Page 179 of Savage Suit

Noah didn’t give me a chance to dwell on the wisdom of being his date tonight. The Amage gala had been business related. This was personal and made a clear declaration about our relationship.

The small hallway we found ourselves in led to another door. When he opened it, chilly night air greeted us as we stepped onto a lit terrace, as decorated as the rooms inside. There were people out here, but it wasn’t as crowded, and the walls muted the music.

“You’re going to give someone a heart attack, looking like that,” Noah whispered in my ear after we finished our champagne and he set the glasses on a table.

I smiled at his words. More than a few people ogled me. My Sailor Moon costume didn’t leave much to the imagination.

“You almost gave me one, at first glimpse of you.”

Giggling, I rolled my eyes, thinking about his protests when he’d first seen me. “I was nearly out of a costume because of you.”

Two things he’d informed me of the moment I’d walked out of the almost empty dressing room, meant for a significant other and now mine during my visits. He loved how I looked in the outfit and wanted no one else seeing me in it. Thankfully, I’d won the battle.

“Can you blame me? Every straight man here tonight won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.”

He informed me his low effort costume as a generic vampire was his yearly go to. But with the black cape lined in blood red satin, and his vintage style tuxedo, he could pass as Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon’s love interest. Only a top hat and the character’s famous plain white masquerade mask were missing.

“They’ll see I’m not interested in them, considering I’m here with my boyfriend,” I teased, the word sounding oh-so right rolling from my tongue.

A pleased grin spread across his face. “I’m happy to hear that.”

“Noah!” a male voice boomed, interrupting our banter.

We swiveled our heads in the call’s direction.

A tall young man, the spitting image of Noah down to the jet-black hair and stunning blue eyes, bounded toward us, a pretty, pregnant brunette trailing behind him. From a single glance between Noah and the man, I knew this newcomer was a Keegan sibling.

“We were trying to get your attention inside, but it was so noisy, you didn’t hear. How are you?”

Noah slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. “Just fine.”

“We have a wedding date set. December 1st,” the guy continued before Noah spoke.

“Congrats,” I said, noting the woman’s happiness matched the unknown Keegan’s.

“Why so soon?” Noah asked, but the question went unanswered as the woman held out her hand for me to shake.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling as we shook hands. “I’m Alessia, Nathaniel’s fiancé. He’s Noah’s brother. It’s nice seeing you, Ryan.”

I searched my memory but didn’t remember meeting either of them. Something she knew since she’d introduced herself and Nathaniel. On the other hand, I had been a trending topic for days after the fiasco of the press conference.

“Hey, Ryan,” Nathaniel said, grinning.

Noah scowled and started to speak, but I interrupted him.

“I’m so sorry I can’t recall if we’ve met,” I said, giggling nervously. Opinions were divided about me. Facts skewered or embellished. Outright lies written. It made me so anxious that was their introduction to me.

I shifted my weight.

“Nate was with me when you had the press conference,” Noah explained, tightening his hold on me.

Nodding, I looked at Nathaniel again. I realized he’d been at the elevator with Nicholas when I’d gotten off after the shit hit the fan.

“Noah hasn’t been able to stop talking about you,” Nathaniel said mischievously.

“Aren’t you wanted somewhere?” Noah growled. “We’ll talk later about the wedding date.”

“Nope, bro,” Nathaniel chortled. “I’m right where I belong, in the company of the two most beautiful women here.” He smirked at Noah. “And you.”