Page 79 of The Puck Decoy

When we arrive, the whole place looks like a winter wonderland with decorations and lights placed everywhere. There are multiple valets parking cars, and guards checking the list of names as people enter. Of course we are ushered in without pause as the noted guests of honor, and I can already feel my throat itching for a drink to get me through this night.

“Is this really where you grew up,” Landon groans in awe, but from the look in his eyes, I know he remembers the visit from Josh’s father just as well as I do.

There was a steep price to pay to grow up here.

As soon as we enter the main dining hall where the Mayor always hosts his parties, I spy Maddie, Nova, and the rest of theteam already taking up space on one of the long tables across the back of the room, and I head straight there.

“Hals, finally,” Maddie groans, lost in a sea of testosterone. She looks more than pleased to see me, as she makes space for me to sit down next to her. “You look beautiful.”

“So do you,” I reply, admiring the soft satin length of her black gown, that looks perfect against Nova’s black suit. The two of them look as if they have stepped right off a runway, and I’m sure her father is somewhere glaring daggers at the two of them, at least that’s what I can guess from the snarl on Nova’s face.

“Mr. and Mrs. Peters,” Archer drunkenly drawls. “Great party, thanks for inviting me.”

Josh lets his stare flick over him only once before he replies dryly, “I didn’t”

The rest of the guys take their seats, and for some reason there is a tension in the air I can’t understand. I mean, sure I get why Nova is pissed after what Hugo did to his mom, and of course Josh would rather be anywhere but here, yet the rest of the team seem on edge too. Archer is already completely off his face, and Daemon looks at him in disgust. Alexander looks bored, Landon looks intrigued, and Levi looks downright pissed off.

When the waiter passes with a tray of champagne, I quickly snatch one up, downing it in one gulp before the taste of it can actually register. Then I survey the rest of the room slowly, taking in the number of notable businessmen and politicians, and I can’t help but wonder what they will all soon say about their precious Mayor.

An elaborate dinner, which I barely touch, is followed by more drinks, and by the time Hugo has made some bullshit speech about love, marriage, and unity, Josh looks ready to explode. So Daemon hauls him off for a walk around the groundsto calm down, but I doubt the December chill could thaw the ice already surrounding him this evening.

I turn my focus to Nova, where he leads Maddie around the dance floor, as Hugo watches them with nothing but contempt, and I find myself looking forward to watching him fall. When his eyes flick my way, I even hold my drink up in cheers, before taking a sip and never letting myself drop his stare. By the time he looks away from me he looks nothing short of pissed, and I roll my eyes at what a pathetic piece of shit he is when it comes to his children.

I’m lounging by the bar, sipping on some cocktail named after Josh and I when Levi finds me. “Hals, there you are, enjoying your party?” he asks, signaling to the waiter for another drink.

“I’ve had root canals more fun than this,” I reply dryly, and he laughs like it’s the funniest joke he ever heard. I can’t help but drag my stare over him now, noting how on edge he seems as his eyes flick around the room wildly. “Is everything okay?” I ask, causing him to snap his stare to me, and what I see in it makes my stomach jolt, and my eyes quickly drop down to my drink.

If I’m not mistaken, I would say I could see attraction burning there, towards me of all people. No, I’m being silly, I’m bad at this sort of thing, I’ve probably just had too many cocktails. At least that’s what I tell myself, but then I feel him flick his eyes over me again as he replies, “You really do look beautiful tonight.”

I open my mouth to respond, to say what, I’m not sure, but thankfully I am saved when Josh and Daemon slink up beside us. “Tink, there you are, I was starting to worry I wouldn’t find you before midnight,” he grins, leaning down to kiss my cheek, but my eyes stay on Levi, who has gone from smiling to scowling.

Josh doesn’t seem to notice, but Daemon is watching Levi like he can dissect every thought with just his mind, and when hemoves his attention to me, I know he feels the tension. I subtly shake my head before smiling up at Josh. “My lost boy always finds his way back to me.”

His smile mirrors my own, but his eyes are glossy, as he reaches out and literally boops my nose. “And I always will, Hallie Bear,” he drawls, and it’s only now I take in his disheveled suit, and the whiskey on his breath.

I flick my stare to Daemon. “Is he drunk?” I ask, and he nods just once.

“I’m not drunk,” Josh snaps, and Daemon rolls his eyes.

Shaking my head, I focus back on my husband who is still smiling at me like I am his everything, and I swallow thickly as I intertwine our fingers. “Come on, husband, I think it’s time you took me for a spin round the dance floor.” He obliges instantly, which is how I know just how drunk he really is, because he pulls me to the center of the floor and wraps his arms around my waist.

“Two minutes to midnight,” someone calls around the room, and Josh smiles as he starts swaying us from side to side.

“If I took any longer I think Levi would have been kissing you at midnight,” he grunts, and when our eyes meet I realize he doesn’t miss a thing.

“You saw him?” I ask nervously, wondering why he didn’t say anything, but then his hands flex around my waist, and I understood why. He doesn't have to say anything because he knows that I belong to him. I have told him myself that anyone else is irrelevant, but does that mean our deal is irrelevant?

“When it comes to you, Hallie, I’ve realized that I see everything,” he tells me earnestly, and I swear his eyes have never looked so serious before. Yet I’m not sure if it’s the whiskey talking, or him.

“Well it doesn’t matter anyway, I don’t kiss boys at midnight on New Years, it’s a bad omen,” I reply casually, even though myheart is thundering inside my chest, and when I flick my stare over his shoulder, I find his father watching our every move.

“Oh and why is that?” he asks, pulling me in even closer until I can feel every hard ridge of his body.

We are so close now that I can feel his breath on my face as I stare up at him, and despite the music, my voice is low when I reply, “Because I don’t want to start the year with someone I won’t be ending it with. Hence no kissing boys, boyfriends or anyone else for that matter.”

His grin is downright feral and wicked as he asks, “And what about kissing your husband, is that a bad omen?”

Sometimes,I instantly say in my mind, but when his left hand reaches up and lands on my cheek, and I feel the weight of his ring, everything else just fades away.

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