checks his records and smiles broadly.
“It’s all right here, Miss Kinsley,” he confirms.
We’re given a paddle with the number eleven on it and my hand circles Rhett’s arm as we enter the ballroom laid out with many large round tables. Checking the seating chart, Rhett surveys the venue over my head.
“You still haven’t told me about this charity,” he finally says.
“I think I decided what I want to do,” I explain. “I’m going to open a school for underprivileged kids. Homeschooling isn’t an option for a lot of parents, and public schools are lacking in resources.”
When we find our seats our table is half-full. Rhett takes my hand over the table.
“That is an absolutely selfless and incredible idea, baby,” he says with such pride I don’t expect it. He leans in to kiss me briefly before our table begins to fill up.
“Hey, princess,” Liam says, startling me as he creeps up behind us.
I giggle at the kiss he pecks on my cheek before sitting beside me.
“Good to see you again, Kaiser,” Liam greets, leaning around me.
Rhett forces a smile, but Liam doesn’t seem to notice the chill to it. After hearing Allie was hurt by him, even so long ago, I can’t blame him for it.
I inch closer to Liam, talking quieter between the two of us. “When were you going to tell me sixteen-year-old Liam was a player?”
Guilt washes over his expression as he reaches for his wine. “Is that what she told you?”
“She didn’t use that word, but it seems fitting.”
Liam leans back in his seat. “It’s ... complicated.”
“She’s not the woman you’ve been hung up on since I’ve known you, right?”
He merely takes a drink for too long for it to be casual.
I gasp. “Now you really need to explain.”
Matthew Forbes takes up a chair across the table from me, catching my attention. He gives me a smile that breaks a shiver, but I brush off the attention when Rhett’s hand slides over my thigh.
Liam is off the hook about Allie for now since the lights dim and the host calls everyone’s attention to the stage. The gala goes on. We listen to a breathtaking performance by a pianist and a singer. Small foods are offered to us, and I fill up on a few while Rhett finishes off what I don’t.
Then the auction starts. Paintings and sculptures are sold, increasing in value. I’m not sure if I’ll bid on anything, but I took a number just in case, as Rhett advised. They start on the jewelry.