Page 33 of Hunted By Valentine

Chapter 13

The Prey

My heart pounds beneath my emerald green silk gown as I step into the glittering ballroom. The chandelier light catches on the diamond choker around my throat—a gilded collar that feels more like a noose with each passing moment. Michael’s hand on my lower back is possessive, oppressive. I want to shrug it off, but I know better.

My eyes scan the crowd, searching for a friendly face, any port in this storm of fake smiles and predatory gazes. The room is a sea of designer dresses and crisp tuxedos, champagne flutes glinting like teeth. I feel exposed, vulnerable. Every instinct screams at me to flee, but there’s nowhere to run.

“Stand up straight,” Michael hisses in my ear, his breath hot and sour. “And smile, for God’s sake. You look like you’re at a funeral.”

I plaster on my best society smile, the one that never reaches my eyes. “Yes, dear,” I murmur, the words tasting like ashes in my mouth.

That’s when I spot them across the room—Carolina, resplendent in a curve-hugging red gown that leaves little to the imagination. Beside her stands my brother, Nick, his scarred face set in its usual mask of cold indifference. And there’s Jack, fidgeting with his cufflinks, looking as uncomfortable as I feel.

Relief washes over me at the sight of my brothers, but it’s short-lived. Michael squashes it as he digs his fingers into my hip. “Don’t you dare embarrass me tonight,” he snarls under his breath, making sure I’m the only one who hears him.

“Embarrass you?” I ask, not sure I understand. It’s not like I forgot to wear underwear or am about to sneeze into the finger food.

“You’re doing it right now,” he seethes, adding pressure to his hold on me. “I’m your husband, Ruby. You know what happens when you step out of line. I won’t hesitate to remind you.”

A tremor runs down my scarred back, my skin silently screaming in protest. It’s been months, if not almost a year, since he last whipped me. But, God, my body and mind still remember the all-searing pain. Not that the pain is the worst part of the memory. No, the worst are still recalling the guttural screams and pathetic whimpers torn from my throat.

“Of course,” I say as pleasantly as I can muster.

As my family approaches, I feel Michael’s grip on me tighten. My skin crawls beneath his touch, but I force myself to remain still, my face a carefully crafted mask of calm.

“Ruby,” Carolina coos, sounding almost deliriously happy, which is weird when she’s talking to me. “You look absolutely divine.”

I manage a weak smile. “Thank you, Carolina. You’re looking lovely as well.”

Nick steps forward, his dark eyes scanning Michael before settling on me. “Ruby,” he says, his voice low and controlled. “It’s good to see you.”

The tension in the air is palpable as Jack shifts uncomfortably beside him. The strain in both my brothers’ faces as they struggle to maintain civility with Michael is plain as day to me.

“Nicklas, Jack,” Michael nods curtly. “Quite the turnout tonight, isn’t it? It’s my company that—”

“Indeed.” Nick interrupts my husband with a clipped word. His smile turns calculated as he raises his voice. “The Knight family always draws a crowd.”

Inwardly, I groan at my oldest brother’s need to antagonize my husband. Don’t get me wrong, I want to fist bump him for saying what we all know; it’s not Michael’s company that’s responsible for the turnout. It’s us; the Knights.

At the same time, I wish Nick had kept his mouth shut because I’ll be the one to pay for my brother’s insults.

As Jack opens his mouth to speak, a smooth, rich voice cuts through the tension. “Ah, the illustrious Knight family. How delightful to see you all gathered here.”

I turn to see Valentine gliding toward us, his tall frame cutting an impressive figure in his perfectly tailored charcoal suit. My breath catches in my throat as his dark, penetrating gaze meets mine.

“Valentine,” Carolina greets him warmly. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

Valentine’s lips curl into a charming smile. “I never miss an opportunity to support a good cause, especially when it means rubbing elbows with New York’s finest.”

As he speaks, I feel the atmosphere shift. His presence seems to fill the surrounding space, drawing everyone in. Even Michael’s grip on me loosens slightly as he turns his attention to the newcomer.

I watch, fascinated, as Valentine effortlessly steers the conversation, his charm working its magic on everyone in our little circle. His eyes flicker to mine occasionally, and each time, I feel a jolt of electricity run through me.

“And Ruby,” he says, his voice like velvet as he addresses me directly. “I must say, you’re looking particularly radiant this evening.”

I feel heat rise to my cheeks, my heart racing. “Thank you, Professor Grant,” I manage to reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

As the conversation flows around me, I find myself drawn deeper into Valentine’s orbit. His words, his gestures, the way his eyes seem to see right through me—it’s intoxicating. For a moment, I forget about Michael’s bruising grip, about the suffocating world I’m trapped in.

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