"You're too close. You're suffocating me," I say as he towers over me.
He doesn't flinch.
Doesn't step back.
Just stares at me like he's trying to figure me out.
And God help me, I can't look away.
The air turns, and the only thing I can smell is the faint scent of his cologne, which is all I smell now. From the car, to the spare bedrooms, to here, now. It surrounds my life.
My chest is warm and tight. It's the whiskey, I'm sure.
"Better get back to it. People are expecting you," he says finally, his voice quieter now.
"Fine."
But neither of us moves.
We just stand there, locked in a silent standoff, the tension between us coiling tighter and tighter.
Finally, I turn and he grabs my elbow softly before releasing it without a word.
As we walk, my hands are shaking.
Not from fear.
Not from the feather.
Not from the whiskey.
Just theproblemwalking beside me.
9
OCTAVIAN
This is the part of the job I hate. How the time drags despite being solely focused on her.
Tonight’s been made a bit easier I guess by the watch Keira gifted me this morning. She bought me a gold Rolex, which if it had stopped there would have been nice. However, she had etched on the back the gps coordinates of her house, so ‘I’d never forget where I needed to report for my babysitting duties.’ While she is mocking me, I laughed when she walked away.
Either way, the sooner this is over, the sooner I get her home and can take a breath.
Thankfully, this damn gala is finally coming to a close.
I lean against the far wall, tracking Keira's movements through the thinning crowd. She's still networking, still performing for the people gathered here.
I think back to the man who was watching her earlier. I remember the way her fingers tremble when she reaches for her glass afterward.
She's good at hiding things.
A man in a black tux slides up beside her, his hand resting on her shoulder as he leans closer to whisper something.
Too familiar, and my jaw tightens.
Whatever he said made her laugh, and suddenly I don't like it.
His hand makes its way to her back.
