Page 54 of A Spark in the Ash

Names and faces are spinning through my head. I’m introduced to at least thirty people before the dinner even starts. There are associates and old friends. There are other women who glare at me like I’ve stolen an elusive piece of candy from them. It’s obvious Jaxon has been pursued by all of them and received no reciprocated interest. By the time dinner is announced, I’m already overwhelmed.

“You’re amazing,” Jaxon breathes as we walk toward our table at the head of the room. “You’re stuck in a room full of shylocks and known gangsters, and you haven’t backed down once. Are you even real? I’m pretty sure I pulled you straight out of my darkest fantasy.”

I smile as I look up at him as we round our table. “Apparently I have an impressive poker face. I haven’t been around or talked to this many people in over a hundred years. It’s…draining.”

Jaxon raises my hand to his lips and kisses it. “Trust me, Serena. You’re perfect.”

My chest heats, but I have to keep it in check, because every member of the Gray family comes to join us at the banquet table before the crowd.

They’re all here. Vivian. Her right-hand son, Blake, the Viking. Aaron looks like he wants to throw up and run, but he’s here, seated beside his oldest brother. Griff is looking all around for food. Chantel and Scarlett are talking rapidly, going off about each other’s dresses and the men who are in attendance tonight.

All five of Jaxon’s siblings are here tonight to celebrate with us. Except for AJ. My heart hurts for the sixteen-year-old who was thrown out into the shark-infested waters before he was ready.

At least they avenged his death.

I don’t condone the majority of what the Gray family does, but I don’t condemn them for this one thing.

I sit beside my fake husband, and the room is suddenly flooded with a dozen servers.

I can only imagine how much money Vivian must have spent on this party. The food is divine. The service is over the top. I drop my fork once, and two seconds later, another one is being handed to me by a server in white clothes. There are probably one hundred people being served dinner, and no expense was spared on their meals.

Just how much money does the Gray family run? Just how much of a financial hit is Jaxon going to take by stepping back from his mother’s business?

It doesn’t matter. I’ll do whatever it takes to provide for the two of us. I’ll go back to the casino floors every other night if I have to. I’ve made plenty of money gambling before. I’ll go make a fortune when needed.

I’m totally satisfied by the time I finish my glorious meal. I could happily go home, wherever that is, crawl into bed, curl up into Jaxon, and drift off to sleep.

But the night is young, and there are a lot of people to talk to.

This party isn’t really about us.

So, Jaxon takes my hand when we’re finished, and leads me back out into the crowd.

I put on a pretty smile. I laugh. I banter with the best of them. I tell my lies when people ask details about myself.

I work in personal security.

I’m from North Dakota.

Sadly, my parents couldn’t make it tonight.

Yes, we only met a month ago. Yes, we know we’re a little crazy.

But we are very much in love and excited for our future.

Okay, they definitely aren’t all lies.

I lean into Jaxon. It looks like I’m just being a doe-eyed new bride, but I truly am leaning on his strength. This is his world. These are his people.

As I work the crowd, as I watch my soulmate, I realize something. He has no friends. These are acquaintances. Business partners. Dealers and horse owners. But none of them appear to have a meaningful relationship with Jaxon. They are people he knows. They are friends or associates of his mother.

I’ve felt alone for such a long time. Being marooned here for a century and a half was isolating. I’ve even felt disconnected from my team that was stationed here in the desert with me.

And I realize that this is just one more reason why Jaxon and I work together.

We’ve both been alone for so long.

But now we have each other. Both of us can stand on our own. We’ve been doing it for a long time.

---