Page 42 of At Their Mercy: Part I

I took another drag from my smoke, and then my phone buzzed.

Goddammit, it was a text from my brother.

We can fucking see the smoke coming out of the window, bro. Get down here. Bring Kingsley and Lucian with you.

I made a face and showed them the screen. “We’ve been caught.”

“Goddammit,” Lucian muttered.

Kingsley sighed and checked his watch.

I liked his cuff links. They had Tate’s initials monogrammed on them.

Those wouldn’t be the boy’s initials much longer.

“It’s almost three anyway,” Kingsley said. “The newlyweds should be here now.”

Probably. I’d heard the hollering getting louder earlier.

“Mint, anyone?” Lucian asked. “Fair warning—little Corey will eye you with great interest.”

I let out a laugh, willing to risk it. I’d heard of his obsession with mints.

Greer gave us looks.

I puckered my lips at him and continued to the club area, where everyone was gathering. Sure enough, the Carters were here with little Kit, receiving congratulations from everyone.

Save something for the toasts, people.

I saw a window and snuck closer, fully intending on getting away from the crowd as fast as possible.

“Excuse me.” I squeezed by Walker and Santiago.

Colt saw me coming, so I shook his hand first.

“Congrats on your prize, Colt.” I ignored his laugh and went over to Lucas next, stealing his attention from Macklin, Gael, and Sloan. I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “You’ll always be Mr. West out here.” And now I was done. That was how you did it. I didn’t even wait around for reactions—and Kit was lost in a brat crowd, so I didn’t bother.

I fled to the bar, which was still pretty empty. Reese and Ty were trying out the welcome drink.

“There we go, it’s raining now,” KC announced from the patio doorway.

I heard Colt sigh. “Well, we were expectin’ this.”

I loosened my tie, uncomfortable, and grabbed one of the champagne glasses, and I stopped next to my brother.

He side-eyed me and smirked faintly. “Punk-ass. Noa and Corey came in from the patio and asked if somethin’ was on fire upstairs because of the smoke.”

Well, shit. I sipped my drink, wishing it were something stronger, and I wondered where Shay was.

“He didn’t see it.” He knew where my mind went.

I cleared my throat. “I told Lucian and Kingsley we should go outside, but they called me a nerd and threatened to take my lunch money.”

Ty cracked up, at least.

He had a killer smile.

Reese merely shook his head.