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Trev held up his glass. “Sure do.”
“Remove your hand.” Blaise’s voice was low and hard.
I took a deep breath and bit my bottom lip. Saxon looked at me with fear in his gaze, which did not help. Trev, however, left his hand on my back. It suddenly felt like hot coals. I was tempted to take it off myself. For Trev’s safety and mine.
“Hey, brother. I’m sure you’ll understand that I am doing what our father ordered me to do. Maybe you should take that temper of yours and go talk to dear ol’ Dad,” Trev said, then took a sip of his drink.
“You stepped into a ring you shouldn’t have.” Blaise’s threat was clear.
Saxon tensed, and I felt like I might be sick.
Trev needed to just drop his hand. That was all. Nothing was said, and I didn’t look at them to see what silent communication was happening, but Trev’s hand finally moved away from me, and I let out the breath I’d been holding.
“Madeline, come,” Blaise ordered me.
Every eye was on me. What was I to do? Go with Blaise? What, and let him walk me outside and put me in a car to send me home? That was humiliating, and he would do it. I knew he would. I’d defied him, and he didn’t like being defied. I wasn’t sure I would be going back to his house after this. The Houstons weren’t going to let me come back. They’d be too scared. They clearly did what Blaise told them to do. But Garrett had put me in this position, so maybe he’d let me go to the big house or the pool house, like I’d mentioned to Trev.
I finally turned to look at Blaise. He wasn’t going to hurt me. At least, I didn’t think so. He was just possessive, and although he had a gorgeous date, he didn’t like me being here with Trev. It wasn’t fair, but I was beginning to think Blaise didn’t care about fair.
“Hello, Blaise,” I said, forcing a smile. “It seems your father wanted me here, and since his oldest son had a date, he asked his younger son to bring me. He even bought the dress.” I tried to keep my voice light, as if this were funny and he should laugh.
Blaise’s jaw worked as he clenched his teeth. He didn’t think it was funny.
“She’s not lying. Even the diamonds came from the safe. Dad picked them out,” Trev said beside me.
“Come. Now,” he said through clenched teeth.
I glanced over to where I’d seen Garrett last, and he was watching us closely. When my eyes met his, he excused himself from those he was with and started walking in our direction.
“And here comes Dad,” Trev said beside me.
The expression on Blaise’s face would terrify most people. However, his brother seemed not at all concerned. I was still trying to decide if I should be worried.
“Your dad is coming,” I told Blaise. “You have a stunning date.” Saying those words was painful, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat. “I did what I was told. Trev did what he was told. It’s family business, right?” I said with a lift of my shoulders, trying to calm him down.
“Blaise.” Garrett’s tone, although calm, made it clear that this was his warning.
Blaise held out his hand to me, ignoring his father. I looked down at it and back at him. What did he want me to do? Defy Garrett? Wasn’t that cause for death or something? I had no idea what all the rules were, but I was sure Blaise was breaking them.
Garrett smiled at me and stepped between Blaise and me. “There are more people I’d like you to meet, Madeline. If you’ll excuse us,” he said, taking my hand and tucking it in his arm.
I went because it was Garrett Hughes. He was the most powerful man in this room. I had no choice.
As we walked away from them, I feared for Trev’s safety.
“My oldest son is stubborn and hotheaded. He doesn’t obey well, but then he never did. Don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine. He needs to learn a few lessons,” Garrett said as we walked toward another group of people.
I tried to listen and pay attention as Garrett introduced me. I said the right things and nodded when I was supposed to. The smile on my lips I didn’t feel, and the lump in my throat remained there.
This was not what I had wanted. I’d just wanted to be loved. I’d wanted Blaise. I had thought I had him. He’d said I was the most important thing in his life. That he would die for me. But those were only words.
Words I didn’t believe anymore.
Twelve
Blaise
The fucking rage inside of me was more intense than anything I’d ever felt. Seeing Trev’s hand on Madeline had made me feel unhinged. Garrett walking around with what was mine, introducing her to people, was sending me into such a crazed madness that I wasn’t sure anyone was safe.
