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Chapter Twenty-Seven

Delany

Three days later...

"Are you sure I'm dressed alright?" I mumbled, fidgeting with the clutch in my hands. Never did I ever imagine myself attending one of the New York Society's balls. To make things more interesting, it was the Fireman's Ball.

The very ball dedicated to honor and remember the fallen firefighters of 9/11 and their families.

The very charity that was spearheaded by Jason, in remembrance of his father, uncle, and several cousins who perished that fateful day, along with many others. Tonight was supposed to be a night of celebration, to raise funds for the fallen families, and to celebrate their loved ones. Everyone who was anyone would be there. However, as time ticked away, the niggling feeling of impending doom took root in my stomach.

Expensive fancy charity parties weren't the kind of thing that a twenty-eight-year-old middle-class mom got invited to. But I wasn't just any middle-class mom anymore. I was the wife of Jason Calloway, the CEO of Calloway Investments.

"You look beautiful," Jason said, standing before a mirror and adjusting his black bow tie.

I was going to a freaking black-tie ball.

When Jason told me I would be accompanying him, I tried to think of every excuse I could find to get out of it. I even feigned my monthly cycle. In the end, I was still washed, buffed, fluffed, and taped into a dress that cost more than I made in a year.

"Will there be cameras?"

"It's a big night for the city, Delany. The paparazzi will be there, along with all the major news outlets and papers. Expect to have your picture taken many times."

"What if someone says something?"

"They won't."

"Jason, maybe I shouldn't go. This is a big night for you. They won't want the daughter of a firefighter accused of murder there."

"I will be with you the entire night," he assured, turning to face me. I knew Jason was a handsome man with a wicked panty-melting smile, but dressed in a black tux, the man could easily make any woman bend to his will. So, when he walked over to me and took my hands in his, I couldn't stop myself from gasping. "Nothing is going to happen. The club will be there and so will my mom and sister. Please trust me."

Reluctantly, I nodded, even though something in my gut told me it was wrong.

Bespoke Rolls-Royces lined the street, each waiting their turn to stop before the red carpet, draped along the steps in front of the American Museum of Natural History, as cameras flashed like fireworks in the night sky.

Watching the partygoers ascend the red carpet as we waited our turn, something caught my attention. "Jason, are you sure I'm dressed correctly?"

"Yep," he muttered, looking at his phone.

"Then why is everyone dressed in either black or white?"

"Because it's a black and white affair."

"I'm wearing red, Jason."

"I know." He smirked.

"I'm going to stand out."

"Exactly."

"Take me home. I don't want to be here."

Pocketing his phone, he turned to me. "Delany, you are my wife. The mother of my daughter. I wouldn't change a single thing about what you are wearing, and if this stuffy crowd can't take the heat, then they need to get the fuck out of the fire. ‘Cause, babe, you are fucking hot in that damn dress."

"Everyone is going to stare at me."

"Let them. These cockroaches wouldn't know genuine beauty if it slapped them in their face. All they care about is their money. Not you. Never you. You have more self-respect, more class in your pinky than these vultures."

The car stopped.

It was our turn.

Kissing my hands, Jason winked at me before exiting the vehicle as a wave of blinding light blanketed the car. Scooting over, I looked up to find his hand. Taking it, I allowed Jason to help me from the vehicle. Expecting the same bombardment, I was surprised when all I heard was silence and a few gasps. Looking up, I saw everyone staring at me in awe. Then the deluge of cameras roared to life as people screamed, shouted, and called out questions. Ignoring them all, Jason held my hand as he wrapped his other arm around my waist, escorting me up the steps.

By the time we were inside the museum, I found myself surrounded by several men, all dressed in black tuxedos. Seeing a familiar face, I finally took a deep breath.

"Damn, Delany, that is some dress," Mercy said, leaning close to kiss my cheek as his wife Largo winked at me, raising a glass of champagne in salute.

"Gonna have the city talking about that dress for years." Fury grinned, while he took his time looking me up and down.

When Jason told me about the event, I told him I didn't know anything about buying a dress for a high society event. So he told me he would take care of it. Trusting him, I was a bit taken back when the dress arrived the next day, couriered over from one of the city's most famous designers. However, when I saw the dress itself, I thought Jason was joking. I'd never worn anything so revealing before. Fire-engine red and made of one hundred percent silk, the dress was open in the back, with two straps crisscrossed over my shoulders, allowing the fabric to drape extremely low against my back, hovering just about an inch from my ass. The front was just as revealing as the straps widened only enough to cover my chest, dipping down to my navel. The dress spoke for itself and didn't need any flashy adornments. I chose to wear a simple pair of diamond studs in my ears and my wedding ring. My long hair was artfully twisted and coiffed up top my head, letting everyone get the full experience of the red dress.

Looking at Jason, he smirked. "What? I like the color red."

"We know," several of the brothers groaned.

Taking my arm, Jason led me into the ballroom with a smile on his face.

The ballroom was enormous.

The entryway, adorned in fake foliage with twinkling lights, gave the place a whimsical look, almost like I was walking into some fantasyland.

And in a way, I was.

Because this reality was nothing like the world I lived in. Walking into the room, I noticed the high, mirrored ceilings, darkened as if I was staring directly at the night sky, making the room feel as if I were in some enchanted forest, instead of a museum. Everything about the room gave off the illusion of a dreamy, starry night.

Kids ran around laughing and giggling as bubbles floated around them and parents watched on happily.

"I didn't know there would be kids here."

Largo smiled, standing next to me. "Just until the opening ceremony. A lot of surviving parents can't afford childcare, so the charity provides a child-friendly party for the kids upstairs, so the adults can enjoy themselves. This night is about them, too. They just don't need to be reminded of what they lost. Right now, they just need to be kids."

"That's nice." I grinned when a little boy ran past, chasing another boy.

"Come on, sweetie, let's go find our seats."

Nodding, I walked arm in arm with Largo as Jason and Mercy followed, talking amongst themselves.

I still couldn't believe I was here with Jason. The more I looked around, the more I realized I didn't belong. I knew no one here, save for those club members and wives who were there when I married Jason. I was so far out of my depth. I knew I'd be drowning if Jason wasn't with me. Still, that didn't alleviate any of my worries, because the second my eyes landed on Montana Stone, along with Dr. Tessa Jackson, I wanted to be anywhere but here.

Looking around the room, I spotted Jason and the others at the bar getting something to drink. Largo was talking animatedly with someone I didn't know.

"Delany." Dr. Jackson smiled, kissing both my cheeks before I could walk away. "My God, woman, you look stunning."

I nodded, unable to look away from the glare Montana was giving me. The man hated me. He was crystal clear about how he felt, and the feeling was mutual. Had I known he would be here, I would have flat-out refused to come.

But then again, he would be here, wouldn't he?

He was the president of the club and a good friend of Jason's.

"Montana, doesn't Delany look stunning?" Tessa smiled at the frowning man, who turned his eyes on Tessa, and I watched as his face transformed into blind adoration. Pulling her toward him, he wrapped an arm around her waist and said, "Only have eyes for you, woman."

"Liar." Tessa smiled warmly. "Oh, your mother showed. Let me go get her."

Before he could stop her, Tessa rushed off, leaving me alone with the man I'd hoped to never see, let alone speak to again.

To say that I was uncomfortable was an understatement.

"Delany."

"Mr. Stone."

He groaned. "Told you to call me Montana."

"I prefer Mr. Stone. No sense in pretending with me. You don't have to stay. I know you'd rather be anywhere else."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Montana looked around the room before taking a step closer. "I don't know what it is about you, but you really rub me the wrong way."

"I never did anything to you. I never even met you until the day you took my daughter from me. Instead of being cordial, you treated me like a whore. So, excuse me if I don't live up to your expectations."

"Fuck." He groaned. "Even your words cut. Look, Delany, I want to apologize for everything. We got off to a bad start, and I would like a do-over."

"A do-over?" I snarked. "Mr. Stone, unlike you, I wasn't raised with a silver spoon in my mouth, so forgive me if I sound less than civilized. The way you treated me was beneath your station. Instead of seeing past your own inequities, you took advantage of someone who knows nothing of the world you live in. I'm a simple woman, Mr. Stone. A kind gesture goes a long way with me. But you couldn't even be bothered to give me a chance, condemning me for a past I knew nothing about. While I may be required to be in your presence this evening, I see no reason why we should talk. In fact, I would prefer it if we didn't."

Refusing to wait around for the man to respond, I walked off, heading deep into the growing crowd. I wasn't lying when I told Jason that I didn't want to be here. My interaction with Montana solidified that. I had no reason whatsoever to be here. Instead of being at home with my daughter, I was in a room with over-privileged, stuck-up, conceited people who never had to scrimp or save for what they had. I didn't give a shit if this event was for the firefighter community. They had made their decision when they ran my father out of town.

I didn't need anyone to tell me who my father was.

He was a fucking hero.

My hero.

Everyone else could go fuck themselves.

Looking around the room for Jason, I spotted Mercy talking with Fury over by the bar. Heading in that direction, I walked up to them when I heard Mercy say, "She's going to fucking lose it when she learns the truth about her dad."

"Do you think Storm will tell her?"

"If he's smart, he better keep his damn mouth shut. Bad enough she's a Golden Legacy, but if she learns Montana's dad ordered her dad's death, nothing will stop her from taking the kid and leaving. If that happens, the Golden Skulls won't think twice before declaring war."

"So, Storm is just gonna let the world think her dad's an arsonist?"

"It's the only way, brother. Club comes first. You know that."

"That's bullshit, Mercy, and you know it."

Stepping back, I slowly shook my head.

Jason knew who killed my dad and didn't tell me.

I must have misheard because he wouldn't keep something like that from me. He knew how I felt about my dad. He told me to trust him. That no matter what, he would protect me. How was keeping the truth from me, protecting me? I'd been clear from the beginning. I was good with the facts.

Was that why Montana hated me so much? Because he knew his dad killed my dad? Was that why he didn't want me around? Because I was a reminder?

Who were these people? What gave them the right to decide who lived and who didn't? No one was above the law. My dad and mom deserved justice like everyone else.

No.

I was right.

I didn't belong here. I had nothing in common with these people. I refused to live the rest of my life, always looking over my shoulder in fear.

Making my way through the crowd, I saw the exit when someone grabbed my hand, halting me.

"Delany?" Illyria Valentinetti frowned, looking at me. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That Montana's dad killed my dad?"

"What?"

Shaking my head, I ripped my hand away, taking several steps back. "I can't do this. I won't. All of you are fucking crazy. Monsters. Just leave me alone."

"What's going on?" her husband Maxim Fedorov whispered, walking over.

Illyria ignored him, holding out her hands. "Delany. I don't know what's going on, but let's get you out of here. If you don't want to be here, then we can go somewhere safe. Trust me."

Looking at the beautiful woman, I glared. "You all keep saying that, but it's nothing but lies. I can't trust any of you."

Turning, I ran from the room.

I had no idea where I was going, and I didn't care, as long as I ran far enough away from all of them. Making my way down a long hallway, I looked for an exit when I heard someone giggle in the darkness.

Stopping, I looked around the room to find Jason with his hands on a beautiful woman. Her head thrown back in pleasure as he held her arms over her head, his face buried in her neck.

"That's it, baby. Punish me," she whispered loudly as her eyes landed on me. Smirking, she raised her leg, wrapping it around Jason, bringing his body closer to her. "Fuck me, Storm. I missed you so much."

Backing up, my body hit a hard wall.

Arms wrapped around my waist when a hand quickly covered my mouth. Hot breath skimmed my neck as a whispered voice spoke, "If you want to get away from them, then come with me. I can help you. I knew your dad. He was innocent. They can't help you. I can. Choose."

Knowing my other option, I nodded.

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