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Sagging back in my chair, and barely holding myself together after finding out just how deep Bryant and Stacey’s connection really goes, I huff out a breath of air.
“She means nothing to him, you know that, right?” Jess interrupts my thoughts.
But it’s too late. I’m already swimming in the deep end where alligators and monsters live. “They were just young fools playing around. My brother isn’t that same idiot. He’s scary now. Stacey would get eaten alive.”
“Hmm.” I offer a smile, pouring sparkling water into my glass and bringing it to my lips. Before I can take a long enough sip, Max is standing on the opposite side of the table, with sure enough, a girl in his arms. She’s wearing a black dress with a basic black lace mask. The opposite of what I’m wearing.
Interesting. Not so much, since the theme tonight is black, white, and red.
“Isa,” Max says, nodding his head.
I don’t know how to act. As far as Max knows, we, us, our dynamic shouldn’t have changed. “Hi.” My eyes shift to the girl standing beside him as they both sink into their chairs.
“Pearl, this is Isa. Isa, this is Pearl.”
I smile at the young girl, seemingly upset that I can’t see any of her face. The mask she opted to wear isn’t the usual masquerade style. Hers covers her entire face, with only her small lips and the depth of her hazel eyes showing.
Pearl bows her head, before reaching for the water and pouring some into her glass.
“Where have you been?” I ask Max, to distract myself from the goose bumps that have appeared on the back of my neck.
“I was giving you space with Harper.” He brings his glass of whiskey to his mouth. “How is she?”
“Good,” I whisper, my eyelashes fanning out over my cheeks. “Real good.”
Max smiles softly. “Can we talk?”
“After, yes.” Busying myself with gulping enough water to distract me, I pray tonight goes faster than it already has. I need to put distance between myself and my thoughts.
Bryant takes the stage after being introduced by a dark woman in an elegant white gown. Her smile was infectious and despite the fact that I was in no mood to flash my pearly whites, I couldn’t help but give her a chuckle at her commentary. He strolls across the stage with an air of confidence that only someone with his level of swagger could pull off. Wherever he is, people watch. Whenever he enters, people stop what they’re doing. I can see him being the president, and I think that’s what frightens me the most. I lost my life to this, I don’t want to lose him too.
Bryant proceeds to announce the long lineup of auctions. I’m momentarily zoned out when his next words catch me off guard.
“All proceeds will be spread between the lower-class mental health institutes throughout the United States of America.” His eyes come to mine. My throat tightens and I can feel the tears build up behind them. Jess squeezes my leg from beneath the table. “It’s something that has over time become very important to my wife and me, and our family.” He raises his glass. “For those who don’t have a voice, we must be it. The first auction tonight will be for my beach house in The Hamptons.” His voice dies out and I shake my head.
“I can’t believe he did that.”
“I can,” Stacey says, taking a seat beside me. I freeze. I don’t want to give her the satisfaction of gaining my attention. “Because under the monster is humanity. I thought you of all people would know that.”
I snatch Jess’ wine glass straight out of her hands. If anyone is going to make me drink, it’s this bitch. “You don’t know what I know about Bryant, Stacey.”
“True.” We both lock eyes and I feel as though everyone in the room dissolves at my feet, it’s just her and I and our pussy flashing contest.
“Because if you did know him the way I do, Isa… you wouldn’t need to force him to give up his office over something that you’re so insecure about from another man.”
I glare at her, gritting my teeth. Jess whispers something beside me but nothing. Matters. “You’re one to fucking talk. You were married to my fucking brother.”
Stacey briefly bats an eye at Max before coming back to me. “Tsk, tsk, don’t go talking about a subject that you’re not ready or educated enough to talk about.”
“How so?” I growl, managing to keep my voice at a low, respectable level.
“Well, for one.” She clears her throat. “He is not who you think he is.” Her voice is just above a whisper, barely audible. The crowd begins clapping, tugging me out of my thoughts. “But I have a feeling that you’re about to find that out.”
