Page 33 of Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven
“Declan. So good to see you.” She smiles as I pull out her chair.
This evening wasn’t one I looked forward to every year, but it was one that was a necessity. All of the people who have any clout in Stone Crest and the surrounding areas will attend tonight. There’s one thing rich people love more than their money, and that’s flaunting it. Tonight, the crowd would be a mix. Human, and those like us. It takes a trained eye to spot them, but it’s how we keep count. Keep up with what we are up against.
A small breeze passes through the room, and my head whips to the left. It’s subtle, but I can smell that familiar mint and floral floating in the air. My eyes catch on her figure, wrapped up in black fabric, accentuating every curve that I’ve traced with my tongue.
My cock begins to swell behind my dress pants, so I excuse myself to the bar, offering to bring a round of drinks.
I weave my way across the room, stopping to shake hands with a few other professors and the dean who seems rather agitated tonight.
Just as I make it to the opening that leads to the bar, I see who enters the ballroom from the corner of my eye. Elias Barcelo struts in, flanked by four men as usual. My eyes narrow; and my pulse thuds. His menacing dark eyes scan the room, and my fists clench. This motherfucker is here for one thing. And it’s not togive away his money. No. Elias Barcelo doesn’t have a humane bone in his body. He’s here for his own selfish gain.
He’s here to hunt.
My eyes move to Raven next, who’s got her camera up, facing the group of people huddled around the appetizer table. Without thinking, my feet move, my dress shoes pounding along the thin carpet. I’m almost to her when a hand lands on my forearm, stopping me from my pursuit.
Sasha blinks up at me. “I’d like a dirty martini please.”
I would shrug her off but, Gemma steps in front of me, a huge smile on her face as she calls out Raven’s name.
Chapter twenty-four
Raven
“Raven!”
My name is called, and I barely resist the eye roll. Gemma smiles widely in a silver sequined dress as she waves me over. I’d rather wear pink for a solid week than join her, but instead, I slip through the crowd to approach a drop dead gorgeous Locke.And Sasha.
Steeling my spine and making sure my expression shows Locke I have zero fucks to give about his date, I walk over. Twenty-four hours ago, he was asking me towait for him.
“Raven, would you mind getting a picture of us three?” Gemma tugs Locke over, and Sasha snuggles right up to his opposite side.
My hands clench my camera, but to avoid showing my true feelings, I smile. “Of course.”
With a quick tap of my finger, I’ve captured the picture, in which Locke refuses to smile. His eyes are fixated on me. I can feel them, but I don’t dare meet them.
Sasha stays glued to his side, a coy grin on her face. “Raven, do you have an escort for the evening? Or are you just volunteering?”
Her boney hand lands on his tie, smoothing it over, causing an uncensored anger to fester inside of me. The way she strokes him almost seems like she’s purposely doing it. Trying to force a reaction. Wait? Does she know?
My eyes shift over her shoulder to Declan, who I vaguely remember meeting in Locke’s kitchen. He’s tall, but leaner than Locke. Where Locke is rugged and rough, Declan looks sophisticated with a clean shaved face and styled brown hair. He’s striding towards us with purpose. Before he approaches, he shoots me a wink. “I’m escorting Raven tonight.” He comes to a stop, slinging an arm over my shoulder.
Sasha looks surprised, and her hand drops from Locke’s chest. Locke on the other hand, looks like he’s about to bust a blood vessel.
Gemma reaches for my arm. “Well looks like you’ll be having a fantastic twenty first birthday.”
Locke’s jaw tenses and he glares at Declan.Damn it, Gemma.
Declan only chuckles, clearly not taking Locke’s reaction seriously. “Let’s get the birthday girl a drink.”
“Take a break.” Gemma squeezes. “Have a drink then do a few more rounds.”
I nod, letting Declan steer me away from the group.
“Breathe,” he mutters. “You look like you are about to strangle Sasha.”
“I am,” I mutter back just as we reach the bar.
“He’s not interested.” Declan taps the bar to gain the bartender's attention. “Bourbon. Two.”
