Page 134 of Voracious

She sighs. “It’ll be fine. Let’s go find Base.”

I hold the side of my dress as we take the rest of the stairs together.

“The place is beautiful, isn’t it?” she says.

I try to pay attention to the decor, but my eyes are flying all over the place, hunting for a tall, dark-haired man I can’t get out of my head. I want to both dodge and run to him. To beg him to run away with me. His boss is the devil, and we’re both in danger being near her.

“Though it does look a little weird… Can I see Base first then we can go? I haven’t seen him in months. He’s been… ignoring me. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”

“Is this you finally admitting to your feelings?”

She looks down at her feet. “Four years too late, right?”

“Why didn’t you give him a chance before?”

Lu shrugs. “I wanted to.”

My gaze flickers over the crowd gathering, everyone being instructed to follow the servers. “Then why didn’t you?” I ask, needing to keep on the subject to not ruin my nerves.

She sighs as we walk down a corridor. “Base has a big personality and a very dominating lifestyle. He parties like he’ll die tomorrow and fucks anyone with a pulse. He’s close to being a billionaire, an heir to the entire family fortune with huge responsibilities. His grandfather will arrange a marriage for him; another rich man or woman who can offer way more than me. I… I’m not good enough for Base. I never have been. I would just bring him down, and he’s not that type of guy.”

I listen as she blows out a breath and sniffs. She accepts a glass of water, but I take it from her and place it on a nearby window ledge. “That’s so far from the truth, Luciella. Don’t ever belittle yourself like that.”

“Even if I tell him how I truly feel, nothing can come from it. I’m not right for him. I just want to make sure he’s okay, then I’ll ask Jason to pick us both up.” She eyes me warily. “Will that be okay? You and Jason are okay after everything, right?”

“Yeah,” I lie. We haven’t spoken at all. Whenever I was over at the manor and he was in, he’d leave within seconds. He lost his relationship with his brother, his job went downhill due to him turning to alcohol after Giana left him, and from what Luciella has told me, he’s lost his spark.

We’re both victims – dealing with it differently.

When the time comes, we’ll talk.

Luciella keeps her arm hooked in mine as we walk into the main ballroom, both stopping in the entranceway. “I thought this was a birthday party?” she asks, confused, and I think I might faint.

I knew this wasn’t a party.

Loads of seats are lined up, facing a stage with a platform, a large screen behind it. Workers are setting up as more guests fill the room, all with glasses of champagne and chatting between themselves.

There’s no dance floor or DJ, no balloons or birthday banners. This isn’t a party. People are holding paddles with numbers on them, stickers on their clothes with their matching numbers.

They all look filthy rich.

I have no idea what this is.

“Did Base mention why you were to come tonight?”

She shakes her head beside me. “No. Just that he wanted to see me.”

Guests begin to take their seats, the classical music quieting, the lights dimming. The workers start to disperse, and bodyguards with black suits move to each exit, some to the stage, a few others just dotted around.

“Take your seats, ladies,” one says to us, gesturing to the seated crowd. “It begins in five minutes.”

Lu and I give each other an unsure look. Regret is painted all over her face as she bites her bottom lip and stares at the exit. She won’t leave. She wants to see Base. I’m not sure we actually can leave at this point.

“Can you hear me?” I whisper, basically breathing the words as Luciella takes her seat, placing her bag under the chair and looking around. “Chris?”

Nothing. The stupid gadgets he covered me with aren’t working. I’m on my own here. What if they find wires on me? What if I accidentally curl my hair behind my ear without thinking and expose the earpiece? Nervously, I sit, keeping my purse in my lap as the main doors close.

We flinch as the other exit doors slam closed.

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