Chapter 35
Alessa
Time passes in a blur, and before I know it, it’s the day of the gala.
I did listen to the guys and let them stay as close to me as they wanted, but I’m only going to deal with that for so long.
Holden couldn’t pull the footage from those cameras or track the number from the first message to Ryder.
He took it personally, no matter how much we told him it wasn’t his fault.
Pictures still appear on vehicles when we’re out, but they’re just of me now.
It looks like I’m posing for the camera in them, and the word ‘mine’ is scrawled on them.
We’ve all been so busy trying to get ready for whatever Viktor decides to do that we don’t have time to dwell on it.
Ryder and I had another heated argument over me going to the gala tonight, which resulted in him bending me over my bed and fucking me so hard that I saw stars.
In the end, he knows I need to go, and I won’t hide from Viktor or whoever my creepy stalker is.
“Done,” Bridget, my stylist, exclaims, clapping her hands and turning me toward the mirror.
She put my hair up in a loose twist with curls hanging around my face.
My makeup is thicker than usual with foundation I don’t usually use, blush, bronzer, and highlighter.
My eyes are smokey with gold glitter on the lids to match my dress, and my lips are a light pink color that makes my lips look extra pouty.
“You’re a genius,” I tell her, looking in the mirror.
She snorts. “You always give me a good canvas.”
Bridget is the daughter of my house staff, Shawna.
They have the same fiery red hair and green eyes.
I hired Bridget as my stylist when Shawna started bragging about how good she is, and she wasn’t lying.
I’ve had her on my payroll for years now.
Bridget is the closest I have to a female friend, but I keep her at arm’s length because I can’t let any more people get close to me.
“Time for the dress.” She claps again, and I laugh at her enthusiasm.
I wish I still had that, but I know how boring these things are.
It always made it more fun with Gage there, though.
All this is an excuse to get the crime families together and flaunt their money.
I have to admit I’m excited all my guys are going; I just wish I could have talked Holden into it.
I get up from the chair, take the garment bag out of the closet, and walk back to the bedroom.
I slide my robe off, revealing a gold, strapless, bodice style one piece that is lacy, and push my boobs up for the dress.
Bridget helps me step into it and zips it up in the back.
I step in front of the floor-length mirror, and I smile to myself. The guys are going to love this dress.
The dress itself is cream-colored with glittery gold accents all over it. Wide straps on the shoulders then dipped down in a deep v neckline showing off a healthy amount of cleavage. The waist is cinched, then flares out at the hips with two slits up the thighs that stop right before my panty line.
“Damn, girl,” Bridget whistles, “You might not make it out of this house.”
I laugh. “They better not ruin your hard work.”
While doing my hair and makeup, she peppered me with questions that I gladly answered, just happy to have someone to talk to that wasn’t the guys or Micah.
She bends down, helping me step into the gold stilettos that give me another four inches of added height and a strap that winds up my calf.
She fusses with my hair for a minute, then steps back, admiring her handiwork.
“Oh, I can’t wait to see their faces,” she laughs, hooking her arm with mine.
She walks like that with me down the stairs, so I don’t fall in these heels and leads me to the voices I hear in the living room.
She steps back when I walk into the room, and all eyes turn toward me.
“Fuck,” Leo chokes. “Baby, you look incredible.”
I take him in and have to remember how to breathe. He’s dressed in a tailored tux, complete with a gold vest and bow tie that matches me. His hair is messy but pushed to the side to reveal his beautiful eyes. “You too,” I finally breathe out.
I look around the room and second-guess, going to this thing in favor of dragging them all upstairs. Gage is dressed identically to Leo, his wild wavy hair still wild, just like I love.
Ryder has a black button-up shirt with black slacks tailored to fit his ass to perfection; he even has on shiny black shoes. His hair is slicked back from his handsome face.
Dex has on a grey button-up that makes his eyes stand out with tailored black slacks; he has on boots which, for Dex, it’s to be expected. Someone has fixed his hair where it’s fluffy in the front and tamed in the back. I’d say that someone is Gage because Dex never fusses with his hair.
Ryder steps up, gently kissing my cheek, so he doesn’t ruin my makeup. He takes my hand and spins me in a circle, so my dress spins at the bottom, revealing my thighs through the splits. “You look beautiful, Il mio sole.”
I kiss his cheek back, thankful for the smudge-proof lipstick. “You look good too.”
Dex steps up, taking Ryder’s place, gently pecking my lips. “Baby girl,” he rumbles, “You look like a fucking queen.”
“You look good enough to eat.” He grins and steps back.
Gage slides his hand around my waist when he steps up. “Please let me fuck you in this dress.”
I hear Bridget bark out a shocked laugh. “My work here is done,” she says, color blooming in her cheeks. I feel bad that I forgot she was there.
“Thank you,” I tell her softly. “You always come through.”
“Anything for you,” she says and gives a little wave, heading to the door.
Gage’s hand tightens on my hip, bringing my attention back to him. “You do look like a queen.” He kisses my cheek. “Our queen.”
Holden stands up from his place on the couch, taking both my hands in his. “I…you…wow,” he says, mesmerized.
I kiss his lips. “Thank you,” I tell him, so he doesn’t have to form words.
“Ma’am, the Perez…” Shawna stops mid-sentence placing a hand over her mouth. “Alessa, you look gorgeous.”
“Thank you, Shawna,” I reply, getting misty-eyed because she never calls me Alessa.
Shawna clears her throat. “The Perez brothers have arrived outside.”
Leo steps up, holding his arm out for me; I link mine through his. “You look…wow. I can’t even put it into words.”
“You guys are good for my ego,” I quip, then look at Leo. “You look…damn.”
He laughs. “I guess we’re both at a loss for words.”
He leads me to the waiting limo, Evander and Mateo’s idling in front of ours. We want to arrive at this as a united front because these things are filled with paparazzi. They may not know who we are, but they treat us like celebrities.
Leo helps me in before the rest of the guys pile in behind me. Holden is standing at the door with his hands tucked into his pockets; he’s the only one I’m missing in this limo. I hoped he would start going with us more since I was dragging him out of his shell.
I end up between Gage and Leo, with Ryder and Dex facing us. Gage runs his hand from my calf up to my thigh, running his finger across where my body suit meets my leg. “I’m dying to know what you have hidden under here,” he murmurs in my ear.
“That’s a surprise for later,” I say, hiding a smile with a glass of champagne Ryder hands me.
“Just a peek?” Gage asks, grinning that full dimpled grin, running his hand higher.
I grab his wrist before he can see anything. “No. Hands to yourself.”
Ryder laughs when Gage pulls his hand back. “Serves you right, you little asshole.”
“Tell me you don’t want to know what’s under this dress?
” He gestures toward me. I cross my leg over the other so the split falls open further, exposing my whole leg but still not showing him what he wants to see.
All their eyes track the movement, and Gage’s head falls back against the seat.
“This is going to be the longest fucking night ever.”
Leo chuckles and runs his hand down my leg, leaving his hand beside my knee. “You torturing us, Baby?”
“I would never,” I tease.
We pull in front of the hotel where they’re holding the gala. It’s massive with a huge ballroom, perfect for this. The outside is equipped with a red carpet, with cameras lining each side. I roll my eyes that these people have no idea they’re worshipping criminals.
“Gage and Leo are going to lead me in with Evander and Mateo,” I repeat, ensuring they follow what I say, no matter how badly they don’t want to. “Ryder and Dex, you take up the rear with the Perez security.”
“Take it up the rear,” Gage laughs under his breath.
“I said take up the…You know what. Never mind.” I just shake my head at his antics.
Gage pulls himself together when the door opens. He steps out and sticks his hand in to help me out of the car, his eyes lingering on my legs. “I want to fall at your feet, my queen,” he jokes, bowing when I get out.
“Stop,” I laugh, hooking my arm with his and Leo’s when he steps up. Evander and Mateo take up the ends, dressed sharply in classic tuxes with white dress shirts. “Gentlemen, you clean up nicely.”
“You look ravishing as always,” Mateo comments leaning around Leo, who elbows him in the stomach.
“Eyes off our girl, brother,” he warns Mateo.
I hear Ryder chuckle. “That’s more like it.”
Mentally shaking my head, we walk into the hotel lobby before being led to the ballroom. The usher pushes the doors open to extravagant decorations. Way too many fairy lights line the room. Ice sculptures, a huge bar, a dance floor, and tables are set up.
“This is awful,” Gage mutters under his breath, making Evander choke on a laugh.
“You know the drill,” I say to Gage and then turn to Leo.
“We dance a few times. Make our rounds. Donate and get the fuck out of here.” I highlight mine and Gage’s usual MO. “After I talk to Alexey and Dmitri.”
“We,” Ryder reminds me.
“Yes, dear,” I say sarcastically. “Fan out.”