He seemed pretty impressed with my tests today. I outshot him, and I killed his pathetic guard. It’s clear that I was being underestimated by him when I saw just a sliver of surprise in his features. But he wasn’t just impressed, he seemed starstruck. I know they’ve been watching me for a long time, but he was looking at me like a celebrity he’s been fangirling over for years. And in a way, I suppose that’s true. He looked at me like he was watching a renowned artist at work, and it felt good.
The Karma boys are talented, and I’ve watched them over the years, the same way they've watched me. To impress one of them makes me feel proud. Almost cocky.
The stylists that Max sent to my room finally left after they squeezed me into this emerald green gown. The plunging neckline shows off just the right amount of cleavage, the straps are about four-fingers thick in a tulle and silk hybrid fabric. The waist comes in tight to accentuate my curves. There are two high slits that come almost to my hip bones, and it is completely backless. I was given a long gold necklace that falls between my breasts with a matching pair of earrings and a gold cuff bracelet.
Currently I’m sitting on the edge of the bed trying to work up the courage to put on the heels that were sent to me. They’re taller than I’m used to, but they’ll have to do. I give myself a once over in the mirror. I like that you can see all my tattoos that crawl up my arms and cover my back. My hair is pulled in a slick back high ponytail with a few of the front strands hanging and curled to frame my face, including my white-blonde streak.
Getting down the stairs is a challenge on its own, and Max still has yet to even tell me how I’m supposed to act tonight. I don’t believe we are just going to make an appearance and I’m sure he doesn’t just want me there for eye candy.
I finally meet the men sitting in the foyer, “Max, I’m worried about this dress. Where the hell am I supposed to keep a weapon?” I scoff as I spin to show him there is nowhere to keep something hidden on me.
Once I’m back to facing them they are just staring at me. Brandon is leaning back against the stair’s banister, eyeing me like a piece of meat. Teddy is sitting on a lounge chair and is leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. I look over to find both Dean and Max leaning on a grand piano I am just now noticing for the first time.
“Hello?” I give Max an expectant look. “I know I didn’t go mute all of a sudden. Where the fuck am I am I supposed to keep a weapon on this forsaken dress?”
Max clears his throat, “Harpy, you are the weapon. You won't need to carry one this evening.” At first, I scoffed at his words, but now that I’m not fussing over what I’m wearing I now notice that all four men are dressed in suits.
All of their suits are similar, but each one has small details to show off the separation in their personalities. I also notice they are all wearing an item that is the same shade of green as my dress.
“Um,” I cough because the air all of a sudden is thicker, “Are we all going?” All the coolness I’ve portrayed over the last couple days has vanished. I am a sputtering fool, because each of these men look lickable.
Lickable? What the fuck, Zoe. Shut that shit down.
I stand taller and square my shoulders, trying to get back my will power.
“Yes, we decided it would be best if we all attended. The others have watched how you performed during the tests today and they’d like to see how you perform tonight; in person.” Max explains, taking a sip out of his glass that is filled with amber liquid.
“Perform? What is it exactly that I need to do?” I ask before pouring myself a glass of whiskey as well.
“We can discuss that on the way. Are you ready?” Brandon asks before approaching me with a small box.
“I suppose I am.” I throw back the rest of my drink before rounding the piano to go meet his advance towards me.
Brandon slides the lid off of the box and presents it to me, he reveals a tiny vial of liquid that could be about the size of a horse pill. “This is Tetrodotoxin, we’ll explain what we need you to do with this, but for now, I’m going to put it in your necklace.” Brandon explains to me.
He reaches to the necklace and his fingers trace the skin down my chest and between my breasts until he reaches the pendant. The touch is agonizingly slow, and my skin prickles at the sensation. Brandon smirks when he sees my body react on its own accord. He doesn’t say anything until he begins to unscrew where the pendant connects to the chain. I hadn’t noticed that it has a mechanism that can open. He tucks the vile back into the pendant and screws it back together.
Brandon steps closer and brings his lips close to my ear and whispers, “You’re going to have to work on your poker face princess. I can see exactly what you're thinking. But once you school the wanton look on your face, I can still smell your arousal.” There is a growl in his voice that makes my knees feel like jelly. I shiver from his words, but I try to quickly put myself back together, but Brandon plants a kiss on my jaw line and delicately places the necklace back to where it originally sat between my breasts.
Dean claps his hands loudly, making me jump, “Okay. Let’s get on the road so we can explain tonight’s plan to Zoe and get this night over with.” He speaks.
I nod and Brandon steps away from me and starts to follow Max and Dean towards the front door. I’m still trying to collect my wits when Teddy approaches me from behind. Teddy pokes out an elbow for me to grab as we exit the front door and brings me to the limo waiting for us. He opens the door for me and before I can slide in, he grabs hold of my hand to stop me.
“What?” I ask, almost breathlessly now that I’m taking in how his hair is brushed back and just how normal he can look on the outside. Except if you look close enough, you can see something living behind his eyes, a darkness that is pulsing and itching to come out.
“You look absolutely edible, little devil. I cannot wait to play with you tonight.” This stops me in my tracks. I can’t say I’m not excited. I’ve been wanting to learn more about Teddy, but I’m nervous to see what he has in store. Will he be showing me his torture techniques? Disposal? Interrogation?
“That’s interesting.” Max says behind Teddy.
Keeping my eyes locked on Teddy, I ask, “What is it?”
“You look excited.” He points out, and I can’t help but let a smirk play on my lips.
I don’t respond, I just turn and slide into the limo to take my seat. I sit next to Brandon, and then Teddy sandwiches me in. Max and Dean sit opposite of us.
The men help themselves to drinks and I wait patiently for them to explain what tonight truly is. They don’t break the comfortable silence, so I speak directly to Max, “You originally said it was just a gala at the museum. What has changed?”
“What changed was, Brandon found out that Jax will be attending tonight. We know he has been crossing us and working with the Cambions for some extra cash. And after our talk in the gun range, we know that he has been funneling girls directly to someone.” He explains as I nod along, accepting a glass of champagne from Brandon.
