Watching them now for a moment, I wasn’t surprised Kian removed himself to the back. That was how he operated. He was always at my side, but if I was okay, he’d return to the shadows. Not that he really was in the shadows with how he looked—his dark features, his black hair, the high cheekbones, his lean physique, and the pure deadly aura that clung to him. He was powerful. People were drawn to him. He liked to step back when it was possible, but he was never really hidden.
Looking around the room, even now, everyone kept glancing at him. They watched him like he was a beautiful but dangerous predator. Catching a slight look that Tara sent him, a wave of possession and pride rolled over me.
He was mine. And I was his.
Snark mused into my ear, distracting me, “He owns this place.”
“What?”
“Oh, yeah. You didn’t know?” Snark shook his head, a good-natured grin on his face. “Why am I not surprised by that fact either? He bought it right before he was released. I don’t think he knows that I know, but I followed the paper trail back to him. You might want to talk to him about it.”
“I will.” Feeling that Snark was going to step aside and someone else was next in line, I gripped his arm. “Thank you for coming to my birthday party.”
A small breath left him. His eyes washed over me, a different look appearing in them. He murmured, almost too quietly for me to hear, “You’ve become like a daughter to me. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
We were both starting to tear up, so he moved aside.
After that, the party became a blur. Some of my old coworkers were there. Some of the paper’s staff that Erica got along with were there, too. It wasn’t too big of a party, but Erica told me later that phones weren’t allowed inside. Each person got snuck in with security, and they were searched. If anyone refused to be searched, they were asked to leave. It was that simple. Follow the rules and join the party, or don’t and leave.
A cake was brought out and they made Henry sing. His voice was good and it surprised everyone, but then the drinks really started flowing and everyone forgot about my nemesis. A second bartender, Kami, slipped behind the bar to help Bruce, and I got some satisfaction from seeing Henry being put through the wringer. He was sweating within an hour.
He brought over a single drink on his tray and held it out to me. “Made just for you, from Bruce.”
“Thank you.” I took it. “Tell Bruce thanks, too.”
Henry nodded, tucking the tray under his arm. He started to leave but turned back. “I had no idea who you were.”
“That was the point.”
“I know, but…” His eyebrows knitted together. “I was an asshole to you. I’m sorry. I was—I’m sorry. I was trying to make myself needed so much that they couldn’t fire me.”
My head moved back. “Why would they have fired you?”
“Because I wasn’t needed. You worked here for so much longer. I knew that before I met you. I was intimidated by you.”
“Henry.” I leaned close.
So did he.
“It’s a hostessing job. It’s not like the presidency where there’s only room for one. You didn’t need to worry.”
“I’m aware now.” His pale cheeks flushed, and they became a bit redder. “And thank you for not asking your boyfriend to fire me.” He looked toward Kian, who was still talking with Paul.
Judging from how Kian was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest while he was watching me back, I had a feeling he was using Paul as a shield so no one else would approach them. Paul didn’t seem to mind, if he was even aware of it. His head was thrown back, and his arms were moving around in the air to make his point. Whatever Paul was saying, it was important…to Paul.
I gave Kian a grin. He returned it, his eyes darkening.
Just like that, with that one look, the world melted away. We were standing a room’s width apart, but we were together. We were connected and on the same page.
I wanted to be with him and at his side. The party was nice. I’d enjoyed being snuck out to see my friends, but I really only wanted to be curled up next to him, like we had been before leaving the hotel.
“Go to him.”
“What?”
Erica was standing where Henry had just been. He’d disappeared somewhere.
Erica nodded in Kian’s direction. “It’s obvious that you want some time away with him, so go.”
“The party’s for me.”
She waved that off. “That twerp sang to you. You cut the cake. Everyone’s said a few words to you, and your bartending buddy is getting everyone drunk. If you left, I don’t think anyone would notice.”