Page 85 of Vengeful Devotion
I look at Simone. “He’s right, big red. You have a stalker and until he’s been dealt with, it’s not safe for you to be without security.”
Simone’s face turns hard. “I’m a grown woman. I can handle myself.”
“No one is saying you can’t. But there’s no harm in having a little more security. Just let Balor shadow you for a while.”
She gives me a look that would cut most men at their knees. But this is on her. She was the one who lied to me. If she had let me handle this from the beginning, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. Simone says nothing as she stomps away. Her heels punctate each step across the dance floor.
“Why does she hate you so much, Balor?”
He looks at me. “She never told you?”
Before I can respond, Gemma clears her throat. My attention is immediately captured by her and her white dress sculpted to her body. When I first saw her walking down the aisle, she took my breath away. She hasn’t given it back yet. Something tells me she never will.
“Can I borrow my husband?”
Balor raises his hands. “By all means. I’ve got to get to work, anyway.”
Her eyes sparkle beneath the moving lights on the dance floor. The blue in them matching the blue hairpin in her hair.
I reach out and skim the shiny gems. “Where’d you get this?”
“From your mother.”
“She’s here?”
Gemma flicks her eyes to someone behind me. I turn to see my mother sitting at a table with Vivienne, laughing. My heart grows. I’d given up hope of her ever forgiving me. She’s barely said a full sentence to me since the night she found out about Warren. Truthfully, I don’t blame her for not speaking to me. I don’t deserve it after what I did. I drag Gemma over to the table she’s sitting at.
“Mother, I didn’t think you would come.”
She straightens, looking at me. Her eyes swimming in a mixture of joy and hurt. “My love for you is bigger than my anger, son. But only barely. I can’t forgive you yet, but I couldn’t miss your special moment.”
Her words hurt and comfort me at the same time. I hate that she’s so angry, but at least she spoke to me. At least she showed up today, even if it was out of obligation.
“Thank you for coming,” I reply.
My mother nods towards me before turning back to speak to Vivienne. I look over at Gemma and squeeze her hand. She doesn’t give me time to wallow in the feelings my mother’s presence gives me. Instead, she drags me onto the dance floor. Gemma presses against me in a slow dance that doesn’t match the music playing at all.
“Thought you weren’t going to work today?”
“I haven’t been working.”
“Then what were you and Balor talking about?”
I smile. God, she’s sexy. Especially when her feisty side comes out. My eyes drag down her body. The tight satin leaves little to the imagination.
“You look so damn beautiful.”
She raises her eyebrow, not buying my change of subject. “Nice try. What’s going on? Is it Simone?”
I spin us around. “Thought you didn’t want to talk about work?”
“Simone isn’t work. She’s family.”
Fuck. I love this woman. She cares about my family just as much as I do. She’s the perfect queen.
“Simone’s stalker is more serious than she let on.”
She pulls back just enough to look me in the eye. “What happened?”
