“Gia, I want you to meet Vivian, Barbie, and Brittany.” Rafe slides in. Poor Toby looks pale; his freckles are really popping in the limo’s light. He sits next to the girls while Rafe sits next to me.
Fantastic.
I don’t engage, but nod and put my big bag between us as the limo takes off.
“So, how are the pictures coming?”
I sigh. Whatever game he’s playing, he’s gonna be disappointed. I have a one-track mind tonight.
“Fabulous.” Turning to look out the dark window, I watch as the limo speeds up to get on the freeway.
“I need to take a look at them since you’ll be leaving us soon. I mean, you will be needing to go back to Berkeley, and with Christmas, I need to book your ticket.”
My eyes narrow and I slowly turn to glare at him.
He sits looking like he might be a king or something. His suit is perfect, his beard, even his skin looks perfect.
We have mostly avoided each other, besides the one afternoon I begged him to let me take photos of him. Other than that, I like him best when I don’t see him.
“Actually, I still have to photograph Rhys, and you don’t need to worry about getting me a ticket home.”
Prick, asshole… My mind gets cut off in the middle of its rant.
“No, I insist. You’ve had ample time to get Granger, so I’ll be needing to see all photos. How does Thursday work for you? I’d let you have the jet, but we’ll be needing it. So, Toby?”
“Yes, Rafe?” Toby sits up with his phone out.
“Book Gia on first class and send her the confirmation.” He turns to me. “That will give you time to spend the rest of the holidays with your brother and mother.” He smiles, turns to the champagne, and pours himself a glass.
“I’d offer you some”—he holds up the gold bottle of Cristal—“but of course, you’re not of age and all.”
I smile and reply, “What about Toby? He’s of age?” If Rafe wants to be a fucking piece of shit, then I’ll be the biggest bitch.
His eyes narrow. “Toby. Can I get you a glass?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Toby sits back in the shadows as one of the blondes slither over to sit on Rafe’s lap.
Her perfume is like a flower garden was planted next to us. For the life of me, I will never understand why people douse themselves. “Relax, baby girl.” He chuckles as his strong hand strokes her leg. “Save all this for Granger. You, too, Barbie. He wants both of you tonight.”
My eyes dart to his, but he’s sucking on the blonde’s neck as if I’m not even here. I have to get out of this car. A wave a nausea comes over me. I can’t lose it, or he’ll know he got to me. Just because he says these skanks are for Granger does not mean it’s true, I tell myself over and over.
I take a deep breath and try not to gag on all the perfume and stare out the window. I’ve never been more uncomfortable in my life. I’m also ready to cry, and I would rather jump in front of a train than cry because Rafe is a bully.
Actually, I wish he was a bully. Bullies are weak. Rafe is smart and calculating. He’s mean, like a cobra waiting to strike.
“Do you, Gia?” My eyes jerk to Rafe’s amused ones as if he knows that his diabolical plan is working on me.
“What? I’m sorry, I have a lot on my mind and wasn’t listening.” I stick my nose in the air, beyond grateful that my voice didn’t crack.
He smiles and I see a flash of his eyes in the surrounding lights as the limo pulls into the United Center.
“Actually, it was Barbie who wanted to know if you like to party.” His voice is dry, almost flat sounding.
“What?”
“Party. Of course, I’d need Toby to have you sign an NDA like they did if you want to join them with Granger tonight.”
I blink at him as my eyes shift to the others. The girls look intrigued. Toby is the only one who rubs his forehead as if he wants to be anywhere but here.
I swallow, then smile. “Thank you, but no. I’m busy tonight.”
“Ah. Well, then you have fun, Gia. You look stunning tonight.” It’s almost like he’s got some weird way of controlling time. Because just as he says it, the limo stops and the door opens to a bunch of screaming people.
So, of course, he gets the last word.
“Think about it, beautiful,” one of the girls murmurs. “Granger is truly a god in bed. He can take care of all of us. And when he’s busy with one of them, I can make you see stars.” She winks and slides out. Too stunned to move, I sit there.