Bitter Vows (Crimson Falls 1)

“What do you mean?” There’s a twisting in my gut, a coiling serpent tightening with every silent second that passes. My father’s expression is one of guilt when he looks to my mother, then me.

“Just that Aelin is a nice girl. You should keep in contact with her.” He waves his hand as if dismissing the topic, and I know if I ask anything more, he’ll only ignore me. When my father decides to keep things to himself, there’s no way of getting him to open up.

I don’t respond, merely nod and continue with my reply to Aelin, letting her know I’m on my way and I’ll see her soon. The charity ball is being held in town in a lavish, five-star hotel with only celebrities and politicians in attendance. The guestlist is filled with names that most would be excited to rub shoulders with, including Aelin’s dad, who’s one of the most well-known names across the world, a famous rock star with a penchant for causing women to drop to their knees. And soon, my best friend will be on tour with the band, leaving me to a lonely summer with my grandmother in Crimson Falls.

Thankfully, I enjoy spending time at the manor house, or I would be depressed having to spend time at home. Grace Bardot is a woman who no longer needs anything — no man, no friends, and certainly not the number of staff who work for her. She spends her days sipping gin and tonics in the sunshine while reading her favorite romance novels. The Bardot money is what they call old money. Because of Gran’s parents, she’s always lived a comfortable life, which afforded me one as well.

The car comes to a stop, and the back door whooshes open where we’re met with the flashes of cameras, shouting press, and fans scream as my mother and father exit the vehicle. Stepping foot onto the plush red carpet, I attempt to ignore the shouts of my parents’ names as we make our way through the crowd, stopping a few times to allow the cameras to capture us.

Finally, inside the enormous, gilded ballroom, my gaze flits around, hoping to find my best friend. It doesn’t take long for me to spot the sleek, raven hair in the crowd. The only woman here with her hair not pinned with diamonds and pearls.

Leaving my folks to mingle, I make my way over to Aelin, who’s already giggling up a storm with some dashing man in a three-piece suit. A dark tie leads up to a smooth, angular jaw, pale skin, and full, pink lips.

A squeal from beside me catches my attention before I meet his stare, and Aelin pulls me into a hug. “This is my best friend,” she gushes, and I finally find the eyes of the man, no, actually, the boy she’s talking to. He looks like he’s younger than us.

“Nice to meet you,” he tells me, offering a hand which I accept before side-eyeing Aelin.

“Can I talk to you?” I hiss at her. Glancing at the cute guy, I smile. “We’ll catch you later.” Pulling her through the crowd, we find the bar where I grab a flute of champagne for myself and one for her. “Are you crazy?”

“What?” Her wide, golden-brown orbs shimmer with amusement.

My gaze finds her boy-toy before I look at her again. “That guy isn’t even old enough to drink yet.” Rolling my eyes, I can’t help but laugh when she giggles playfully.

“Oh come on, like you are? Also, I was having fun. His older brother is a hottie, so I did have a plan,” she tells me conspiratorially. I sip my drink, allowing my gaze to rove the room, taking in the faces of the men and women who are all draped in designer clothes and exquisite jewels. Aelin’s hand lands on my arm, her fingers wrapping around my wrist before she whisper-hisses, “Who is that?”

“Who?” I turn to where she’s staring to be met with a man who looks like he’s just stepped off the film set of some rough motorcycle club movie. He doesn’t look like he fits in here with his leather jacket and black tee. His boots are dusty, his jeans fit too tight, hugging muscled thighs as he saunters deeper into the room. His midnight-black hair reminds me of my best friend’s, and his tanned skin speaks of someone who’s been outdoors in the full sun all day, every day.

Dangerous. That’s the word to describe him.

“Now that is a man,” Aelin murmurs more to herself than to me because I can’t drag my gaze away. Menace emanates from him as if he were wearing it like a cologne. But then he makes a beeline for my father, which has my mouth dropping open in shock. The two men seem to know each other, but Dad pales when his gaze lands on the stranger. “Uhm…” My best friend’s voice filters into nothing when my father disappears with said stranger into the hallway, talking heatedly as they go.