Page 115 of Brutal Knight

They know me as Willow O’Reilly, head of the Raven Syndicate.

“Daughtry. You know my wife,” Connor says, introducing me to an older man leaning against the bar.

The man grins when he sees me, nodding his head in respect. “That I do. You are a formidable person. I’ve heard your Ravens are doing quite well.”

“They are. It’s good to hear word is spreading fast.”

“Oh, yes. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a woman of your caliber. There’s a reason Connor married you. No better match, I should think.”

Turning to Connor, I flash a grin. “I like him.”

The men laugh, and I smile, sipping my drink. This Daughtry guy isn’t the first person to congratulate me on the Ravens. It’s nice to have strangers showing me respect, recognizing the power I now wield and the effort it took to get here.

“Hey, Connor! Come here!” Finn yells from across the space, waving at Connor.

“Be right back.” Connor kisses me quickly on the cheek, winking before he walks off toward his brother.

I end up wandering toward Rose and Violet, to their table by the corner of the bar. They’re both lounging, probably resting their feet. I slide past a crowd of cheering men taking shots at the bar and slip into the chair between the women, sighing the second my feet leave the floor.

“I think you have the right idea,” I say, smiling. “A nice corner to get away to.”

Rose grins, raising her glass of water. “Yeah. I was excited to come tonight, but I can only handle so much right now. You’d be surprised how much energy this little one takes out of me.”

She slides a hand over her belly and surprisingly, I don’t feel a pang when she does. There’s no bitter sting when I’m reminded that she’s pregnant. I’m just happy for her.

Before, I couldn’t help being reminded of what I couldn’t have. I never held it against Rose, but I couldn’t stop the overwhelming sadness and fear I felt. I was so worried about what Connor would say and what would happen to me.

Now, I know he loves me no matter what, and I know he’s willing to make a family for us. It doesn’t have to be conventional. So I’m happy and secure in our relationship, and I don’t feel like a disappointment every time I’m reminded of reality.

Violet drums her fingers against her cheek and smiles at Rose. She seems distracted, wound up or something. “Well, if any of them push you too hard, put your foot down. They should be carrying you around.”

“Oh, God. I can’t even imagine. Me, floating around here on the shoulders of drunk men?”

I keep watching Violet as Rose laughs, picking up even more signs that something is off with her. There’s an odd glint in her eyes, almost feverish. Maybe she’s restless. It’s strange.

“Fuck it,” Violet says suddenly. “Normally I don’t drink. But tonight? I’m letting myself cut loose a little.”

She turns to the bar to order a drink and I glance at Rose. I can’t find anything on her face other than surprise. There’s no concern, so I tell myself it’s fine—I don’t know Violet that well. Maybe this is normal. Maybe I’m reading too far into it.

When the drink arrives, Violet tips it back. She pauses after a good few seconds, then winces a little.

“Damn, it’s been a while.”

Rose laughs. “Well, it’ll cut you loose for sure. Are you breaking the rules today?”

“No. No, the show just closed,” Violet explains. “And it doesn’t matter.”

“Show?” I repeat, confused.

“Ballet,” Violet says, tilting her glass to me. “I can’t drink during the show. I really shouldn’t during the season, either. Alcohol isn’t good for the body, you know?”

I nod faintly, curious. Maybe that’s the reason she seems antsy, or a little off. She’s just missing her show. It would make sense if she’s restless. I can’t imagine how much energy she must expend dancing on stage most nights. I’m sure she’s dying to move around.

We all chat easily for a few more minutes, and then I feel arms close around me, strong and certain. Connor pulls me against him, his lips brushing my ear.

“Are you having a good time, wife?” he murmurs.

“Yes. Just catching up with the girls.”

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