Page 80 of Kneeling for Them

“Let me know if you need anything else, anything at all,” the server says, making heart eyes at Sebastian.

The server walks away and Rick hops on the stage.“Let’s give it up for our next performer, Alistair!”

Polite applause sounds through the lounge.Everyone’s attention goes to the stage, including Kingston’s and Sebastian’s.

Phew.I’m in the clear.Rick’s mention of last night has been forgotten, and I can figure out a better time to bring it up with the guys.

Alistair croons out Aerosmith’s “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” to a largely indifferent audience.I pretend to give him my full focus, although I’m hyperaware of Kingston beside me and Sebastian sitting on the bench seat across from us.

As soon as Alistair is done, everyone applauds again.Rick saunters over and says, “You’re up in ten, Cinderella.”

I give him a little salute.“Thanks.”

“I’m glad yesterday didn’t scare you off,” he adds.

Stop it, Rick.I give him a tight smile.“Thanks again.”

He nods, looking satisfied, and walks off.

A new quiet descends over the table.I can feel Sebastian and Kingston waiting.Watching me.I take a sip of my cider, and then another.I feel like a cornered mouse.

“So, my little songbird,” Sebastian drawls, running a finger up and down his glass of iced tea, his attention fixed on my face, “do you want to tell us what the fuck Rick was talking about?”

Nineteen

Kingston

Ella gives a little squeak at Sebastian’s question.

Yeah, something is up.Of course, we knew something was up as soon as the host, Rick, started asking her about “last night” and she looked guilty as hell.

“Well?”I say.“Are you going to answer your daddy?”

She blows out a breath and traces a circle around the base of her pint glass.“Something happened last night, on my way home from work.Something bad.”

I lean back slightly so I can turn and look at her more fully.“And this thing was…what?”

“Some guy tried to attack me.”

Sebastian sits up and so do I.“What?”we both say at the same time.

“Yeah.He didn’t do much.I kicked him hard and got away.”

I’m so angry, I’m shaking.Ella looks frightened, her brown eyes wide and her body tense.I force myself to relax.“I’m not mad at you, baby.I’m mad at the man who attacked you.”

“All right.”She relaxes slightly.

“You should have told us before, though,” I add.

Wincing, she looks between us.“You’re going to punish me, aren’t you?”

“That’s exactly what’s going to happen,” Bash says, his hazel eyes darkening.

“Cinderella!”Rick calls.“You’re up!”

Ella stands, but before she can go far, I grab her wrist and stand with her.She makes a soft sound of surprise as I tug her to me, tilt back her head, and press my lips to hers.

“Kingston,” she whispers.