Страница 91 из 349
Instead, I have to ignore the escapism that comes when I’m around him. The playfulness. The banter. Getting mixed up in him isn’t smart.
And I’m always smart.
“Stop playing games,” I murmur.
He chuckles, the subtle sound smooth and too damn cocky. “Life is a game. If it isn’t fun, what’s the point in playing?”
There’s a beat of silence where my heart lodges in my throat, then the crowd raises their glasses in unison. “To Hunter and Sarah.”
I follow suit and take another sip of champagne, this one longer than the last.
Decker’s scotch glass grazes my peripheral vision then disappears from view. I imagine his throat working over the liquor. The swipe of his tongue against his lower lip to lick away the moisture.
My mouth dries.
My skin prickles.
This man stokes to life a sexual appetite I’ve deliberately kept starved for years.
“I’m going to speak to the happy couple.” I hold my head high and saunter away, not wanting to test myself more than necessary. His warmth fades, leaving me chilled. My fake smile returns, and the sterility of my existence along with it.
“You’re hating every minute of this, aren’t you?” I ask Sarah in greeting.
“Yes.” She crosses her arms over her chest, fending off well wishes from guests with her hostile expression. “Do we look like the type to get giddy over an engagement party full of thugs?”
I cock my head in mock scrutiny. She’s beautiful, and not merely in physical form. She can be brutal and kind in the same breath. Vicious and caring. This woman is truly remarkable. “Will you strangle me if I say you’re not the type to get giddy over anything?”
Her lips twitch. “I’m not going to strangle you for an accurate assessment. But this—” She jerks her chin at the vultures. “This is in no way a reflection of what I’d like to be doing to celebrate our engagement. I have far more important things on my mind.”
“She means fucking,” Hunter adds, deadpan.
I grin. “Yeah, I figured.”
“Torian is right, though.” He pivots away from Sarah to watch my brother approach the bar. “Tonight was a good opportunity to get everyone together. We need to lock this shit down before the whole operation unravels.”
He’s referring to the attack on my uncle and how it makes our family hierarchy appear fragile. Especially when my father hasn’t shown his face in months. We’re teetering on shaky ground, but this isn’t the first time. And it won’t be the last.
“Has there been any news on who ran him down?” I hedge. “You know Cole doesn’t tell me much.”
“And that’s for your own safety.” Hunter’s response is gruff. “He’ll tell you what you need to know. When you need to know.”
My pulse increases with the placation. I despise being seen as the clueless little princess. But perception is everything. “Would your fiancée accept that type of overbearing protection?”
He holds my gaze, his eyes narrowing.
We both know Sarah would demand complete transparency. If kept in the dark, that woman would create havoc. I’d love to hold a fraction of her warrior’s reputation. To be known for strength instead of weakness. To be seen as an asset instead of a liability.
We are regarded in entirely different light, but in reality, we aren’t all that different. At least, that’s what I’d like to believe.
“I don’t like secrets, do I, handsome?” Sarah places her hand on Hunter’s chest and winks at me. “Don’t worry. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
He snags her wrist in a tight grip. “If you hear anything, you’ll keep your mouth shut, woman.”
She smirks. “Now you’re just turning me on, big guy. Do you want to take this macho bullshit some place private?”
His nostrils flare.
“Speaking of being turned on…” Decker appears beside me. “Have I told you ladies how gorgeous you look tonight?”
Hunter releases Sarah’s wrist and clenches his fist. “Don’t push me, Deck.”
“What did I do?” Decker holds up his hands in surrender. “It’s not like I told them I’m going to be picturing them while I’m all alone in the shower. I actually restrained myself this time. What more do you want from me?”
Sarah rolls her eyes, and yet again, I can’t help appreciating the lack of apprehension I feel around the joker beside me. Decker is a loose ca
I’m still trying to learn who he is. Piece by piece. Day by day.
I’ve witnessed a glimpse of honor and protection. But like all the others in this room, his actions could be for underhanded reasons.
“I want your respect,” Hunter grates.
“I respect you, buddy. Otherwise I would’ve taken off with your girl a long time ago.”
Sarah laughs. Long and loud. The sound is contagious. “Decker, you wouldn’t know how to handle me.”
“Maybe not, but I’m willing to learn.” He waggles his brows.
“I’m going to fucking kill him.” Hunter takes a threatening lunge forward.
Sarah grabs her fiancé’s hand and entwines their fingers. “You touch him and it means we have to stay here longer explaining the bloodied mess to Torian.”
Decker clucks his tongue in another taunt. “That’s a good puppy, Hunt. We all know Torian is as forgiving as I’m—”
“Intelligent?” Hunter interrupts.
“Sophisticated?” Sarah adds.
I want to add a sarcastic contribution and say unattractive, because God knows this man is as sexy as he is comical, but instead I offer, “Socially aware?”
“Jesus.” He retreats, and from the corner of my eye I see him slap a palm over his chest. “You don’t understand how much your words hurt.”
“My fists will hurt a lot more.” Hunter cracks his knuckles.
I smother a laugh under an unconvincing cough. “I’m going to get another dr—” My sentence is cut short by a burst of noise.
Glass shatters. People scream. Pop, pop, pops echo from the street, and I stand frozen as gunfire peppers the night like rain. Guests scatter, ru
Decker barrels into me, knocking me to the ground, stealing the air from my lungs. I gasp for breath and fight to break free.
“Don’t move.” He shields me with his body, his head low, his gaze darting around the room as he pulls a gun from beneath his suit jacket. “Hunt, you good?”
“We’re good,” Sarah replies.
“Torian?” Hunter yells.
There’s no response other than women hysterically wailing and men shouting.
I struggle to get out from beneath Decker’s hard body, his weight becoming heavier. I’m trapped while my siblings could be lying in a pool of blood mere feet away.
“Cole,” I scream. “Layla.”
A shadow rushes toward us, my brother’s face coming into view. He’s panting, his gun in his hand. More pops ring out, but they’re different. Maybe our return fire.
“Get her out of here.” He doesn’t look at me as he pulls something from his pocket and hands it to Decker. “Guard her with your life or risk losing your own.”