Page 83 of The Ring Thief
Silvia lets out an unhinged snarl of rage. We look over, finding Elena attempting to pat her down with several soggy napkins, but Silvia slaps her mother’s hands away.
Declan catches my attention when he tugs at my waist, pulling me back a step. I look over, about to ask him what he’s doing…
That’s when I see them.
Several men in dark suits push through the crowd. At first glance, they could’ve passed for guests. But on closer inspection, their suits don’t match the same quality as those around us, and each of them is wearing a discreet earpiece. One comes to a stop right in front of Darius, efficiently pulling out a badge and flashing it.
“Darius Huntington?” He waits for a nod of confirmation. “I’m Special Agent Anderson with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. You’re under arrest on charges of embezzlement, wire fraud and tax evasion.”
A hush ripples through the ballroom, even the music coming to a startling halt. Then Elena shrieks, lunging toward her husband, grabbing his sleeve and yanking like she might be able to physically drag him away from what’s about to happen.
Another agent steps in beside her, gently but firmly pulling her back, speaking into her ear. Once she’s safely out of the way, Anderson begins reading Darius his rights, voice calm and clear, reaching out across the room. A third agent steps in behind Darius, pulling his hands behind his back and cuffing him.
The fourth and final agent moves toward Silvia. There's a glint of amusement in his eyes as he takes in the state of her, still dripping with champagne.
“Silvia Huntington? You’re wanted for questioning. Will you come with us willingly?”
She glances around, panic stark on her expression, searching the room like there might still be a way out. Behind her, her mother wails hysterically, one agent still gripping her arm.
“I—”
“If you don’t come willingly,” the agent states, tone sharpening, “we’ll have no choice but to detain you by force.” He tips his head toward her father, standing cuffed and silent, his head bowed. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
“I want a lawyer,” Silvia bursts out, fists clenched at her sides.
“Of course,” the agent replies smoothly. “You can call one as soon as we get downtown.” He steps aside, gesturing for her to lead the way. She lifts her chin, mustering whatever dignity she has left as she walks out of the ballroom, leaving a puddle of champagne behind. We all stand there frozen, watching as two of the other agents march Darius and Elena out behind her.
The first agent, Anderson, pauses at Declan’s side, extending his hand. “Thank you for your assistance in this, Mr. Masters,” he says firmly. “Your cooperation in this has been noted and appreciated.”
“Thank you,” Declan returns easily, shaking his hand. “I know it wasn’t a typical request, holding off the arrest until an event like this.”
A faint smile tugs at the corner of Anderson’s mouth. “Kept things interesting for us, too.” He glances around the ballroom, his nose wrinkling slightly. “Definitely not my scene, though.” Then his gaze lands on Lottie. “Thank you to you as well, Mrs. Gallagher.”
“Oh,” she simpers, placing a hand delicately on her cheek. “Please, call me Lottie. And anytime you need assistance, I’ll be ready with a helping hand.” The look she gives him is almost predatory. The tips of Anderson’s ears flush, and then he’s practically jogging away from us, vanishing into the crowd.
I stare after him, slack-jawed, then turn to Lottie. “Did you just proposition a federal agent?”
She pats down her hair, a secret smile playing on her lips. “Just living my best life, dear. Now, this has been an evening to remember.” She does a sweeping circle, clapping her hands twice, and announcing, “Shows over, folks!”
As if on cue, the music immediately starts back up and the crowdslowly disperses, their voices loud as they dissect everything that just happened, spreading it through the room like a wildfire to anyone who might’ve missed it.
A little while later, most of the guests are swaying on the dance floor while we sit at our table, Declan’s body angled towards me and one arm wrapped around the back of my chair. His other hand has a firm hold of one of mine, thumb rubbing over my knuckles.
“You seriously had it all planned?” I ask.
His eyes glint with mischief. “I had to top our first date, didn’t I?” he murmurs. “I guessed Silvia might do something tonight. I hadn’t planned on leaving your side, but Mom?—”
I press a hand to his arm. “I don’t care that you did. I can handle anything Silvia dishes out.”
“You shouldn’t have had to. Tonight, or over the past year.” His voice is regretful, but he looks over me, his brown eyes warm with affection. “I know you can, though. You’re the strongest person I know, Lily.” He waits a bit, his brows drawing together, before he admits, “You saved me, you know.”
I scoff lightly, looking away from the intensity of his stare, but he insists, “No, I’m serious. Donald had me tied up in knots, locked down so deeply in his web. It took meeting you to figure out that I even wanted out, and then it took me another year of moving slowly and carefully to try and wiggle my way out from under his thumb.”
“You did, though,” I reassure him, gripping his fingers tightly. “You got out.”
He scoffs. “It should never have taken me so long. I was so worried about my family, destroying them, and Nexus. I was worried about you and your family, Hi-Tech. I ended up freezing more often than not, too scared to rip the cord and just—” He sucks in a heavy breath of air. “I have so many regrets about everything, but falling in love with you? It’ll never be one of them,” he says quietly, eyes blazing into mine. “You make me want to be a better man—stronger and smarter. I want to deserve you, Lily. And I hope one day, you’ll think that I do.”
Throat bobbing, I look away. “What do you think will happen to Silvia?”
