Page 59 of Addicted to the Ruin

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My breath fogs in front of me and I shiver when Aeron helps me out of the car, looking fucking edible in his full tuxedo. All the guys are wearing one, and I swear I almost came on the spot when I descended the stairs and saw them all waiting for me, staring up at me like I was their entire world.

“Let’s get you inside before you freeze, Dove,” Aeron ushers, his deep voice making me shiver again. He’s kept close since the proposal, only allowing me a kiss with each of the others before claiming me again. Possessive asshole.

My breath catches as I look up at the building before us. It’s the old town hall and is stunning in its majestic, old-time beauty. Fairy lights and green spruce garlands twirl up the columns that frame the front porch, leading to massive double wooden doors which are open with two members of the Tailor gang manning them. They dip their heads as we pass, clearly knowing who we are, and we’re soon in the warm, brightly lit foyer.

It’s also decorated for the season, with a gigantic Christmas tree nestled at the base of a winding double staircase. Smartly dressed waitstaff hold trays of champagne, and there are a crowd of people in gorgeous evening dress milling around or heading upstairs to where I assume the party is.

“Welcome to the ball, my Nightingale princess,” Jude beams, excitement shining in his eyes as he grabs my hand and tugs me away from his brother, who growls. Jude and I laugh as he leads me right to the left-hand staircase, not even grabbing a glass of bubbly as he pulls me up it.

“What’s the hurry, Devil Prince?” I ask, worrying that my heels will make me fall flat on my ass as we rush up the stairs, the others following quickly behind us.

Jude pauses at the top, allowing me to catch my breath, and then he ushers me into the room and my mouth drops.

“This, Nightingale. This was the hurry.” I can hear the pride in his tone but can’t tear my eyes away from the beautiful sight before me.

The room is magnificent; a vast space with gold-framed mirrors placed all around the walls that reflect the warm glow of the lit crystal chandeliers, at least three of them. The decor is, as expected, Christmas themed, but it’s all done in white so it’s like a winter wonderland with real, silver birch trees dripping in sparkling ornaments and beautiful centerpieces on each table.

There’s a string quartet up on a small stage playing an instrumental version of “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran and people dressed in exquisite clothes that shine and sparkle beneath the lights fill the floor.

“It’s—” I can’t even find the words to describe how magical and beautiful the event is, and I’m sure my eyes are wide as fucking saucers as I try to take it all in.

“Come, Dove. Let’s introduce you around,” Aeron purrs in my ear, taking my free hand in his and placing it in the crook of his elbow. Jude, of course, doesn’t let go, so he comes with us, Knox and Tarl behind us as Aeron leads us into the crowd.

People immediately stop us as we pass, wishing us happy holidays and soon I’ve forgotten most of their names. There are just so many. Luckily, Knox grabbed me a glass of champagne, so my throat isn’t too dry, and I’ve nabbed a few canapes to munch on as we walk through the room. I’m not even surprised anymore by the apparent influence of the Tailors, the bowing and scraping these people do is slightly sickening though.

We stop in front of a handsome man with dark hair and his blonde wife, their daughter standing with them. She’s stunning, wearing a three-quarter length sleeve velvet gown in a delicate, peach color that has a nineteen-thirties vibe. Her hair is done up in a vintage style, and she reminds me of an old-fashioned movie star.

“Ambassador, so pleased that you could come,” Aeron greets, his tone not overly warm but full of grudging respect. It’s as if he doesn’t like the man but his position requires the gesture.

“Aeron Taylor, a wonderful party,” the man replies in a posh, British accent, and I frown when I see the way his wife is eye fucking my guys. “May I introduce my wife, Susan, and our daughter, Juniper?”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Susan coos, and my nostrils flare at the way her eyes travel over Aeron. He just smiles blandly back, ignoring her blatant flirtation and dipping his head in acknowledgement.

“May I introduce, Lark, our fiancée?” Aeron says, and all three of their eyes widen as they look at me, then the guys. My cheeks heat at the scrutiny, though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the way he claimed me so publically. “How are you enjoying America, Juniper?” he asks, smooth as fucking silk, and she blinks up at us, swallowing.

“It certainly rains less here than in London,” she lightly jokes, her voice soft and her gaze sliding from Aeron and landing on me. “It really is a lovely party, thank you for inviting us.”

“You’re welcome,” I respond, even though I had no part in any of this. “Have you been here long?”

“Not really, just a little over a week,” she answers, and I feel that she’s on guard, saying exactly what they expect of her. She seems nervous, her eyes darting back to her parents as if seeking approval, and I can’t really work out why, we’re not that intimidating.

“If you’ll excuse us,” the man, the ambassador, interrupts before she can say anything else, and Aeron nods as they walk away, Juniper trailing behind them.

“Why are you frowning?” Aeron asks me as I watch them and draw my lower lip between my teeth.

“There was something…off with them,” I muse aloud, still watching as they greet some of the other guests. It’s then that I see the slight flinch Juniper gives when the ambassador extends his hand, and my shoulders tighten. “She had a look in her eyes that I used to see all too often when I gazed in the mirror,” I add, my stomach knotting slightly.

“We’ll keep an eye on her,” Aeron assures me immediately, and my muscles relax a little before I turn to him.

“You’d do that? For a complete stranger?”

“No,” he states, brushing my cheek with the back of his fingers. “I’d do it for you because I don’t want to see you frown.”

“I love you, all of you,” I confess in a choked-up voice, my heart feeling like it might burst from my chest at any moment.

“And we love you,” Jude adds from behind me, placing a soft kiss on my neck.

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