Page 37 of The Night Runs Red

She nodded in confirmation as Hendrix we pulled through the glittering glass awning. Security greeted us, opening the door and pushing back the small crowd that had formed. I kept my head down, allowing Rion to pull me to his side.

I wasn’t sure why trepidation coiled through my body, fraying my nerves and setting me on edge. Nothing had happened, nothing had triggered me, yet still it lingered.

“You’re safe, love,” Rion whispered in my ear as we stepped through the lobby doors, heading straight to the elevator.

I stayed quiet. Despite my husband’s words, I didn’t feel safe. Not in the slightest.

The ride to the penthouse was painfully silent. Not even Brielle said a word as we were ushered into a lavish foyer. Everything about this place screamed unreasonable wealth. A glass staircase led to the third floor, where a giant chandelier was suspended from the vaulted ceiling. The interior design was a strange mix of clean, modern lines and old-world opulence.

Up here, we were amongst the stars. I was so close I thought I could touch them.

A surprising number of people milled back and forth, filling the space while soft music filtered into the area. “I thought we were going to be early?” Brielle asked, looking around.

“We were supposed to be,” Rion said, taking a step away. “But it seems plans have changed, and we were not made aware.”

“There they are!” a deep voice boomed. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it.”

We turned to find the mayor walking toward us with a glass of champagne. He was nearly as tall as Rion, and the dark grey suit jacket he wore unbuttoned emphasized his broad shoulders. His salt and pepper hair was swept back, giving me a glimpse of a small lipstick stain on the collar of his shirt.

Classy.

Rion stepped forward and shook the man’s hand before turning to me. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Calia.” I shook his hand, recoiling at the slickness of his palm. “Calia, this is Mr. Graves.”

“Please, call me Von. Mr. Graves makes me feel like such an old man.” He threw his arm around Rion and pulled him close. Brielle and I looked at each other and cringed.

This was going to be a long night.

We followed the two of them through the throng of people as the mayor chatted Rion’s ear off. To his credit, Rion tried his best not to look annoyed, but the stiffness in his shoulders and pursed lips told me everything. The roar of the crowd was too loud. Everywhere we went, I noticed the way people stared. Some even pointed in our direction.

“Everyone is staring,” I whispered to Brielle. Insecurity reared its ugly head with each second that passed. I knew they were gossiping about the rumors of Rion’s infidelity. No matter how hard he tried to keep it from me, I saw the news. The posts on social media were the worst, as some had taken the time to manipulate photos to push their fucked-up narrative. I only knew they were false because I’d seen the original pictures, and half the time, their technological skills were severely lacking.

“Don’t pay them any mind. They just want to gossip. And until you prove them otherwise, they will likely believe the rumors in the papers.”

“How am I supposed to prove my relationship?”

Brielle shrugged. “You’re the one in love. Figure it out.”

“I am not in love,” I hissed. There was no way. Absolutely not. How could I love someone I barely knew? One who hadn’t allowed me the opportunity to get to know the man underneath the mask?

Brielle didn’t respond, only rolling her eyes before the mayor clinked his glass and captured our attention. “Dinner will be served shortly. Why don’t you all make your way to the dining room?”

One by one, people filed in and took their seats. The large dining table took up most of the space, undoubtedly brought in for the occasion. Waiters came around, pouring cocktails and wine as hors d’oeuvres were carried out on ostentatious silver trays. My aunt and uncle entered, their faces grim. My father, I noted, was nowhere to be seen.

Brielle stood and waved to her parents, pointing at the empty chairs in front of us. As they took their seats, my uncle grabbed his glass of whiskey and shot it back before signaling for another. My aunt looked at him from the corner of her eye, lips down-turned.

Rion’s uncle took the seat beside us. His stare lingered on me far too long for my liking, but I straightened my back and paid him no mind.

We made pleasant conversation through dinner, most of which was interrupted by Von, who spent most of the meal boasting of his accomplishments. I already couldn’t stand the man, and every word he uttered only worked to solidify that opinion.

“Tell me, darling,” Von purred from the head of the table. “What is it you saw in this brute? He’s positively dull.” His laugh quickly died when he found me staring back at him.

“I think the better question is what he saw in me; Rion has much to offer.”

Von laughed. “Oh, we all know what he saw in you.”

His remark caused others nearby to laugh, the lustful gazes of a few of the men lingering on my skin like spilt oil. Rion let loose a low growl as he squeezed my thigh in both warning and comfort. “You’re too kind,” I gritted out, gripping my fork tightly.

As dinner ended, the women began filtering out toward the living room. My aunt paused, waiting near her seat. “Come, Calia. Let’s leave the men to discuss their plans of world-domination.” Most of the men laughed, too charmed by her beauty to see the remark for what it was: a mockery of their self-opinion.

---