Page 2 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family
Hoe, Tae don’t care about your disappointment. This is not your event and you were gifted a ticket by the host. You didn’t even pay to be here.
The words were on the tip of my tongue but I refused to let this irrelevant woman ruin my mood or my event.
“Sounds great. I’ll send someone over with a new selection.”
I walked away cursing her in my head but plastered on a smile. I needed to survive the rest of the night.
After hours of managing last-minute requests, defusing minor disasters, and keeping everything running smoothly, I finally managed to find a minute to breathe. While everything was running on autopilot, I stepped outside to get some air because these people were stressing me the hell out.
The minute I pushed through the door I inhaled feeling instantly relaxed and leaned against the black catering van parked in the back of the venue. This was always my favorite part of the night. The moment where I could breathe in private, orscream my frustrations after hours of keeping everything under control. No matter how irritating the night was, I smiled at how well I handled each and every detail, problem or not.
You’re doing the damn thing, Bay…
Unfortunately my moment was interrupted when my phone vibrated with a call. I pulled it out of my pocket, smiling when I saw the name on the screen.
Rachelle…
She was about the only person in my life who constantly checked in on me and the only person I considered family. My parents died when I was younger and my mother’s sister raised me until I was eighteen. She dropped me off at college and pretty much gave me a speech about being old enough to figure things out. She also told me to call if I needed her while delivering a look that clearly said, ‘don’t need me’.
I refused to feel like anyones burden so when shit got tough, I thugged it out. When I needed answers I figured them out on my own and the last time I saw my aunt was right before I graduated college. The only reason I saw her then was because she tracked me down to tell me she was moving and if I needed anything I left at the house, I should come by to get it or she would throw it out.
I had no ill feelings for her. She never wanted kids but felt obligated to raise me because she loved her sister. I honestly believed she loved me too but once I was old enough to fend for myself she walked away and didn’t look back. Some people weren’t meant to have kids and she was one of those people. How could I be upset about that?
I answered the call from Rachelle, moving my iPad to my other arm. “You must have psychic abilities. I just stepped outside to curse them rich ass people out in private.”
“Yes friend, I always know when you’re drowning in rich people’s problems. How bad is it?”
“Not awful. Just the usual chaos.” I glanced at the ballroom doors. “I’ll be home late, though. You still up for brunch tomorrow?”
“Yep, but you’re paying.”
I groaned. “I’m still trying to figure out the benefit of this friendship. Why are we cool?”
“Because I’m amazing. Now go pretend to care about whatever crisis they throw at you next. I just called to give you a pep talk. You got this, fuck them people and if you feel like quitting, remember you make a lot of money. Call me when you get home.”
“You’re thebestest, friend.”
“I know.”
I smiled as I hung up and was about to head back inside when I noticed movement at the end of the alley.
I froze when I noticed a man step out of the shadows dressed in a black suit. He moved confidently but damn sure felt out of place. Maybe it was just me but something about him had my attention and not in a good way. I frowned, watching as he disappeared around the corner. Something about him was definitelyoff.
And definitelynotmy business…
I shook the thought away and headed back inside because I had enough to worry about with surviving the rest of this event.
Chapter
Two
Emir Corvidae.
Crescent Falls was a city of power and money. The people who thrived here knew how to move like they understood their worth. I was in that number but my money and power were acquired in the shadows unlike these overprivileged muthafuckers I had to tolerate tonight.
The Kingston Foundation Gala was an event where billionaires rubbed elbows with politicians who made backroom deals. Corrupt, powerful men paraded their wealth like it made them untouchable. This shit wasn’t my vibe. I was only here because I was hired to end the life of someone who paid for an overpriced ticket to this function.
Warren Devon.
