Bodhi’s fingers wrap around Gloria’s wrist, and he tugs her toward him. “You make tonight difficult for Dove in any way, we will personally see to it you don’t get a thing of the inheritance you know is coming your way.”
She blinks up at him I think in shock. “I… You…”
“You know I have the power to do it as well, Gloria,” Kasen growls, backing up Bodhi.
Dove’s lips twist up at the sides as she bats her lashes in Gloria’s direction. She might hate us, but she loves the way we all rally around to protect her.
Gloria’s frightened eyes flick to me then to Bodhi, looking for someone to save her I think. “K, you’re becoming arrogant with your newfound power.” She forces out an awkward laugh. “You need to understand this. I can fuck you over just as much as you can me.” Her long fingernail presses into his chest.
“Try it,” he growls with a cruel smirk.
She takes a shaky step back, fresh fear registering in her eyes. “Let’s not fight, we have so much to gain from working together,” she purrs all seductively, but the shakiness of her voice is obvious. She knows she’s walking a fine line, and with the mood K’s in tonight, anything could be possible.
I almost feel sorry for her. She has no idea what she’s up against with this family, no idea what we are really hiding from her. K has let her get away with a lot because he felt sorry for her knowing she was being used so terribly by Keller. But his patience is wearing thin, and she’s about to find out how powerful he really is. It would only take the press of a button and her whole life would be in ruins.
Dove manages to escape his grip on her and holds out a hand in Gloria’s direction. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Dove Dawson.” Her smile is fake, her eyes dancing with mischief.
Gloria blinks a few times then places her hand in Dove’s. “Gloria Throne.”
Dove’s fingernails dig into Gloria’s flesh as she pulls her in closer to her. “Most people underestimate me. If I were you, I wouldn’t,” Dove snarls in her ear before releasing her, her grin widening to psychotic. Shit. Maybe the girl is one of us after all.
Gloria stares back at her, her mouth gaping open to say something, but then she shuts it up tight. Dove just shocked the shit out of her.
I huff out a laugh. Good for Dove, my girl knows how to look after herself and even silence Gloria. Not something many can do.
“Why don’t you go have a drink, Gloria,” Kasen suggests when their glaring competition hasn’t ended. But what is she going to say to that?
From her pocket I can make out Dove’s phone ringing again, and my skin starts to crawl knowing who it is this time. Her guilty eyes find mine as she flicks the call to decline without even taking a look at it.
A few servers enter the mezzanine carrying platters of crispy pork belly bites and fire-roasted prawns. The delicious scent wafts past us. “Dinner.” Kasen takes her hand and leads her toward the table.
Dove sits between the two of us, with Bodhi on the opposite side of the table. Gloria is up at the other end, pouting. My hand dusts up her thigh, and I lean into her. “See, this family isn’t all that bad. And what did I tell you about the cocktails.”
She gives me a lopsided grin. “Cocktails are decent.”
Chapter 34
Dove
My head spins, and I huff out a laugh to cover my discomfort from my phone ringing on repeat all night. Even though I silenced it, the vibration is still way too obvious. Fuck, drinking tonight was a terrible idea, even though his sister, Rochelle, is actually lovely and it was her suggestion. Apparently that’s how she survives this family, and that just makes me feel sad for her. I may have smashed dinner to cover how much I drank, but the boys are all looking at me weird now. Like more intense, if that is even possible.
My phone starts ringing, and I feel Kasen tense beside me. I pull my phone out of my pocket, ready to block him, I’m sick to death of Talon’s constant calls and messages. It’s getting out of hand, and he’s not listening to me when I tell him I don’t want to talk. But as I go to power it off, I see a voice message there from an unknown number. It sends an instant icy shiver over my skin.
“Who’s calling you on repeat, babe?” River asks, trying to look over my shoulder at my phone.
“No one important. I need to use the rest room,” I mutter, knowing there is no way I want to listen to whatever this is with them all gawking at me.
“Over there.” Slater motions toward the far wall.
Kasen’s lips drop to my ear. “Still keeping shit from us, aren’t you, birdie.” The way his eyes bore right through me is unnerving.
I snatch my arm back from him, not justifying his stupid question with an answer.
“Take Rochelle with you,” he says, loud enough for her to hear, and to my surprise, she hops up ready to go on cue because he told her to.
I shove my chair back, so ready for a second’s space away from them and the ridiculous testosterone that’s surrounding me. I sway my way through the room, wishing I hadn’t gone so heavy on the cocktails with their sister, but at that moment, I was just thinking I needed to block this horrendous night out any way I can. And she agreed with me.
She links her arm with mine. “How are you coping?”
