Scorch (Virtues & Lies 2)

My heart stops and then shoots into action so fast, I can barely catch a breath. She’s got that intruding gleam on her face. Her eyes sweep down to Arabella’s stomach, boring.

“You’re positively glowing.”

“Pardon me?” Arabella’s gasp is followed by a retreat into me.

“You’re glowing, darling. You’re all flushed pretty, and you’re not drinking.”

Not everyone has a fucking drinking problem!

“What do you think, Carla?”

My hands fist with the need to push her the fuck away from us. Foolish, drunk woman. She’s got nothing better to do than make herself a nuisance.

“I think, I would like a stronger drink.”

Me too.

Smiling at Arabella, Carla rubs her arm gently. “One drink?”

Arabella looks at me, the rise and fall of her chest noticeable. Her eyes are wide, askance.

She’s not asking me for permission. She’s asking if it’s safe.

Searching the room, I catch Wayne’s stare. Nodding towards the bar, I bring his attention to Arabella before giving her a reassuring smile.

“Would you like me to bring you back a drink?”

“It’s all right, I’m sure Freddie will appear with one any minute.” I hope he does, that way I can set him on her. I don’t like the idea of having her waltz around the party on her own with only one pair of eyes to spot any potential dangers.

“Okay.” The contentedness on her face looks forced. Like she’s trying to put me at ease with the situation. “I’ll be back in a tick.”

“Aww, young love…so cute,” Dorothy remarks with a bitter edge to her words as she starts for the bar with Carla clinging on to Arabella as they follow.

Watching as they come to a stop by the bar, I message Wayne.

ME: I want to know where you are at all times.

Do not leave the building.

Do not bat an eyelid.

WAYNE: I’ve got her. Ryan has you.

Tucking my phone away, I lock eyes with him to make sure he got the message, even though I know he did.

Once I look back to my wife, it takes me a while to look away. But even when I do, I can’t stop searching them out. It’s how I miss most of the conversation.

“I hear you’re going for silk soon?” Coleman calls my attention. “I like ambition. A man with a path to follow is a man with vision. I like that.”

But?

“However, vision and ambition are meaningless without experience and maturity.”

“Come on, Roger, we were all lacking experience and maturity when we started out. Besides, the world is changing.”

“Edgar, the world is always changing.”

“I agree,” Charles laughs. “Which is why we need the right people in the right places.”