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I turn, keeping my face neutral. "Of course, you know how much I love to converse. I’m pretty sure I’ll be at master level here soon.”
His eyes narrow with annoyance, and he closes the distance between us, shoving right into my face. "You fuck any of this up for me, and you’re done. I'll take you out back and put a bullet in your head myself. I'm fucking tired of dealing with you. You’re more of a liability to this family than you are good.”
I grind my teeth but keep my mouth shut for once. There are so many things I want to say to him, so many things I want to do, but I know my day will come soon enough. Karma is a real bitch, and far meaner than I ever will be.
He turns on his feet, dismissing me, and walks over to greet Sebastian, clapping him on the shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Bel, who slowly retreats backward. It’s painfully obvious that she doesn’t want to be near my father, which is understandable. She looks as if she’s undecided on what to do but then walks away, heading toward the bar. Good girl. It pleases me so much that she follows her gut instinct. I don’t want my father anywhere near her, not after what happened. I can’t let that nightmare repeat itself.
I watch casually as my father speaks to Sebastian in a low tone with bowed heads. The conversation lasts but seconds. Sebastian shakes his grip off and laughs menacingly, dismissing my father and whatever he said in favor of going to find Bel. I can’t help but smile.
Looks like I'm not the only one screwing things up tonight. It's almost satisfying to see the angry disappointment on my father's face. He turns away, ignoring my existence altogether, and I cut into the crowd to keep an eye on Bel from a distance.
No one touches her.
No one looks at her.
The Wallflower is mine.
26
BEL
Ihate to admit it, but I expected more guns and fighting than this. Not that this is bad, but I didn’t anticipate a bunch of old men sitting around talking while their wives or mistresses drink themselves into a stupor. Maybe that's the key to getting through these events. Drink until you fall asleep.
I guess, boring or not, I'm here to support Sebastian.
I cradle the glass of wine to my chest and smile at the older woman sitting in front of me. She waves animatedly, telling me a story about a ski trip she just took with her cousin, who I strongly believe is definitely her boyfriend and not her cousin.
At least, by the way she talks about him. I listen just enough to nod and answer any questions she might toss my way, but I’m not involved in the depth of it.
I’m distracted from the conversation when the soft ringing of a bell fills the space. I glance around the room to see where it’s coming from. The lady in front of me claps her hands excitedly, drawing my attention back to her.
"Oh, finally, dinner. The best part. At least after dinner, we’re closer to being done. I abhor these social gatherings, really."
I give her a nod, not really sure what to say since this is my first one, and maybe my last. Everyone meanders into the dining room, their chatter following them.
My eyes fall onto the massive table set for more people than I care to count. Deep breath. It’s just dinner. What could possibly go wrong? I take one step forward and find Sebastian by my side. His presence calms me and reminds me that I’m not in this alone. He gives me a slight smile, the best I’m going to get, I suppose, for the night and guides me to our seats. I look at the head of the table and spot Drew sitting right next to his father.
I shudder, glancing away so I don't catch his father's eye. The memory of that night is always there, lingering beneath the surface, threatening to make an appearance.
"Everything okay?" Seb asks, leaning close.
I nod and sigh, pasting on a smile. This is what I have to do. To be pretty, to be a distraction. There is no time for me to have a mental breakdown.
"Yeah, I’m fine. Just feeling a little overwhelmed. Do you know all of these people?"
He takes a sip of water and then leans back in his seat, surveying the room. "Know them? No. Know of them, mostly. Everyone knows the big players in the game."
"And we are...a big player?"
His dark gaze casts back on me, and when he smiles, I feel less like prey that’s about to be eaten. "Short answer: yes. Grandfather would accept nothing less. I’ve been trained and prepared for this job since I was a little boy.”
“Is this what you want to do? Like if you had a choice, would you run the family business, or would you choose to do something else?” I’m not sure why I ask that question right then, but I feel compelled to know if this is what he really wants to do with his life or if it’s a sacrificial duty.
He shrugs. “I don’t think there was ever going to be a choice. When you’re born into this world, the choice is made for you. If I didn’t choose this path, I’m not sure I’d know what else to do. Nothing else seems to hold my attention.”
I nod and find my eyes gravitating to Drew. Sebastian’s response reminds me again that Drew doesn’t always get a choice in the matter. There’s always someone bigger pulling the strings, ensuring he follows directions or suffers the consequences.
It’s hard to be angry with him when I know these things. Yeah, what he said about me not belonging here hurt, but it wasn’t a lie. I don’t belong here in a room full of criminals. This place isn’t me. But that didn’t mean he had to point it out so rudely.
