Page 133 of Stand: Part One

His lips on mine had broadcasted a very clear message for all who could see, that we were both very much claimed by the other. And clearly it was enough to make everyone around us blush uncomfortably.

Thankfully, the musicians picked up their next song, causing the other couples surrounding us to start moving again, though some of them didn’t know how to focus on their own dancing partner.

I cursed under my breath. “I thought I told you I didn’t want to cause a distraction,” I grumbled quietly, then stepped back to flee. I had actually meant that part.

But naturally, Darren wouldn’t let me, refusing to allow me even an inch in the other direction as he tightened his grip on my body.

“You can distract them all you want, princess,” he said with a snicker. “As long as they understand I’ll kill them if they’re caught staring for too long.”

God, I wanted to roll my eyes.

“Then I suppose we should stop tempting them, don’t you think?” I whispered impatiently. “Unless you want to prove me right about the firing squad.”

A grin curved up his face as he chuckled softly. “Come on,” he teased, releasing his grip and ushered me off the dance floor.

Placing his arm around my waist, Darren led me back to the bar to get another drink and then headed to our table. But as he steered me through the crowd, I was surprised at the number of times we had to stop so he could chat with the people ignorant enough to approach him.

Or maybe they were secretly just like him, hiding in sheep’s clothing too so as not to disturb the innocent flock around them.

A few of the faces were recognizable, but the conversations were completely irrelevant, mostly small talk, legal business, and compliments of my hair color from other women. Sometimes the conversations weren’t even in English.

But I played my part as the perfect wife, speaking only when spoken to and very little, smiling when appropriate while Darren kept me nearly glued to his side. His arm was like solid steel around my waist, affording me zero chances to slip away.

I could tell he wasn’t interested in a single word spoken. His demeanor was more cordial than usual but still just as relaxed. He was effortless in his agenda, passing through conversation after conversation, each person totally bewitched by him, oblivious to the cold and callous killer he actually was.

It was almost sickening to watch, a true Oscar-worthy performance.

I was thankful when the charade finally ended, and we sat down at our table closest to the stage.

It wasn’t two minutes later when a mic was tapped. “Ladies and gentlemen, would you please take your seats? We are about to begin.”

Sounds of shuffling ensued as people moved to their tables, voices dying down as a woman stepped up to the podium at the center of the stage.

“Good evening, everyone!” she said enthusiastically, a wide bright smile plastered across her face. “Welcome to the sixth annual charity event for Hope After Human Trafficking.”

My blood froze in my veins, stiffening my entire body as my brain registered what had just been said. My tongue was suddenly dry and thick, my stomach caving in on itself while my heart battled for release from my chest. Panic was imminent.

I didn’t know how well I contained the horror in my eyes, but when I looked over at Darren, all I could feel was a familiar bucket of ice drenching my body. The sly knowing look on his face was a warning and a challenge to keep my shit together or there would be consequences.

But the little hamster running from wheel to wheel inside my brain wasn’t concerned with the consequences. It was too busy being confused over what the fuck was going on. How it was possible we were even here.

How the fuck did one of the biggest benefactors of human trafficking attend a charity event meant to help survivors from his very own influence? I was beside myself. Angered that I had once again been tricked into enduring another trigger for my PTSD over an event that was nothing but a cruel joke to him.

I was confused as to why he would even put himself in such a vulnerable position and make himself so well-known here. And then became disappointed in the fact that he still felt the need to torture me like this with at least a hundred other people around to unknowingly witness it.

I couldn’t even focus on the presenter’s speech until I suddenly felt the lights single in on our table.

“And a special thank you to our top benefactor, Mr. Darren Davis, for once again hosting this event at his magnificent grand hotel. You are truly one of a kind.”

Oh my God, I’m gonna throw up.

Darren smiled and raised his glass, nodding at the crowd as they applauded him. Fucking applauded. I didn’t know how I managed not to stab him with all the spoons and butter knives on the table in front of everyone, but it was a strength meant for Zeus.

There would be words later. More than words. Fists, and blood, and probably a lamp or two. Squaring my shoulders, I released a slow deep breath, promising myself I would hurl the very first thing I could touch at his head as soon as we got back to our hotel room.

Noticing my reprieve, Darren leaned into my ear.

“That was a brilliant performance, my little queen. Very well done.” God, the cockiness in his voice was enough to get me to smile back just the same.