Page 41 of Leather & Lace

“Will Iwhat?” She says in a low breathy tone.

“Will you be mine and only mine?” I nip and tongue the lobe of her ear.

“Yes,” she says in a heated, seductive tone.

I shot back up and gave her a wink. “Well, that solves that!” She gives me an annoyed glare as we hear the trumpets start to blare, signifying the ball was about to start. The large gold-framed doors started to open slowly. Once we entered the ballroom, I heard Brook let out a small gasp.

The room itself was massive. Large candelabras lined the sides of the walls. Huge crystal chandeliers lined the forty-foot ceilings that span all the way down the dance floor. The ballroom itself was two stories high. The themed colors were silver and gold. Very regal and reeked of wealth. Little tables stood on the sides of the room. White and silver satin lined each one.

They have a full string quartet playing on the stage that is seated in the very back of the room. Beautiful sonnets fill the air as the guests start to dance to the melodies. It’s pure magic. I watch as Brook takes it all in, her eyes darting from side to side in awe.

“This is the most beautiful place I have ever been, Eli.” Looking up to me, I see her eyes start to gloss over. A single tear starts forming at the side. I wipe it away before it has a chance to stream down her face.

“Only the best for my baby girl,” I say as I take her hand and usher her to the dance floor.

“Eli, I don’t know how to dance! I mean, at least not to this!” she says in a shaky voice.

“Just follow my lead, baby girl.” I wink as her brows scrunch together.

“Wait, you know how to do ballroom dancing?” She pesters as I place her right hand on my shoulder. I place my left hand on her waist, then grab her free hand with my right palm.

“Trust me, I am full of surprises.” I say as I Bend down and whisper into her ear. I then dip and weave us into the dancing crowd. I can hear her giggle as I whisked us around the ballroom floor, her feet stepping on mine every so often. But after a few times around, she started to learn the moves.

I watch her without even needing to look where I am going. She is beaming with excitement. We danced until the song had ended as we both headed off the floor to grab morechampagne. The formal dinner was just about to start, when I was approached by another guest. This one in a red, devil mask.

“Eli Masters,” the voice said in a low growl. My head tilted as I felt Brook’s hand tighten on mine. I wait as the man lifts his mask up to show me his face. I am greeted with a pair of hellish blue eyes I never thought I would see again in this lifetime. That god-awful scar that trailed across his wrinkled face.

“Jasper,” I say through gritted teeth. I start to push Brook’s body behind mine. “What are you doing here?” Question and anger laces my voice.

“Oh Eli, is that how you treat your old friend?” he asks as he lets out a wicked laugh. “You know, I have been keeping my eyes on you, old friend. This past year has been quite a successful one for ya.” He looks to me, then trails his eyes over to Brooklyn. “And not just in money.” I push her fully behind me now.

“What do you want Jasper?” I glare back at his direction to get his attention off of Brook.

“What do I want?” he asks, acting offended. “Oh, I just wanted to say hello to you. It’s just been such a long, long time.” Pulling out a flask and taking a deep swig from it, he eyes us both.

“Well, sorry to inconvenience you, but we were just on our way out.” I know I have to get Brook the hell out of here. This is a very dangerous man, and I have no idea if he is here alone or not. I also am by myself, with no gun. So this is not the ideal situation to be stuck in, especially with her being vulnerable.

“Since you know where I live now and most likely how to contact me, let’s have a meeting soon. Shall we?” I say as calmly and unfazed as I can.

He lets out a crooked smile. “Of course, Eli! It will be so nice to catch up. Plus, I think you may owe me a bit of money,” he says, his smile now fading. I nod at him as I pull Brook to the side of me and start to make our way out of the ballroom. “Oh,and Eli?” Jasper shouts from behind, making me turn back to face him.

“Sooner rather than later. I would hate to have to deal with this my own way.” He takes another sip from his flask. I turn and head out of the room, almost running as I pull out my phone and call the driver.

“What the fuck was that?” Brook stumbles trying to keep up with me. I am sure I look like a mad man right now. “Eli, stop!” She shouts as she lets go of my shaking hand.

“Look Brook, we need to get the fuck out of here right now. I will explain everything to you in the car. But right now, you need to fucking trust me and keep quiet!” I hadn’t noticed my tone was a lot louder than I anticipated. I can feel the darkness starting to surround us. An episode itching to start. As we make our way out the front doors, I inhale a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to center myself best I can.

The car pulls up to us as I don’t even wait for the driver, Running through the flashing paparazzi lights and flinging the door open, shoving her in and following.

“Drive,” is all I manage to say as the car peels off, the city lights blurring around us.

CHAPTER 22

BROOKLYN

The car ride home was silent. All Eli did was stare outside the car window and pick at his fingernails. I sat and drank another two glasses to keep myself from blowing up on him. The alcohol did seem to help my unsettled nerves. We pulled up to the mansion and I saw that Dane’s car was outside.

They must have come back early. I know Jenny was supposed to be gone all night. Before I could say a word to Eli, he had already exited the vehicle and was making his way into the house. I stumbled in after him, my feet killing me. I am greeted by Jenny with a just as confused look on her face as mine.

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