She’d promised to help the other woman, play chaperone, and keep the guests from tearing each other apart or getting a little too drunk. Instead, she was here, in Carlos’s bedroom, staring down at a really boring dress.
“You do realize this is not something I’d ever wear.”
“Raven, you’re attempting to blend in as my fiancée,” Carlos said.
She was still dealing with the weight of the ring on her finger. “Yeah, blend in. This isn’t blending, this is … I don’t even know what this is.” She ran a hand down her face. “What is this?”
“A suitable evening dress for a small gathering of people.”
“What kind of people?” she asked.
“My men.”
“The capos?”
“Yes.”
She tutted. “Then this isn’t going to work.” She grabbed the dress and walked out of his bedroom, down the main hall to the rack of clothing she saw hanging up. Carlos followed her.
“Raven, it is going to work. You’re just being a giant pain in the ass. Trust me, I know what is going to blend in.”
She riffled through the racks, wrinkling her nose at the clothes she saw hanging up. Most of them were bland, but then she caught sight of one and held it up.
“Raven, I said no.”
“Just give me a minute,” Raven said, disappearing into his bedroom.
She opened the bathrobe she’d wrapped around herself. She’d been attempting to enjoy a nice, long bubble bath, but Carlos had interrupted the relaxing part, telling her they were going to dinner. So far, they’d avoided bumping into any of his men other than Drago. She should have known it wasn’t going to last.
Stepping into the dress, she was able to pull it into all the right places, making sure it curved around her breasts, smoothed across her back, and curled around her neck. There was built-in support at the bust, which meant she didn’t have to worry about a bra.
With the dress on, all she’d need to find was appropriate heels, and then she’d be done.
Opening the bedroom door, she stepped out, and let Carlos look. “See.”
“No, you’re not wearing that.”
“Oh, stop being a pain in my ass, Carlos. You told me that all the capos will be there, right? All of them with beautiful daughters, all of them virgins and pretty much offering themselves up to you on a silver platter. If I dress like one of them, it is going to seem like an insult. We’re not trying to help the bastards overthrow your power, are we? We’re trying to get them to … follow you, and to also show the true colors of the one that wants you dead and gone. I can’t look like all those other women. I’ve got to stand out. I’ve got to be someone you’d crave, you’d beg, and this dress works. It shows real daring, while also covering everything up.” She pulled all her hair off to one shoulder. “And I will attempt to pull off the adoring fiancée tonight and looking sexy, as if you’ve just fucked me because you can’t keep your hands off me.” She stepped up to him, wrapping her arms around one of his, and pressing her body against him. “What do you think?”
Carlos stared into her eyes, and she looked right back at him.
“I think you look absolutely beautiful tonight.” He cupped her cheek. “And because you have a valid argument, I will not force you to change.”
She snorted. “As if you can force me to do anything.”
He laughed. “You never know.” His hand brushed down her back, and for a split second, she couldn’t help but allow herself to enjoy his touch. He pulled away, and she didn’t like how she missed his hands on her body.
Pulling herself out of a trance, she cleared her throat. “All I’m missing are the heels.”
Carlos moved around her and then picked up a pair from the cart. “These will work.”
She took the strappy sandals from him and slid them onto her feet. “You know, a little warning would have been welcome.”
“It’s an impromptu dinner. Sebastian arranged it.”
Of course Sebastian did. She still didn’t trust him, but then, she didn’t trust anyone other than her club.
With the heels on, she put her hands on her hips and looked at him. “There, the outfit is complete. Is it up to sir’s liking?”
“Sir?” Carlos asked.
She chuckled. She wasn’t going to change it.
“You look beautiful, and unfortunately, we can’t stay and chat. We must get going.”
Raven’s cell phone beeped, and she moved toward the counter, picking it up and seeing there was a message from Abriana. Just seeing her friend’s name made her miss her so much. She’d been looking forward to Bella’s party. It would have been hard to avoid Ava, but with so many people around, she honestly thought she’d have a chance.
Clicking it open, she saw an image of Bella dressed in a princess costume, complete with a plastic tiara. She looked so cute.