Chapter 66
ASH
As I lead Hazel eyes down the stairs, I should concentrate on the soft feel of her palms inside mine, I know I should concentrate on how beautiful she looks - the dress she has on brings out her hourglass figure and will have all eyes on her - for sure.
I know I should concentrate on the fact that she isn't just my woman now but the woman I want to spend the rest of my life and make a family with. . .
Two is company, but three?
That's a crowd in my estimation. And the three of us - She, me, our baby - are definitely a family.
I'm having a family with the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, I know that now, but my heart - it's heavy, tight, and strained, because having anything worth having, can't be gained without loss, pain, and sacrifice. I know that firsthand. I've experienced it as well, having worked my way to where I am now by sheer determination, blood, and death. Too many deaths.
That's what I'm most scared of. So fucking scared. For the first time in my life, I realize I can lose something important to me when I haven't even begun enjoying it to the fullest.
"Ash?!"
I turn to look at Hazel eyes and she's looking at me quizzically, probably trying to figure out what's going on in my head and why I'm standing and staring into space.
"All good?"
I try to muster a smile but I'm sure it looks more like a grimace. Her brows knit together as she continues staring at me, blinking slowly like they do when she's processing information. I love that look. I want to swallow her face when she gives me that look. . .
But not right now. Right now, I've gotta suck it up and get into character, because outside is a party in full swing and a face-impostor that needs to be caught, so I swallow my feelings and paste on a smile I hope reaches my eyes, onto my face, and clasp her hand in mine once more. "Peachy!"
She nods but doesn't smile, she's still staring at me, so I tighten my hold on her hand, a reassurance that I really am fine when in fact - that's far from the truth - and lead her to the foyer. Soft classical music filters in from outside and I can see waiters in their black and white uniforms holding trays on which glasses filled with champagne sit.
As we reach the door to the entrance, Hazel eyes tightens a hold on my hands and I look up to see that somewhere between the foyer and the front door, she has taken the lead.
If you sense trouble, there usually is going to be trouble.
It's ironic isn't it, because it's at odd times like this that I remember father's words ringing clearly in my head, ominous words that put me on high alert. Once again, I've drifted, because Hazel eyes' troubled eyes swim before mine. "Really, if you're not up to it, I'll go out there and call this whole thing off."
I close my eyes for a bit, thinking about it, because I know that shit's definitely gonna hit the fan soon, no doubt about that. By the time I open my eyes, ready to nod and take the cowardly way out, I spy Senator Harrison walking toward us with Senator Lyons in tow.
"There you two lovebirds are!" His voice booms, and I stifle the urge to cover my ears with my hands. Two flute glasses filled to the brim with a bubbly liquid are in his hands. "I got this for my favorite person in the world and his beau."
He hands me a glass, turns to Hazel's eyes, and gives her the other one. Before he can whisk her away for a chat, I catch the eyes of Hazel eyes, and she nods, before I turn back to Senator Lyons who's already filling me up with political jargon.
Lesson 102: Trust no one, not even your shadow.
Lesson 103: Never take the contents of a drink you did not first prepare yourself.
Wanna know what lesson 101 is? Go to chapter 19 to find out.
As I walk away, with Senator Lyons fast on my heels, I scan the terrain, watching as pockets of men and women talk amongst themselves, some are chatting, others are dancing. A few others are taking pictures beside the waterfall. I don't stop, though, not until I walk the length and breadth of my grounds, surveying to see if anything is out of place.
As planned, the guards are also dressed as guests - in sharp-looking suits - styled according to the weapons they carry, big or small. People know Night Eyes and the four others, so they're doing a no-show today, instead, they're watching over my businesses, and of course, instantaneously checking the video monitors to see if anything is out of place.
I recently had cameras placed at strategic corners inside the house after Hazel eyes complained of being stifled by too-many guards in the house. I put myself in her shoes and agreed to stop them, on the condition that the cameras be installed. She agreed, but drew the line at any camera, however tiny, installed in the room.
I conceded, but what she doesn't know is there actually is one stationed in the room, at the entrance of the bathroom, placed out of sight and monitored by just me, on my phone. I keep it on my person, at all times, especially when I'm not around her.
Beside me, Senator Lyons has gone quiet. From the corner of my eyes, I see him angling toward me, but his eyes are on something, or someone else. I follow the line of his eyes and stop when I see Hazel eyes in Senator Harris' arms. They're swaying to the music. The full glass of champagne is still in her hand and she's smiling at him.
From this distance, I can tell it's fake, but he won't know it. I continue watching as he whispers something in her ear, eliciting another fake smile from her before taking the still-full glass of champagne from her hand and depositing it on the tray of the nearest waiter.
I know he wants to hold her close to cup a feel of her full curves. Heck - I'd have probably done the same thing to some woman before Hazel eyes came into my life. Thanks to her - all that has changed.
"If you'll excuse me," I say to Senator Lyons as I hand him my glass without even turning to look at him.
He murmurs something unintelligible, and I know without being told he's ogling Hazel eyes.
Who wouldn't?
By all means - stare. She's a sight for sore eyes, after all.
But there's a thin, fine line between looking, wanting to touch, and actually touching. As my strides eat up the distance between her and Senator Harris, I realize he's towing that line quite dangerously.
He may not know it, but she's only mine to touch, feel, and do whatever the hell I want with.
I think he needs a reminder.