I still check the security cameras obsessively, but knowing that he’s alive is all I need right now. I don’t need to think about the mess that our relationship is or all of the questions that are still unanswered, all that matters is that he’s alive for those conversations to happen.
When I arrive back to see him the next morning, Luca is already there and there’s a laptop on the table, both of them murmuring and planning together. I want to do some murdering of my own because he’s supposed to be resting, but instead I flag down a nurse to get a report of how the tests are going.
There’s been some concern about his heart and lung function that I’ve done enough reading on overnight that I’m practically an expert on the subject now.
The moment I have his notes in my hand, I dismiss the nurse and level Luca with my most icy glare. “He’s resting. Anything you have can either wait or come to me.”
Luca grins at me, shrugging casually. “I’m only giving him the small jobs. I haven’t told him any of the good stuff yet, I thought I’d save it for you.”
I eye him, his casual attempts at charming me aren’t going to work, but at least I can look at him without wanting to scream and cry now, so... baby steps. “How very kind of you. Did he congratulate you on your seat at the fabled table of the Twelve yet? Did the two of you pick out your name together or was it a nice surprise?”
Atticus gives me another sour look but I grin back at him, unrepentant to the end. Luca glances between us both and then closes the laptop between them.“There’s a gala Atticus was supposed to attend tonight. There’s at least three notable figures due to be there that we were hoping to meet with.”
I shrug. “You’re the Eagle now, I’m sure that’ll be enough to appease them.”
“When I told them he was unavailable, they requested you by name… Queen Crow, specifically. What went down at that Twelve meeting has gotten around, they want to deal with you.”
My eyebrows hit my hairline and I immediately look over at Atticus as though Luca is lying to me but he just grimaces at me. “Of course they want to speak with you. You have proven yourself and you’re the one with all of the Twelve’s ears. There isn’t a single member who would deny you a thing… not even the ones who hate you because it would be a direct insult to the Wolf. Even without our alliance, I wouldn’t piss you off either.”
Oh.
Oh, Ilikethat.
There isn’t a thing about this that feels insulting becauseof courseLips would deal with anyone who dared to say no to me. Of course she would, the exact same way I’d destroy the city for her on a whim.
Having people realize this and take note of it though? I like it a lot. There’s something about leaving the snake pits of high school and moving into the real world that has you floundering for a minute, figuring out how to be a whole person in a much bigger pond and finally,finally, it’s coming together.
I smirk at them both and I’m sure my eyes are dazzling with unreleased glee. “I’ll attend on your behalf. I have the perfect gown for it already.”
* * *
Every inch of my outfit is a very careful choice, ones that I made with Lips over a coffee and plate of pastries while all of the men in the house slept in. It’s floor length even with my new Louboutins, one of the requirements of this event, and strapless, lacing up at the back.
It’s also black.
I have forest green diamonds in my ears, a halo setting with smaller diamonds surrounding them, but I also felt wrong without some sort of nod to Aodhan in the moment. The entire outfit is a statement, a very clear sign of my allegiance for the evening, and Lips grins at me when I finally walk down the stairs to meet with her.
She’s wearing black as well.
I already know that Ash helped her pick out her outfit, the lace is an obvious tell, but the slit up her thigh that makes underwear impossible to wear with it is also a huge indicator.
The heels she’s in are probably going to land her in hospital with a broken neck, but Harley has a strong arm around her waist and a very smug grin on his face.
When I raise an eyebrow at him, he smirks and drawls, “All I have to do is put on a monkey suit and I get to spend the night with my girl wrapped around me looking like that? There’s no downsides here.”
Lips elbows him and snarks, “That’s until we get stuck talking to some rich asshole with a stick up his ass while he leers at my tits. We’re the slum kids walking into rich dickhead territory, remember?”
He scowls at her and snaps, “Anyone looking at your tits is going to die tonight. That’s all I’ve got to say about that, babe. Besides, we’re there to keep Floss safe, we don’t have to talk to anyone. Aodhan’s the sucker who’s gonna have to get social.”
As if called, the front door opens and Aodhan steps in, already wearing the stunning Tom Ford that I had tailored for him. He looks amazing, smells divine, and when he very carefully kisses me so he doesn’t smudge my makeup, I want to eat him alive.
“Gross. Fuck, I’m not gonna get used to seeing that shit,” Harley snarks, and I roll my eyes at him.
“Try living in a house full of you all pawing at each other! It’s fucking disgusting,” Noah snarks, stomping past us all on his way over to the kitchen to make a mess in there, I’m sure. I don’t understand how there’s always crumbs everywhere. What does he do in there to make such a fucking mess?!
Ash follows him down, scowling like he’s about to destroy something, and Morrison laughs as he trails after him, a bottle of whiskey in his hand and a dumb grin on his face as he leers at Lips.
I’m surprised they aren’t dressed to come with us and I share a look with Lips over it.
