“Don’t panic, Cupcake. I got you directly in line of sight, baby,” Jared croons and I feel some of the strain melt away.
“Come, Paulette dear, sit, sit,” a voice says and I turn slightly to see Margery…something, I can’t quite recall her last name, as she indicates a chair between the rest of them.
I refuse her offer and push my nose into the air, taking a seat at the head of the table and daring them all to say a word. This spot is reserved for the higher ups, usually, but Jared warned me not to get hemmed in and I won’t allow it. I can’t.
“Move this shit along, would you, Jer, old buddy old pal? I’m shopping with the mother-in-law this afternoon.”
That gets me a glare as he starts cursing poor Mama and I can practically hear Jared’s teeth grinding with rage.
“You’re one to talk, Jer. Your own wife despises you and your son was a lunatic. Heeellloooo pot!”
“Tone it down, baby,” Jared hisses in my ear and I laugh to cover my nervousness when Jerry sneers and aims a death glare at me.
“Watch your attitude, bitch. You’re proxy, not bulletproof,” he warns.
Here’s the part where I’d usually start having a meltdown and it would be mere seconds before an attack hit. I feel it there, lurking in the shadows, but for once it’s not right on me.
“Sorry, Jer, I forgot how sensitive you are. I’ll call your mother and let her know you need a hug later. Now, the vote?” I urge as the last member comes in and sits across from me.
My heart almost stalls when I look up to see the smirking face of Roman Lane, his blue eyes so cold, I feel my blood freeze as he looks me over.
“So you’re the one Jared was slobbering over, huh? He’s got really simple taste, if you ask me.”
That makes my earpiece go wild with expletives and I jerk my head to the side, covering it with a tilt and a sweet smile that could rot your teeth.
“I didn’t, in fact, ask you a thing, Mr. Lane, so I’d thank you to keep your unimaginative gibes to yourself. Now, the vote, if you please,” I say again, hoping like hell this time that they take the hint and let me just get the hell out of here.
I had hope that this man was just playing a role, but as he continues to look down the table at me, his blue eyes so like Jared’s and yet too cold to be anything like my Sugar Bear’s, I feel my blood run cold.
I think this was a monumental mistake, and he proves it with his next words.
“So, you’re marrying a Lane, are you? Hmm, you must really be into the little nerd if you’re willing to put up with the Punch and Judy Show.”
Jerry laughs raucously while the rest just titter, and I’m forced to look him dead in the eye and gamble my life on the truth.
“As a matter of fact, I do, Mr. Lane. I love Jared very much. He’s given me a life and happiness that I have never known, thanks to being raised by my horrible parents. I also happen to love George and Judy and the rest of the family, so I’d thank you to shut your Goddamned mouth if you can’t keep a civil tongue. I’m only here because as proxy, I have no choice in the matter. After this vote, I am out and I’m staying out. I’ve got a new life and something to live for.”
My earpiece is dead right now and I want to start bawling when Roman rises and strolls my way, his movements looking as casual and easy as I know they are deadly.
He finally stops beside the table and grabs my chin none too gently, gazing down at me for several seconds.
“Now I know what he sees in you, Miss Hayes. Good show, though I would have refrained from trusting Clyde quite as much as you did,” he drawls, smiling with real mirth.
Oh, shit.
I swallow and keep my tongue glued to my teeth, trying to pull off haughty when all I feel is fear and the overriding need to flee. That’s impossible now, with him standing so close, so I rise and smile derisively.
“You’re calling me out for using blackmail to sway a vote in my favour? Tsk, tsk, Mr. Lane. How sad of you not to appreciate my efforts. They’re totally legitimate, after all. Jerry very often likes to use Landry and his cohorts to get in his own agendas. What’s a little help from…friends every now and then?”
Roman narrows his eyes and smiles after a while.
“Hmm, I suppose. It’s just strange that you would go to them after what they did to you,” he points out, rubbing at his chin slowly. “That was quite the show, if I do say so myself.”
My blood goes from cold to boiling and I clench my teeth to keep from hissing at him.
“They did what they were told to do, Mr. Lane. Nothing more and nothing less. If I were to be angry at anyone, it would have to be Jerry and his friends. The order came from them, after all. Didn’t it?” I prod, looking over at Jerry just to escape the hypnotic pull of Roman Lane’s intense blue stare.