Sure, she’s gone through some shit, parts of which were caused by me, but there’s a light in Adeline that can’t be snuffed out, a glimmer of truth that makes it damn near impossible for me not to feel hopeful, too.
It sucks. I won’t lie. I’m much better off being a bitter son of a bitch who can’t care less about the world around him.
Staring at her like this, seeing her in her element surrounded by other women in their fancy gowns discussing the imagery she’s created about the life we live, it’s astounding to me.
My little monster has grown the fuck up. She’s blossomed into a woman that I can’t live without. She’s become something that makes me believe there might be a reason I exist other than for the express purpose of fucking up people’s lives.
“How much did you pay for these shots?”
“Five million,” I answer, my gaze sliding to Lincoln where he stands next to me. The asshole looks good in a tux, not as good as me obviously, but he runs a close second.
His deep laughter rumbles. “Can’t you just get her to print them out for free?”
“That’s not the point.” I glare at him. “We have a system. Stop questioning shit.”
His mouth crooks just as two men step up to stand beside us. My skin bristles immediately because like recognizes like.
Both Lincoln and I turn to lock eyes with Aiden Oliver and the darker haired man that stands next to him. Aiden grins, just the corner of his lip curling up like he knows a secret.
“I was hoping you’d be here tonight. I’ve wanted to talk ever since you abducted Adeline from Grant Cabot.”
Lincoln and I answer in unison. “She wasn’t abducted.”
Aiden grins again, his slimy expression stuck in place as he glances at Adeline and Rebecca across the room.
“If that’s the story you’re going with, I’ll pretend to believe it.”
My eyes narrow on him as his friend offers a hand in greeting. “You must be Ari. I’m Anthony Bernal.”
My eyes lock with his, but I refuse to shake his hand. It doesn’t matter that he’s the picture of sophistication, complete with foreign accent and all. There is something unsettling about these two.
Lincoln introduces himself as well, and once the introductions are done, Aiden leans in to speak with a low voice.
“Did she kick and scream much?”
I lick my teeth, my fingers stretching out in an effort not to fist my hand. “I didn’t abduct her.”
Aiden and Anthony give each other a pointed look before they both laugh and relax their postures.
“Fine. I’ll accept that you didn’t abduct her, but please tell me you were the reason Grant met such an ugly end.”
Shoulders tense, I answer, “That was his sister.”
“Sure it was. From what I heard, every bone in his body was shattered to dust, his skin split and head cracked open like a watermelon. That doesn’t exactly scream murder-by-female to me.”
Anthony glances over at us, his expression unreadable.
I’m starting to hate these shows.
Adeline needs to find a new gallery.
“Listen, all I’m saying is that I like your style. If you’re ever up for hire, you let me know.”
Glancing at him, I size him up.
“You seem like the type that takes care of his own problems.”
“I am, but I also have a daughter now. That doesn’t give me a lot of time.”
Pulling a business card from his pocket, he hands it to me.
“Give me a call. With the way you’re blowing money on your girlfriend’s photos, you’ll need the extra cash.”
With that, Aiden and Anthony incline their heads and walk off. I pocket the card and look at Lincoln.
“Do they rub you the wrong way, too?”
Lincoln’s distrustful gaze follows them across the room.
“It’s getting late, we should get Adeline out of here.”
We walk toward the group of women, and my hands slides over Adeline’s lower back.
“I think it’s time I take you home, baby bird. I have all sorts of wicked plans for tonight.”
Lincoln says his goodbyes and slips ahead of us, nodding at me once before stepping through the door to walk outside.
Head against my shoulder, Adeline looks up at me with heat behind her eyes. “Let’s go.”
We make the rounds of bidding farewell and are walking down the street toward my car. Adeline’s hand is warm in mine, her gown fluttering apart where the split runs up her thigh.
“Do you remember that night at the company event when you pulled me into a hallway and fucked