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I can’t imagine what everyone will think when they see them.
Xander comes up behind me, looking at my reflection in the mirror. “You look beautiful, and those will eventually heal.” He makes reference to my wrists as if he can read my mind. “Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks, Mouse. They don’t know your story.”
He has no idea how much his words mean to me, no idea at all.
“And while I’d love nothing more than to stay in this room all evening with you, we really need to go now. Damon and Keira are waiting downstairs for us.”
I nod and smile as he walks us to the door. Xander grabs the knob but doesn’t open it right away, and I wonder what he’s thinking.
“Remember what I told you. I can’t be like this out there. Not tonight or any other time we’re doing business. You get that, right?” I can hear the sincerity in his voice.
“Yes,” I answer. He opens the door for me, and I walk across the threshold, almost falling over my own feet. Xander grabs my arm to steady me before he holds out his arm for me to loop mine under.
“Just hold on to me and remember the rules. Everything I told you yesterday you have to do… especially today. There are some really bad people, far worse than me, Mouse, and believe me when I tell you, you don’t want to draw their attention.”
My eyes widen slightly. “I understand, Xander,” I assure him with a smile, and we get into the elevator and head down to the lobby. Damon and Keira are already waiting for us at the elevator when we exit. When I see Keira, I smile, and she smiles back, her smile fading when she notices the dirty look Xander is giving her.
She wrinkles her nose at him, and I almost start laughing. My gaze roams over Keira. She’s wearing a royal blue, off-the-shoulder cocktail dress that ends right above her knee. She looks so stunning that I forget I’m not supposed to actually be looking at her.
Quickly, I avert my eyes to the floor and tighten my grip on Xander’s arm. Nervous butterflies explode inside my belly. I’m a bundle of nerves right now. The thought of possibly finding my sister excites me and terrifies me all at once.
It’s been forever since I’ve seen her or hugged her, and I can’t wait to just be in the same room as her again. My thoughts are interrupted as we walk outside where the limo is already waiting for us. The door is held open by one of Xander’s men, as always. I climb in very slowly, sliding across the leather seats. Xander gets in behind me, his fingers splaying across my back, as if he is showing ownership of me without really saying it.
His touch is gentle, and I want to sink into it. He pulls me into his side but doesn’t say anything to me. Then again, he doesn’t have to… his actions assure me that he cares. He and Damon discuss some business matters about their father on the way to the restaurant. I look out the window, trying to take everything in, but there is just way too much going on.
Every building we pass has lights that blind me. Hundreds of people walk down the sidewalks, some wearing ridiculous outfits, some wearing hardly anything at all. It’s a sight to see, that is for sure.
The limo rolls to a stop along the curb in front of the restaurant. Seconds later, the door opens, and we get out. I hold my breath, praying I don’t fall and break my ankle or, even worse, embrace Xander. I sigh in relief when my pointed heels stick firmly to the ground. I’m careful not to look around, even though I’m curious to know where we’re eating and what the place looks like. Xander ushers us all inside, and out of the corner of my eye, I see the hottest girl. She doesn’t even ask who we are or what table we want. Instead, she says, “Follow me, please,” and leads the way. We walk for what seems like an eternity before she seats us. When she kindly asks us what we would like to drink, Xander orders without looking at her.
“Whisky neat for me, and water for her.”
I don’t have to look up to see who is snorting angrily across the table. I wish he would just let me tell Damon and Keira about us. Why can’t they not know? What’s the harm in his brother knowing about us? Does he think it will make him look weak? Or does he want to hide me from them?
“Whiskey as well, and whatever she would like,” Damon announces.
I lift my gaze to Keira and see the fire flickering in her eyes. She’s really angry, like really angry, and for the first time ever, I wonder what the story between them is. I remember Xander saying something about her dying if Damon hadn’t married her in one of their previous sparring matches. I guess that would make me angry, too, but she seems to have it out for Xander in the worst way.
