ESTELLE
Linden had good taste in gowns. My mind went wondering how many women he dressed up for a party. The white long sleeves floor-length gown had a deep v-cut and thigh-high slit but still looked sophisticated and elegant. He even complemented it with a Serpenti diamond necklace that matched the earrings from a famous jewelry brand. My makeup was light except for my Star statement red lipstick. I wore my hair down in loose curls.
I caught him gazing at me from head to toe. Thanks to the Spanx, and even without, my baby bump wasn’t noticeable. I was scared he would notice it when I was naked.
“Did I pass your standard, dear sir?” I looked at myself again in the mirror before turning to him. He remained at the door, but judging by the look in his eyes, he seemed satisfied. And did I mention he looked so good in a tux?
“You’re stunning. The word stunning doesn’t even fit to describe you tonight.”
I took steps close to him, and he took my hand and kissed it. “You clean up pretty well, Bond, James Bond.” That cracked him up.
“I tried at least to match your perfection. And damn those lips.” He dressed to impress in a black tux. He trimmed his five o’clock shadow and pulled his hair back.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Later, and that’s a promise.” He winked at me, making my knees wobble.
“We’ll see how the fundraising goes.”
“That’s a deal.”
Linden became a little paranoid. We rode in the black Cadillac with two Tahoe SUVs tailing us. I didn’t question his decision because he knew what he was doing, and I didn’t ask about the development of their search for Jasper. I just felt that he was so worried that Jasper might be in danger, considering that he was the son of Hanslo Greer. Yeah, I picked that up a little.
For the last few days, Linden had come home late. He took a lot of time in the mini gym in his house and stayed longer in his study than I’d ever been in. Then he slept late and woke up early. I had a feeling that, somehow, he blamed himself. I just didn’t know why.
We arrived at the fundraising for those who suffered after serving the country. The ballroom was filled with men in uniforms, their wives and girlfriends supporting the good cause.
“I had never been into like this before. I donate to a lot of charities, though, most for children.”
“Until you meet me.”
I smiled as I patted his hand on top of mine. “I guess I never really appreciate you guys a lot. We wouldn’t have accomplished peace and solidarity without people like you protecting our country and countrymen abroad. Thank you for your service, big guy.”
“Big guy, huh?” He snatched two champagne and offered one for me.
I had no choice but to take it from him. Otherwise, he would suspect something. “You’re my big guy.”
“To you guys, our heroes.” I raised the flute and took a little sip.
Then I recognized Beck—the man who went to Linden’s house last week.
“We haven’t formally introduced. I’m Beck Corbin. And this is Maeve, my wife.”
“Hi. You probably know me, Estelle.” When I offered my hand, he hugged me instead. “We don’t do handshakes.”
“I kinda noticed that. Hi Maeve.” We did cheek kissing.
“I heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure.”
“Really? All good things, I hope.”
Cenric was also here with his wife, Sadie, and I felt something change in the air.
Then Mykel walked in with a gorgeous woman in his arms. Who didn’t know Mykel Creed, the former notorious playboy?
“We have a member?” He smirked at me. “Who would have thought Gabe Linden would bring a date.”
“Ignore my poor-mannered husband. “I’m—”
“Adley Kross.”
“Yeah.” She smiled. Her aura brought light to the room. She looked happy, terribly happy.
“Estelle Bladwyn.”
“Of course. The Star Activewear. I bought a few pairs.”
“Thank you. That’s awesome.”
“I’m into eco-friendly products.”
“Hey, guys.” London in a blue evening dress. She reminded me of a royal member, looking elegant and blooming even with a baby bump.
“Rome sent his donation. That man is always busy,” Striker said as he hugged everyone, including me. “I’m glad you are still with us and not running up the hill as far away from our dysfunctional family.”
“Speaking of dysfunctional, I came from one, so I know the feeling. My father turns out to be a jerk, wanting to take over my seat.”
“Well, you’re not alone, sister,” London said.
“Don’t.” Striker snaked his hand on his wife’s waist pulling her closer. “That’s for another day.”
“Her father set them up for marriage to save his ass from a notorious Italian Mafia.”
“What?” I stared at Linden and back to London, who didn’t seem to care.
“I was kidnapped,” she admitted. “These guys, including my husband, saved me.”
“My father sold me for 25 million dollars to my husband,” Sadie said unapologetically.
My jaw dropped. I thought I had the worse experience. I was wrong.
The last thing I knew, I was hugging Sadie so tight. “You’re in good hands now.”
“I know, and Cenric never treated me his property or something.
“I think it’s a good story when we tell our children how we met,” London said.
Striker looked at his wife in disbelief. “You will tell them that?”
“Why not? It’s kinda romantic, minus some unnecessary details.”
“How about you? How are you gonna tell your children?” Mykel asked. All of a sudden, pairs of eyes are pinned at me, making my face heat.
I suddenly didn’t know how to answer. For one, I had a kid that none in this room knew, and two, I hadn’t thought about that because how I met Linden wasn’t that epic.
“Hmm. Well, ask me again when I’m married.”
Everyone laughed.
I blew out a shaky breath. Huh! That was closed.
“That was the safest answer,” Linden whispered into my ear.
When the music started, and some went to the dance floor and began dancing, Mykel and Cenric took their wives to dance with them.
“I don’t know how to dance, but let’s go Maeve.” Beck left with his wife, leaving just the four of us.
“What do you have in mind, brother?” Striker asked.
“Should I go?”
“Where?” Linden looked at me.
“Maybe you two need to talk about something.”
“I don’t keep secrets from you, Estelle. He will say what he wants to say. He knows that.”
“Do you have news?” He asked Striker back.
“No, but you’ve been spending time in the gym. You’re stressing out, Linden. I know you. You should stop blaming yourself for the choices he made and for whatever reasons he has.”
“When I saw the look in Sadie’s eyes when she arrived, I felt I just told her I gave up searching, and what’s worse, I couldn’t say it to her face because I am guilty.”
“No. Don’t do that to yourself. Jasper made that choice, and you can’t exactly tell him no because that’s his decision. You gave him a chance to have a normal life, and I am sure he is grateful for that, but that’s his life, and you can’t blame yourself for everyone’s mistake because they’re under your care or protection. You did everything you could, and that’s all that matters, brother.” He sighed shakily. “I’m giving Rome’s donation and finding my wife a non-alcoholic drink. You two should dance. By the way, you look lovely, Estelle. Knee him in the groin if he kept giving you that look.”
“What look?” Linden asked his best friend even if Striker just walked into the crowd with his wife.
“He’s right, though.”
“Which one? That you look lovely?”
I looked at him in the eye and glared. “Really?”
“Just kidding, but seriously. You’re gorgeous.”
“You are too hard on yourself for their decisions and doings. I know you’re a good leader—”
“Lately, I doubted myself a lot.”
“Stop, baby.” I cupped and held his face. “You are a good leader. You wouldn’t have those men following you if you were not. A leader doesn’t only give orders. He stays behind his men and gives them a chance to grow. And I can assure you, they will follow you even if you have nothing, a title or a position because you have their trust.”
“Can we go home now?”
“No. We donate, then dance. Then we can go home and get me naked in bed.”
“Thank you. I would love that very much.”
We went to the donation table. I scanned the code and put in a reasonable amount to donate. Linden did the same.
“Hungry?”
“For you, yeah.”
“Stop it.” I held his hand and took him to the buffet area. I picked finger food, not that I was starving, but I had high respect for this worker.
“Gabe?” My back stiffened to a female voice calling my man.
I turned around.
“Good to see you again, Gabe.” Again? A beautiful brunette around Linden’s age in a white dress. One thing I instantly noticed was her smile, as if she’d known Linden for a long time. She first kissed him on the cheek, but the smile never faded.
“Yeah. For a good cause.” His answer was short, as if he was counting his words.
“I am sure your brothers in the vets would really appreciate your help. I kinda searched for you on social media. And I just found out that you founded Osmium.”
“I have a lot of help.”
“Yeah. You still keep in contact with your team. I saw Cenric and Beck earlier. I can’t believe time flies so fast, and they’re married.” She always kept that confident smile that began to irritate me.
“Yup. Happily.”
“Maybe I should visit Osmium sometimes, and I would like a tour.”
“Of course.” Then I realized something in the way they conversed. They dated back in the day. And here I was, fading in the background.
“Can I have your phone?”
I heard hard breathing from Linden before he took his phone from his pocket and gave it to her. Once she was done saving her number, she offered it back to them.
And I couldn’t watch it anymore. I slowly stepped back and walked away.