Page 20 of Property of Fox

She laughs. “Isn’t it fun to see him squirm?”

“No. It’s fucking not,” I mutter under my breath.

“I’m enjoying it,” Az remarks.

“You would, asshole. I’m just glad the rest of the club isn’t here to see me at rock bottom.”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that,” Hallie beams over at me. “I promised the guys lots of pictures.”

“Traitor.”

“More like an equal opportunist. You wouldn’t want the guys to miss out on this, would you?”

“I want to miss out on this spectacle.”

“Too bad,” Eden chimes in. “Hope you have your game face ready, Foxy, because we’re here, and it looks like a fair number of readers are outside.”

The SUV pulls to a stop outside the hotel where the event is taking place. The driver opens the door for us, and as I step out, a wave of noise hits me. The lobby entrance is adorned with balloons shaped like motorcycles and posters promoting the weekend’s festivities. I see a few attendees milling about, their eyes flickering toward us.

“Help her out,” Az quietly orders.

I toss him a confused look, but he merely gestures toward Eden, who is practically bouncing with excitement. “Seriously? You’re not really going to make me do that?”

“Consider it part of the gig. You want to win over the fans, right?” He raises an eyebrow, a playful challenge glinting in his dark blue eyes.

With a groan, I relent and stride to the passenger side of the SUV where Eden sits waiting for me. I extend my hand out to her, and she slips from the front seat.

“It’s showtime, Foxy.”

“Oh my god! It’s Eden…and is that Ares?” one voice calls out from behind us. I turn just as a petite woman with glassesand sleek short hair approaches me, practically bouncing in excitement.

The crowd’s attention snaps to us like moths drawn to a flame.

“Ladies and gentlemen! May I present my fiancé Ares,” she announces theatrically, throwing her hands in the air like she’s headlining an awards show.

I wince internally as laughter erupts around us. I catch Az shaking his head, but even he can’t hide the smile cracking through his façade of cool indifference. It takes everything I have to control my face.

“Fiancé?” I ask through my gritted smile.

“Of course, we’re getting married. I’m knocked up. We’re telling a love story,” Eden beams at me. She takes my arm, leading me into the hotel where laughter and clinking glasses fill the air. “This? This is just the beginning!” She winks at me over her shoulder, dragging me further into the crowd.

“Can we take a picture with you?” someone calls out.

“Will he sign the book, too?”

“He’s hot,” another voice rings out above the crowd noise.

As we enter the hotel, I can feel the electrifying energy of the crowd swarming around us like bees to honey. It’s like stepping into a different world where authors are rock stars, and I’m suddenly thrust into this bizarre spotlight that I never asked for.

Eden keeps a tight grip on my arm as she pulls me deeper into the throng. “Just smile and act charming. You know the drill,” she exhorts, her enthusiasm infectious despite my growing dread.

“Right, because charming is my middle name,” I mutter, trying to shake off the impending embarrassment threatening to consume me.

Hallie and Az follow closely behind, exchanging knowing looks that only fuel my fiery sense of reluctance. The pair sharean effortless connection—something I’d never admit to being envious of. As Hallie waves at a group of fans, her energy radiates warmth, while Az remains stoically protective at her side, ever the guardian of his queen.

“We should already be checked in, but we need to grab the room keys.” Eden releases her grasp on my arm and heads for the front desk. Every pair of eyes in the lobby are on me. Any other time, I wouldn’t mind the attention, but right now, I want to crawl into a hole and hide until this shit is over.

Eden calls from the front desk, her voice slicing through the noise. I summon every ounce of willpower to pull myself away from my wallowing thoughts and stride toward her.

---