Page 106 of Lavender and Lightning

Rhett shakes his head and puts his hands in his pockets. I gasp as he withdraws them, a signature blue box with a white ribbon in his fingers. It’s too big and flat to be a ring, but my brain still short-circuits.

“You fucking didn’t!” I exclaim, not able to move as Rhett closes the distance between us.

“I’ve held off on spoiling you for as long as I can take, love. And I couldn’t pass this up,” Rhett says seriously, opening the box.

Tears burn the back of my eyes as I look down at the bracelet and matching earrings sitting in the white satin. The bracelet is a thin silver chain with five round emeralds set at regular intervals, surrounded by tiny diamonds. The stud earrings have the same round emerald and diamonds. The set is dainty and understated and beautiful, exactly the sort of thing I love. I look up to Rhett to find his eyes shining with joy, and seeing how much he loves this makes it easier to accept such an extravagant gift. He doesn’t speak as he helps me put it on, and I turn to the mirror to slip the earrings into place.

Rhett comes up behind me and puts his hands on my shoulders. I suck in a breath at the sight of us, dressed to kill. I’d never really understood what Lucas meant when he said that we look good together, but seeing us done up to the nines, I can admit that we make quite the pair. And for the first time, I don’t feel out of place at Rhett’s side. I belong here, and that feeling helps to settle the last of my nerves for the moment.

There’s a knock at the door, and Rhett and I turn to Caleb leaning his head into the open door. “Car’s ready when you are,” he says.

Lucas climbs off the bed and comes to stand by my side. He smooths down a flyaway before cupping the back of my neck. I look up into his uncharacteristically serious face and swallow hard.

“You are strong, and capable, and so fucking gorgeous. You are so much more than anything those people think of you. I love you, Lydi-bug,” he says firmly.

Nodding, my heart swells under his praise. He leans down and kisses me softly, careful not to smudge my lipstick. When he breaks away, he keeps his hand on my neck but turns to face Rhett.

“Keep her safe, and don’t do anything stupid, alright?” he says, a touch exasperated.

Rhett chuckles but nods. “We’re only going to be gone for a couple of hours. How much trouble could I possibly get into?”

“A lot.”

“Plenty.”

Lucas and I speak at the same time, and all three of us share a laugh. Rhett leans in and gives Lucas a brief but intense kiss before stepping back to slide into his black suit jacket. He looks every inch the dark protector, and I can’t help the little shiver that runs down my spine. I slip into my shoes, looking at Lucas one more time and mouthing ‘I love you’ before letting Rhett take my hand, looping it through his arm as he escorts me out of the apartment.

forty-five

Lydia

Aswepullupto the venue, my stomach feels like it’s folded itself into a dense knot and lodged itself behind my lungs. We’re directed down a driveway that runs to a parking lot behind the venue proper, and I’m too nervous to even look out of the window. Rhett holds my hand tight, but I can feel the cold sweat forming on my palms. By the time we’ve parked and joined the flow of people heading along the path, I feel almost detached from my body. Rhett has my hand resting in the crook of his arm, and I can feel Caleb’s body heat as he sticks close behind us.

There’s a small queue of people, and I see someone with a clipboard near the gate, my heart sinking as dread creeps in.

“Names?” the security guard drawls as we reach the front.

“Lydia Anderson and guests,” I reply, glad my voice is steadier than I feel.

The guard flips a page and I feel my face drain of blood as his brow furrows and he looks back up at us.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but we’ve got you down for just one guest,” he says, looking up with sympathy in his eyes.

I turn to look at Caleb, not sure how to even answer. But my bodyguard doesn’t look fazed.

“Understandable. But she’s my mark, if you know what I mean. My employer wouldn’t be pleased if I can’t do the job they’re paying me to do,” he says, dropping his voice so the people just joining behind us can’t hear.

The security guard seems to realize what Caleb’s getting at, and there’s a moment of hesitation. But then he shakes his head.

“Listen, if you want to talk to my boss about your arrangement, I’m sure they’d be happy to have someone look after y’all. But I can’t let you in as a guest, ya feel me?”

I turn to Rhett with wide eyes, trying to convey my fear silently. His eyes flick to me and then to Caleb.

“Should we abort?” Rhett hisses low enough for only me and Caleb to hear.

“We can’t. Jason—”

“Going in by ourselves could be too risky,” Rhett snaps over me, a flash of heat in his eyes before he catches himself.

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