Page 87 of His To Claim
Stella turns bright red at Jade’s remark. “I’m not… that’s not why… I mean he won’t…”
“Ignore her, Stella. Any guy would love you in this outfit or in the one you were wearing before. It’s not about that. It’s about yourealizing that just because you dress this way and embrace your sexuality and that banging body, it doesn’t make you a slut,” I tell her.
“It’s just Kinsley, Carrington, all of them. They get to me. I don’t want to let them, but I can’t help it.”
“Stella, look at me, those two are just jealous. Not just jealous of your beauty, which is way more than they could ever hope to have, but that you are kind, smart, caring. You are liked, loved, capable of feeling. That’s something no matter how hard they try, they will never accomplish. You’re beautiful on the outside and on the inside. They may have perfected their exteriors, but inside they’re rotten, bitter, and just downright ugly,” I say, as the three of us head out.
Thirty
SCARLETT
We arrive at the Silver’s residence at a quarter to eight and the party is already in full swing. Stella’s uncle Stephan and his wife Eliza, who is Beckett’s mom, are away for the weekend, leaving the mansion under Sebastian’s control. Which means this party is going to be unlike any of the ones I’ve attended.
Stella mentioned Bass had rented out over fifty kegs, a whole taco food truck, as well as an In N Out Burger truck, and surprise entertainment. All to celebrate the eighteenth birthday of the eldest of the four kings, Beckett Masters.
The Silver’s estate is equally impressive and massive as the Servite’s, but whereas Ace’s house was dark, old-fashioned, and ominous, Bass’s is white, modern, and elegant. Floor to ceiling glass windows surround the entire first floor and a large fountain sits in the middle of the walkway to the front door. The house is stark white with large, marbled columns outlining the entrance.
We stand at the front edge of the large circular driveway having just gotten dropped off by the Uber we took here from the academy. I instantly spot Ace and the Horsemen, minus Beck, as they pull into the driveway, quickly jumping out of Ace’s matte black Mercedes Benz G-Class and heading straight to us.
Ace looks angry as he rushes toward us, but his glare softens as he reaches me. His gaze is still on mine when he reaches his finger out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. A subtle but caring gesture that throws me slightly off balance.
“I thought we agreed I’d pick you up?” he whispers in that deep raspy voice that moves me.
“You said you would pick me up. I never agreed to it.”
“Thought it was implied.”
I chuckle lightly at his comment. “One thing you need to know about me, Ace, don’t make assumptions. You want me to know something, you better tell me straight. I’m not into playing games. Life’s too short to be spent making guesses and wondering ‘what if’. I lay things out in the open. What you see is what you get. You don’t like that, then that’s your problem, either way I move on.”
He grins widely at my statement, and it makes something inside of me flutter.
Of course, he looks sexy as hell, no surprise there. But today he’s dressed in black jeans and a dark blue button-up shirt that fits him like a second skin. He’s left the first three unbuttoned, displaying his smooth, perfectly inked chest and his dark blonde hair lays in soft waves atop his head. The dark blue of his shirt mirroring his gaze makes those ocean eyes of his look like deep pools of sapphire. Ace wraps an arm around my waist pulling me into him and I close my eyes, inhaling a deep breath as the scent of him overpowers my senses. A mixture of cedar-wood, bergamot, and the ocean waves.
His voice, a husky lullaby to my ears. “Oh, I see everything, baby,” he says, bringing his other hand behind my neck. “And I like what I see, what I feel.” He tugs my head back slightly, bringing hislips to mine and softly kisses them whispering against them, “But one thing you need to know about me, baby, I don’t play games, I win them.”
Ace escorts me through the Silver’s mansion, Jade and Stella following closely behind us. Immediately I notice the stares, glares, and shocked faces of all those in attendance, and of course they are directed toward me and the way Ace has his arm draped around my shoulder.
Whispers sound all around us as the loyal subjects question their king’s sanity. I turn my gaze toward Ace, who grins widely, winking at me as he continues to lead us out to the back of the property. Outside is a vast deck, at least two hundred feet in size, that covers the yard and surrounds the large pool. To the left is a basketball court that is serving as a dance floor, as well as tables all around with drinks and the beer kegs. The pergolas above are draped with twinkling lights and large lamps illuminate the entire outdoor space.
“This is some party,” I say, barely able to hear my own thoughts as the loud music on the speakers drowns out my words.
“Only the best for my man Beck,” Bass says as he walks up behind us.
We walk over to a separate area to the right side of the yard that’s blocked off by a large red velvet rope, like those you’d see at a club or red-carpet event. On the other side of the rope are three large, plush couches circling around a fire pit, a full bar set up to the right.
“This is where we’ll be. The VIP area,” Ace tells me, as if that explains why we’re standing here. “Remember, Red, you’re mine now, and after today everyone will know,” he adds, answering the silent questions turning in my mind.
It’s unnerving the way he seems to know everything going on inside my mind. I shake my head walking in when a guy standing at the end of the rope unclips it and motions for me to enter. Once inside, I head over to the couch on the right, beside the makeshiftbar. It looks like having quick access to alcohol is going to be the only way I can make it through tonight. Ace walks over to the bar with Bass, while Stella and Jade come over sitting beside me on the couch.
“So, looks like it’s official now,” Jade says, looking over to the boys standing at the bar. “This must be how the other half lives. Looks like you’ll be basking in the VIP treatment from now on. Don’t forget about us humble kids.”
I roll my eyes at her, deciding to ignore her petty comments.
“This could be you too, Little Wolf,” Bass says as he sits on the couch armrest beside her handing her a drink.
She glares up at him, raising a brow and taking the drink he hands her. “Please, like you’d be able to handle all this, bloodsucker,” she challenges him.
“Bloodsucker?” he asks, confused.