Before she could answer, a man approached us and wrapped his arm around Jatavia protectively.
“Kairus,” the man said, not bothering to hide his disdain.
Tilting my head up, I checked Kairus out. He had a smug grin on his face but his eyes were daring and unwelcoming.
Instead of addressing the man, Kairus looked down at me. “Come, I need you.”
I need you.Those three words made my stomach flip.
Nodding, I finished my drink and looked toward my friend. She was watching Kairus cautiously.
“I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded and smiled softly. “I’m sure.”
Kairus grabbed my arm and pulled me away. “Your friend should be mindful of the company she keeps,” I heard the man tell Jatavia.
I knew Kairus had to have heard it too, but he kept walking, not even acknowledging it.
“Who was that man?” I questioned.
“No one of importance,” he stated.
The night continued and I learned I was here to be more of a prop than anything. Kairus had might as well as hired me through Elite. He spoke with a few people throughout the night. When it came time to introduce me, he kept it brief. I ended up sitting with Jatavia for some of the night when he disappeared and again demanded me to “stay put.” I didn’t mind though. The guests here were stuffy and most of them stuck up. I learned most of them held important roles around the city.
Halfway through the night, I was at the bar again. Jatavia was somewhere with the guy she was here with, who I learned was named Winston and he worked at City Hall.
“Excuse me if I’m being forward, but you are beautiful,” a deep voice stated next to me. Setting the tip on the bar and grabbing my lemon drop, I turned to face the man. He was handsome, tall, not taller than Kairus, but still towering over me.
“Thank you.” I gave him a polite smile. My eyes skated around the room. I had learned Kairus by now and he wasn’t fond of other men showing me attention. The last thing I wanted was a scene.
“James.” He held his hand out. Hesitantly, I reached for it.
“Azeira.”
“Such a pretty name for a pretty lady.” He lifted my hand and brought the back of it to his lips.
The hairs on the back of my neck rose along with heat up my spine. I could feel he was behind me before he even spoke.
“Unless you want me to cut those lips off and feed them to you, I advise you to release her hand.” My eyes bucked and I snatched my hands away.
Terror passed over the man’s face as he laid eyes on Kairus. He stumbled back. “Oh, Mr. Navarro, I wasn’t aware she was with you. My apologies.” He didn’t offer me a second glance as he turned and rushed away.
“You know it’s not normal to threaten people like that, right?” I said as I spun in his direction.
Kairus looked at me with disinterest. He stepped into me and wrapped his arm around my waist when I stumbled, steadying me.
“The only man’s lips who will touch this body from now on are mine. Anyone else who dares will be taught a lesson.”
His words should have sent me running, damn the consequences, but instead the fear rushed through me like my nerves were shot with Adderall. Heat flushed through me, pooling inside my stomach.
“Do you understand me?” It felt like the two of us were the only ones in the room at the moment. My breathing skated. My heart felt trapped inside my throat as I attempted to swallow around it.
Absently, I nodded.
“Good, now come. I’m ready to finish up here so we can leave.” He reached for my drink, removing it from my hand. Like my body was possessed, I opened my mouth when he brought the glass to it and tilted it.
