Page 1 of Love is Blind

Prologue- XANDER

“Wewillgivehim10 minutes tops tonight. It’s not our fault that he was late for the meeting that he wanted and that we had to leave. Tonight is about Wren, and I don’t want her anywhere near this side of business. So, he gets 10 minutes, then we tell him to fuck off and to leave us alone.” I hiss, annoyed at the fact we even have to entertain the idea of meeting with Adrian tonight. We all agreed, his business aspirations don’t a line with ours. He is too power hungry ever since his father passed.

A soft clearing of a throat has me turning to the hallway. “I present to you, your perfect woman.” From the corner of my eye, I saw the small, dark-haired woman who was helping Wren get ready to give a little bow, but I kept my eyes on the beautiful blonde bombshell in front of me. Jaxon on my right hitches a breath. All three of our jaws hit the ground as we take in Wren. “Guys, this is where you comment on your woman and how beautiful she looks.” The dark hair girl snaps, crossing her arms on her chest, expectedly. Wren’s lips turn down in a frown before rushing out words.

“She didn’t mean it like that. You don’t have t-” I step forward and place my finger to her lips to quiet her.

“Oh, Little bird. Your friend is right. You are breathtaking and that’s what you did. The moment we saw you standing there, we lost all words. You are a goddess among us mortals.” I lean down, lifting her chin as I go, before kissing her plumb soft lips.

“Can we say swoon worthy?” Abby whispers from the side of me, making me and the guys chuckle.

“Guys, this is my new personal assistant, Abby. Jax said she can work for me. And that she can live here.” Wren informs me, nibbling on her lip nervously.

“Princess, I filled them in. They understand what is going on. We have already run a background check on her as well. She may move in whenever she is ready.” Wren’s face lights up at Jax’s words. “Marie will sort everything out for you, Abby.”

“Thank you. I will assist with whatever anyone needs. I make a mean coffee, by the way.” We chuckle again. “You all better get going. Make sure she eats as well; she’s only had a snack while I was getting her ready.” She makes the shooing motion as I slide my hand down around Wren’s lower back and shift to lead her towards the front door.

“I think you and her together might be trouble.” I whisper before nipping at her ear. “But you really do look absolutely stunning tonight, Wren.” She looks beyond stunning in her silver-gray long-sleeved dress. It forms to her perfect body, flaring out at her hips with a long slit that exposes her creamy thighs. The corset area is a delicate floral lace that leads up to her chest and pushes up her breast to tease a saint into sinning.

As we hit the open door, goosebumps pebble across her skin. We head down a few steps and Mav opens the back door, reaching out to help Wren into the backseat.

“Angel, you look delicious and just like the nickname I gave you.” He skims his nose up her neck and I hear a faint moan cross her lips. “You smell so good, too.” He adds on a big inhale, making her give a full-body shiver.

“Mav. Behave.” Jax snaps, making Mav finally lean away. Jax leans in and takes the seat across to her as Mav claims her other side. “Princess, you look beautiful. Are you ready for tonight?”

“Yes, nervous but excited, I guess.” Her already rosy cheeks blush even more. Wren finally relaxes back into the seat as we all chat about useless things. After a few minutes of driving, I place my hand on her thigh, feeling the warmth of her body seep into me. It doesn’t take long until we are pulling up to the gala entrance.

“Wren, I need you to listen to me.” I turn to face her. “You do not leave our sides. You need to go to the bathroom? One of us will go with you. Wanna take a walk? One of us will go with you. Do you understand?” She nods before answering me with a “yes.” My tone is firm, knowing that tonight everyone will see her with us, and it will be a clear statement to some.

Jax must see something on her face because he continues. “Wren breathe. Nothing will happen to you. You’re safe with us. We will keep you safe, Princess. Do you trust us?” He asks, and we all wait with bated breath for her answer.

“Yes.” She tells him, and it’s like all our shoulders drop in relief. “Good girl. Now head up, shoulders back, Princess. You are royalty.” Wren takes a deep breath, lifts her head a bit higher and smiles. We all step out, one by one, and placing Wren between us all. Camera’s blinding us with flashes as we nod and head for the entrance.

The room’s warmth washes over us, and we’ve barely made it a few feet in when a familiar, excited voice calls out Wren’s name. “Wren, sweetheart, you made it.” Mrs. Williams embraces Wren in a tight hug before pulling back and giving us all bright smiles. “It’s been forever since the kids have seen you. They ask about you every day. When are you coming back, dear?” Wren’s face lights up at the mention of Mrs. Williams’ kids.

“Oh, ummm, I should be back on Monday.” Her reply is hesitant, but we did promise she could go back to work soon. Whether or not we like it.

“That’s great news. I will let the kids know and we will stop by. How does that sound?” Wren nods, her face still smiling with happiness. “Great, well, I have to go greet more guests, but enjoy the gala, sweetheart. If you need anything, just come find me.” Before Wren or any of us can respond, Mrs. Williams is off greeting the next couple making their entrance.

“Let’s go find our table and get you something to eat, Angel.” Mav wraps his arm under and around Wren’s and leads her over to a table with our name on it. He has her take a seat, right as someone approaches. We make it to the table just as Mav orders us all the special before handing Wren a drink. “Here, Angel, some champagne.”

“Oh, thank you.” She takes a sip. As we all settle in to wait for our food, the melodic strains of music fill the air, emanating from a live band playing softly in the corner. Wren begins to sway back and forth in her seat, her movement almost hypnotic, as we all just stare. It’s not long before plates are being placed in front of us. The smell teasing our noses as I hear Wren’s stomach let out a soft growl. She wastes no time picking up her fork and digging in, and we follow suit. We eat in silence, getting lost in the flavors of creamy pasta and crispy garlic bread. No one bothers to approach us the entire time we sit, but we keep our eyes on the room all the same.

After we eat, I suggest we make a round. I would rather get this meeting with Adrian over with sooner than later, but I haven’t spotted him since we arrived. With my arm securely wrapped around Wren, I lead us around the room, feeling her warmth against my side. Mav is on her other side and Jax follows up the rear. The same position as we entered, with Wren protected at our center. We say our greetings to a few gentlemen we do legit business with, while a few ladies compliment Wren’s attire before we decide to stop at a bar for a drink. Wren declines one, confirming what we already knew about her not being a big drinker.

“Good evening gentlemen, fancy seeing you here.” The she devil’s voice sounds from behind us, and I grind my teeth in annoyance. She must’ve grown a pair, knowing we can’t do anything to her here with so many witnesses.

“Tiffany.” I growl. “I thought we told you to get out of town. Was butchering your hair not enough of a warning?” The threat in my voice is clear, and I feel Wren tense next to me. I wrap my arm around her waist tighter and tuck her in closer to my side. “Are you that much of a psycho that you would show up here and make a scene?” I feel the other two guys press in closer to Wren, protectively as well. Especially after we witnessed what this bitch did to our woman. I give her a wicked smirk as I take in my newest handy work. It’s obvious she went and had someone try to help her fix the rat’s nest, but it still screams choppy and cheap.

She lifts her head, narrowing her eyes on where I hold Wren to me, and scoffs. “Not everything is about you, Xander. I’m actually here with my boyfriend.” She pauses, looking behind us, and smiles. “Oh, there he is, baby, over here.” She calls out in a high-pitched whine.

Mav snorts. “Figures. She jumps from dick to dick like it’s some type of competition. What dumbass was stupid enough to fall for her bullshit this time?” He asks, but no one answers as we wait to see which dumbass did, in fact, fall for her bullshit.

We tense as Adrian West comes over to stand next to Tiffany, wrapping his arm around her to make it clear they are together. “Baby, these are the guys I was telling you about.” Everyone stays quiet as we stare at each other.

Adrian’s eyes flash to Wren before doing a double take. His lips turning down in a frown as he stares at our woman. I’m about to tell him he is close to losing his eyes when he speaks. “Dolly?” He questions in a confused tone, but Wren’s reaction tells me everything I need to know already.

In a flash, Wren’s body goes limp in my arms. Jax and Mav rushing to help cover her dead weight. “Wren? Wren baby. Can you hear me?” No response. I turn to demand questions, but Adrian is already dragging Tiffany towards the doors, and we don’t have time to go after him. Wren needs us.

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