Page 40 of Endure the Pain
“Why would I need you to look at me naked?”
“You know, as your BFF, I’m obligated to look at anything you might be worried about and offer advice. Like ifyou have a strange rash or lump on your Vienna sausage or fuzzy walnuts,” I explained.
He gave me a disgusted look. “This conversation went sideways real quick. Why would I—did you just refer to my dick as a Vienna sausage?”
I grinned brightly. “And your balls as fuzzy walnuts.”
He just blinked at me, then turned around and stalked out of the bathroom.
“Was it something I said?” I yelled after him, fighting back my smile.Serves him right for complaining about seeing me naked.I did one last look in the mirror and followed him into the bedroom. I slipped my feet into beautiful red pumps while Dean stood brooding by the door.
“We can’t be friends if you’re going to refer to my dick as a Vienna sausage,” he grumbled.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep my laughter at bay and walked over to him. I held up both index fingers, parallel to each other. “If you’d give me a ballpark of what you’ve got going on in your Gentleman’s Region, I can compare it to something more adequate. Just tell me when to stop.” I began moving my fingers apart. Dean gave me a look that screamed,What the fuck?I gave him a doubtful look when my fingers were about a foot and a half apart because,Come on, really?“What do youdo? Wrap it around your leg?” I asked caustically and dropped my hands.
He snorted and the corner of his mouth twitched. “Gentleman’s Region?”
I shrugged. “I call mine Lady Town.”
He closed his eyes and his whole face scrunched up. “The shit you say,” he mumbled, shaking his head, and he opened my bedroom door with a little more strength than was needed. “It’s time to go.” He waved his hand, gesturing for me to head out first.
As we got closer to the stairs, music from the party could be heard. Dean and I passed two goons guarding the stairs as we came down. We walked through the kitchen, which was bustling with the catering crew Brody had hired. A waiter passed me, holding a tray of hors d’oeuvres, and the smell made me stagger. Holding my hand up to my nose, I pleaded with my stomach to behave. I quickened my pace, hoping fresh air would save me.
Dean put his hand on my back as we stepped outside. “Are you going to be sick again?”
I dropped my hand and breathed in the cool night air. I shook my head. “I’m alright.”
“Want me to get you some water?”
I nodded and watched him head back into the kitchen. I took a moment to look around. The party definitely appeared to be in full swing by the amount of people that were there. The backyard had been completely transformed. The trees were lit with twinkly string lights. The pool had been covered with a platform, which was now a dance floor. A live band played instrumental music. Round tables were set up on the grass on either side of the pool with a tended bar in each section. There were people already dancing, talking at their assigned tables, and mingling around each bar. The catering staff, carrying trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres, weaved between everyone.
I spotted Stefan speaking to a few people near one of the bars. With the current song coming to an end, I decided to cut through the dance floor, instead of going completely around it. People turned and stared at me as I passed.
About half through the dance floor someone grabbed my hand. “Well, hello, lass. Where are you off to?” His Irish accent stood out and his voice wasn’t one that I recognized.
I turned slowly and my nose was immediately assaulted by the strong smell of whiskey. The man who thought it was okay to grab me was short—about my height without my heels on. He wasn’t exactly appealing to the eyes with his crooked nose and receding hairline. He clearly didn’t have the ego to match if the way he was looking at me was anything to go by. I arched a brow at his arrogant smirk and pointedly glanced down at my captured wrist. He had yet to let me go.
I forced a friendly smile. “Do you make it a point to grab women without their permission?”
He chuckled. “You have fire in ya. I do love fight in a woman.”
I let my forced smile fall. “I suggest you let me go, unless you have a thing for being humiliated by a woman, as well.” I tried to pull my wrist away, but his grip tightened.
“Why the rush, lass? This was a stuffy party until you walked in. I didn’t know Quinn had hired party favors. I’ll be damned if you go home with anyone else. I saw you first,” he said with a sinister smile.
Fantastic, he thinks I’m a prostitute.
“Let me go,” I said firmly and loud enough to be heard by others around us. And by others, I meant Dean, Rourke, and Finn. The Irishman hadn’t noticed them standing around us, watching our interaction intently.
His expression hardened as his anger took over. I gave him a bored look as I waited, which in turn set him off further.
“Do I need to teach you your place, woman?” His threat made the guys step closer.
“Try it and I’ll send your body back to your family in pieces,” I threatened back.
The Irishman didn’t like that. He went to strike, but his hand never reached me. Finn and Rourke pulled pistols from their coats and pointed them at the back and side of the Irishman’s head. Dean caught the fist aiming for my face. To my surprise, a hand pointing a Glock right between the Irishman’s eyes appeared from nowhere. I glanced to my right. Jamie was standing in my peripheral. He was glaring at the Irishman.
“Coleman,” the Irishman seethed.