Page 122 of Twisted Obsession

Kami started to pull out of my possessive hold, but I tightened it, keeping her firmly against my side. I started to tell Lance he’d overstayed his welcome and that his services were no longer required when someone rested a hand on my shoulder.

“Darius. Kami.” My father slid into place next to me with my mom on his other side. “I hope we’re not interrupting.”

I was about to tell him they were, but Mom spoke up, “Kami, that is a beautiful dress.”

Kami smoothed a small, trembling hand down the front, momentarily distracting me with the way the material shimmered under the lights, the way it parted just enough to gift me with a view of the firm mounds straining against the front.For a moment, I almost forgot why I was even pissed. Then Lance moved, lowering his extended arm and I went right back to wanting to punch him in the face.

“Thanks,” Kami said, smiling at my mom. “It was a gift from…”

“Me,” I stated evenly when she faltered.

I felt her eyes on my face, her confusion as she tried to figure out what was happening. I met her gaze with a set one of my own, daring her to ask.

She didn’t.

I knew she wouldn’t, not with so many eyes on us. Ultimately, she turned back to Lance and my mother as they admired the dress.

“Your mother wants me to tell you that she will be furious if you get blood on the carpet. She also wants me to remind you that if you get arrested for murdering a man at your welcome home party, she’ll kick your ass,” Father said, leaning into my side to murmur into my ear.

Any other time, I would have laughed, but the target of my rage took that moment to glance past me and break into a truly beautiful smile. He raised the arm not holding his drink and waved enthusiastically. I was debating the odds of this guy knowing anyone at the party when a darker man joined our group. His deep, rich eyes glistened as they took Lance in before turning to the rest of us, his smile big and dazzling.

“Guys, this is my fiancé Michael. Michael, you remember Kami?”

Michael nodded, smile widening. “Thank you again for dinner the other night. We had a great time.”

Kami smiled at him. “I’m glad we could meet. Lance speaks so highly of you.”

Michael flushed dark under his warm complexion. He shot his fiancé an affectionate grin.

“And this is Marcella.” Lance motioned to my mom but winced a little sheepishly at the rest of us. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know the rest of your names.”

Kami introduced everyone, saving me for last, I noted.

“Kami speaks very highly of each of you,” Lance said. “Thank you so much for letting us join the party.”

“It’s our pleasure.” Lavena slinked into our little circle with Kas and Sasha, a flute of champagne in hand and a sly smirk on her face. “Kami was very excited to have you both here.”

“And I still am. In fact,” Kami turned to my mom. “I was hoping we could help introduce Lance to a few of the guests here.”

Mom raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask questions. “Of course. I know just the people.”

Lance’s big eyes grew even wider as they shot from his partner’s beaming face to my mom’s. “Thank you!”

I caught Lavena’s smirk and realized how badly I’d been played by the little shit. She raised her glass in a mock salute, and I made a mental note to thank her with a whole bag of frogs in her bed the first chance I got.

“You know what this party needs?” Dad said, cutting into my revenge plot. “Dancing. Darius, why don’t you and Kami start us off?”

I didn’t argue. Any opportunity to get Kami in my arms and away from the others was one I was willing to take. I took the untouched flute of champagne from her fingers and passed it a little too aggressively into Lavena’s. She merely smirked and took a sip.

Vowing to deal with her later, I led Kami to the dance area.

“Fiancé, huh?” I murmured once I had her tucked snuggly against me, our bodies moving in time with the gently swaying music.

Kami peered up at me with a sheepish grin. “I tried to tell you.”

I pulled her closer. “I guess I’ll have to let Lance live.”

Her smile was breathtaking. “I would appreciate that. He’s honestly such a lovely person.”

---