Page 68 of From the Ashes
“He’s four, his name is Noah.” I nod, a wide smile on my face as I talk about my favorite person in the world. “He met Carter a few times,” I confess, my voice sounding quieter all of a sudden.
“How did it go?” says the note Rose slides across the counter. I look up, meeting her stunning blue eyes, darker than Carter’s, but just as intense.
“Really well, actually. I was a bit nervous at first, but Noah said Carter was a boy and that boy knew about dinosaurs, so.” I shrug and chuckle.
“That’s so great. I’m so happy for you guys,” Erin says, lifting her glass. “Let’s drink to that. To dinosaurs!”
We all echo her toast, “To dinosaurs!”
Even Rose, the words forming softly on her lips. Then we all burst out laughing.
“Thank you so much for having me,” I say to Mia, sipping more of the delicious drink.
“It’s a pleasure. We don’t get many people outside the club, so I’m always eager to meet someone new,” she says. “Want to go meet the guys? I promise it’s not as intimidating as it sounds.” She touches my shoulder gently.
“Um, okay,” I tell her, even if my knees wobble a bit. What if I make a bad impression on his boss? The last time I met someone’s boss, it was Ben’s, at that overpriced restaurant, and the memory still twists in my gut.
“I invite you to a Michelin-star restaurant and you blow on your food like a four-year-old. I mean, c’mon, look at you Lana, where are your manners?”
Come on, Lana, this is different.
It’s Carter.
He… Helovesyou.
I’m almost sure of it.
No words we said, from either side, but…it really, really….feels likelove.
And the right kind of love heals; it doesn’t hurt.
We all get out of the kitchen and follow Mia to the living room, where I’d say about twenty people are either chatting, playing cards, or sitting on the sofa and laughing together. I immediately spot Carter, who’s talking with a brown hair man, almost his size, with tattoos reaching his neck.
Rose passes by me and reaches forward, the man turns to her with a warm smile, resting his hand on her hips and kissing her hair. Carter nods to them and then makes his way to me.My jaw drops at the sight of his thick biceps as he walks toward me. Removing his jacket was definitely a good idea. He reaches for me and takes my hand, and we don’t even say anything as another man appears next to us.
“So, it was ‘bout time you brought your girl here,” his rough and deep voice echoes in the room, even with the chatter and the rock and roll music in the background. He’s the same height as Carter, but he’s not built like him. I’d say his chest is larger, and it reminds me of the body of a fighter. He stares at Carter for a bit, then at me, and there’s no hesitation in the fact that he is the boss. Something in his aura tells it. He commands the room and all the people in it. That’s the man from the photo.
Mia’s husband.
His boss.
Don’t mess this up.
Don’t mess this up.
“I’m Ares, welcome to the Raven Sons, Lana,” he declares, and I swallow hard, feeling in my bones that this man holds our fate in his hands.
CARTER
“You’re scaring her,” I grunt to Ares, because Lana's hand turned icy cold in mine, and I don’t like it. I’m not convinced he’s doing it on purpose, but I’m also aware that Ares scares the shit out of everyone except a few of us. I know because I have the same effect on people.
“Carter, no, I’m-” Lana mutters, but I know she’s deflecting because, as Dr. Parks said, not everything I think can be said out loud, but right now, I couldn’t care less.
“I’m trying to be nice,” barks Ares, frowning at me. “Don’t worry, Lana, you’re welcome here. I’ve heard lots ‘bout you,”he says, studying her like he always does with everybody, but I actually appreciate that he’s reassuring her.
“Thank you so much for having me here,” she says with a sweet as fuck voice, and I suddenly want to get out of here to have her all to myself. One bite wasn’t enough; it only made me hungrier.
“Have you met the other women?” I ask her.
