Page 22

ELI

I returned home about an hour after Brook had returned with Jenny from shopping. I am not allowed in my room, because Jenny wants it to be a surprise when I get to see her. I opt out and end up getting ready in my all-black tux in Dane’s room. By the time I had finished fastening my silver cufflinks, I saw that Dane and Jenny had already left for the evening.

I slick my onyx hair back with some pomade and apply my black mask for the final look. Heading downstairs, I call the limo service to make sure the Rolls Royce will be here promptly at eight. As I hang up my phone, I hear heels clicking towards me from the top of the marble stairs. She comes into view, my heart drops into my stomach.

She is a vision. The blood-red dress that clings to her porcelain satin skin has my breathing starting to become sporadic. There is a slit on the left side that ends right before her undergarments would show.

The long and deep v-neck exposes just a hit of her glorious tits. The mask she wears looks like a dark queen that I would gladly drop to my knees and lay my life on the line for. Nothing in this world would compare to the goddess I have standing before me. No dream could even come close to the beauty that is radiating from the top of the staircase looking down at me.

“You look stunning,” I say in a weak, breathy voice. She giggles a musical hum as she walks down the stairs to meet me.

“You look even better than I had imagined in that tux,” She coos as she runs her black leather gloves up and down my lapel. “Just so handsome.” Lifting her mask, she leans in with her fire-red lips and presses them to my cool mask. A smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.

“This...I really, really like,” she says, tapping my mask with her red manicured nail and placing her mask back over her face. I see she is wearing the diamond bracelet I got her as well. My heart is so full right now. I watch as she puts on a dainty pair of black leather gloves.

“You know, the car won’t be here for another ten minutes, I am sure we could have a bit of fun before then.” I grab her waist with my hand and pull her close to me, letting my large erect bulge press against her stomach.

“As exciting and as tempting as that sounds, I do not want to mess up my hair and I am sorry, but this dress does not make for easy access. You can thank Versace for that.” She tries to lift her dress, but the fabric does not move. “It’s literally stuck to my skin. Took Jenny and I twenty minutes to get this gorgeous fucker on.” Laughing, she takes my hand in hers.

“Okay fine, but when we get home, I can’t guarantee that dress will be in one piece.” Her eyes widened at my threat.

“Eli, this dress was over five thousand dollars. If you rip it with those perfect teeth, I will kill you!” She hits me on my shoulder. Did she just say five grand? Oh lord, I just hold my tongue and walk her up to the front door where I see the white Rolls Royce has arrived and is waiting.

“Your chariot awaits, my lady.” I usher her into the car. Once we are sitting in the plush, heated marshmallow seats, I pull out a single red rose from behind my back as I grab two crystal flute champagne glasses from the bucket inside.

“A rose, for a rose.” Her eyes light up at the crimson perfect flower. I watch as she lets the bud sit under her nose and inhales deeply.

“Oh Eli, this is divine. My favorite flower as well.” I can see her eyes crinkling, which leads me to know she has a smile under that mask. The car heads off towards the city as we both raise our masks and sip our champagne. We reached the prestigious hotel after about a thirty-five-minute drive.

There are paparazzi posted outside where the red carpet awaits. Pulling up to the entrance, the driver opened our doors as we both stepped out into a sea of flashing lights.

“Eli! Over here! Eli! One smile, please!” A photographer says from the side, then another one, “Eli! Who is your date! Eli, please just take one photo!” They gather around like vultures to their prey.

Security is having to push us through to the main entrance. Before we head inside, I turn and face the horde of photographers and place my hand around Brook’s waist, pulling her close to me.

“Smile, baby girl,” Is all I muster out as a thousand flashes blur our vison in seconds.

“Eli, this is insane!” I hear her shout over the yelling paparazzi, a small giggle leaving her lips. I can feel her tighten around my grip. Then, she starts to let loose. I turn her and head into the large entrance way that is covered in a golden hue. The dark marble floors reflect the bits of amber and bronze off the stone’s surface. There is a massive crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the lobby.

People gather in groups, lining the hallways, dressed in their expensive suits and formal wear. Masks are on every face. Waiters wind through the crowds with Dom Perignon champagne and caviar on small little herb crackers.

This is the epitome of wealth and status. The governor is here with his slender, red-headed wife as I see them making their way towards us. Governor John Mullen is a total piece of shit. He is a fat bastard who goes out on his wife almost nightly. This is the problem with men in the political game.

They truly believe they own everyone and everything. The inferiority complex on this douche is a mile long.

“Eli!” he says as he sauntered over to us, his blue eyes already hazed over from the alcohol. “You made it!” He gives me a hard smack on the shoulder. It makes me grit my teeth. His eyes leave mine as he notices my hand around Brook’s waist.

“Aww, and who is this beauty?” I hear his wife let out a low scoff as she rolls her eyes, then sips her champagne. I catch her eyes drifting to me, looking me up and down. I can tell she wants me.

“This is Brooklyn Winters,” I say as I pull her closer to me. His gaze is falling hard on her chest now. “So great that I get to finally introduce her to you. She's my girlfriend.” I can feel her eyes shoot over to mine. Okay, so maybe I hadn’t asked her yet to fully be mine, but I am sure she pretty much got the hint with all the sucking up I have been doing lately.

“Your girlfriend, huh? Man, I haven’t had one of those in a while!” He lets out a thunderous laugh. His wife just stands quietly behind him, focusing on something on the wall to her left, sipping her champagne and grabbing another one from a passing waiter’s tray. I am sure she is probably just tuning him out at this point.

“Yes, I am his girlfriend,” I hear Brook say in a teasing tone. “Soon to be his fiancée.” I almost choke on the sip of champagne that has now traveled up my nose. He glares in surprise down at her again.

“Is that right?” His eyes are showing more interest now.

“Oh yeah, our baby should be on its way soon!” I choked again on another swig of my drink, letting out a low laugh.

“Oh, this one is a big joker,” I say as I pinch her side hard. I can feel her wince under my touch. I smile down at her as she playfully raises a brow at me.

“Well, now! That would definitely be a shock. Not sure if it would be a good one!” He laughs again and then hits his wife on the back, which causes her to lose a little balance. She smiles a straight line and then rolls her eyes again. She couldn’t give two shits about any of this right now.

Hell, I bet she loves that she doesn’t have to fuck this guy anymore. I watch him raise his hand at another person as he motions and then says goodbye to us. His frail wife trails behind him.

“Fiancée huh, pregnant? I would hope you would definitely let me know if that was the case, before the governor finds out at the same time,” I say as I tilt her chin up to meet mine.

“Oh, well I thought it was a fun game we were playing, since you claimed me as your girlfriend and all. I don’t believe I remember you asking me that… Yet?” Her eyes tease and question.

“So, will you?” I whispered down into her ear. I can feel her skin underneath my fingertips start to pebble over.

“Will I what? ” She says in a low breathy tone.

“Will you be mine and only mine?” I nip and tongue the lobe of her ear.

“Yes,” she says in a heated, seductive tone.

I shot back up and gave her a wink. “Well, that solves that!” She gives me an annoyed glare as we hear the trumpets start to blare, signifying the ball was about to start. The large gold-framed doors started to open slowly. Once we entered the ballroom, I heard Brook let out a small gasp.

The room itself was massive. Large candelabras lined the sides of the walls. Huge crystal chandeliers lined the forty-foot ceilings that span all the way down the dance floor. The ballroom itself was two stories high. The themed colors were silver and gold. Very regal and reeked of wealth. Little tables stood on the sides of the room. White and silver satin lined each one.

They have a full string quartet playing on the stage that is seated in the very back of the room. Beautiful sonnets fill the air as the guests start to dance to the melodies. It’s pure magic. I watch as Brook takes it all in, her eyes darting from side to side in awe.

“This is the most beautiful place I have ever been, Eli.” Looking up to me, I see her eyes start to gloss over. A single tear starts forming at the side. I wipe it away before it has a chance to stream down her face.

“Only the best for my baby girl,” I say as I take her hand and usher her to the dance floor.

“Eli, I don’t know how to dance! I mean, at least not to this!” she says in a shaky voice.

“Just follow my lead, baby girl.” I wink as her brows scrunch together.

“Wait, you know how to do ballroom dancing?” She pesters as I place her right hand on my shoulder. I place my left hand on her waist, then grab her free hand with my right palm.

“Trust me, I am full of surprises.” I say as I Bend down and whisper into her ear. I then dip and weave us into the dancing crowd. I can hear her giggle as I whisked us around the ballroom floor, her feet stepping on mine every so often. But after a few times around, she started to learn the moves.

I watch her without even needing to look where I am going. She is beaming with excitement. We danced until the song had ended as we both headed off the floor to grab more champagne. The formal dinner was just about to start, when I was approached by another guest. This one in a red, devil mask.

“Eli Masters,” the voice said in a low growl. My head tilted as I felt Brook’s hand tighten on mine. I wait as the man lifts his mask up to show me his face. I am greeted with a pair of hellish blue eyes I never thought I would see again in this lifetime. That god-awful scar that trailed across his wrinkled face.

“Jasper,” I say through gritted teeth. I start to push Brook’s body behind mine. “What are you doing here?” Question and anger laces my voice.

“Oh Eli, is that how you treat your old friend?” he asks as he lets out a wicked laugh. “You know, I have been keeping my eyes on you, old friend. This past year has been quite a successful one for ya.” He looks to me, then trails his eyes over to Brooklyn. “And not just in money.” I push her fully behind me now.

“What do you want Jasper?” I glare back at his direction to get his attention off of Brook.

“What do I want?” he asks, acting offended. “Oh, I just wanted to say hello to you. It’s just been such a long, long time.” Pulling out a flask and taking a deep swig from it, he eyes us both.

“Well, sorry to inconvenience you, but we were just on our way out.” I know I have to get Brook the hell out of here. This is a very dangerous man, and I have no idea if he is here alone or not. I also am by myself, with no gun. So this is not the ideal situation to be stuck in, especially with her being vulnerable.

“Since you know where I live now and most likely how to contact me, let’s have a meeting soon. Shall we?” I say as calmly and unfazed as I can.

He lets out a crooked smile. “Of course, Eli! It will be so nice to catch up. Plus, I think you may owe me a bit of money,” he says, his smile now fading. I nod at him as I pull Brook to the side of me and start to make our way out of the ballroom. “Oh, and Eli?” Jasper shouts from behind, making me turn back to face him.

“Sooner rather than later. I would hate to have to deal with this my own way.” He takes another sip from his flask. I turn and head out of the room, almost running as I pull out my phone and call the driver.

“What the fuck was that?” Brook stumbles trying to keep up with me. I am sure I look like a mad man right now. “Eli, stop!” She shouts as she lets go of my shaking hand.

“Look Brook, we need to get the fuck out of here right now. I will explain everything to you in the car. But right now, you need to fucking trust me and keep quiet!” I hadn’t noticed my tone was a lot louder than I anticipated. I can feel the darkness starting to surround us. An episode itching to start. As we make our way out the front doors, I inhale a deep breath of the cool night air, trying to center myself best I can.

The car pulls up to us as I don’t even wait for the driver, Running through the flashing paparazzi lights and flinging the door open, shoving her in and following.

“Drive,” is all I manage to say as the car peels off, the city lights blurring around us.