Page 81 of Ruthless Beasts

“More than fine.” Adam finally got words out. “The way that dress fits you is art, Belle. The curves of your body are perfection.”

Mercer took the book from her hand and helped guide her down the stairs, holding onto her as she took the steps down, her heels clacking against each step, creating a seductive melody. She was halfway down when she spoke again. “I didn’t think I’d like yellow, but it is gorgeous. And the jewels are perfect. Not too much to be heavy, but enough to draw attention.”

“Like you need more attention.” Mercer laughed. “Look at them. They are fucking speechless. I think they are still trying to rewire their brains into words.”

“He’s correct.” Adam swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple working against the movement. When she was close enough, he reached out a hand, and she took it, guiding her to the ground so that he could lean in and kiss her. Under his breath he muttered, “This dress...”

“Does not give me the option of undergarments,” she whispered to him, her eyes sparkling with the knowledge that the information she just provided might just kill him tonight. Might just kill us all.

“Fuck,” he cursed as he placed his hand against the bump of her abdomen. “I think we need to cancel.”

She patted his chest affectionately. “It’s your event.”

“And I’ve decided I don’t want to be there,” he persisted.

“After I went through the trouble of this hair and make-up?”

“That looks absolutely gorgeous, might I add.” His wink offered her the knowledge that he was only playing with her, and he’d definitely be taking her out and showing her off. “What about a deal?”

“Oh?” She smiled and leaned away from his body so she could look fully at his face. “What type of deal?”

“The type that says I’ll behave this evening if there is a promise of mischief tonight.” He spoke low, his voice husky with all the promise that I was sure would come.

Her face reddened, making the yellow of the silk stand out beautifully. After a few moments where their heated stares filled the room with thick lust and desire, she finally agreed. “Deal.”

Mercer stepped forward, leaning in behind her and speaking close to her ear. “I never made a promise about behaving.”

He placed her book back in her hand, then he walked past them, grabbing the doorknob and holding it open. Adam looked like it physically pained him to do so, but he parted away from her. “I need to let our security know we’re leaving. It will only take a moment, okay?”

He didn’t wait for a response before he rushed outside. She met my eyes, the tiniest of smiles teasing her lips before she stepped forward, wrapping her fingers around mine until I turned my hand and entwined our hands together. She stepped close, stood on her toes and buried her face in my shoulder, while whispering, “Don’t leave me tonight, okay? I can handle them walking away, but not you. I need you by me.”

Me? She neededme?

No one ever needed me. Even when my sister was alive and we were separated into different homes, she never needed me. She grew too independent to depend on someone like her brother to keep her safe. But Bellamy, the way she leaned into me, squeezing my hand, as if I’d protect her from harm… I’d almost believe she spoke the truth.

“Why?” was the only word I got out through the lump in my throat.

“Because.” Her voice was a whisper, making the hairs on my arm stand up. “You calm me.”

I calmed her.

Me.

Not Adam, who, by all rights, should. He was her husband, after all.

Not Mercer, with his carefree attitude and easy smile.

Me.

I squeezed her fingers. “I won’t leave you. I promise you that.”

Never.

Not when my chest felt like it was flayed and carved open, completely exposed by this sweet thing next to me.

She looked up at me and smiled. She was so short compared to all of us, fragile next to our brute strength, and maybe we all just needed a little of her softness around to remind us we were human. Sometimes it was hard to remember our humanity when blood coated our skin and schemes of power consumed our minds.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead, before releasing her hand and offering her my arm. “Shall we go, princess?”

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