Page 43 of Defy

Sensing my unease, Damon’s fingers flexed on the exposed skin at the back of my dress, and then he said, “Take a deep breath. I’m here right by your side.”

His words grounded me more than I wanted to admit, and the comfort I felt from the heat of his palm lessened my irritation from the scrutiny directed at me by so many people who recognized me.

They sized me up, trying to see if there were any signs of trauma from the ordeal I’d faced over the last few days or if I’d give them anything to gossip about behind my back.

Assholes, all of them.

Well, maybe not all of them, but most.

Drawing on my debutante training, I held my emotionless mask in place. I made sure not a single soul saw any kink in my armor.

After all, my goal for tonight's endeavor was, first and foremost, to establish Morellis never faltered, and nothing phased us, not arrests, not personal vendettas, or murder accusations. Life ran as usual in our world, no matter what anyone threw our way.

I selected everything on my body, from my outfit, and meticulously applied makeup to my hairstyle for impact.

With my signature black diamond earrings and a black diamond necklace Damon had surprised me with right before we left, I knew I oozed understated wealth and elegance.

I’d perfected this illusion long ago, and at this moment, I used it as a shield.

Reaching up, I stroked the pendant between my breasts and quickly pulled back my hand.

No wasted movements, Sophia.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about Damon’s gift, especially the fact that the simple platinum chain and a teardrop-shaped black diamond hanging from it was exactly something I would have picked for myself.

How could he read me so well and know I would have gravitated toward it in a store before something more extravagant or grandiose?

His knowing what I’d love only added to the guilt weighing on my shoulders about keeping him in the dark regarding my alibi for the night of Keith’s murder.

It wasn’t fair that to protect those weaker than me, I had to keep an integral part of who I was from someone who only wanted to protect me from the monsters of the world.

He was the one thing I’d always wanted my whole life. A person who’d put me first, wanted to keep me safe and believed me, even if things didn’t make sense.

This whole situation sucked big hairy balls.

I tucked my arm into Damon’s while guiding him toward the back of the room.

In the corner, a gorgeous woman with golden skin and a long mass of copper curls swayed back and forth as she hummed various tunes while the band around her prepped their instruments.

As I passed her, she smiled and tapped her elbow to mine. “Good to see you out.”

“Thanks.”

“Thought I’d let you know, the new track comes out next week.”

“It was only a matter of time.” I smiled at her, and then Damon and I continued to the stairs leading toward the VIP lounge.

“I take it you know each other?”

“You could say that. I invested in her indie album project. She has one of the most soulful voices I’ve ever heard.”

“Why not use your connections to get her in with a big label.”

“She wants to stay indie. A big label would commercialize her and change her to appeal to the mass market.”

“So she would rather play clubs instead of large venues?”

“If it makes her happier, why not?”

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