The band finishes playing their song and the room quietens. I’ve never raised my hand to a woman, but I’ve never wanted to hit one so much in my life as I do right now. If Gloria had a dick swinging between her thighs, she sure as hell would’ve already been on the ground with my fist between her eyes.
However, even as our voices raise and eyes turn our way, I rein in my control and turn to face her, dismantling the lens on my camera with more force than necessary. “Threats again?”
Standing in a floor-length, bright red strapless gown, Gloria has her hair swept up in a similar style to Laken’s. But whereas Laken’s looks effortlessly classy and feminine, Gloria’s tightly pulled twist is as harsh as the daggers flying out of her eyes.
“Facts, Niall. And were it not for the fact that my son is here, I’d make a scene right now and bury you.” Gathering her composure, she pats her overly-sprayed hair and nods to the camera still gripped in my hand as she tosses back a glass of champagne. “Now take our picture so I can send him home with my maid, since my so-called nanny had better things to do tonight than her job.”
“Your son?” The words rub me the wrong way. That same unsettled feeling I’ve had all night twists my insides again.
She lets out a small sigh as she snags yet another glass of champagne off a passing hostess tray. “Yes, my son goes to Ravenhill too, Niall. Youdoremember that this is a benefit for them, don’t you? I need pictures of me being the doting mother.”
“Wait, he’s here? Tonight?”
“Nothing gets by you, does it?”
Walking in, I’d made the decision to protect Laken from Gloria. But this bitch just pushes all my buttons and has now forced my hand. She wants a doting mother? I’ll show her a real one.
“Come with me,” I say, grabbing her elbow and pulling her toward the dance floor.
“Thanks,” she smirks, “but I’m not in the mood to tango.”
“And I’m not in the mood for you to carry on with your bullshite,” I warn with a growl, making my way toward Laken and Vince. I’m putting all of this to rest. Everything ends tonight. I’ll get Gloria off my back, Sophie will be safe, my job will be safe, and somehow, I’ll convince Laken that we’re meant to be together.
I’m feeling confident about my decision until I catch Laken’s eye. The moment she sees me, she stumbles out of Vince’s hold, her eyes wide with terror. Everything seems to happen in slow motion as she bounces her gaze between Gloria and me, backing away and tripping over the back of her long gown.
And then things go from bad to worse as Bryce Holley appears by Gloria’s side and opens his mouth. “Gloria, have you met Mackay’s new fiancée?”
Gloria starts laughing hysterically. “Laken Cavanaugh? What the hell are you doing here?”
Laken gasps. “Lady Hammerle?”
I suck in a harsh breath at the sound of Laken’s name coming out of Gloria’s mouth. “You two know each other?”
“Niall, man, are you all right?” Vince breaks in, lifting an eyebrow. “You’re fucking pale as shit.”
All right?
Allfeckin’right?
Although I’m still processing their reactions, nothing about what is happening is all right. The woman I lied to, who wants to fuck me, and the woman I lied with, and am currently fucking, already know each other? In what universe is this okay? In what scenario does this not equal disaster?
Laken covers her mouth and nose with both hands, shaking her head repeatedly as if doing so will teleport her out of the ballroom. “Holy shit,you’rethe black widow?”
Shaking off her shock, Gloria’s pupils dilate as she turns and glares at me. “You called me a black widow?”
I shake my head. “Not important, Gloria! Can we please focus on how you two know each other?”
“Laken!” Out of nowhere, Preston, dressed in the smallest tuxedo I’ve ever seen, runs across the dance floor from outside on the terrace and hurls himself into Laken’s arms. Stunned, Laken catches him and gives him a stiff embrace.
“Hi, Pres.”
Bracing myself for an answer I know I don’t want to hear, I ruffle Preston’s blond hair but keep my eyes on Laken. “Hey there, Preston. Don’t you mean Mommy?”
If possible, Laken’s face pales even more and tiny beads of sweat break out across her forehead. “Niall, I can explain,” she whispers.
Realizing what’s about to happen, I ask the words anyway. “Laken, why is your son here?”
“Her son?” Gloria straightens her posture, collecting the shock that somehow managed to register on her expressionless face. “Preston ismyson.”
