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He takes the cards. “Why me? I’m the least personable member of this family.”
“Because I’m stuck in this line and–oh, would you just do it?” she snaps.
He cups her elbow. “I’m kidding,” he soothes. My heart does a weird flip-flop seeing the kinder gentler side of Blackthroat. “I’ve got it covered, don’t worry.”
She exhales, possibly for the first time since she greeted Blackthroat. “Good. Hi, Billy.” She leans forward and cheek-kisses Billy. “And you must be Madison. Love the dress.”
“It’s Madi,” I say, without much hope of her or anyone learning my preferred name, since Blackthroat refuses to call me by it. “Thank you for getting me in with your stylist.”
“My pleasure. Will you make sure my brother’s on stage when I need him to be?”
“Of course,” I assure her, even though my confidence level with making sure Blackthroat does anything someone else wants of him is about five percent.
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re here, Madi. Good thing I saved the plus one seat for you.” She smirks up at her brother.
Blackthroat remains blank-faced, refusing to give her the satisfaction of being right. I know that look well. It warms my heart to know Blackthroat turns it on his beloved sister as well as me.
“It worked out perfectly,” I say. “You knew before he did. You must be clairvoyant?”
Ruby looks delighted to have a partner in teasing her brother. “No, just persistent.”
Ruby’s husband, Eagleton, saunters up looking gorgeous in a tuxedo. He’s Moon Co.’s corporate counsel and one of Blackthroat’s inner circle. Ruby flicks a speck of non-existent dust from his lapel. “Darling, would you point Brick and his date to their table?”
“Okay, hon,” Eagleton says. Ruby greets another guest, turning from her husband’s lingering, appreciative gaze. She must be used to it. “This way,” he waves to us to follow.
Our table is front and center. Blackthroat’s place card has him on the side closest to the stage steps. I point this out to him, and he grunts.
Eagleton is checking place cards. “Uh, one moment, Madi. It looks like there’s been a mixup.” Eagleton frowns at the place settings. “I’ll get Amanda.” He walks off, flagging a young woman who’s speaking to a caterer.
I sidle up to Blackthroat. “Do you typically banish your plus ones to another table?”
“I would have if I’d known it was an option.” But he doesn't look happy. “You told her you were coming?”
“As ordered.” I keep my tone light.
Billy takes his place at the table and salutes me with not one, but two glasses of champagne. “Maybe she seats assistants elsewhere. By the kitchens.” He can’t wait for me to do a walk of shame to the back of the room. “So if a waiter calls in sick, you can step in and serve the meal.”
Regulating me to servant status. Typically rich fuck boy games.
I keep my expression serene. This doesn’t hurt, doesn’t sting. “Sounds smart.” I nod to his soon-to-be-empty drinks. “Although if she really was going for convenience, she’d place you near the bar. Or behind it.”
Blackthroat steps between me and his dick-head COO. “She made the mistake of letting Billy behind the bar before. We never did find that missing case of special reserve whiskey.”
“Hi Brick.” Amanda has arrived. From the starry eyes she gives Blackthroat, I know exactly who messed up the place setting.
“I need a spot at my table for my assistant, Madison Evans.” Is there extra emphasis on the wordassistant?
“Madi,” I correct, not that anyone cares.
“Oh, ooh.” Amanda pulls a regretful face before even looking at the table assignments. “Your table is completely full, Brick.” She offers a fake wince.
I’d love to slap that smug expression right off her face.
“Figure it out, Amanda.”
Classic Blackthroat. I love the guy. I really do.
“Um, okay, well…” She bites her lip and makes a show out of looking over the table assignment lists.
