Page 15 of Dex

There are only two other women here, as guests.The others are servers, and they are so beautiful, in my country they would be on the cover of magazines, not serving food at events like this.

I arrived early, before most of the guests and Paul tried to put me at ease.He told me that his sons would be here soon and I anxiously awaited their arrival, looking around, standing here by myself.Feeling out of place and out of my comfort zone.Every now and then Paul would take me under his wing and introduce me to his friends.I tried not to shiver in disgust when most of them, not all, butmost, raked their eyes over me slowly.I’m sure many won’t even remember my name, but they looked at me like they wanted to devour me.I’ve seen that look in the eyes of many men.

It’s a hungry look.Men can’t hide their feral desires.

I approached the women guests.They’re much older, both wearing pantsuits.This is so plainly a man’s world and maybe they wanted to blend in, not stand out in sparkling sequins like me.I tried to make conversation but they were cold towards me, a little wary of me.But this changed when I started talking about business, and AO Eletronica.They soon took interest.It was then that they saw me as someone worthy.Someone more than the sexy dress I had on.

After that I walked around with a glass of untouched champagne in my hand, trying to be as invisible as I can be in a shimmering dress that hugs my body.

And that’s when I saw them enter.

The Knights.

They stood at the entrance of the room.I recognized them from the online research I’d done.It was impossible to ignore how handsome they are.They’re all so good-looking.Toogood-looking.And they’re around my age, a little older.

Notdecadesolder.Not old enough to be myfather.

I know all too well that beauty is only skin deep and I planned on getting to know them, to see if they have good hearts and good values, and to see who among them is caring and kind.

Just as I was getting ready for Paul to make an introduction, he told me to hide.I wasn’t sure why, but I did as he asked, and I listened as he addressed his guests, then talked about the Latin American markets.And then, he introduced me.

That’s something I wasn’t expecting.

He said he didn’t want to parade me like a show pony, but introducing me the way he did, he did exactly that, because I felt like a show pony.I was so nervous walking into the room and I had to keep reminding myself why I was here, why I agreed to this.

I started to see that what this man does, and says, are two different things, and I’m already unsure of whether I can trust him.

“Time to meet my sons,” he said, casually opening his arm and expecting me to loop mine through it.Which I did.He then led me over to his sons, and I didn’t know where to fix my gaze because when he introduced me, his sons seemed frozen for a few awkward seconds.

Then one of them said something about this being a bride auction.He seemed annoyed.So hateful.It unsettled me.Paul introduced him as Dexter and warned me to watch him.I started to understand why Paul had put on this event, why he’d asked me to meet him at the penthouse instead of the office.

His sons seemed to hate that I was there.And I got the feeling that they’re not too close to their father, either.

One of the brothers, Zach, I think, was nice and he shook my hand.But Jett, the one I was supposed to marry, seemed especially cold.He barely acknowledged me, yet his girlfriend, I presume she’s his girlfriend, given how his arm was slung tightly around her waist, seemed friendly.

“Hi, I’m Cari.Nice to meet you,” she said.

I felt relieved because her warmth felt genuine.“Nice to meet you.”

“Is this your first time in the US?”she asked.

“No.I’ve been here a few times.I also went to college here.”

“That’s so interesting.”We made idle small talk, and I sensed that she was doing her best to make me feel welcome, but I felt more out of place than ever.Worse, I felt isolated.It’s obvious that I’m not wanted here.Before I started to spiral in misery, a friendly voice cut through my thoughts.

“Where did you study?”

He was young, and smiling, and I breathed a sigh of relief that someone was talking to me.

“I’m Zach, by the way.”Zachary Knight.I recall reading about him online.

“Hi, nice to meet you, Zachary.”

“Don’t … don’t call me that.I prefer Zach.I’m the youngest of this set of brothers.”

This set of brothers?I blinked.Before I could ask what he meant, I caught a movement.It was one of the brothers, Dexter, I think.He nudged Zach’s elbow.I couldn’t tell if it was a warning or a joke.

Paul didn’t mention anything about there being two sets of brothers.Maybe he’ll tell me later.There was nothing online about that.

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