Page 377 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“Before you go down, I want you to put this on. I know you’ve been practising and we need you to be safe.” Frost pulls out a knife and kneels in front of me, I pull up the dress and he straps it to my thigh, before I release the material and it falls back, concealing it.
“I can’t give you a gun. Everyone has been searched, and the only guns will be on security. That, and you’re not properly trained, so in the event of an emergency you are to go down to the basement via any of the lifts. Once you reach the basement level, you click this.” He holds up a small beeper and hands it to me. I shove it into my bra and he shakes his head ruefully. “It will unlock a bullet proof car. You lie down on the backseat and wait for one of us to get there. The car is designed to keep you in and everyone else out.”
I nod at what he’s saying.
“Now, go and knock them dead, you look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Frost,” I reply, pulling him into a hug. He pulls back after a few seconds, and I give him a kiss on the cheek before walking towards the stairs.
As I descend, four sets of eyes connect with mine and my heart seizes in my chest. The way they’re all staring at me…it floors me. No one has ever looked at me that way before. Not even my brother or Smalls. Kalen doesn’t even make any smart ass or lewd comments, and Sawyer’s eyes blaze with love.
It finally makes me feel worthy.
They are all stunning in their suits too. Sawyer has opted for a three piece suit with a waistcoat, and Kalen has braces on. The effect is veryPeaky Blinders– a show Onyx got me hooked on – and I have to say I like it a lot. Slate looks sharp in a navy fitted suit and Onyx has opted to wear all black, which totally works forhim. They all look mouth-wateringly good and I wonder, not for the first time, how I got so lucky.
I smile shyly at them and make my way down the stairs. Thank fuck I manage it smoothly and don’t send myself flying arse over tit, as Kalen would say. I reach the bottom of the stairs and the guys still don’t say anything, and things turn a little awkward.
“Shall we…erm…head in then?”
“No,” is all Onyx replies.
“Um, okay?” I hesitate, nervous as to what’s going on. “Is everything alright?”
“Everything is just perfect. You’re perfect,” Slate reassures me.
Kalen whistles low between his teeth. “Damn, someone better put a ring on it.” His words create a frisson of panic in my chest, reminding me of what his mother said the other day. “Fuck it. It’s me. I’m putting a ring on it. I saw her first and I’ll sure as shit share her with you, but I called it the first time I saw her: this here is my future wife.”
I laugh, the tension easing because it’s just Kalen being Kalen, and it somehow breaks the spell. Slate steps forward first to carefully kiss my cheek. “You look enchanting.”
I’m plucked from his hold by Kalen who comes at me lips first for a sloppy kiss but at the last second I manage to turn my head and offer him the other cheek. I chuckle when he protests. “I’m wearing red lipstick, Kalen. You can’t go into the ball with me all over your face.”
“Now that does sound tempting,” Sawyer whispers in my ear. “But if I was going to have you on my face, it wouldn’t be your lipstick covering me.” I shiver at the promise in his words.
“Later,” I promise. “Business first.”
He winks at me, a silent vow that business and pleasure may just mix tonight, and steps to the side. Onyx comes forward and runs his hands down my sides, over my hips and to my thighs.
Smirking when he finds the knife holster on my thigh, he slips his hand through the split in my skirt and checks out the weapon Frost gave me. Satisfied, he drops his hands away and I immediately feel his loss. He chuckles at my pout and holds out his arm for me. I loop mine through his and allow everyone to lead us into the ballroom.
A short while later, I’m meeting and greeting all sorts of people and forgetting names almost as soon as they’re introduced. I have a constant stream of champagne being delivered my way, but I’m savouring my glass, taking small sips. I need a clear head tonight. Despite Monty insisting it’s my night, this is work and I will not embarrass myself in front of a room full of people I need to respect me.
“Miss Rossi, ma’am?” A security detail that I don’t recognise steps forward and tentatively draws my attention.
“Yes?”
“You have a meeting in five minutes. I was told to remind you, and to…erm…escort you to the conference room. Your appointment is already here and waiting.”
“Thank you. I’ll be one moment,” I tell him.
“You have a meeting?” Slate frowns. “Tonight?”
“I do,” is all I reply.
“I’ll come with you,” Kalen offers.
“No thank you. I’m perfectly capable.”
“It’s dangerous,” Onyx protests, getting my back up. I know it comes from a place of love and concern for my wellbeing, but it’s frustrating that he thinks I need a constant chaperone. “I’m coming with you.”
