Page 21 of Scarred Sacrifice
“I’m sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful man,” I say softly.
She snorts. “He was. Not too bad in the sack, either.” She winks. I can’t help it as my laughter erupts loudly, causing everyone to turn and look at me.
“You might want to warn a girl when you are going to say something like that,” I warn her.
She shrugs, a devilish grin playing on her lips. “That would be nowhere near as fun as watching people’s reactions.”
I arch my brow at her. “Edna, I think you are trouble.”
She links her arm through mine. “Oh, sweet girl, you have no idea.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
MORRIGAN
I have never been moregrateful than to be practically kidnapped by an older woman. Edna has given me all the gossip on most, if not all of everyone here, warning me who to stay clear of. As we make our way to dinner, Edna finds her place card and hands it to her assistant.
“Paul, sit me next to my new best friend,” she orders. He nods and scurries off. We make it to my table, and someone called Edward pulls out the chair next to me. Edna quickly slides herself right into his seat.
“Edna, you’re in my seat,” the tall skinny man states.
She gives him her best sweet old lady look. “Oh, Eddie, you aren’t going to move an old lady, are you? You have my seat, dear. It’s next to that Dick Warren,” she says, patting his hand.
“You mean Richard Warren,” he corrects.
“Oh, yes, silly me.” She tuts and turns her back to him, ending the conversation. I watch as he shakes his head and walks away.
“Lesson number one, take no shit from any of these yahoos.” She winks, holding out her glass for me to clink.
I clink her glass. “I look forward to learning more lessons from you, Edna,” I state.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Nyx O’Conner,” is announced as people take their seats.
I frown. “I thought everyone was already announced?” I whisper to Edna.
She shrugs. “Maybe they got lost on their way here?” I shrug in response. “So, my dear, what made you want to come to this boring event?” she asks.
“Can’t be that boring if you’re here,” I quip.
“Touché.” She nods.
“Purely for networking. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but all of the men here don’t take women seriously,” I state.
“Not all of the men. I, for one, take women very seriously,” a deep voice states.
I turn my head, and my gaze immediately lands on a man stood at our table. He’s dressed in a sharp fitted black suit, a crisp white shirt, with the top few buttons casually undone, exposing the slightest hint of his broad chest. My eyes continue to wander up along his neck to his sharp stubbled jaw, over his soft mouth that twitches into a smug smile, revealing a deep dimple on his right cheek. Then my eyes land on his rich blue eyes surrounded by thick dark lashes.
“And just who might you be?” Edna asks, breaking me out of my lust-filled gaze.
He arrogantly pulls out his chair next to Edna and sits down. “I’m Nyx O’Conner.” He holds out his hand to Edna, and she blushes as she places her hand in his. He places a soft kiss on the back of her hand, making her giggle like a schoolgirl.
“Another newcomer,” Edna states.
I eye him sceptically. Surely Betsy or Edna would have vetted who was on the list, and surely they would have warned me about this guy. Or maybe they didn’t so I wouldn’t react. Who knows? Either way, he has caught me off guard. He doesn’t look like he belongs here; he’s too young, and far too good looking.
I sit back in my chair and sip my champagne. “So, tell me, Mr O’Conner, what business are you in?” I ask curtly.
His gaze flickers to mine as he clicks his fingers, and his assistant arrives at his side within a millisecond. “Scotch on the rocks,” he orders. No please or thank you. My opinion of him instantly changes. He goes from hot to jackass in a split second. He turns his attention back to me. “Well, Mrs?” He pauses, waiting for me to answer.
