51. Something Exceptional
SOMETHING EXCEPTIONAL
Axel
I palmed my nape while studying the glittering diamonds the sales associate brought from the jewelry store’s vault. “I don’t know. She deserves something exceptional.”
This engagement might have been completely fake, but I wouldn’t let Lorelei walk around with a subpar ring.
When her asshole of a father slapped her, my mind blanked except for the intense need to rip his head off. Adding up all the little clues—Lorelei skipping the nail salon, slacking on her shopping sprees, and her car getting taken away—I guessed the Battenbergs were having serious money troubles.
It all made sense after Lorelei’s father attempted to convince her to marry Brock right in front of me. She’d become the family’s sacrificial lamb, and they didn’t give a damn what Haversham did to her as long as their pockets were lined.
So I did the only thing I could think of to protect her. I proposed.
In hindsight, it wasn’t the smartest choice considering we just officially became a real couple. We’d have to think of some reason to postpone our nuptials. We could blame it on being young and in love or some sappy shit like that.
“How about this one?” The woman, Melanie, handed me a massive, cushion-cut diamond ring and blabbed about clarity and crap.
Her chestnut hair was slicked back in a high ponytail that pulled her skin so much that it looked like she’d had a facelift. She couldn’t have been more than twenty-five, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d already had some kind of age-defying procedure.
As I twirled the ring, the diamonds gleamed under the row of recessed lighting and the elaborate chandelier dangling from the center of the store. I should have been sweating bullets at the mere thought of getting married so young.
Maybe my serenity stemmed from the fact that it wasn’t real. We weren’t actually getting hitched.
A laugh echoed in the back of my mind. Our relationship had started out as fake. Our engagement could easily become real. A smile tipped the edges of my lips as I pictured Lorelei walking toward me in a wedding dress. She’d look so damn perfect.
“Do you like this one?” Melanie’s voice yanked me from the fantasy, her blue eyes filled with dollar signs.
I gave a noncommittal shrug. “It’s nice. I just don’t know if it’s right for her.”
If I actually intended to marry Lorelei, I would either check the family vault for a vintage ring or have one custom-made.
She couldn’t keep my mother’s ring, and I wanted to put something on that damn finger right now to finally convince Haversham he’d lost.
“You’re really going through with this?”
I jumped at Killian’s voice as he appeared over my shoulder like a damn stalker.
“Uh, yeah, I am.” My lips thinned as I took in his grimace. “Is there something you want to say about it?”
His gaze flicked to Melanie, hypnotizing her with his suddenly charming smile. “Can you give us a minute, sweetheart?”
The brunette nearly lost it, and a deep flush spread into the apples of her cheeks. “Sure. No problem. Just call my name when you’re ready.”
Once Melanie sashayed to the other side of the store, pretending to rearrange a display case of earrings while watching us, Killian leaned against the counter.
“Are you sure about this, Ax?” He lifted his palms when I opened my mouth to go on the defensive. “I’m only looking out for you. Not that long ago, you were drooling after Cordelia Chesson, and now you want to fucking walk down the aisle with Lorelei.”
I set the ring back in the black velvet tray and plucked another giant rock. Of course my best friend had picked up on my massive crush.
“My feelings for Cordi weren’t as deep as I’d thought. I didn’t realize it until I started this thing with Lorelei.” Everything paled in comparison to how I felt for her. I would literally risk anything for my sweet, brave, sassy blondie.
Killian dragged his hand through his dark brown locks and sighed. “I just don’t get it, man.”
“You don’t know Lore like I do. Everything you’ve seen of her is only a facade.” They might have slept together, but he had no idea of the real girl behind that flawless, aloof exterior. “She’s kinder and sweeter than you could imagine. And she’s vulnerable beyond all that armor.”
“Lorelei Battenberg vulnerable? That concept doesn’t compute in my head.” He rested his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “But I can’t ignore what’s right in front of my eyes when you two are together. You’re almost as sickening as Lexi and me.”
I snorted on a laugh. “No one can beat you two in that department.”
“So you really love her?”
“Yeah, I do.” The words easily flowed from my mouth like they were the truth.
Were they? Did I really love Lorelei?
Our phones both suddenly pinged with a text, and I frowned when I checked the message on my screen.
“Why is Vaughn calling an emergency meeting?” Killian tapped his forearm where the serpent and dagger tattoo stained his skin. “I’m so over his bullshit.”
“Tell me about it.” I swallowed hard and shoved my phone back into my pocket. Getting a summons from Vaughn usually meant trouble for me.
The arrogant smile stretching over Vaughn’s lips as he stood in the catacomb atrium spread chills down my spine. I didn’t like the satisfied glint in his dark eyes either.
“Now that we’ve gotten the business of the upcoming year out of the way, I’d like to make an announcement.” His gaze roamed over the crowd of Lords—no masks or cloaks required for this—and halted on me. “It seems congratulations are in order for one of our brothers.”
Oh, shit.
“Axel Vanderhart has proposed to the lovely Lorelei Battenberg.” Vaughn flicked his hand, and the youngest members entered the archaic stone room with silver trays of champagne. “Let’s all congratulate him and toast to his future.”
Slate wrapped his arm around my neck and tried to put me in a headlock. “When I saw that shit go down at Royal’s house, I thought I’d had one too many cocktails.”
I shoved him off and fixed my hair. “You were drunk but not hallucinating.”
“You’re not the only one who couldn’t believe what he was seeing.” Killian grabbed a glass of champagne off a tray and sipped it. “Lexi wouldn’t stop gushing over how sweet and romantic you two are. I have to step up my game . Thanks a lot, Ax.” He winked and ruffled my hair, messing it up again.
“Don’t worry, Kill. I’m sure you’ll think of something over-the-top and crazy to cement your place as the most romantic.” I continued to spin the web of lies with every word falling from my mouth.
I felt horrible keeping the truth from my best friends, but they’d understand, especially Killian, since it was only to protect Lorelei.
Slate grabbed two glasses of champagne. “I can be romantic, too.”
“Filling the Zeta’s hot tub with pink bubbles is not romantic.” Gage stole one of Slate’s drinks. “That was a prank.”
Slate shrugged. “Semantics.”
Micah appeared and passed me a glass. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, man.” I ignored the guilt that blossomed in my chest every time he was near, knowing his friend’s death was on my hands.
“You must really love her. The thought of tying the knot right now has me breaking out in hives.” Micah tilted his head toward Killian, pushing his glasses back up his nose. “I figured you and Lexi would be marching down the aisle first.”
Killian narrowed his eyes. “We’ll still beat these two to the altar. Being engaged first doesn’t mean jack.”
“Lore and I will probably finish college first.” Son of a bitch. I sounded way too serious about this. Soon, I’d start picking out wedding cake flavors.
Chocolate, of course.
Gage held his fist out for me to tap as the guys bickered about weddings and bachelor parties. “I’m happy for you, Ax. You and Lorelei are great together—even though it took you a while to figure it out.”
My brow arched as his words sank in. Gage was perceptive, but he couldn’t possibly have known our relationship started out as a total farce.
When a delectable aroma filled the air as food began filling tables around the edges of the meeting room, Slate’s stomach let out an angry growl. Killian laughed and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.
“Let’s get something to eat before you pass out.” He angled his head toward Micah. “You coming, Preston?”
His jaw nearly hit the floor, and it took him a moment to respond. “Uh, yeah.”
Gage toyed with the piercing on his bottom lip as he watched Micah, Killian, and Slate vanish through the crowd. “I think hell just froze over.”
“Most definitely.” This was the first time Killian had extended anything other than anger or complete indifference to Micah. “Lexi’s probably getting to him.”
Vaughn sauntered up, one hand clutching a glass of champagne while the other was casually shoved into the pocket of his black slacks. “Mind if I speak to Axel alone, Gage?”
I could see the scathing insult on the tip of my friend’s tongue, but I shook my head. “I’ll meet you guys over there in a minute.”
Gage grumbled an insult under his breath and marched across the room toward the food tables, shooting our Domnus a warning glare over his shoulder.
“What are you playing at, Vaughn?” I didn’t think for one second he really wanted to celebrate my engagement. “You’ve threatened me multiple times to stay away from Lorelei and now this?”
“What kind of leader would I be if I didn’t celebrate this monumental news from one of our members?”
I rolled my eyes. “Save the bullshit for someone else. What’s the deal?”
Vaughn sipped his champagne as he attempted to mask that smarmy smile. “Brock Haversham is not one to take no for an answer.”
“Looks like he’s getting a crash course in that area.” I downed the rest of my drink and set it on a tray as another member passed by. “He lost, and Lorelei’s mine. We’re engaged. There’s nothing he can do.”
Vaughn’s laugh had ice spreading over my flesh. “Don’t think Brock will give up just because you proposed. A ring won’t stop him from getting what he wants. And he wants Lorelei Battenberg.”