Page 31 of Vengeful Devotion
“She’s good. Thank you,” he replies.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Gemma whispering in my mother’s ear.
“I’m sorry to run,” my mother announces. “But it’s time for us to get started. Please find your seat. Declan, you’re at my table.”
That pleases me more than I should admit. A whole night of being close to Gemma and she can’t run from me.
“I appreciate your support of my mother’s work. It’s very kind of you to attend,” I say, reaching to shake Cormac’s hand.
“Of course,” he replies. “It’s an honor.”
“I’ll be right there, mother. I’m going to visit the bar.”
She raises an eyebrow at me. A warning to not mess up her big night. I give Gemma one last look before stalking off to find a decent glass of whiskey. If I’m lucky, they’ll have something strong enough to take the edge off.
“The strongest whiskey you have,” I tell the bartender.
The lights dim, a bright light, centered in the middle of the room. My mother walks into the spotlight, her black sparkly dress sending flashes of light all over the place. Out of instinct, I scan the room for Gemma. I find her sitting at a round table with my sisters surrounding her. My eyes linger on her exposed skin. The urge to run my fingers over the smooth, tanned flesh is overwhelming. It hits my chest like a herd of cattle, trampling over my already tattered resolve. The bartender slides my glass towards me. I grab it and drain the glass, signaling for another. Tonight is going to be rough.
A microphone screeches to life, turning my attention to my mother. There’s a broad smile on her face. One I haven’t seen since my father passed. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.
“Good evening, everyone. I’d like to thank you all for coming out to support the Warrior Dove. You have no idea how much this means to me. Not only to me, but to the women in my organization. Following the dinner, we will host a silent auction. Every dollar you donate helps save another young woman’s life. Every dime we receive is another heartbeat saved. So please, bid as you wish. Enjoy your dinner.”
The room erupts with a roar of applause. I watch my mother walk back to her table. She sits next to Juliette, leaving Gemma sitting in the dead center. The only empty chair left is the one directly across from her. I’ll get to stare at her all night long. I don’t have it in me to contain the joy that realization gives me. Armed with a full glass of whiskey, I walk to the seat as swift and stealthy as I can. I don’t want Gemma to notice me yet. Not until I’m sitting down. She’ll be unguarded, and the look on her face will tell me what I need to know. Is she so scared of me that I’ll never get close to her again? Seeing me with a corpse must have been jarring for her. She’s not from my world. She’s good. Pure light wrapped in a body that promises sin.
Finally, I’m at the table. The white chair scrapes the floor as I pull it out. Gemma’s gaze snaps up, locking on mine. Those eyes of her are something else. The feelings they bring out in me are something else. She makes me feel carefree. The weight on my shoulders is lighter when she looks at me. I can only imagine how it would feel to touch her. She can’t hide the shimmer she holds in her eyes. It’s small, but it’s there. Just as clear as I can see desire, I also see pure anguish. My little wildflower has been hurt.
Someone places a hand on my arm. Tearing my eyes away from Gemma is painful. Like ripping a piece of duct tape off my arm.
I turn my head towards my mother. My face conveying every bit of annoyance I feel at her right now.
“Did you like my speech, Declan?”
“Yes, mother.”
“I thought you would. Gemma wrote it.”
“Subtle,” I murmur.
“Have you ever known me to be subtle?”
“Never.”
“Oh good. Because I have a surprise for you.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. Anytime the word surprise leaves my mother’s mouth, it’s a guaranteed shit-show. She’s designed it to be. Her way of letting someone know they were on her bad side.
“Be nice to your brother, Declan.”
“What?”
“Warren,” Juliette says. “Are you really here?”
I turn my head, finding my little brother directly behind me. His gaze glued to our mother. He has some balls looking at her like she’s his savior when he killed the only man she’s ever loved.
“Oh, this is going to be interesting,” Vivi whispers.
I stand up, pushing my mother’s hand off me. My body vibrating with vengeance. Last time I only broke his nose. This time it’ll be worse.
