“I think you forgot something,” he whispered against my lips.
I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Yes.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
SINCLAIR
I PULLED THROUGH THE gate and sped past the line of cars.
“Is that wise?” Stella smoothed her dress down. She didn’t need to. Everything about it, about her, was perfect.
“I’m the new Sovereign. If anyone has a problem with it, they can take it up with me.”
“Good point.” She held her left hand out and admired the ring.
The Vinemonts owned several priceless gems, but this one spoke to me the moment I saw it in the safe deposit box in New Orleans. It had been in my family since the 1920s, and had never looked more stunning. She was born to wear it. My chest swelled with pride that she liked what I’d picked for her. Then again, I always did have impeccable taste.
I pulled up to the valet in front of whoever had been patiently waiting and got out. An attendant helped Stella from the car.
“This is the one.” I handed the attendant my keys.
The attendant stopped and nodded, recognition firing in his eyes. He whistled two notes—the signal—to let me know he understood. Quinlan’s men were in place.
I helped Stella to the curb, and we climbed the stairs. We were two different people since the first time we’d done this a year ago. A cool wind whipped around us, and Stella’s skirt flowed to the side as I wrapped my arm around her bare shoulders. She trembled.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m perfect. I can’t wait, to be honest.”
I smiled at her bloodlust, and we continued to the top of the stairs. Dropping my hand to her waist, we entered the chateau.
Cal stood in the foyer greeting guests with his usual aplomb. “Hello gorgeous,” he said and shook my hand. “Stella, you look nice, too.” He laughed and took her waist.
My hands fisted, the need to destroy him rising like a ship on an ocean wave.
“I can’t wait until I get you home, beautiful.” He kissed her neck, and then held her at arm’s length. “And what’s this? New ink?”
“I had her branded a bit more. Just so everyone knows I had her first.” I kept my tone cold, though my hatred seethed, red and smoldering.
“I’ll take your sloppy seconds any day. Go on in. Your seats are on the stage. Where’s Teddy?”
“He’s arriving separately, but he’ll be here.”
“Perfect!” Cal slapped me on the back and waved us toward the ballroom.
Stella walked ahead of me, her red locks cascading down her back in a soft wave. I took her elbow and guided her through the groups of people, each of them whispering about us, each of them dying to know who the Sovereign would be.
We entered the ballroom—this time devoid of the enormous oak in the center. A stage stood along one wall. Red, his younger sister Evie, and Brianne sat in a huddle, as did Bob, his brother Carl, and Gavin. Three seats to the left of the podium remained empty.
Servers whisked by with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Every so often, one of them would whistle from high to low, assuring me that the preparations were in order.
“Have I mentioned how beautiful you look?” I whispered in Stella’s ear.
“You may have mentioned it about a dozen times. But it can’t hurt to hear it again.” She smiled. That simple turn of her lips, nothing more than a reaction to stimulus—I lived for it. Her happiness was as necessary as the air in my lungs.
We made our way through the chattering throng toward the stage.
“Sin?” Sophia’s voice clawed at my eardrum.
I spun, keeping Stella shielded at my back. “Sophia.”
I turned my head and whispered, “Wait for me by the stage.”
“Okay.” Stella backed away.
“Sin, where have you been? We were supposed to brunch on Sunday with Mother.” Her displeasure was eclipsed by mine. I hated the sight of her.
Even so, I masked my disgust. “My apologies, but my mother passed. I should have sent word.”
“She’s dead? Yes, you should have sent word,” she hissed. “Now it will look like I didn’t care.”
“When I’m Sovereign, will that matter?”
She opened her crimson lips, closed them, and then re-affixed a smile to them. “You’re right.” She kissed me on the cheek, and I wondered if her lips were still warm from being wrapped around Ellis’ cock. Not that I cared. Her lips would be forever stilled within the next few hours.
“Sin.” Teddy walked up and took Sophia’s hand, kissing the back of it.
“I’m glad to see at least one of the Vinemont men has manners.” She smiled, her dark eyes taking Teddy in from head to toe.
“When I see a beautiful woman, my first thought is to kiss her.” He shrugged, his boyish charm now an act, but just as convincing as the real thing.
“Oh, you flatter me. Keep it up.” She shifted her gaze to some point behind Teddy.