Page 24 of Ella's Masquerade
Carmen cackled, the sound sending a chill down my spine. “Still can’t hide the trash beneath.”
One of them fondled the skirt of my dress, and I knew what they planned to do next. Even before I heard the telltale sound of a rip.
Shit.
Chapter Eight
Ella
“Ladies,”Tray greeted, his palms falling to my hips to hold me in place. “Have you come to collect?”
“Hmm, depends on what you’re offering,” Ryan replied as a nail slid sharply up my back to the top of my zipper.
Tray spun me in his arms before I could react, my dress remaining upright as a result. “I owe your stepsister a dance,” he murmured against my ear. “Go grab us some drinks.” He pushed me to the side, stepping forward at the same time to draw Ryan into his arms.
I blinked at his back, shocked despite knowing something like this would happen. It just wasn’t how I expected it to go down. A public humiliation, sure, but swapping dance partners?
“Now, Isabella,” he added, glancing at me over his shoulder.
Carmen and Ryan snickered while I narrowed my gaze at him.
He wanted me to go fetch them some drinks like a dog? Okay. Sure. I could do that. “I’ll be right back,” I said sweetly, seething inside.
How had I fallen beneath his spell so easily? He’dkissedme in front of all these people. Would he do the same with Ryan now? Was that his endgame—to show exactly how dispensable I was to him? Or maybe he planned to tell everyone I didn’t live up to his standards, to try to embarrass me on an intimate level.
Regardless, I wouldn’t be giving him the satisfaction.
He could dance all night with Ryan, for all I cared. But first, I’d grab theirdrinks.
My lips twitched at the plan forming in my head, only to walk nearly headfirst into Dash and Charlie, who stood on the sidelines waiting for me. I knew better than to shove past them, so I stopped and arched a brow. “Yes?”
“I see the attire hasn’t improved your manners,” Charlie drawled, his gaze raking over my dress and pausing far too long on my neckline.
Dash circled me, his expression boasting a rare serious quality. He usually smirked or glared or said something derisive, but he appeared quiet and contemplative tonight. That almost made me more nervous.
“Did you two want something?” I demanded, my hands on my hips.
“Yes.” Dash grabbed my wrist. “A dance.”
I nearly snorted. He couldn’t be serious. “Sure,” I lied. “After I get His Majesty the drinks he requested, we can dance.”
Not.
I would be leaving just as soon as I finished playing fetch for the aspiring prince of Darlington Academy. I mean, wasn’t that his rationale for helping me? He’d said he wanted to stand by my side when I took over as the new queen. But why bother when he could go after the current monarch?
Dash’s grip tightened. “Ella.”
I blinked at him. “Sorry, what?” He’d clearly been speaking when I lost my train of thought.
He tugged me closer as Charlie stepped into my back, effectively trapping me between them. “I want to dance.”
Their crowding held a lethal edge that had my heart skipping a beat.Stay calm,I coached myself.Try to smile.“We will just as soon as I finish grabbing His Majesty’s drinks.”
His resulting frown told me he didn’t approve of my response. “It wasn’t a request.”
“I think we need to remind her who’s in charge here, Charming.”
“I think we do, too, Anderson,” he agreed, releasing my wrist to palm my lower back. “Don’t you remember our first dance, Cindersoot? How much fun we had together?”
