They climbed inside Shaw’s car. He didn’t respond until they were on the road. “Prince Noir is my biggest client. He’ll be there tonight with his husband. I have to be at my best. If I ever lose him, my entireclientele will follow.”
Honestly, that set Salem more at ease than anything else could have. Shaw wouldn’t spend the night trying to get in his pants and Salem was good at rubbing elbows with people like Prince Noir. “You’ll do great. I can be charming when I try.”
Shaw’s laughter let him know he got the joke. Salem hadn’t tried with him. Their ride was never silent. They got along well. Salem could see himself with Shaw. Truthfully, that made him a little sad. His heart wasn’t up for grabs, but it was poised to shatter. Salem held no illusions. Quest and Dodge wanted each other. Salem was just the excuse they gave themselves to give in to what wasalready there. Soon enough, they would push Salem out. He would go quietly since he hadn’t gone in blindly, but it would hurt. The smart move would be to choose Shaw. Salem would never love him, but love never brought him anything except pain. Calculating each move was better. Control kept him safe.
At the country club where the event was being held, pictures were taken for online gossip sites and as a way to fluff the ego of rich people. That was all any of these events were. Rich people sucking each other’s dicks. When they reached the door, Salem fought hard to control his eyes. He wanted to rollthem so fucking badly. They were announcing people’s names upon entry like it was an early eighteen hundreds party for the ton. The ridiculousness of the entire event was next level. Still, Salem smiled as people stopped to talk only to—no doubt—run away to speak badly of him. He was relieved as fuck when the dinner portion began. That was until he realized he was seated across from Quest’s mother. Luckily, Prince Noir was seated on his left, giving him someone else to focus on, especially since Joesph was also at their table. Shaw kept ordering drinks and grinding his teeth, leaving Salem to be the one who charmed the handsome prince.
Noir had amazing light green eyes that seemed to cut right through people. His husband looked like a biker, which Salem had heard. Seeing him in person was a bit jarring. He looked like a killer. Salem didn’t judge. He knew the temptation that drew a man to a hardened body.
The light green eyes swung his way. “Did you know, in my country, poly marriage is legal?”
Salem thought that was an odd-as-fuck random statement, but he was still intrigued. “That’s very progressive.”
Noir made a dismissive gesture. “It, of course, startedas a way for rich men to marry their harems. Then women began to do the same. When my father legalized gay marriage, it made all forms of poly relationships legal as well. We’re not the only country in the world with such laws, but it’s very uncommon.”
“Your father sounds like a good man.”
Quest’s mom, Ashley, snorted. “Searching for your next husband? We know you have daddy issues.”
Salem ran his tongue across his teeth. He had known she wouldn’t stay silent all night. “Well, you’re the expert on daddy issues. From what I hear, you’re on your tenth,so…”
Noir’s husband, Lazarus, laughed.
Noir simply looked amused.
Joesph touched her arm. “Would you like another drink?” It was obvious he tried to defuse the situation. It was also the first time Salem had heard him speak all night. When he wasn’t enraged, he had a nice voice.
Shaw scoffed. “You’re too young for her.”
Ashley stood and walked away, looking enraged. Joesph waited half a second before backing his chair from the table and heading in the opposite direction.
“I need another drink.”Shaw jumped ship too.
“And then there were three,” Salem muttered under his breath and polished off his wine.
Noir laughed. “This has been fun. Usually, these dinners are much more boring.”
Salem flashed him a smile. “Shaw said you two would be here tonight. I knew between the three of us we could liven up the place.”
The two men roared with laughter.
Heads turned their way.
Something eased in Salem’s chest. Despite everything else, he still thought the night had been a success. The prince seemed to like him. He had enjoyed a dig at Ashley. The boyshadn’t burst in and made a scene. He remembered there were a few people he liked. Six out of ten stars. He was beyond ready to get home to his comfort zone. Salem eyed the room, searching for Shaw. Considering Shaw’s mood, Salem didn’t think he would be hard to convince to leave.
“May we, and about a dozen royal guards, walk you to your car? I think this party is about to take a nosedive.”
Salem followed Noir’s line of gaze. Shaw had Joesph cornered, having a very animated and obviously heateddiscussion.
“Damn. He drove.”
Noir’s husband stood. “Even better. We’ll drop you at home on our way. We live down the street.”
That completely caught Salem’s attention. Not only had he not known that, but he also didn’t know why Lazarus did. “Really? I didn’t realize.”
Noir nodded as he stood. “Your late husband used to hold a lot of small gatherings of select people.” His eyes flashed with laughter. “They were much better than this one.”
Salem was hooked. He fell into step with the pair and headed for the door. “I don’t doubt that at all. He was… the life of the party. I swore he would outlive me.”