Page 84 of Peaceful Chaos

Masquerade

Raven

"Raven,"Carina Whitmore rushes across the ballroom to greet me with hands outstretched. "I'm so happy you reached out."

She folds me into a hug and whispers in my ear. "Your brother is set up in another room. Everything is ready."

I step back and smile at her. Hopefully, someday we'll have time to get to know each other well. Her husband I'm still on the fence about, but I'm glad Sin can have her in his life.

"What exactly is this event?" I ask.

Carina looks around. "You know, I'm not sure. There've been so many of them. This isn't a campaign fundraiser, but it is raising money. Arthur insists we make appearances at all the major functions. It's been this way our entire marriage."

She extends her elbow, and I take it as we take a pointless stroll around the room. The entire idea is to be seen supporting the right causes, crafting the right image.

"You don't enjoy this?" I ask as we weave through the crowd.

"I used to. I grew up with money, but my father was a simple man. The only parties I attended were family functions, weddings, and birthdays. Then I married Arthur, and as he climbed the political ladder the parties grew larger and more ostentatious. At first the gowns, jewels, and fancy meals were diverting. That gets old after a while, and watching all this money thrown around so that the rich feel like they are actually helping people turns my stomach now."

Looking down at my own fancy gown, I understand what she means. Picking the dress was amusing. This one is a sapphire blue satin mermaid gown and the most beautiful dress I've ever seen. It's also the most constricting article of clothing I've ever worn. And the jewelry is as heavy as it is flashy. At least it serves a purpose for my plans. I couldn't imagine attending these kinds of functions over and over again for decades.

We stop by the display for a silent auction. Carina picks up one of the brochures detailing the charity. "Saint Rita's Home for Women and Children. At least this one isn't raising money for a garden or beautification of some irrelevant building."

I take the pamphlet from her. "Kind of ironic, actually."

"Yes, I suppose it is," she agrees.

"Do you think he'll show up?" I ask. Lucien, Sin, and Javier all thought he wouldn't be able to resist.

She turns to face me, her face showing her concern. "You don't think he will?"

I gesture at the crowd and the press covering the event. "He wants to take me. Why would he risk this kind of exposure?"

"From what I've learned, Damien Blackthorne doesn't recognize limits. These people here, to a man used to paying his way out of any situation, are nothing more than an irritation. His hubris will be his downfall."

"Let's hope you're right," I murmur.

"Oh dear," she sighs. I follow her gaze and watch a very awkward interaction between Sin and his father. "We should go rescue him."

I roll my eyes. "Sin won't hurt Arthur."

"Of course not, but Arthur might lecture him to death."

Together we sashay across the dance floor as quickly as our yards of fabric and spike heels will allow. She moves to Arthur's side and I move to Sin's.

"I do hope you're behaving yourself," Carina says.

Arthur kisses her cheek. "Of course, darling. Jack—I mean Sin and I were just going over the arrangements for this evening. I called in several favors. I think Damien Blackthorne is going to find the world a much smaller place as of today."

"We're about to find out. My men sent word that Damien has just arrived," Javier says. I hadn't noticed him standing a few feet behind Arthur. I swear the man has spent so long working in the shadows, they do his bidding now.

Sin turns to his father. "Looks like it's too late now." I give him a questioning look, and he explains, "Arthur was trying to talk me into taking you back to their home and letting him handle this."

I sigh. "I wish it was that simple. If we don't deal with him now, we'll be on the run for the rest of our lives."

Arthur's expression is resigned. He knows there's no way around the coming confrontation.

"Excuse us," Sin says to his family.

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