Evelyn wouldn’t lie to me.
She wasn’t a woman called Gloria.
“Are you sensing you’re going to fail miserably? Is that it?” Lucas chirped.
Liam glanced into his rearview mirror, and our eyes met for the briefest of moments. I looked away before he did.
“You’re so astute at reading people, Lucas.” I didn’t want to fight with him tonight.
He simpered at me before rubbing his hands together. “Should we get this party on the road? I’m dying for some canapés or whatever dainty shit the Pines feed on.”
The entire way to Julian’s estate, Liam didn’t speak once, but there was never a dull moment, because Lucas was a freaking word-mill. The boy lovedthe sound of his voice.
When we passed through the gates that were manned by two burly wolves in skin, I nibbled on my lip before remembering I’d slicked on bright-red lipstick to match my dress. I checked my reflection in my phone’s camera, fixed my lipstick, then smoothed the glossy curls I’d made with my mom’s old flat iron after watching ten tutorials on YouTube and failing nine times out of the ten at recreating them.
Julian’s home loomed at the top of a knoll like a pale cloud. During the ride over, Lucas had informed me the Pine Alpha’s inspiration had been a French castle.
“The dude thinks he’s a fucking king,” Lucas had said.
As I took in the smooth stone façade and the grid of diamond-cut window panes that seemed to stretch an entire acre long, I had to agree with Lucas-Julian definitely fancied himself a sovereign.
A valet dressed in black pants and a high-collared red jacket drew open my door and held out a gloved hand. Before I could latch onto it, Liam rounded the car, stepped in front of the parking attendant, and extended his own hand.
I hesitated to touch him, and he sensed it because his gaze grew stormy. He didn’t lower his hand, though. He held it out stubbornly. I gathered the folds of red chiffon in one hand and then yielded to Liam’s will, grasping his fingers. Angering him would work against me when I pleaded for my life.
As soon as my feet touched the ground, I removed my fingers from his. His shoulders tightened, creasing the fine fabric of his tuxedo. Lucas walked ahead of us through the mammoth front doors, his head swiveling from right to left. Either he was ascertaining threats or he was admiring Julian’s black-marbled lair. Gold finishes accented the dark furnishings, and crystal vases overflowing with scarlet roses adorned every table in sight.
“Did Julian ever marry?” I asked.
“Why? Are you interested?” Lucas shot back.
I rolled my eyes but caught Liam observing me. Even though I hadn’t planned on answering Lucas’s inane question, Liam’s weighty stare made me say, “Of course not. He could be my father.”
“I didn’t think age mattered to you,” Lucas said.
I snapped my attention to the shaggy-haired male who drove me insane. “Can you cut me some slack tonight, Lucas? I’m really not in the mood.”
A server approached us with a platter of champagne flutes. I grabbed one and downed it in a very un-ladylike manner. I didn’t care, though. Tonight was going to be rough, and I needed as much liquid courage as I could get. I set the stemmed glass back down on the man’s platter before emerging from the black entrails of the house onto the packed terrace.
A hush fell over the crowd as all heads swiveled toward us. Although many stared my way, most looked at Liam. Between his chiseled jaw, his artfully gelled hair, and his black tux, he looked like he’d just stepped out of a GQ spread. Perhaps that wasn’t the reason they looked at him, but I bet it was the reason why some of them kept staring.
The unremitting gurgle of water from a large round fountain projected noise against the mosaic-tiled floor, chipping away at the oppressive silence. I inhaled slowly, trying to iron out my nerves, but all that did was fill my lungs with the sickly-sweet smell of the roses spilling over the flat wooden trellis that roofed part of the terrace. Orange dregs of sunlight slid around the velvety petals and sharp thorns, dappling the crowd in shards of light. Candles flickered on tall skinny tables wrapped in white cloth, and glowing spheres of frosted glass hung from the trellis like miniature moons.
Lucas stood close to me; Liam even closer. Both narrowed their eyes at the quiet, observant crowd. Julian appeared then, in an emerald tux. He pressed past his people to reach us, a tumbler in one hand, a woman in the other. First I thought the woman was his date, but the resemblance between them was so uncanny that I guessed she was Sarah’s mother
“Welcome, welcome.” His voice trumpeted out of him, cheerful and loud. “My sister Nora and I are so glad you could make it.” He let go of his sister’s hand to take mine and lifted it to his lips. “Ness, there are no words to describe how you look tonight.”
“I can think of a few,” Lucas muttered. “Red, for example. Half-naked.”
“What a poet you are, Mr. Mason,” Julian said, tossing a chilly glance Lucas’s way. “The women must just love you.”
“They do actually.”
Liam shifted to stand in front of me, which forced Julian to let go.
A broad smile curled over Julian’s face.
“Well, aren’t we a little possessive?” he said under his breath.
Liam didn’t answer.
Thankfully, Lucas spoke. “Frank and Eric aren’t here yet, are they?”
“You are the first to arrive.” Julian’s eyes sparked as newcomers made their way onto the twinkling patio. “Mingle and be merry.” He took his sister’s arm, and together they walked to greet their new guests.
Soft string music started up again. Although the Pines remained alert, tossing sporadic glances our way, conversations resumed.
“Is he expecting us to actually chat with his people?” Lucas muttered to Liam.
“Damn, girl, I was right.” A burst of yellow popped into my line of sight. Sarah walked over to us, blonde corkscrews tumbling over the buttercup dress that stuck to her curves like a bandage.
She pressed a kiss to my cheek, which had Lucas and Liam gaping. They’d heard we were friends, but apparently they didn’t believe it.
“You Neanderthals clean up nicely, too,” she said.
Lucas, who’d grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray, choked on his drink. “Neanderthal?”
I grinned.
“Yes. Neanderthal. Especially you, Mason,” Sarah said. “From what I hear, you’re a particularly devolved male specimen.”
Lucas’s eyes turned a neon shade of blue. “Figures you and Ness get along. Both shrews.”
“Lucas…” Liam said.
Lucas turned on his friend. “What? I’m not the one tossing around hurtful observations.”
“Was shrew supposed to be a compliment?” Sarah asked
Lucas smirked. “Compared to what I was really thinking, yes.”
Her eyes glittered with mirth.
“Are you deejaying tonight?” Liam asked, and I wondered how painful it was for him to act convivial.
“After dinner, I’m on.”
“Damn. I forgot my earplugs.” Lucas downed his champagne.