“Between what she told Jared, and then told me earlier today at lunch, I could say I have a pretty good idea of what you two shared,” I reply stiffly.
“Aurora and I were children then. Like I said, she wanted more. More than I was willing to give her or anybody else. I thought you understood.” Dorian puts his head back in the stream of water, looking every bit like a model for some fancy shampoo ad. It’s hard for me to be irritated or even questioning when he looks so sexy.
“I’m not really worried about it or jealous of something that happened long before me. I was just caught off guard, you know. I didn’t like feeling like Jared had information that wasn’t shared with me,” I say meekly. His beauty has taken all the fight out of me.
“Maybe she thought there was more to it than there really was. I don’t know. But I do know that there has been nothing between us romantically for many years.”
Dorian leans forward to plant a kiss on my pout before turning off the water. He then steps out, naked and glistening to retrieve our towels. After wrapping one around me, he takes one for himself. So thoughtful and caring; how can I even think of being angry?
“I believe you. Now get out so I can get pretty,” I smile playfully, easing him out of the bathroom.
Forty-five minutes of primping later, I am dressed in my new sexy white dress and heels. Soft dark curls cascade down my back, and I’ve expertly applied my makeup for a smoky, sultry effect. The necklace Dorian gave me goes with it perfectly, and the pendant peeks out from the keyhole opening in the front. Dorian has gone out into the living room so I can get ready, armed with a bottle of Ouzo from Greece for my friends. He’s making an effort with them and it sounds as if they are all warming up to him nicely.
I emerge from the bedroom, and all heads turn to me and gasp. But the only reaction I care about in this moment is Dorian’s. He gazes at me in awe and my cheeks heat under his display of approval. I step tentatively towards my friends and Dorian, genuinely happy that for once, almost everyone that I love is all under one roof. Even Aurora’s scowl couldn’t ruin this for me. I look at Jared standing beside her, his eyes full of admiration and uncertainty. Just weeks ago, his attention was the only I sought. Now a Greek god stands before me, and I am his choice. He chose me.
Dorian approaches me eagerly, bathing my neck and ear with praise and kisses. The public display of affection is uncomfortable at first, with having such an audience, but I let myself enjoy the attention. He wants to show me just how much I mean to him, and why should I stop him?
“Ok, ok, lovebirds! Are we all ready to go?” Morgan says over the roar of chatter. We all nod and head out to the van.
James has offered to chauffeur us in the van tonight. However, when we step outside, we are all floored by the sight of an SUV limousine. I immediately look at Dorian, who nonchalantly shrugs his shoulders. He is just full of surprises today.
“Whoa! Now this is how you party in style!” Miguel exclaims checking out the exterior. I’ve gathered that it’s a stretch Hummer but that’s as far as my car expertise goes.
After a barrage of enthusiastic gratitude, which Dorian humbly accepts, we all clamber in excitedly. The interior is incredibly plush, stocked with champagne and enough room for a party of 20. I’ve only been in a limo once, and that was sharing it with 12 other rowdy teens at prom. Half of them I either didn’t know or didn’t care for but it was an experience nonetheless.
Morgan pops the champagne with ease and lets it bubble and flow into the flutes. I go to assist her and we giggle like schoolgirls, attempting to fill each glass without spilling a drop. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Aurora slide next to Dorian while the guys play with all the limo’s gadgets and secret compartments. She is whispering to him, something in Greek it sounds, and I will myself to play it cool. Just two old friends catching up, I tell myself.
Then her speech changes, as if speaking in a different dialect. Maybe a different language altogether. However, this language I can understand. At least bits and pieces. I have never known any language other than English so I am secretly floored by this revelation.
Unfortunately, that is not the most surprising factor. What she murmurs to him- the scattered words I am able to make out- that is what leaves me breathless.
“Safe…the Dark Light…Kill her.”
Then Dorian coolly turns to his old flame and companion and utters in this unnamed tongue, “Yes.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
My head is dizzy with horror and confusion. Morgan’s mouth is moving but I hear nothing. Just muffled noises over the rapid pounding of my heart roaring in my head. I concentrate on controlling the furious heaving of my chest, yet my breaths are shallow and labored. I grab a glass of champagne and down it, attempting to wash away the bitter taste of shock and betrayal. It does nothing to ease the ache in my heart.