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"What?" I blinked, surprised by this news—especially considering this was the first time I'd heard of it. "Seriously? It's just a charitymasquerade."
"A lot of old Charleston socialites attend this thing," Marv said. "Old money, lots of connections. People in the press are always curious about what the rich people are doing. This is one of thosetimes."
I sat there, stunned. "Wow," I said. I didn't know what else to say. Standing up to Teddi was one thing—she'd pissed me off, threatened me and my guys. But paparazzi? Reporters? People wanting to know all about me just because of who I was with. I eyed Marv, Grayson, and Knix. Really, they were the ones they wanted to know about, but I still didn't like being anywhere near the spotlight. "We're all getting out together, do you think they'll ask questions about that?" Iasked.
"More than likely," Knix answered. He looked out the window as we turned onto the road. There was something else he seemed to want to tell me, but by the set of his jaw and the tightness around his eyes, it was obvious it didn't make himcomfortable.
In the end, it was Grayson who broke the ice. "They're definitely going to want to know about you since you'll be the only woman amongstus."
I sat back against my seat with a groan. "Just great," Isaid.
"I'm sorry, Little Bit." Knix offered me an apologetic look, but I just shrugged and shook myhead.
"It's fine, it can't beavoided."
Bellamy reached out and took my hand, drawing my attention. "Don't worry about it too hard," he suggested. "We'll be theretoo."
I smiled and leaned against his side. "Yeah," I said. "You'reright."
A half an hour later, however, we pulled up to the charity masquerade venue and my heart rate doubled. I held my breath as the limo slowed to a stop and an attendant stepped forward, their hand closing around the door handle. A moment more and I'd be out there, with flashing lights in my face. I needed to be ready. Grayson's hand touched mine and I jerked my eyes away from the tinted windows and met hisgaze.
I expected him to say something, but he didn't. Instead, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to mine. I closed my eyes and let the feel of him wash over me as I accepted the offering of his lips. When he pulled back, the door opened and I turned towards it, stepping out on myheels.
As expected, flashes erupted as cameras went off. I had no clue how a celebrity felt when walking down the red carpet, but I imagined it was something like this. Grayson stepped out of the car, joining me as his hand slid around my waist and then Marv was there was well. Reporters shouted from roped off areas, more cameras went off. I kept a light smile on my face, but I feltfrozen.
I let my gaze drift up the double columns that flanked either side of the entrance. Marv moved closer and leaned down, whispered in my ear. "Don't worry, Sunshine. We won't let anything happen to you," he promised. Just as quickly, he rose to his full height and waved at someone several paces ahead of us on the stairs leading up to theentrance.
"Shall we?" Graysonasked.
I looked up and met his eyes. I nodded. We followed behind Marv, striding through the crowd, posing for cameras. Grayson's profile was handsome as he fielded any questions directed at me. People asked if I was his date or Marv's. People asked who I was, where I had come from. It was just like what they had said it would be. Except some of the questioners insinuated that I might be a model, an emerging actress. Maybe they did think I was famous. I was in the presence of incredibly wealthy and influential people, after all. The very notion that I might be someone like that, however, was preposterous tome.
After finally answering the last of the questions, Grayson turned back to me—his blue eyes glinted in the artificial lights as night fell. He reached for me, taking my hand once more and led me into the ball. We stopped just inside the doors and donned the masks Texas and I had picked up foreveryone.
Mine was the same color as my dress, a dark blue and pink netting that settled against my face. Grayson's, however, was silver, the exact opposite of his black on black suit. It covered one side of his upper face, highlighting his strong cheekbones and the indentations around his lips when hesmiled.
He took my hand and as a unit, we followed the others into themasquerade.
