Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(63)

“I am a lot like you, Father,” I say, and I’m amazed how calm my voice sounds when I’m fucking trembling inside. “Meaning I take no prisoners.” I dig my nails into the underside of his wrist, knowing I’ve broken skin. “So, take your hands off me. Because I believe my husband made a deal with you, and he made himself very clear. No. Sharing.”

“Abby!” Charlie pants out from behind me, and I glance briefly over my shoulder. “Fuck off, Christian,” he hisses, shoving Trent’s father away from him. Coming up to my side, Charlie looks at the standoff between me and the bastard with an obvious scowl.

Father had ample time to remove his hand from under my dress, but he’s left it there on purpose. He wants Charlie to see.

It’s a threat.

A warning.

And my stomach sours, understanding exactly what he intends to do with me.

“Get your hands off my wife.” Charlie doesn’t hesitate to defend me, shoving my father in the chest before pulling me behind him, shielding me with his body.

Kai and Drew appear behind my father, whispering with Chad, and I use my eyes to plead with all three of them to back the fuck down.

“She was insubordinate tonight, and she needs to be punished,” Father says.

“I’m responsible for her,” Charlie calmly replies. “I’ll take her punishment.”

“What? No!” The words leave my mouth before I’ve questioned the wisdom of it.

“Stay out of this, Abby,” Charlie warns.

“This is elite business,” Christian adds, sharing a conspiratorial look with my father. “And I believe we should take this upstairs.”

Father nods. “Come with us, Charlie, and we’ll settle this like men.” He sends me one last dark glare. “Do not do anything in my absence to make the situation worse,” he warns before stalking off.

Even though this is the opening we’ve been waiting for all night, I didn’t want to achieve it like this. I don’t want anyone sacrificing themselves for me. I grab hold of Charlie’s arm. “You don’t have to do this!”

He kisses me fiercely. “I promised to protect you. This is me doing that.” He jerks his head toward Drew. “Stay with your brother. Remember what I told you.”

I nod, and a heavy weight presses down on my chest. “I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t be.”

“It’s better to not keep your future president waiting,” Christian says, smirking at Charlie before turning his beady eyes on me. “You’re looking especially ravishing tonight, Abigail,” he adds. “But I suspect you know that.” He grabs hold of Charlie’s arm. “Save a dance for me,” he tosses over his shoulder before escorting Charlie off the dance floor.

Over my dead fucking body, perv.

Drew approaches as Charlie and Christian walk away. “This could be our only chance,” he murmurs, pulling me into his arms and swaying us to the beat of the music. “The decoy will go off in a couple minutes, and then we’ll make a dash for it. Kai and Rick will watch the room for any signs of them returning.”

“Are you okay, Abby?” Kai asks in my ear.

“I’m fine.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Trent watching us. “Shit.” I look up at Drew. “We forgot about Trent.”

“No, we haven’t,” Kai says, and I watch him stalking across the floor toward Trent and Giselle, followed by Chad.

Trent has his hand up the front of Giselle’s dress, and he’s doing nothing to conceal the fact he is fingering her in front of everyone. I think she must have drunk too much champagne because she’s slumped against him, letting him do whatever he wants to her. Or else he drugged her. That thought just pops into my mind, and I seriously hope I’m wrong. I don’t like the girl, but I don’t wish that on anyone.

Kai storms up to them, yanking her away and quickly passing her to Chad. Then he thrusts his fist out, punching Trent in the face. The crowd automatically parts, and the two guys start swinging at one another just as our decoy kicks off.

Lights spark and sizzle overhead, and a snapping, crackling sound has everyone looking up at the ceiling in initial alarm. A fake starlight night sky washes over the ceiling, and oohs and aahs echo around the room.

It’s amazing what some sound and light effects can do. We couldn’t risk anything more elaborate as it might draw Father back into the room. This was Xavier’s idea, and it’s worked like a charm because everyone’s attention is riveted on the ceiling.

Drew grabs my hand and we race toward the side door while everyone’s attention is diverted. He taps in the code, pulling me behind the door before anyone spots us. Drew lifts his finger, silently warning me to stay put. Stretching up, he places a thin chip on the underside of the wall-mounted camera, waiting until the little red light turns on, confirming the camera is scrambled. Xavier got a whole bunch of new gadgets courtesy of the safe-cracking guy. Apparently, he’s kept in contact with him, and he’s a mine of information when it comes to tech gadgets and covert ops.

Drew takes my hand, and we walk down the long corridor toward the main door. We know there’s at least one guard back there, but we’re acquainted with all my father’s guys, even the new hires, and we’re confident we can talk our way in. Thoughts of guards remind me of Oscar, and I make a mental note to call Julie again. I’ve been calling her weekly for progress updates, but it’s been so busy lately I haven’t had time. I’m sure she would have left me a message if there was any change in his condition.