Taking Mine (19 page)

“But why? Why is this even difficult in the first place?”

“It’s hard for me to explain.”

“Try.”

He drops his forehead against the door. “You don’t understand.”

“You know, I don’t get why you’re so hell-bent on staying away from me.” I don’t know what makes me say the words, but I hate them immediately. I suck at keeping my emotions in check. Going so long without having to deal with them, and now they’re like wild chickens and I’m scrambling to catch them before they fly the coop.

He’s completely still next to me.

I shrug out from under him. “After we do this run, we should take some time apart.”

“Lilly.” His voice is desperate as he lets me open the door.

“And you should cut ties with Taylor,” I say. “He’s only going to bring you down.”

KALEY FINISHES THE WAVES
of my hair and places her hands on my shoulders, looking at my reflection in the vanity mirror. The antique furniture is polished to shine. Anytime I’ve ever looked in it I’ve felt like a farce, like only people of class and notoriety got the privilege of laying eyes on it. That’s how I’ve felt since the first time I walked through Kaley’s front doors. I’ve heard that people eventually get used to it, being surrounded by opulent things, but I’m still waiting for that day to come.

“You look beautiful.” Kaley’s smile borders on motherly and I avert my eyes, not used to her affection. If Kaley isn’t insulting you, she doesn’t like you.

I can see myself from the chest up, the neckline of my gem-colored dress scooping across the bottom of the mirror. My hair is pulled to one side of my neck, tendrils sweeping around my face. After much bargaining, my make-up is perfect, nothing overdone or dramatic. And for the first time ever, I feel honored to sit down at the two-hundred-year-old oak table, onto the carefully preserved cushioned stool, and stare at the person in the mirror. The stranger before me resembles someone of monetary value. If I were kidnapped, my kidnapper would send out a ransom note, believing I was worth something.

Kaley’s face starts to wane, losing the touch of pride in it. “Do you like it?”

I take in a breath and force a smile. “It’s amazing, Kaley. I can barely recognize myself. You did great.”

Her smile returns. “All we need now is the shoes.” She disappears into her closet and emerges with a pair of nude heels, aka my worst nightmare. She hands them to me and I slip them on, stretching my toes as much as I can to gain room. “Stand so I can get the full effect.” A little wobbly, I stand, turning so she can see me from all angles. “You’re all grown,” she says, her hands clasped in front of her mouth and her eyes a little watery.

“Get it together,” I say, snapping my fingers.

She shakes her head, clearing her vision. “Excuse me for being excited about the first time I get to squeeze you into a dress.”

“Forcibly.”

“Stop. You’re going to have so much fun.”

I told Kaley that I needed a formal dress for a date with Justin tonight. The last thing I wanted to do was stir the pot, but it’s better than telling her the alternative: the truth. I had to listen to thirty minutes of her explaining how she
knew
Matt was going to be the catalyst for Justin to finally make his move.

“Don’t be nervous.”

I snort. “Now that you say that, all my anxiety has suddenly disappeared.”

She rolls her eyes. I head out of her bedroom and slip off my shoes, knowing there’s no way I’m going to make it down the marble staircase in four-inch heels.

Kaley pads behind me. “You need to practice,” she admonishes me.

“You’re right, but falling twenty feet to my death seems counterproductive.”

“She’s got a point, Kaley.”

Mr. Monroe is waiting at the bottom of the stairs, bags by the door, as he shrugs out of his overcoat. He shakes my hand, reaching out for a hug from Kaley.

“I didn’t know you were coming home,” she says, mildly baffled by his appearance. “Where’s Mom?”

“She flew to see a friend in the Alps. I decided I’d been gone long enough, so I came home. Someone has to keep an eye on you.”

He winks at Kaley and she basks under his attention, and I’m reminded how charismatic he is. I’ve only met Mr. Monroe a handful of times, but every time I’m caught off guard by his magnetism. He’s incredibly smart, and you only have to look at him to know it.

“You look beautiful, Lilly. Where are you headed off to?”

“She’s got a date,” Kaley answers for me.

He smiles. “That’s not surprising in the least.”

Where Kaley basks, I’m intimidated. I duck my head, trying to hide my blush. “You should go,” Kaley says, rescuing me. If anyone understands what it’s like under her dad’s scrutiny, it’s her. “You don’t want to be late.”

“Yes, well,” Mr. Monroe says, standing a little taller. “Most men know the best women are worth waiting for.” I feel my cheeks reddening by the moment. “Have a good night, Lilly.” He dismisses Kaley and me, leaving us to ourselves. Kaley’s eyes follow him out the grand foyer, a frown across her lips.

“It’s a good thing he’s home, right?”

She sighs. “Not if Mom isn’t here.” She opens the door, distancing herself from further discussion. “Call me tomorrow and give me all the details,” she says, returning to her normal self.

I roll my eyes. “I’m sure you’ll call me.”

“And I’m going to want my dress back.” She gives me look insinuating I better not ruin it.

Gathering up the material, I slide into my Honda, feeling like a modern day Cinderella. It’s a cliché rendering, but it’s fitting. Except I’m not going to steal a prince…

I’m going to steal an Italia, which is way cooler.

JUSTIN IS WAITING FOR ME
at the foot of the stairs, leaning against his jeep when I arrive at his apartment. The tux he’s wearing is tailored to him. Every line curves to his body from his shoulders to the taper at his waist. He stands with a hand in his pocket, the other with a cigarette pinched between his fingers, blowing smoke into the night air. The normal scruff that accompanies his features everyday is shaved smooth, giving him a more boyish charm than he normally has. James Bond would be jealous.

He squints when he sees me walking up, almost like he doesn’t recognize me. He assesses my hair and make-up, finishing his perusal down the frame of my body, stopping at the tips of my shoes. “You look…” he says, trailing off.

“Beautiful. Flawless. Every man’s dream,” I finish for him.

My attempt at humor falls flat when he brushes a strand of my hair back. I clear my throat and open the passenger door of his Jeep. Spurred into action, he helps me up, holding the length of my dress for me.

“Thanks,” I say as I take the material from him.

He walks slowly to his side of the car, head down, contemplative. I take deep breaths, trying to prepare myself for the night. Life is about to get complicated as hell, and I don’t need to be focused on my emotions.

Justin gets in and situates himself by unbuttoning his tux. His hand hovers over the key in the ignition. Letting out a breath, he turns his head to look at me. “Ready?”

Not in the least, but I nod in acquiescence.

The charity event is being held at a historic building downtown that was later converted into a modern day hotel. Classic Greek architecture with large columns and fountains take up the front entrance. It’s in complete contrast to the modern buildings surrounding it. We wait in the precession for the valet.

“Aren’t they going to run everyone’s license plates once they realize a car is missing?” I ask.

“Most likely. That’s why Taylor mocked up a fake temporary one.”

Women in expensive dresses step out of vehicles valued close to six digits, adorned in costume jewelry, except the jewels aren’t fake. I run my fingers over my throat, subconsciously checking for an imaginary necklace that’s sitting there without my knowledge.

“Don’t worry, you look amazing,” Justin says, and I drop my hand. “Are you nervous?”

“A little. This isn’t like anything I’ve ever done before.”

“If we stick to the plan, we’ll be fine.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I thought my plan was too circumstantial for your liking.”

He weighs his head from side to side. “I may have just been trying to goad you.”

“No,” I say in mock astonishment.

He gives me a look. “Stay by my side once we’re in.”

We slowly roll toward the entrance, moments away from making our appearance. Security guards stand out front wearing tuxes, earpieces in, overlooking the small walkway where press is taking pictures. This isn’t a small event, not in the least. No doubt some important people are going to be in attendance, and it only inflates the rising panic in my throat.

“So we can scope out the employee rooms?”

“That,” he says in confirmation. “And because every man in the place is going to be looking at you.” At some point my hand must have returned to my neck because he pulls it away, giving me an admonishing look. “You don’t need diamonds.”

I’m partially grateful and annoyed that he can read me so well. “How long do you think we’ll need to stay?”

“An hour, maybe less. Just until the entrance dies down a little. Not so much activity at the front.”

It’s our turn to exit and a young valet opens my door. I immediately memorize his name. Dalton. Nineteen. Shift ends at midnight.

He gives me a flirtatious smile and holds out a hand for me. Putting my game face on, I return his smile full force. “Welcome to the LeRouge.”

I show a little more skin than need be as I exit the car and give Dalton my full attention. “Happy to be here.” I smile brightly at him.

He tears his eyes away from my legs as I let my train fall onto the small carpeted runway. “Let me know if I can be of any service.”

Justin pushes his way through the both of us and holds his arm out for me to take. Dalton winks at me as I’m whisked away. We stop at a podium, an older lady and a security guard standing behind it, checking off names on the invitation list. This is the first real test that determines whether or not Jimmy is actually dependable when he says he’s going to take care of everything. He set up the invite, getting alias names on the list.

Justin pronounces our names and the woman smiles sweetly at us, handing Justin two admittance tickets. I notice the camera mounted at the entrance of the hotel lobby at the same time Justin does, and we both duck our heads as we walk through the metal detector. There’s a small portion of the entrance reserved for press, and we walk around it, opting out of getting our pictures taken. I struggle to keep up with Justin’s pace in my heels.

“Can you slow down?”

He stops right as we enter the grand ballroom. “I don’t want to risk being pictured.”

The ballroom is the largest room I’ve ever been in. The ceiling is so tall I get vertigo as I look up. Everything is accented in gold, the color of wealth. Tables line the back wall with a dance floor in place in front. On either side of the room, two different cars are blocked off with velvet ropes

“Is that what they’re holding for auction?”

Justin leads us in the direction of the small crowd gathered around one of the vehicles. A lotus, the softest shade of pink only discernible under the glare of the chandelier light, sits nestled inside velvet ropes.

“What’s the charity again?” Justin asks.

“Breast cancer research.”

“It looks like a life-sized Hot Wheels car,” I say, unimpressed.

Justin smirks at me. “I don’t think pink is your color.”

We read the specs and take a look at the silent auction list. The first bid already began with six figures. “There are a lot of deep pockets in this room.”

“Mm,” Justin hums. “Pretentious people showing off. I doubt anyone in this room actually cares to have a pink Lotus. It’s all for show.”

Justin keeps his hand firmly placed on my lower back, staying with me wherever I go. We round the entire ballroom, checking out our surroundings. Justin picks off a couple champagne glasses from a passing waiter and holds one out for me.

“You need to drink something or your nerves are going to get the best of you.” I’m once again floored by his ability to recognize my emotions before I can even register that I’m feeling them.