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Women and men wearing expensive clothes from the latest designer collections occupy the spacious ballroom, engaged in heated conversations with each other while either drinking or eating finger foods, erupting in laughter every other second.
Their jewelry, probably designed by the Price family to show them their tribute, glistens under the crystal chandelier above us, brightening up the whole space and bringing attention to its magnificence.
Florian’s great-great-grandfather created it, so it's absolutely priceless, and no wonder several people gape at it in awe as the crystals cast colorful squares on the floor, and the moonlight streaming through the wide-open terrace door leading to the garden only intensifies its beauty.
Right in the center, a band plays classical music, their movements and notes so precise one could listen to them for hours, which gives this whole gathering a rather deceivingly peaceful atmosphere.
Although, believing in it would be so foolish, as silent games are played here in which one establishes their power and connections by flaunting their wealth. They do it with so much class you’d never guess it if you didn’t look close enough.
Servers roam around the room, offering everyone drinks, and I see several tables heavy with food while another arched door leads to the dining table, where the main dinner will probably be served.
A sense of disappointment hits me because it’s so freaking calm… Somehow with Atlas’s reputation for throwing the most extravagant parties in the world and shocking his guests every single time, I expected something more wild and entertaining.
Although I read a rumor that apparently Jacob, Florian’s father, put a stop to it a long time ago because he was tired of all that bullshit happening around his kids. So now Atlas lets the crazy out in his country club. Despite being eighty-five, he still fucks everyone willing, and I quickly take a quick sip to wipe away the bile rising up in my throat at the thought of Florian’s grandpa acting like some kind of sex god. I’m surprised he didn’t get married to some young woman, but again, he’s never been faithful in his forty-year marriage to Jacob’s mom, so why bother getting hitched if you can’t keep it in your pants?
“Have you had enough of staring?” I jerk at the harsh voice, and spin around to face a man wearing a black suit who curls his lip in disgust at the sight of me. “Another cloud chaser to deal with,” he mutters, trying to grab my elbow, but I step back, evading his grip. I quickly put the glass on the nearby table. “Get the hell out, lady.”
“I have a right to be here.” The disgust in his gaze only intensifies. “I have an invitation.” Only then do I realize I forgot it in the cab! “I lost it.”
“How convenient,” he spits, lunging after me again, but I shift to the side so he catches air instead.
“You can check with the security guard by the entrance. I’m not going anywhere!” I try to keep my voice even, although already several people turn their heads in our direction. “Please don’t make a scene.” Or maybe that was Florian’s plan all along?
For his staff to kick me out like trash as everyone watches so I won’t dare disturb his best friend again?
“You’re leaving even if I have to drag you by your hair,” he hisses, grabbing my wrist and digging his fingers so hard I wince. He pulls me to the entrance while I tug on my arm, ready to use all my strength to stop the man, when everything changes in a second.
One moment he’s holding me in his tight grip, and then the next, my hand is free as a big and muscled man slams him into the wall, his groan echoing through the space. The passing servers don’t even blink.
I sigh in relief because Octavius is here.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he asks the man, his voice cold as warning laces his every word while the man plasters his palms on the wall, freezing.
“Mr. Reed. I was just doing my job,” the asshole defends himself, struggling to get free yet failing. “She has no invitation, and I have strict orders to escort out anyone who comes here without permission.”
Before I can say anything, Octavius speaks to him, and I shiver a little as the energy seems to become frigid around us. “You ever touch her again, your job will be the last thing on your mind.” The man wants to look at me but groans when Octavius shakes him hard. “Don’t look at her. Do you understand what I said?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now you get out before I drag you out by your fucking hair.” He sends him almost flying to the entrance, and the man barely saves himself from falling, catching his balance at the last minute. He hightails his ass while people all around us stare.
I have no time to study their scandalized expressions as Octavius focuses his brown eyes on me, breaking goose bumps on my skin, and I swallow hard, searing heat traveling all over my system at the sight of him and every nerve ending in my body coming awake from his proximity.
While I could ignore what happened between us yesterday when his territorial and possessive gaze glides over me, the memories play vividly in my mind, blazing fire through my veins. I freeze in anticipation as he strolls toward me, his powerful form covered in a three-piece suit that only emphasizes his handsomeness. Everything in me cries out to hide behind him and let him handle all the scrutiny from everyone around me because standing among all this wealth is so lonely.
But then his harshly spoken words ring in my ear.
You were a great lay, kitten. Now get the hell out.
And with them comes anger.
“Thanks for this. Is your protection a perk for being a great lay?” The minute the words slip past my lips, I know I’ve made a mistake.
His face darkens, and the energy around us shifts, charging with tension and fury so strong it speeds up my heartbeat. I dart to the side, ready to escape whatever storm he plans to send my way, but it’s too late.
He wraps his strong arm around my waist, and I have a second to gulp for breath before he backs me in the corner, looming over me, and slams his fist into a wall above my head. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Okay.
