Page 29 of Kael

I shook my head violently. I had never been to a business dinner, and I didn't want to start now. "Kael, I can't. I'm not ready to deal with people." My heart was double-dutching in my chest. I wanted to stay right here in our space. Tears flooded my eyes.

He stopped in front of me, looking down with those dark, unreadable eyes. "You have to get reacclimated to the world, Bria. You can't hide away. That's why you're coming. Be brave for me."

That last part got me. I would do anything for him at this point.

"I don't have anything to wear," I said, still trying to make an excuse.

"I bought you a dress. That's the surprise I talked about this morning."

Of course he did.

The dress was black, simple, but elegant. It hugged my curves and fell just above my knees. The neckline was modest, but the back dipped low, exposing the new muscle I'd built from walking the grounds. I looked like someone who belonged in his world.

Kael was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. When he saw me, something flickered in his eyes. He cocked his head and spoke in a low vibrato:

"Were I Pygmalion or God, I would make you exactly as you are... in all dimensions. From your warm hair to your intimate toes, would you be wholly in your own image. I would change nothing, add or take away."

I blinked hard. It was ironic; I'd been thinking about him inspiring me to write poetry, and here he was quoting a film. My face felt hot, and tears threatened to surface again. I covered it up, though—I didn't want him to know that almost anything he said, even corny compliments, made me feel like I was going to melt.

"I see Maya has struck again. How many times did she make you guys watchCooley High?"

He laughed. "Seven. I didn't realize I'd remember that quote until I saw you just now."

I looked down, trying to hide my face. "Well... it was beautiful. Even if you did steal it from a movie."

"It's true."

I looked up at him, my heart pounding. "Kael..."

Be still, my fucking heart.I ducked my head again. "Can we go?"

He laughed. "Come on."

The car ride was quiet. I sat in the passenger seat, watching the city lights blur past. It had been so long since I'd been outside the estate that everything felt new, foreign, and overwhelming, yet exhilarating all at once.

"Why are you going to a charity gala?" I asked.

"My family runs it every year." He glanced at me. "It's a good place to be seen. To remind people I'm dangerous."

I blinked. That was so Kael, yet this was also the man who quoted movies.

Chapter 17

Bria

The venue was a hotel ballroom. There were chandeliers, crystal, men in tuxedos, and women in gowns. The kind of place where a single glass of champagne cost more than most people's rent.

Kael kept his hand on my lower back the entire time. People looked at us, whispered, and stared. I could feel their eyes judging me, wondering who I was and why I was on the arm of Kael Voss. I held my head high to keep from freaking out.

We made our rounds. Kael spoke to businessmen and politicians while I smiled, nodded, and said the right things. I knew I was serving as a accessory, but I didn't mind. Every time someone looked at me too long, Kael's hand would tighten on my back. Every time someone asked who I was, he'd say, "She's with me."

And that was enough.

Kael excused himself to speak with a business associate across the room. He squeezed my hand once—a silent promise that he'd be back. "Stay here," he said. "Get a non-alcoholic drink. I'll be five minutes."

I nodded, watching him disappear into the crowd.

I was alone. For the first time in six months, I was alone in a room full of strangers. My heart was pounding and my palms were sweaty, but then I looked at the bar.