Page 103 of Heroes & Hitmen
I grin. “I don’t. Causeyou’rein it.”
She snorts a laugh as I pull my hand away and smooth the fabric over her hips, then spin her face to me. She’s flushed and still trembling a little, but at least her eyes are clear now, the shadows in them chased away.
I lean in to kiss her, soft and slow, tasting everything I’ve ever wanted on her lips. When I start to pull away, she catches my jaw, holding me there for a few more seconds before breaking the kiss.
I draw back with a grin, swiping the corner of my mouth with a thumb. “Ready for this dumbass gala? They’re expecting us in the lobby at eight.”
“I guess so,” she sighs, frowning. “Promise we can leave as soon as Alpha’s done making a spectacle of us?”
“Deal.” I squeeze her ass, just to make her yelp.
She swats me away, then steps back, biting her lip as she gives me a slow once-over. “You clean up nice, Raines,” she remarks, heat smoldering in her eyes.
I square my shoulders, lifting my chin with pride. “Thanks.”
She tilts her head, eyes catching on my collar. “Have trouble with the bowtie?” she asks knowingly.
I yank it from my pocket and hold it in out, giving her puppy-dog eyes. “Think you can help?”
“I’ll give it my best shot,” she laughs as she snatches the tie, stepping closer and reaching up to wrap it around my neck.
I look down at her as she works the knot, drinking in every detail of her appearance. This is all I’ve ever wanted.She’sall I’ve ever wanted.
“Hey,” I say as she finishes with the bowtie, making sure it’s snug.
Her eyes flicker up to meet mine, brow arched. “What?”
“None of that was bullshit, by the way. I wasn’t just trying to get in your panties, that’s how I really feel. I think…”
She pushes up on her toes, pressing her lips to mine just to shut me up. And because I’m powerless to resist anything this girl gives me, I abandon whatever grand declaration I was working up in favor of kissing the hell out of her.
Ten minutes later, we’re stepping out of the elevator into the gleaming lobby of the Tower, Miley walking with her head held high, all confidence and poise. I catch her hand, grinning like an idiot as we head for the black car at the curb outside, ready to burn the world down for her.
Whatever fresh hell awaits us tonight, we’ll face it together.
And if I have to remind her how perfect she is a thousand more times before it’s over, I will.
CHAPTER 33
Miley
If I dieand go to hell, then this is surely how I’ll be sentenced to spend eternity: re-living tonight on an endless loop.
We must be breaking every city fire code with how far over capacity this grand ballroom is, and it’s apparent that Alpha spent a small fortune on this event. Not only to rent out the space– every inch of which is lined with mirrors and gold-leaf trim– but to cater a crowd this large. Pack attendance at the gala was deemed mandatory, and this entire thing is just one big PR stunt dressed up in a pretty illusion of promised happily-ever-afters.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to fake smile, fake laugh, or fake apologize for not remembering the names of people I’m somehow supposed to know. Everyone here tonight wants a piece of me, and if I could monetize the number of times I’ve been told how lucky I am, I’d be a very rich woman. Turns out, the first true luck I’ve had all evening is Jordan stealing me away from the endless cycle of forced conversation and giving me a much-needed reprieve from all the bullshit.
Right now, the two of us are posted up on the far side of the ballroom, standing in the shadow of an enormous potted palm that feels just as out of place here as the two of us. My feet hurt, my cheeks ache from forcing smiles, and the champagne tastes as bitter as I feel, but at least I don’t have to pretend with my sister.
Ares is across the ballroom, looking both lethal and delicious in his dark blue suit. He’s barely left my side since we arrived, but we got separated when Alpha pulled him aside to ‘discuss business’–which I’m guessing was code for a final play at trying to convince Ares to undergo the procedure. Looks like Ares managed to escape the displeasure of Alpha’s company, though, because now he’s chatting with his friend Will, the grin on his face bright and real.
I should be excited that we’ve finally made it to the last hurdle before I can disappear and become someone else. Instead, every time I look at my fake mate, there’s this dumb, heavy ache in my chest, like I’m already mourning the loss of him. Which is ridiculous, because everything between us was just an act– a lie that we pulled off a littletoowell.
Wasn’t it?
“You realize if you keep glaring like that, everyone’s going to think you’ve gone rabid,” Jordan teases, nudging me with an elbow.
“Good,” I reply, swirling the bubbly in my glass and wishing I could trade it for something stronger. “Maybe they’ll stop acting like I’m on display and mind their own damn business.”
