Page 25 of Royal Deception (Royals of the Underworld #2)

RORY

I hold my breath as I watch Clary stare at the collar, her fingers tracing the cool metal and the deep blue crystal at its center. The seconds stretch between us, my pulse hammering as I wait for her answer.

Then, she looks up at me, eyes shining with emotion. “Yes,” she whispers, then says it again, stronger this time. “Yes, I want to be yours.”

A rush of something powerful—something I don’t dare name—floods my chest. I undo the clasp and bring the collar around her neck, fastening it in place.

The lock clicks shut with finality, and I make a deliberate show of walking over to my bedside drawer, pulling it open, and placing the tiny key inside.

“There,” I say, turning back to her. “It stays on unless I take it off. Understood?”

She nods, her fingers brushing over the pendant, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“Good girl.”

A deep sense of satisfaction settles over me as I pull her into bed, tucking her close against my chest. The last few days have been a mess of emotions, a push and pull I wasn’t sure we’d survive. But now, with her warm and steady in my arms, something in me settles.

Clary is mine.

And I’m not letting her go.

I wake to the feeling of Clary shifting against me, the press of her body still warm from sleep. The faintest streaks of light filter in through the curtains, and I blink, letting my mind catch up to reality.

Then, it hits me.

The gala.

Today is the day.

I exhale sharply, rubbing a hand over my face. There’s so much work to be done and it feels like not enough time to do it.

Clary yawns next to me and rolls over, a soft, sleepy smile on her face as she touches the pendant on her necklace. It looks good on her, and I lean over and kiss her collarbone.

“Good morning, Pet,” I say, pushing her hair out of her face. “I have a lot of work to do before tonight, but I’ll be back this afternoon to get ready.” There’s a hint of teasing in my tone, and I reach out and stroke her cheek.

As I pull on my clothes, I feel Clary’s gaze on me, and when I turn back to her, she’s still lounging against the pillows, the silver chain of her collar glinting in the soft morning light.

So beautiful.

I lean down to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and, without thinking, press a kiss to her lips. It’s quick, barely a second, but something about it sticks in my chest.

She blinks up at me, lips parting slightly. I smirk and pull away. “Be good while I’m gone.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a softness in them. “Be safe.”

I don’t respond to that. I never make promises I’m not sure I can keep. Instead, I grab my jacket and head out, shoving the odd moment from my mind. It was just a kiss. No big deal.

The morning drags on as we arrive at the venue, and I quickly switch gears to a cold efficiency I need to handle the day.

The building looms in front of us—high ceilings, marble floors, polished wood.

Everything about it screams high-class luxury, but I’m looking past all of that, eyes scanning for anything that could go wrong.

As we work through the venue, I’m hyperaware of every person walking through the door, every sound that’s out of place. It’s the calm before the storm. The gala tonight is going to be a spectacle. And I know we may be facing an even bigger spectacle from the Russians, but I’m prepared.

By the time we finish our sweep, the team and I feel confident. The venue is secured. We’ve got our eyes on everything.

I glance at my watch and let out a breath. It’s almost time to head back to the house, get changed, and prep for the night. But for now, we wait.

After a quick shower and getting dressed, I stand downstairs, waiting for Clary to join me. I take a moment to adjust my tie, making sure it’s just right. Just as I’m about to grab my phone and check in with the team again, I hear the soft click of heels.

I turn, my breath catching in my throat as Clary appears at the top of the staircase.

She looks… ethereal. Like something out of a dream.

The soft pink of the ballgown hugs her curves in all the right places, flowing around her legs like petals. The fabric catches the dim light in just the right way, almost glowing, and the layers of tulle add to the effect, making her seem like she’s floating.

But what stops me in my tracks isn’t just the gown—it’s the way the silver chain of her Eternity Collar gleams at her neck, nestled perfectly among the soft curves of her skin. My chest swells with pride at the knowledge that everyone will know who she belongs to tonight.

Her eyes lock onto mine, and her lips curve into a soft smile, her eyes full of something… affectionate.

“Do I look okay?” Her voice is light, but I can hear the nerves underneath, as if she’s wondering whether I think she’s too much, too extravagant.

“You look perfect,” I reply, my voice thick, unable to keep the admiration out of it.

She blushes, the faintest tinge coloring her cheeks. I watch as she descends the stairs, the gown trailing behind her, and for a brief moment, I wonder how the hell I managed to get so lucky.

I hold out my arm to her, and she takes it, the lightness in her steps matching the softness in her gaze.

We head for the hotel, and the atmosphere shifts the moment we walk through the door. It’s like stepping into another world.

Lights twinkle above us, casting soft shadows and lending an almost magical glow to everything around us.

The entire venue has been transformed into something straight out of a fairytale—tall floral arrangements, draped fabric, and candles that flicker and add to the warmth of the place.

It’s intimate, luxurious, and every detail has been carefully selected to give the place an ethereal, fantasy feel.

Clary and I join the other guests milling about, making small talk with people here and there, Clary on my arm. It feels natural to have her there, strangely sort of… right.

I push the thought away and continue making small talk with a local radio DJ, glancing at Clary to give her a fond smile.

The night is in full swing when Callie arrives, a storm of poise and confidence.

The sapphire blue evening gown she wears glitters under the soft lighting, beads catching every flicker of the chandeliers above.

The contrast between her deep, rich gown and Clary’s soft pastel dress couldn’t be more striking.

I take a moment to admire Callie as she moves through the room, the gown fitting her perfectly, the way it hugs her curves with a sophistication that demands attention. She exudes an undeniable elegance tonight—something that, for a split second, catches me off guard.

My eyes flick to Clary’s as she takes in the Guest of Honor, but there’s no tension in her expression, no hint of jealousy. She simply takes it in, looking at me with a small smile before greeting Callie with a small nod. I’m relieved. The last thing I want is any extra tension.

The party continues, and I find myself in a heated discussion with Senator Burns on the merits of American vs European football when the music swells and the dancing starts.

“Excuse me, Senator,” I say, looking around for Clary.

She’s standing near the corner talking to Miranda and Darcy when I approach, and I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face. The moment she smiles back, everything else falls away. I offer her my hand.

“May I steal you for a dance?” I ask, my voice soft but filled with a confidence that’s almost new to me.

Clary’s eyes twinkle as she takes my hand, stepping into my arms with that grace that’s uniquely hers.

The music shifts to a slower melody, and we begin to move across the floor, our steps in sync.

I’m aware of every inch of her against me—her body, her warmth, the way she fits so perfectly in my arms.

I glance down at her, a playful glint in my eyes. “You’re stunning tonight, Pet. Every time I look at you, it feels like I’m seeing something new.”

Clary laughs softly, tilting her head up to meet my gaze. “Thank you, sir. You look good too. Good enough to eat,” she says, dropping her voice on the last word.

The compliment makes me pause, but before I can respond, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

“Excuse me, Miss Woodcrest,” Callie’s voice calls out, smooth like velvet. “May I steal your partner for a dance?”

I look down at Clary, her expression unreadable for just a beat before she gives me a small nod, her smile warm. I feel the pull of Callie’s request and lean in to kiss Clary’s cheek, whispering in her ear, “I’ll be back shortly.”

Callie and I dance together, her hand on my shoulder and mine around her waist. She’s just thanking me again for the extensive security measures when Finn’s voice breaks through, urgent and sharp.

“Rory,” he calls, his tone carrying an edge I can’t ignore.

I glance toward him, irritated at the interruption but already shifting into work mode. “What’s up?”

“Something’s going on outside,” Finn says, his gaze scanning the room. “It looks suspicious. You might want to come take a look.”

I turn slightly to Callie, my hand still on her waist, and give her an apologetic smile. “Excuse me, just a second.”

Without waiting for her response, I signal for Finn to follow me, already making my way out of the ballroom.

We step outside into the cool evening air, and I spot the suspicious figures immediately—it’s two teenage kids, standing just a little too close to the entrance. Their eyes flick back toward the venue every few seconds, as if they’re waiting for their chance to slip in.

I approach them without hesitation, my tone low and threatening. “What the hell are you two doing here?”

One of the kids freezes, his wide eyes darting toward me. “Uh, we were just, uh… hoping to meet Callie Fitzgerald,” he stammers.

I glance back toward Finn, who just raises an eyebrow at me, clearly unimpressed. “Callie’s not available for fan meet-and-greets,” I reply, stepping closer. “This is a private event. You need to leave.”

The kids exchange nervous glances, and it’s clear they’re not eager to press their luck. “Sorry,” the second kid mumbles. “We didn’t mean any harm.”

I watch them both turn and scurry off, no longer interested in causing a scene. Finn chuckles quietly as we head back inside.

“Easy enough,” he says, the tension already easing out of him.

But my focus is already back inside. I stride through the hotel, scanning the room for Clary, and my stomach tightens when I realize she’s not in sight. I glance around, my gaze sweeping over the guests, the tables, and the dance floor.

No sign of her.

I make my way down the hallway by the bathrooms, half-expecting to find her there, but it’s empty. A cold knot starts to form in my gut.

What the hell? Where did she go?

I’m halfway through the ballroom when I catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye—a figure standing just beyond the entryway. It’s too far away to make out clearly, but something about their stance feels off.

I don’t hesitate. My feet move instinctively toward the entrance, but as I push through the crowd, the figure vanishes, disappearing into the shadows.

The fuck?

I freeze for a moment, scanning the dimly lit space. There’s nothing there, just the usual buzz of guests and staff, but that feeling in the pit of my stomach doesn’t go away.

I step outside, already running a mental checklist of everything I’ve secured, making sure I didn’t miss anything.

I glance to the left and my eyes lock onto something else—an old, beat-up delivery van creeping away from the venue, its tires grinding against the gravel as it pulls out of the parking lot.

That van wasn’t here before.

Feeling in my gut that something isn’t right, I rush back into the ballroom, still searching for Clary when I spot her, face pale, a sleek-looking, black briefcase in her arms.