I bypass all the small talk and dig into what I came to say. "Be nice to Raya. She's had a night full of undercutting bullshit. I won't let my family do that."
Shit. Mom looks hurt. That all came out too harsh.
"Kade, since when am I like that?"
Mom was born wealthier than most people in Sterling Shore, but she was raised by a nanny who might as well have been her mother. She raised her to be a grateful, usually sweet person, but this life sometimes hardens you to the point where you lose concern about the emotions of others. I've seen her be cruel, but there's no need to mention that.
"I just don't want anything else to be said. You hate it when I bring girls around, and you say things like Johanna just did."
She frowns as she stares at her glass of champagne.
"I have my moments, but I don't do that with anyone who isn't doing the same. You've only brought girls like Courtney Hughes around. God knows I can't behave around a catty attitude like that."
My lips twitch with amusement. "You make it sound as though I've dated hundreds of girls. I just bring them around for functions like this because girls like that can handle it. I don't have time for dating."
Even though it seems like I'm constantly making time for Raya.
Her sad smile intrigues me. "Raya is sweet, Kade. She's not like the girls you're used to. Don't hurt that girl."
I start looking for the knife it feels like she just stabbed me with. Am I that bad? Tag is bad. I rarely get around. Hell, I can't even remember the last time I had sex.
"I realize she's sweet. We're friends," I say with a shrug, not willing to explain my slight issue with my sudden addiction to the girl waiting on me.
Her eyes narrow like I'm an idiot for trying to lie. But I'm not getting into this right now.
"She's not like your father. You have to be built for a transition like this. You have to be able to take the hits and keep getting up. She's fragile, Kade. She's might as well be porcelain."
I've already thought about that numerous times, but I can't just let Raya slip away because she might not adjust. I hate these kinds of functions, but I also know how to work them. I can protect her until people find a new target.
"Just play nice. That's all I'm asking," I say on my way out the door, not giving her another chance to make me worry about what could happen.
When I make it back to Raya, the beautiful smile she gives me is breathtaking, and all my tension dissolves as I move closer. Right now, the only thing I want to do is press my lips to hers and get lost. I can't wait until we reach that point.
She's stronger than she acts, I hope. Because I'm too far gone to turn back.
"You ready to kick back with my family for a while?" I ask, sliding my arm around her waist.
When she leans into me, it all feels so right, like we were molded for each other.
"Yes. Anything to get off my feet."
I frown down at her heels. "You should have said something. We could have sat down sooner."
She smiles up at me, and I forget what conversation we're even having. "I enjoyed all the dancing. It was fun."
Fun. She had fun. She never even knew these shady people were insulting her. She deserves so much better.
I went around the party in small spurts during the evening, making sure to return the favor to everyone who had said something. I felt like a damn chick, but Raya couldn't fight these battles. All along, she had fun.
Relief fills me to know for certain she had no clue.
I pull Raya to one of the couches in the den, and she comes willingly, letting out a content sigh when she sinks down. I make sure to leave no room between us while ignoring the scrutiny from Tag and Wren. I completely ignore Bity. If he'll screw his own brother's fiancée, there's no telling what he might try with my girl.
"I'm exhausted," Wren groans, stretching out on the couch.
Tag and Bity are furiously texting. Both are probably trying to get laid. Raya seems tired, so I pull her closer, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and letting her settle in against me. It's always so natural.
Dad comes in and occupies his chair, and Greta is behind him with whiskey on a tray. Raya waves it off quickly, and I stifle a grin. She's a lightweight, and she's had her fill of champagne.