Third Time's a Charm (Holland Springs #3)(66)

“It’s not your fault he ran away.”

Gabriel shrugged. “There’s always room for my improvement.”

“Changing what people think of you is hard. Sometimes, it’s impossible.” She flinched as Jason Everett sauntered by with a pretty date wearing butterfly wings and purple hair.

“Sometimes there’s nothing to change about yourself.” Gabriel handed her a glass. “Although, you could change the company you keep.”

Did everyone know she’d been played for a fool by Sasha? Or had Jason been running his mouth again. “You mean Alexander?”

“Speak of the devil,” Gabriel murmured and Rose followed his line of vision.

Sasha stood at the top of the staircase, surveying the ballroom like he owned the place. Dressed in all black, his golden hair a sharp contrast to the severity of his costume, he looked like a man bent on debauchery. The woman inside of her wanted to join him, but she quickly reminded her of exactly what type of man Sasha was. Of course that woman didn’t care.

She frowned.

His sexy green eyes widened and then narrowed as they raked over her, seemingly undressing her. Never had she felt more exposed while wearing so many layers of clothing. The burgundy dress had belonged to the third Poppy Holland, preserved in a trunk rarely opened, while her lingerie had been given to her in trade by a customer. A woman that designed retro corsets, garters and stockings to sell on the internet. Steampunk fashion, she had called it.

Out of habit, her hand moved to her throat.

A wicked smile covered Sasha’s face as he copied her and pulled out the pendant. He held it to his lips and blood rushed to her cheeks. How dare he rub it in her face? Taking a step forward, she bumped into Gabriel.

“Sorry,” she muttered, wishing she had the courage to run over to Sasha and rip the thing off of his neck. However, causing a scene was the worst thing she could do. It was better to remain under the radar for the next couple of hours, until she could escape this hell and go pack.

Sasha placed a black mask over the top half of his face, disappearing with her next blink. Astonishment replaced indignation as she craned her head to get another glimpse of him.

“Are you hungry?” Gabriel asked.

“I should eat if I’m drinking.” She’d been too darn nervous to manage more than crackers and cheese before she’d gotten dressed. Luckily, Skye had stuck around to lace her into the gown.

Rose sipped at the champagne, bubbles tickling her nose as she swayed to the song the band was playing in the background.

“Hullo, love,” Sasha whispered in her ear.

She quickly turned, ready to demand her necklace back, but the only person she found standing beside her was a man wearing a cardboard nightstand with the number one painted on it.

He wriggled his silver eyebrows at her and blew a kiss.

“Dammit,” she breathed.

Sasha appeared again, this time by the refreshment table. He struck up a conversation with a bull and a peacock.

Forget about making a scene, she wanted her necklace. “You will give it back,” Rose muttered and almost tripped over her dress as she started in Sasha’s direction.

A hand shot out, grabbing her by the elbow. “What’s your hurry, sugar?”

Harrison’s gray eyes narrowed as she jerked out of his grasp. “Should you be seen talking with me?” She motioned to Harrison’s wife.

Lorelei Collins held court in the middle of the ballroom, dressed as Elizabeth the First. She preened as men half her age flirted.

“The Queen is currently occupied with her admirers. I suspect she’ll be choosing one tonight.” Harrison’s mouth flattened. “Or two.”

Rose wanted to point out that he’d cheated on his wife with Azalea, but knew it wouldn’t do any good. “Don’t worry, I’m leaving as soon as possible.”

Harrison shook his head. “Sorry, sugar, change of plans.”

“I’ll make a scene,” she threatened, clenching her fist.

“No you won’t.” Her father tapped her nose and she flinched. “You’d rather cut off your hand than have everyone stare at you.”

He was right and she was miserable with the knowledge. “How long do I have to stay?”

Lifting his drink, he studied her over the rim. “Until the party’s over.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Your loan comes due. All of it.”

There were so many words that sprang to mind, so many retorts, but Carolina Dreams was all she had left. And she was determined to keep it open and make it prosperous. The contract with Barbara’s Bugs would have paid off her back taxes, but now she’d be able to pay back his loan with puppet strings.

“Don’t keep this beautiful lady all to yourself, Harrison.” Jason cast a wolfish smile as he came to stand beside them, his pack of friends flanking his shoulders.

Her insides crashed together and her knees threatened to give out, but she kept a calm fa?ade behind her mask, flickering her eyes over Jason, then away. Most of the time, she found a way to avoid him and the guys he hung out with.

“My date’s waiting for me,” she said, but Harrison gave a slight shake of his head. Trapped, Rose hid her clenched fists in the folds of her skirt.

Jason winked at her. “They’re playing our song, Rose.”