Page 137 of Vicious Chaos

I'm much more comfortable sneaking into bedrooms to slice throats. This demure, back and forth of subtly trying to one up each other is just not my speed. Even when I was in the thick of this life, I found these events tedious and a waste of my time.

I always thought they were just more interesting for the adults. I was wrong. As an adult, these parties still suck.

Declan gently guides me away from all others as we head to the balcony as I grumble under my breath about this being a waste of time. I grab another glass of champagne as we head over there. I just barely manage to resist throwing the entire thing back but somehow, I do. His grip tightens on my waist as he struggles not to laugh, almost as if he can read my mind.

I stare at the side of his face aggressively, thinking about his past. He's someone my father would have had a field day over me dating.

The connections, the power, the prestige. His family is at the top of the food chain of it all. And he still walked away. He accumulated enough power on his own to leave them behind without any of the consequences.

Yet, you wouldn't know that by the way everyone's eyes here follow him. Okay, maybe not everyone. There are a good five hundred people at this damn "exclusive" event. People came from all over the country to participate in this charity. It's why we chose it as the first event to attend. The best chance of seeing someone I recognize, without having to travel all the way back to my hometown.

That hasn't happened yet. I haven't recognized a single soul and thankfully, no one has recognized me either. Not that it was too big of a concern.

The cool air hits my skin and I'm reminded of the cool sensation of Declan's tongue. I grin up at him as I throw my champagne back in one swallow. He grins as he takes the glass from my hand and sets it down before wrapping himself around me.

"More boring than you expected?"

I shrug even as I burrow into his warmth. "I'm used to my missions having a little more..." I trail off and answers start being called off through our earpieces.

"Blood?"

"Mayhem?"

"Fun?"

The last one was definitely Ry, and it makes me chuckle, he really is just as bloodthirsty as I am. I love it. "Absolutely more fun."

"Just a couple more hours, pretty girl." I groan even as he holds me tighter. "And then I'll show you fun."

"Pretty sure you already did," I snort at Ryder's dry wit.

D just rolls his eyes as he squeezes my hip. As boring as it is for me, I can't imagine how bored all the guys are as they have to sit in the vans. I wonder if they're watching Netflix. Luca will surely be watching all the security feeds but fuck me, how boring. It's awful living it, I can't imagine how mind-numbing it would be to have to watch it.

Declan leads us back inside as we start to do another round through the room. Every person defers to Declan respectively, all the small cues telling me, even out of the game, he's still on top of the social ladder. Duly noted. I swirl the champagne in my new glass as I study him from underneath my eye lashes, enjoying seeing this side of him.

He's never been able to completely hide his posh and proper background, but here he really steps into his skin. His arrogance flows out of him and infects the very room. His presence can't be ignored, and I can't help but appreciate the respect he demands. How obvious it is as heads turn to take him in and the subtle muffling of awed whispers as we pass by.

I keep my arm linked with his as he guides me from person to person, introducing me as we make our way through the crowd. I still haven't recognized anyone, and we have nothing useful. What were we even hoping to gain from this night again?

"Don't give up," he scolds as he tips my chin up. He ducks down for a quick kiss that leaves me wanting more. Much more than he could give me in public. I wonder if we could find a bathroom. "These things take time here. Everything is very slight of hand and hushed meetings."

He keeps talking and I know he's just trying to reassure me, but I've tuned him out, fully immersed in my own fantasy of disappearing for a bit. He rocks me as he glares down at me. "Stop picturing me naked," he chastises.

I run my eyes up his body. "Stop fisting my panties," I taunt as my eyes lock on his hand, shoved in the same pocket I saw him slip them into earlier. His expression makes me throw my head back and laugh. I relax enough to meet his gray-blue eyes and shiver at the amusement there. He can be so reserved and serious, especially in this setting but fuck. I love that he only gets that little glint for me. For us.

"I feel like we spent enough time here, yeah?"

I'm already nodding before the words even finish coming out of his mouth. There are enthused agreements down the line too. Everyone is tired of the social niceties and just waiting for something, anything, to happen. Declan seems pleased with how tonight turned out, but I can't figure out why.

I finish the glass in my hand before setting it down and let Declan wrap his arm around my waist and lead me out. Just as we are about to reach the exit to go back upstairs, a firm hand wraps around my forearm, stopping me in my tracks.

A chillingly familiar voice gasps in shock. Fear runs through my veins, freezing me from the inside out.

I slowly turn around against my better judgment, I just can't seem to stop myself from looking. Needing to confirm with my own eyes. My eyes slam into ice-blue eyes filled with surprise. Pure, blinding terror electrifies through me, frying my nerve endings and paralyzing me as the storm of memories consume me.

"Charlotte?"

8 yearsago

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