Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
“Do not open the door. You wait for me to tell you it’s okay to get out,” August says in a nonnegotiable tone. Honestly, if we hadn’t just been ambushed earlier today, I would think he’s overreacting.
I nod my head and wait. Anxiety creeps up as I stare out the window at August. He’s the one they’re after.
He shouldn’t be getting out first. My heart hammers against my chest. When I go to open the door, August steps in front of it.
He then turns and opens it all the way and holds a hand towards me.
“Okay, we’re going to be in and out, make our appearance, talk to who I need to talk to and then we’re leaving,” he says.
“Okay.” I look down and flatten a palm over my dress.
“You look stunning,” August tells me.
I don’t feel it. I feel like a fraud. This is not my scene.
The moment we step into the ballroom and I spot all the beautiful, well made-up women, my nerves increase tenfold.
My hand tightens around August’s arm when a busty brunette approaches him.
August looks across to me and presses his lips to the side of my head before greeting her.
That tiny bit of reassurance, how did he know I needed that?
Such a small gesture, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
“I’m going to get drinks. Hayles, wanna come?” Colton asks me.
I shake my head. Is he insane? He wants me to walk away and leave August alone with this woman? I can’t do that. What if…
Shit, it’s happening.
“Actually, I will come with you.” I nod.
As I say this, August’s hand tightens on my hip and his head snaps to the side. “You’ll go where with Colton?” he asks me.
“To the bar. I’ll get you a drink.” Reaching up, I press my lips against his. I don’t want to leave his side, but I have to. I need to not become that girl again. The girl who can’t handle being away from her boyfriend.
“I’ll take you there,” August says.
“No, stay, finish your conversation. I’ll be right back.” I step out of his grasp.
Colton and Andre flank my sides as we approach the bar. I can’t help but look back over my shoulder every few seconds to see if August is still where I left him. Every time I look back, he’s looking right at me. Watching me.
“He’s not going anywhere,” Colton says.
“I know.” I don’t, but I want to believe it.
“So, Hayley, what are your intentions with my boy?” Colton asks, leaning one arm on the bar so he can get a better look at me.
“My intentions?” I repeat, my eyes continuing to flick back and forth.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen him so twisted up over a woman. This is the real deal for him, so if it’s not that for you, then you should get out now. Actually, I think it’s already too late. There is no getting out. You’ll just have to find a way to fall in love with him.” Colton shrugs.
“He is not in love with me.” I laugh. That would be crazy.
“Isn’t he?” Colton raises a single eyebrow and turns his gaze back to August. My gaze is already there.
“I mean, he can’t be. He doesn’t even know me,” I say.
“I don’t think love has anything to do with that. It’s deeper, like a soul thing or something.” Colton shrugs again before calling the barman over to place our order.
Is he right? Can you be in love with someone after just a few days with them?
“I think my intentions are to keep him.” My eyes remain locked on August. He smiles back at me.
“You should probably know the guy can read lips.” Colton laughs.
“I don’t care. I don’t have any secrets.” I take the offered glass of champagne from Colton, turning my glare his way. “Who is trying to kill him?”
“We don’t know,” Colton tells me. “Yet. We’ll find them, though. We always do.”
“So, this is a regular occurrence?” I ask.
“Not regular, but when you’re at the top of the food chain, bottom feeders like to come out every now and then to try to make the climb.”
“You really do need a haircut,” I tell him. Changing the subject as I start to make my way back towards August, because it’s been long enough. I walked away, and I didn’t panic. Sure, I could see him the entire time, but I’m still counting it as a win.
When I reach August, he’s quick to wrap an arm around my waist and pull me up against his side. “I don’t like when you walk away from me,” he whispers into my ear, and I shiver.
“I didn’t walk away. I went to get a drink,” I reply, sipping at the sweet champagne.
“Same thing,” he grunts. “I like it better when you’re within touching distance.”
I want to tell him that he really shouldn’t say things like that to me, because I will take it to mean more than it does. I will literally always be within touching distance, and that’s not healthy for either of us.
My clutch starts vibrating, so I pull it out, frowning when I see the name of the local police station on my screen. Dread fills me. Last time the cops called me, it was to tell me that my parents were dead.
Oh my god, Riley!
“Shit,” I curse under my breath.
“What’s wrong?” August takes my phone, the one still ringing. He looks at the screen and answers it. “August Wade,” he snaps into the receiver.
I don’t hear what the other person says. All I can think about is my little brother. Where is he? Last time I tracked his location, which was only thirty minutes ago, he was at Jade’s…
“This is her boyfriend. Whatever you need to tell her, you can tell me,” August says.
I look up at him, my heart hammering against my chest. Everything blurs.
“We need to go.” August pockets my phone a few seconds later.
“What happened?” I close my eyes.
Please don’t be dead. Please don’t be dead. I can’t lose my only living relative.
“Riley was arrested. We need to go bail him out.” August takes my hand. “Colton, I need you to stay, do the rounds.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Colton nods. “Don’t worry, Hayles. August is a pro at bailing people out. He’s done it for me more times than I can remember.”
“He’s been arrested. He’s not dead.” I look up at August, needing to hear it again.
His face softens. “He’s just been arrested, Hayley. He’s fine.”