45. VANYA

“We don’t split up,” Obsidian rasped as the car pulled to a stop. “If we do have to split up, we do it in pairs of two, with all of us knowing where the others are going.”

“Sounds good,” Devrim muttered, staring out the window. “There are even more people here than there had been the last time we attended.”

My eyes darted between the three of them. Out of the three of them, Obsidian looked the most nervous. It looked like he wanted to bolt, and I didn’t blame him. Ezra and Devrim had been here before, and they knew what to expect. And Devrim was right, there were a lot more people than there had been the last time I attended the ball.  

Devrim got out first when the door was opened, followed by Ezra. I scooted to the edge of the seat, but Obsidian didn’t move.

His hands were curled into fists on his thighs as he stared out at the crowd. Swallowing, I leaned forward and carefully placed a hand on his knee. His body jerked and his eyes snapped over to mine.

“Obsidian, I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but I can tell you—”

He growled. “You don’t know anything.”

“That’s because you never tell anybody anything! How are we supposed to help you or support you when you—”

“Enough, Vanya,” he snapped. “Get out of the fucking car.”

I hesitated, but climbed out.

Cameras flashed, but a shocked silence descended a moment later, and I knew why. I turned slightly and watched as Obsidian straightened.

He pressed a hand over his ribs under his jacket for a few seconds before dropping it and looking up. It still looked like he wanted to throw up, but his face was void of emotion and his body seemed relaxed.

He was acting, and he was extremely good at it.

Our eyes locked when he stepped forward.

“No splitting up,” he muttered only for us to hear.

He placed his hand against my lower back as we made our way up the stairs and into the lobby; with Ezra to my right, Obsidian to my left, and Devrim a few steps behind us.

I glanced at him over my shoulder and received a wink from him.

Obsidian’s hand slid across my back to my hip. Hope soared when he pulled me closer to his side.

“He’s protecting us from the back,” he rasped against my ear. “We can sense if someone approaches us from behind, but we might react too late.”

“Oh.”

His fingers traced the band of my thong over the thin material of my dress, making me shiver. I hadn’t forgotten his warning of an impending punishment, but there was no telling how far he would go while we were in the public eye.

“What colour?”

I swallowed. I knew exactly what he was talking about. “B-black.”

He hummed as his hand slid lower on my hip. His fingers brushed along the slit in the dress and then dipped underneath. I stumbled, but luckily Ezra’s hand shot out to grip my arm to steady me. Giving him a small smile, I blew out a breath and turned my head to look up at Obsidian.

He gave me a wicked smile. “I’m going to enjoy implementing my punishment, sweets.”

I had no time to try and make any sense of his words, because I spotted my father at the same time that he spotted us. Judging by the look on his face, he wasn’t expecting Obsidian to be attending the ball with us.

I sucked in a breath and blew it out as I forced a smile onto my lips. Luckily, Joy wasn’t with him, but I knew she wasn’t too far away.

“Vanya,” he said in greeting. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Father.”

He hesitated before he leaned forward and pecked my cheek, but he instantly moved away again, out of reach.

“Devrim, Ezra,” he greeted them, but he avoided looking at Obsidian or greeting him.

“Aren’t you going to greet Obsidian, Father?” I asked him.

My father glared at me and then turned to look at Obsidian.

“Obsidian,” he greeted after a few tense minutes of silence.

“Rafael,” Obsidian rasped, gripping my hip a little tighter.

My father and Obsidian were on a first name basis. When had that happened? The only time Obsidian had been in town was when I found the body in my apartment. Had they met then?

“Can we talk, Devrim?” Father asked.

“Later.”

My father gave him a stiff nod and looked at me again. “Why don’t you join me in greeting everyone, Vanya?”

He directed it as a question, but I knew it wasn’t one. It was his way of demanding me to do as he says.

“Where’s Joy?” I asked.

He paused. “She went to the bathroom.”

I gave him a sweet smile. “Good, then she will be back soon to fulfil her duty as your wife.”

Ezra led the way into the ballroom.

The gathering a month ago was for my father to show off his newest developments around the island. This ball was a chance for him to get more people to invest in his projects with the excuse of celebrating Christmas.

Nervousness made my stomach twist as we walked further into the room.

My eyes darted up to Ezra’s when he grabbed hold of my fidgeting hand and entwined our fingers. He winked at me before looking away.

A smile slid onto my face. I’m not doing this alone. They are here with me.

 Betsy waved from across the room when our eyes locked a few minutes later. Her smile faded a bit when she realized who I was with, but she never stopped making her way over to us.

“Vanya!”

I stepped away from my men to hug her. “How are you?”

“Oh my dear, better than you, I suppose.” Her eyes darted past me.

“Right.” I moved back to Obsidian’s side, and without thinking, slipped an arm around his waist. “Betsy, I’d like to introduce you to Obsidian, Ezra, and Devrim.”

She nodded. “It’s nice to finally meet you face to face.”

“Likewise,” Ezra said with a smile.

“Listen, Vanya.” Betsy reached out, but a low growl from Obsidian made her freeze.

It came as a big surprise when he stepped in front of me. My wide eyes darted over to Devrim in question. He blinked, then seemed to snap out of his shock when Obsidian growled again.

Devrim gripped his shoulder and leaned closer. “Easy,” he whispered. “She won’t hurt, Vanya. You know that. You—”

I stepped around them to face Obsidian. There was no hesitation when I placed my palm against his chest over his racing heart. Obsidian’s lips curled up slightly to flash his teeth at me in warning.

“Vanya,” Devrim warned.

I ignored him and tilted my head back as I took another step forward until my body was pressed to his front.

“Remember what I told you about those friends and family I would do anything for?” I questioned. “Betsy is basically family. She’s the reason I’m following your plan.” I poked him. “Here’s another thing I just realized,” I whispered. “You don’t want me as a mate, so you have no fucking right to act the way you’re acting. Got it?”

I didn’t wait for him to answer. Stepping away, I turned to Betsy and hooked my arm through hers.

“I’m sorry about that,” I muttered as I steered her a few steps away from them.

“It’s okay, dear,” Betsy said, patting my hand. “It’s good to know that you’re protected, even if they are a bit scary.”

I smiled, unsure of what to say to her. Betsy stopped and turned to hug me.

“I’m sorry about Charlene,” she whispered. “She’s going to be very happy where she is now.”

Tears burned my eyes. There was a void inside my chest. I knew I was never going to be able to pick up the phone and call her when something exciting happened. I was never going to be able to go visit her and talk shit about all the people who pissed us off.

My best friend was dead and it happened because of me.

“T-thank you,” I whispered.

After one last squeeze, Betsy stepped back. Her eyes darted to where Ezra stood waiting. I frowned and glanced around, searching for Devrim and Obsidian, but they had disappeared.

“He looks smitten with you.” She winked before she walked away.

A laugh fell from my lips. Turning around, I made my way over to Ezra.

“Where are they?”

He pulled me against his chest. “In the bathroom. Devrim’s schooling Obsidian on how to act all humanly,” he muttered.

I dropped my forehead against his chest and sighed. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced a smile onto my lips as I straightened.

“Let’s get this over with.”