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42
Ash
I stand in my room,looking myself over in the full-length mirror that hangs on the back of my door. I don’t like to toot my own horn, but I look fucking good. We always clean up nice whenever we have to go to one of these things, and it’s never a chore to put on a suit and look like a model or something for a night.
The tux I’m wearing was tailored just for me, showing off my broad shoulders and long legs. I adjust my tie and smirk before heading downstairs to see if the rest of the Kings are ready yet.
The house has been a fucking mess these past few days. Even more so than usual. You’d think with me bringing flings home whenever I want and Knox running a torture dungeon in the basement, it would be normal for things to feeloffin this place, but this is different.
It feels too empty with River gone. Like the four of us aren’t enough, even though it’s always been just us here, and it was never an issue before. Then River showed up. In a few weeks, she managed to shake things up enough that her imprint is still here somehow. And without her to fill it, things just feel off balance.
Plus, Gage has been pissy as fuck lately. Even more so than usual. He’s acting all mad that Knox invited River to the gala, something Knox told him with a pleased smirk.
Gage exploded at him, asking him what part of “the arrangement is over” did he not understand. As usual, Knox wasn’t even fazed by Gage’s anger. He’s the one who can stare down all that simmering rage like it’s nothing and keep joking or whatever it was he was doing that pissed Gage off in the first place.
He just shrugged in answer and said he thought it would be fun. “Like a celebration, you know? Since we all got what we wanted out of this ‘arrangement.’” The air quote tone had been very heavy, and Gage just glowered at him, like he wanted to start something.
But he didn’t. He just stormed off, going into his library and slamming the door closed behind him.
Funny thing is, even though he acted all pissed off and has been snapping and growling at Knox ever since, he never once told him to un-invite her or made any effort to stop her from coming.
He could have, if he really wanted to. It’s not like Gage to not press an issue if it bothers him enough, so it’s obvious he’s not that upset by the thought of having River there.
“We may as well have some fun if we have to go to this thing,” was what I told Gage when he came stomping into the kitchen later that night.
“It’s not about fun,” he growled out.
“It never is with you, is it? You’re turning into Priest, and I don’t mean that in a good way.”
The result of that little comment was Gage slamming every cabinet and drawer in the entire kitchen as he made himself a late dinner, but I made my point, so whatever.
The only reason we’re going to this thing in the first place is because there are some high rollers who’ll be there who we want to chat with.
These kinds of parties are all about networking, spreading your influence and trying to get other people in your pocket. The criminal underworld is all about who you know, and anybody who’s worth knowing will be at this gala. A lot of handshake deals happen at fancy parties like this one.
There’s a lot of dirty money in Detroit that needs a place to go, and now that Ivan is off our backs, we can work on expanding our reach.
I helpfully don’t point out that the only reason Ivan St. James is a thing of the past is because of River. Her plan worked, even after Gage grumbled about it being a bad idea. In the end, she’s the reason we can feel comfortable moving on and pushing for more in our business dealings, without having to worry about St. James’s trumped up ass trying to horn in on our good thing.
Gage is still grumbling when I head downstairs. He’s dressed up and ready to go, arms folded and scowl firmly in place. Priest and Knox are ready, too. Knox looks excited, and there’s no question as to why, and Priest looks… well, like Priest. In a tux. No expression on his face to let anyone know one way or another how he feels about any of this.
I half expected him to be excited that River’s gone now, but then again, I have no idea how he really feels about her. Neither does he, probably. He’s been quieter than usual since she left, not really talking to anyone.
“Let’s go,” Gage bites out. “We’re not going to be late because of this.”
“It’s called being fashionably late for a reason, Gage,” I tell him with a little smile. “Only nerds and people trying too hard show up on time.”
He just glares at me, and I shrug in response. We all head out to the car, piling in. Gage and Priest are up front, and Knox and I take the back. Knox asks if Gage needs directions to River’s place, and Gage ignores him, starting the car and taking us out of our neighborhood and toward the shittier part of town.
It’s not as bad as the slums or anything, but it’s definitely easy to tell that rough shit goes down in this area. There are already people on corners, dealing drugs or asking for money or whatever, as we roll past.
The drive is quiet.
Gage is glaring at the road like it did something to offend him, while Knox looks comfortable, fiddling with his cufflinks and looking out the window. Priest looks like he’s made of stone, practically. He’s shut down in a way he hasn’t been since right after Jade died, and I can’t help but be a little worried about him.
We pull up to a run-down apartment building that has definitely seen better days but was probably a piece of shit when it was new. Some places are just like that.
Gage leans on the horn a little, and I roll my eyes.
