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“What the hell?” she hisses, horror all over her face.
Lexi looks at her. A glimmer of something I can’t explain flashes then is gone. Wow, this girl is a serious freak.
“I was wondering where the bathroom is?”
Tess’s nails are latched into my forearm. I reach for her hand and gently try to detach them. Taking a step back, I motion in the other direction. “That way.”
My hand rubs Tess’s back. I don’t need this shit tonight—dealing with our parents is bad enough. Now we have some weird voyeur chick messing with my plans.
“Come on, breathe. She didn’t see anything.” I help straighten her dress, smooth my hair, and lead her away and into the dining room, hoping we don’t look as messed up as this feels.
“How long was she there?”
“Not long,” I assure her, although I have no clue how long it was. I couldn’t care less if that girl gets her kicks from watching people. If it upsets Tess, then I have a problem.
For a small group, we are quite loud. I think it’s safe to say all the adults minus Maria and Letty, are shit-faced. Dinner is delicious. Maria and Letty made salmon and prime rib, both with mouthwatering sauces, along with a creamy spinach and cacio e pepe as the pasta. I’m distracted, which sucks because I love Maria’s cooking. But my body won’t cooperate. I’m still hard. If I was sure Tess wouldn’t scream, I would take her hand under the table. A few strokes are all I need.
The older crowd seems to be getting along famously like the phonies they are. Unfortunately, Jax is the only one out of us who looks like he’s enjoying himself. He is seated next to Dimitri. Both of them seem to be having a wonderful time talking about the latest software Dimitri is launching.
Brance is on Jax’s other side. He and Tess have spent a large portion of dinner whispering.
Pulling her chair closer to me, I say, “Tess, you need to let this go.”
She gives me a dirty look, then stands. “Excuse me, I need to fix my makeup. Brance are you coming?”
Fucking great. Leaning back, I throw my napkin on the table.
Now that Tess and Brance are gone, Lexi is the closest one sitting on my other side. I’m forced to turn to her.
“Did you find the restroom?” I wait to see how she reacts.
“I don’t think your girlfriend and Brance like me.” She sits demurely, but her voice is snippy.
Wow, not even an ounce of remorse. Interesting. Picking up Tess’s knife, I spin it on the table. “Don’t take offense. Brance is obsessed with Tess.”
“What about you?” She takes a sip from her water glass, her gaze on the silver knife spinning, which is annoying since she seems to have no problem looking at anyone else.
“Look at me,” I snap. Her eyes instantly respond, and a strange sense of power surges through me. I clear my throat. “Sorry, it’s been a long day. Tess is mine—has been from the moment I saw her.”
I have no idea why I’m telling a weird girl this. Except that she seems fixated on me, and I need to let her know that I’m not an option. Grabbing the knife, I set it back in its spot.
“Yours? As in, you think you own her?” This time she does look at me.
Taking a sip of my water, I leave her hanging, not giving her anything.
“So, I guess, we can’t be friends then? She doesn’t seem like she wants to share.”
“No, she’s as possessive as I am.” I’m getting sick of her and this conversation.
“And yet you are fine with her relationship with Jax and Brance?” she snaps back.
There’s a darkness in this girl. She makes me uncomfortable, guilty. It’s an unusual feeling for me. Tess is the one who loves to indulge in blameworthiness.
I scan the lavish table for help. Everyone is happily talking over each other. Pushing my chair back, I stand.
“I think we’re getting ready for cake and gifts,” I say, starting to get pissed at this whole night. Lexi slowly rises, but my stare freezes her and she sits.
“Jax?” I raise my voice to my brother who is still having a heart-to-heart with Dimitri and his bottle of Russian vodka.
“I’m going to get Tess. Can you keep Lexi company?”
He motions for her to come to him. “Sure, come on over here, Lex. Tell me all your hopes and dreams.” He laughs as he takes another shot of vodka. Not caring what she does, I go to retrieve my kitten.
On my way to Tess’s bedroom, I’m distracted by Lexi’s creepy energy and the gold walls in the hallways and the endless supply of bouncing balloons. I hear Brance and Tess’s conversation easily, and I’m not even at her door yet.
“She’s after your man, Tess.” I hear his voice. “Do not engage with her without me.”
