Page 70 of Fixation of the Mind

Walking through the foyer and heading straight back to the ballroom, we saw a few people loitering outside. Everyone was dressed to the nines, but not a single soul could hold a candle to our Rin. She obviously stood out, and everyone was watching us like hawks.

“If something is on my face, can you make sure to tell me? I can’t tell if their looks are out of curiosity, or if I have something wrong going on.” Her body trembled, voice uneasy, and I tried to think of something to soothe her growing nerves.

Suppressing the smile she always seemed to elicit from me, I patted her hand. “Yes. I’ll let you know.”

She inhaled, looking around the grand ballroom when we entered. Seven large round tables sat beneath banners bearing the names of each family. This year, the Rose banner was red with gold stitching, different from previous years. Usually, it was blacked out, a sign that the family line was dead. The head family tables were arranged in a half-circle around a dance floor, claiming the prime space. Unlabeled tables were set up behind them. Those were for the family members that were connected but not a part of the top teams in the family.

We worked our way over to where the Rose and Ambros tables were placed, finding them next to each other. She looked up at me in question, and I motioned for her to sit at the Rose table. I helped her with her chair, leaning close for one more subtle inhale of her scent as I pushed her in. “I’ll get us drinks.”

“And I’ll people watch and come up with questions.” She smiled at me, and I had to remind myself not to fawn over her in front of these people. We needed to keep our interactions more on an ally track, not tipping any of them off to our romantic involvement. Earlier, we had warned her that we would be playing the overprotective brother role, and she’d laughed, saying that we were perfect for that.

Making my way to the bar, I nodded to a few familiar Feng members before putting in my order. A hand skimmed up my arm, then a sultry Latin voice cooed, “Ambros. Fancy seeing you here. You’re usually such a strict gentleman, never drinking at these events. Are you finally ready to let loose?” I slowly turned to see Leticia Garcia in all her glory. She was part of a sub-family of the Maximas, her mother being the sister to the head of the family, which was why she was always at events yet never at the head table.

Yanking my arm away, I growled, “Leticia,” letting my tone show that she was bothering me.

She just giggled, leaning up against the bar in her skin-tight red dress. Its thin straps dug into her shoulders, threatening to break under the weight of her large breasts on full display. She’d tried to fuck me more times than I could count, but her attitude made me sick to my stomach. Plus, I knew her game. She was just trying to find some seemingly powerful idiot to tie herself to so she could finally make it to a head table.

“Come now, don't tell me that Rose orphan is your type? I mean, she looks as basic as basic can get. No wonder her family was so desperate to leave her behind.” Her eyes flicked to Layrin, then back to me, as she cackled. The urge to grab her by the throat and slam her head into the bar was so strong my jaw clenched, but I needed to play the game… for now.

“No,” I replied with easy. “I’m just her mentor and helping her understand her place in the organization.” The bartender brought the two vodka tonics I ordered. Perfect timing. I was so close to losing it. Grabbing both drinks a bit roughly, I nodded to Leticia. “Have a good night.”

She wrapped her pointy nails around my waist, her hand resting too low for comfort. “You know where to find me if you get tired of babysitting.” Her hand grazed my dick, and it practically recoiled from her. I didn't know it could do that.

Pushing my way forward, I called out over my shoulder, “I don’t do desperate. You should know that by now.” Her eyes flash with rage as she stood there fuming. It felt good, putting her in her place for Rin and I returned to the table, handing her a drink.

She leaned over and whispered, “I know that we’re playing our parts today, but…” Her smile was wide as she looked around. “If you let her wrap her arms around you again, I think I'm going to carve out her eyes and give them to Roux as a present.”

Ravi’s laughter came out hard and fast in my ear. “Oh shit! I'm missing out on possessive Rin! But if Roux gets a present, I want a present, too.” Hearing only a puff of laughter from Roux, Ravi continued. “Also, bro, she’s right. I would never let no hoochie touch me.”

Looking at Rin, I answered Ravi. “It was Leticia.” Rin’s face scrunched up, but I tapped her palm, giving her the signal that I was really talking to my brothers. Since she’d undoubtedly have more eyes on her than we would, we hadn’t wanted to risk giving her an earpiece. Plus, she wasn’t used to paying attention to two conversations at once, and that could get challenging, especially when Ravi was on the other end of things. As it was, the night had barely started and I was already tempted to remind him this line was for emergencies only.

“Oooh. Yeaaah. I forgot about her. Last I heard, she was trying to get something going with one of the Feng boys.”

Ravi’s commentary wasn't helping, so I took a drink and faced Rin, who was balancing her chin in her hand, blinking up at me like she was waiting. Running my tongue along my teeth, I kept my voice low. “She is a nobody. She doesn't hold a candle to you.”

“Facts!”

I closed my eyes, finding it hard to have a conversation with Rin while Ravi kept commenting like he was present. “Please know that none of the women in here could ever have a chokehold on any of us like you do, so while I enjoy this bout of jealousy very much, there is no need for it.” My eyes landed on her lips, my body urging me to show her exactly what I meant. Losing myself to that carnal urge, my tongue swiping out as I leaned forward, about to blow our story just as someone saved me and plopped down next to Rin.

“Hey, Lay! Your dress is to fucking die for!” Cinzia leaned in, glaring at me as she said, loudly enough for the three of us to hear, “And this guy is the one who got it for you? He’s either a slimy charmer or gay. Either way, run for the hills.”

“What did that Ricci bitch say?!” Ravi screeched in my ear, making my fingers itch to dig the earpiece out and smash it under my foot. Taking a few breaths, I calmed myself down. This is our main way to communicate with each other. Don’t do something to jeopardize the night. I needed to resist the temptation to react to him because Ravi was a loud asshole, and if he didn't get to dance with Rin tonight, he was going to be even more insufferable.

Rin pinched Cinzia’s arm. “That wasn't very nice, Cin.”

Cinzia’s mouth dropped open, and I tilted my head, smirking at her. One brow raised in a clear sign of checkmate. My girl had taken my side today. “Hello to you too, Cinzia.”

She shut her mouth at the stern look on Rin’s face, glaring at me as she said, “Yeah. Hi, Ambros,” like she would rather swallow a bowl of nails than say those three words. She thought I didn’t feel the same? The difference was that I was playing the long game for Rin’s sake.

A clinking sound came through the speakers of the room, pulling everyone's attention forward. Maria was on the stage, smiling, the mic in her hand. “Welcome, family and friends! It has been so exciting to see your familiar faces and catch up with old friends.” Her gaze landed on Rin, and my blood ran cold. “I’m sure you’ve all noticed there’s no black tablecloth on the seventh family table. That is because we’ve been so blessed to have found the last remaining Rose heir.” Everyone's attention landed on Rin. Her back went straight as she looked up at Maria with a smile, but she couldn't hide the tremble of her hands from me.

“Layrin Rose has been tested, verified, and is going to take her rightful place, so I encourage you all to introduce yourself to our newest family member. Stand up, Layrin, so everyone can see you.” She motioned to Rin, whose smile tightened as she stood up. I looked around, catching each set of hungry eyes that landed on her, cataloging them for later.

She quickly sat back down, with Cinzia assuring her that she had done fine and they were jackoffs who weren’t worth worrying about. For once, I agreed with Cinzia Ricci.

“This means that tomorrow, at the naming ceremony, we will be calling forward two candidates. Now, please, everyone take your seats. Food will be served while you enjoy the exquisite modern rendition of La Bayadère by the world-renowned Russian Bolshoi ballet troupe.”

While leaving the stage, she eyed Cinzia, flicking her eyes to the Ricci table with a raised brow. We all knew what that meant. Ciniza looked at Rin, shoulders slumped as she said, “I have to eat dinner at my family table, but as soon as the food and entertainment are done, I’ll be right back here. Okay?”

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