by Lauren Dane
The ballroom was glittery and lit with what seemed like a zillion candles. The awesome thing was that candlelight hid a multitude of sins and made everyone look lovely.
Jonah handed off her wrap and his overcoat to the person at coat check and they waited for Daisy and Levi to do the same. She’d never admit it out loud, but having Daisy there made it better. Oh, not by comparison, because Daisy wore a bright smile and waved at people who seemed delighted to see her.
That wasn’t Raven’s wheelhouse. At all. But she knew Daisy, and Daisy had been very nice to her. Raven didn’t feel so totally alone.
People did look though. In fact many of them did a double take when they noted she was on Jonah’s arm. Inside she told herself, “You are Raven Smith. You are beautiful and amazing and these people can fuck off sideways.” As affirmations went, it was useful and one she used more than once. It helped her keep her back straight and her eyes up off the floor. She’d vowed a long time ago that she’d never let anyone make her avert her gaze again.
Daisy seemed to float through the crowd and Levi followed, nodding and saying hello.
“Usually Carrie is my date for these things. It’s nice because I can use it being a school night or something like that to leave early. But there are definite plusses to you being my date instead.”
She paused as he grabbed a glass of champagne for each of them. “Yes? And those would be?”
“Well, when I get bored and start to daydream I can imagine all the things I’m going to do to you later. Also, I can laugh inside and be smug every time one of these men looks at you and has to stop themselves from drooling. Oh, and I like to imagine your mental dialogue. I’m guessing it’s priceless.”
Off balance, she laughed. “You’re trouble.”
“I am. I didn’t get kicked out of as many schools as Levi did but I had my share of trouble.”
“And yet you went to college and law school and now you drive a sleek black car with heated leather seats.”
It was his turn to laugh. “I know. It’s pretty awesome.”
He nodded at a passerby. “That’s my brother Mal’s mother-in-law. Want to meet her?”
“Do I?”
He shook his head. “You really don’t.”
She clinked her glass to his. “All right then. No.”
“That’s her, by the way. Gwen, Mal’s wife.”
She was beautiful on her husband’s arm. Mal was certainly Jonah and Levi’s brother. A younger version, yes, but he had the same masculine features. Handsome. He wore his tuxedo perfectly. As perfect as the champagne-toned cocktail number his wife wore. Gwen clearly knew how to look pretty. Her hair was done well and her makeup job—most likely a professional had done it—was exactly right for the evening and her outfit.
Her ring was so huge Raven could see it from where they stood.
And then she noted Gwen’s expression when she caught sight of Daisy. Her eyes narrowed and her lip curled. She really, really didn’t like Gwen Warner. Not one tiny bit.
They moved through the crowd, Jonah introducing her here and there.
And then there was Liesl.
“Ah, Jonah, there you are.” The Warner matriarch paused to kiss her son’s cheek and then turned to Raven. “You’re Raven.” She held a hand out and Raven took it, shaking, hoping she wasn’t too soft or too rough or wrong in any way. She wanted to be perfect for Jonah.
“I am.”
“I’m Liesl Warner, Jonah’s mother.” The older woman gave her the once-over. Jonah moved closer to Raven, putting an arm around her waist.
“Raven Smith.”
“I know Smith is a common name, but I can’t tell you the last time I actually met someone with that name.”
“I took it on when I emancipated myself from the state. I was seventeen and had been bounced around from home to home for so long I didn’t really belong to anyone or anything and had no affinity with the people whose biological stock I carried. I figured Smith was generic enough so I took it on. I belong to myself.”
Liesl drew herself back, narrowing her gaze for a moment.
“I apologize. I meant no offense.” And it was genuine; though she had when she said it, she was sorry at that moment and that was what counted. God knew Raven said things all the time that offended people.
Raven nodded. “I’m probably the one who should apologize.”
Jonah squeezed her to his side. “No, you aren’t. It’s fine now. We’re moving on and changing the topic.”
Liesl actually smiled at Raven and then her son. “Indeed. Jonah tells me you’re an artist.”
Raven laughed. “Well, I’m not like Daisy. I do tattoos.”
She’d half expected Liesl to frown, but she didn’t. Instead she nodded. “Daisy is one of a kind, I agree. As for art in general? One of the pieces on sale this evening is made of spit and gum. Art comes in many forms. Jonah says you’re doing one on his whole back and that it takes several sessions, each taking many hours. He wouldn’t show me what you’ve done so far, but he assures me you’re quite talented.”
“I wasn’t going to remove my shirt in the middle of the restaurant, no. But yes, she’s very good.”
“He says you have a wait list.”
Raven looked toward him quickly, so surprised by this entire exchange. “I do, yes. My boss is the draw, but I have a decent client base. People like my work. It’s good because I like doing it and it pays my mortgage.”
“Making a living with your art is a good thing.” Liesl turned to her son. “You should figure out how we can put Raven to work for the next auction. If Levi can convince Daisy to donate her art, I’m sure you can be equally persuasive.”
“Mother—”
“What auction is this for?”
“Created Families. We raise money and awareness for adoption and foster care support.”
Jonah made a cute, frustrated sound.
“Quit that, Jonah. The woman has a history in the system. Why shouldn’t she want to help?”
“Have you ever stopped to . . .” He clamped his lips closed. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“If you’ll both excuse me. I need the ladies’ room. Then you can talk about me while I’m gone. I’ll give you about ten minutes.”
She stepped out of his grasp and he started to speak. She placed her finger over those talented lips. “Shh. I’ll be back.”
Jonah turned to his mother. “Did you ever stop to think her experiences in the system might have been terrible?”
“I assume it was, given the way she spoke about how she changed her name. And my, the girl has some spunk. Put me right in my place.” His mother was impressed, Jonah could see it, and frankly, he was too.
“She did, and don’t think we won’t talk about how rude you were later on. For now, why push for this auction stuff?”
“Just because the woman had a rough time doesn’t mean she wouldn’t want to make it better for others. I’m sure she’s not an idiot and understands it wasn’t the system who harmed her, but some of those in it.”
“You should have discussed it with me privately. I don’t want her hurt. You need to understand that. She means something to me. Being with me doesn’t mean you have carte blanche to play with her like a cat with a bug.”
His mother reached out to squeeze his arm. “Darling, she’s no bug. Your Raven can handle herself quite ably.”
“This isn’t a game. She shouldn’t have to handle herself.”
“You really do have feelings for her. I can’t recall if you were ever this protective of Charlotte.”
“Probably one of the many mistakes I made that led to the end of my marriage. But I’m trying not to make mistakes with her. I’m in love with her. She deserves respect and kindness. I won’t have anything else.”
His mother raised a brow his way. “You’re introducing her to a world she’s a novice in. She’ll have to earn that respect. And I suggest you let her. She’ll draw blood a few times and that will be that.
”
“I’m not interested in this social engineering discussion. If anyone fucks with her, I will end them.”
His mother’s delighted laughter surprised him into silence for several long moments.
“What?”
“All I can say is that it’s about time. You were a late bloomer for other things so I suppose it’s only right you were to love as well. Love is exactly what you’re feeling. Do you know, once when I was twenty, one of your father’s ex-girlfriends—well no, her mother—spoke to me rather harshly. And your father took her aside and whatever he said worked because no one ever messed with me again. But I had to stay hard. And she will too. Being with a Warner comes with responsibilities. That’s reality. She’ll have to scorch her own earth and again, I think you need to let her to a certain extent.”
“Every time I think I have you figured out, you surprise me.”
“It’s one of the mysteries of motherhood, darling. Now, you can make yourself useful and get me a glass of champagne.”
Still amused by the interchange between Jonah and his mother, Raven made her way across the room toward the ladies’ room.
Daisy joined her. “Well, you’re not bleeding.”
Raven must have looked confused because Daisy explained. “I take it this was your first time meeting Liesl?”
“Ah. Yes. She’s all right. She and Jonah are having a discussion. Just imagine air quotes around it. But really, she’s fine. She pushed, I pushed back.”
“Everyone is afraid of her. And for good reason, she’s pretty scary. But she respects other strong people. As long as they’re not a threat to her family anyway. I bet she thinks you’re fabulous.”
“She’s got a lot to lose.” Raven shrugged. “I get it.”
“If she thought you were a threat to it, you’d be bleeding. Trust me.”
Raven paused to reapply her lipstick and check her hair, and that’s when she made Gwen Warner’s acquaintance.
Raven turned to find the other woman standing there, a sneer on her lips, hands at her waist.
“Didn’t your mother ever tell you your face would freeze if you did that?”
Surprise skittered over the other woman’s features.
“I see Jonah has picked up on Levi’s bad habits. You’re nearly as bad as that whore Levi is shacked up with.”
“I take it you’re Gwen. Who I am is of no concern to you.”
“Not really, no.”
She turned back to the mirror and Gwen stomped up and grabbed her arm.
Daisy came out of the stall. “Whoa! Get your hands off her.”
“You’re about to make a very bad mistake.” Raven leaned in, her nose nearly touching Gwen’s. “You can let go, or I can make you.”
Daisy pushed Gwen back and Gwen sputtered some incoherent rage.
“You listen here, you’re trash!”
Raven stalked to her again. “You need to get the fuck out of my face. I’m beginning to wonder just why you’re so concerned about the love lives of your husband’s brothers. Are you pissy because you wanted a different Warner?”
“I ask myself that same question all the time.” Daisy’s voice was laced with a hostility Raven had never heard her use.
“Look at yourself. Then tell me you’re worthy of the Warner name.”
Raven turned and looked at herself in the mirrors, pausing to blot her lipstick and touch her hair up. “I’m pretty fabulous. Daisy over there looks like a magazine ad.”
“You have tattoos!”
Raven laughed, her anger sliding away. “I totally do. I give them to other people too. Now you want to tell me what your real issue is? Because I’m really bored with this.”
“You two are not right for this family.”
“First of all, I don’t really care what you think I’m right or not right for. I don’t give a shit about you one way or the other, so your opinions on anything really are totally meaningless. Secondly, this seems like a plot from a movie. Jonah isn’t next in line to be king. If he wants to date a tattoo artist, what’s it to you? You got your Warner and your ring. Be satisfied with that.”
“Jonah is the oldest. He’s going to take over when his father dies. He needs a suitable wife. As the only wife in this generation—”
Raven looked to Daisy and tipped her chin toward the door. “Does she always yap like this? I’m hungry and Jonah promised sushi after the benefit.”
Daisy grinned as she washed her hands. “Sadly, she does.”
Raven went to the door and opened it before looking back over her shoulder at Gwen. “Bored now. Let’s just leave it at this—if you touch me again, I’m going to punch you so hard you lose a tooth or two. Trash like me doesn’t take kindly to being manhandled by dried-up bitter bitches who wished they’d been able to fuck their way higher up the societal food chain.”
“Holy shit.” Daisy breathed it out as they headed back to where Jonah was now standing with Levi. “If you made semen, I’d totally have your babies.”
Raven snorted. “Um. Thanks, I guess. Has she done this before?”
“She went off on me once in the middle of a restaurant. And she’s made comments under her breath. But she’s never touched me. I thought for sure she was going to end up with a black eye.”
“It’s been a very long time since I’ve had to solve a problem with a fist. She nearly broke that fast. I imagine Liesl’s probationary like of me is going to dissolve away now. That was pretty tacky of me.”
“Of you? Are you kidding me? You did nothing but defend yourself.”
Levi sidled up to Daisy. “What’s got you bouncing around like a bee in a jar?”
“Nothing.” Raven tried to stop it, not wanting the scene, but both men were far too smart for that.
“It was Gwen,” Daisy finally said, throwing an apologetic look Raven’s way. “She flipped out in the bathroom. She grabbed Raven’s arm and yelled in her face.”
Jonah’s features darkened and a slice of emotion nearly cut her in half. That was defense, protection.
“Do I need to call an ambulance?” Levi tried to make light, but he wore a similarly dark look.
“It’s fine. She made her point. I made mine.”
“It is most assuredly not fine, Raven. This bitch has done enough damage as it is. What did she say?”
Daisy told it and Raven made a mental note to go over a little thing called discretion with her friend.
“This is going to make a scene.” Raven linked her arm with Jonah’s. “You promised sushi. I had to deal with your mother and your sister-in-law. I deserve ice cream as well.”
Across the room Gwen burst from the women’s room and Raven blew out a breath. From the look on her face, things were only going to get worse.
Jonah stalked over, his arm around Raven’s waist. Levi did much of the same with Daisy.
She dug her heels in. “I said no.”
He paused. “Why? Damn it, Raven, I can’t allow this sort of behavior. It’s bad enough that she’s said what she has in the past to Daisy. But she grabbed you. She had no fucking right to touch you. It is not acceptable.”
She leaned in close. “I appreciate that more than I can even say. But I’m begging you not to make a scene. Please.”
He stopped, emotion filling his eyes. He turned to face her fully, kissing her right there in front of God and everyone. “I don’t want you to feel like this is how it’s going to be. Being with me, I mean. She can’t get away with this.”
“Can you please just deal with it any time and any place not here? People are looking. I don’t like it.”
Levi had turned a few feet away, watching. Daisy was talking to him, brushing a hand down the front of his lapel.
But on the other side of the room Gwen was giving Mal an earful.
“If we stay, I’m going to have to deal with it. She’s over there with Mal right now.”
He wanted to go punch his brother in the face for having such bad taste. He wanted to slap Gwen hard
enough to leave a mark. But he saw the misery on Raven’s face and it cut him deep. The pain in her whispered plea had wrapped around his heart.
“Come on, I have some sushi and ice cream to procure. Levi, why don’t you and Daisy come along?”
“Because you know this needs dealing with.”
“I do. But not here. We can go see him tomorrow.”
Levi looked to Raven and then back to Daisy. “This shit has gone on long enough.”
“It has. I agree.”
“This is a benefit. It’s not about your family.” Jonah heard the anxiety in Raven’s voice.
Levi huffed a sigh and turned Daisy toward the doors. “I need a drink with that sushi.”
They’d made it to the drive of the hotel, waiting for their car when Mal came out, Gwen at his heels. Raven gathered herself up to her full height and Jonah held her close. “I’m going to handle this, all right?”
“Is that your way of telling me not to punch your sister-in-law?”
He grinned a moment and then turned back to Mal. “Be careful now. There’s not a full ballroom here to protect you and your wife.”
“Your fucking date attacked my wife.”
Raven snorted. “Is that what she told you?” She looked at Gwen, who had the good grace to keep her gaze averted.
“Why should I believe the likes of you?”
Jonah stepped forward, bumping his brother with his chest. “You best watch what you say, Mal. Think real carefully about what comes out of that mouth of yours next. And think about what a lying bitch you’re married to before you go tossing accusations around.”
Daisy spoke, breaking the tension. “We were in the ladies’ room when Gwen came in. Before Raven said a single thing she started in. She called me a whore. She insulted Raven, repeatedly. It was Raven who tried to end it by leaving. It was Gwen who grabbed Raven. It was Gwen. It’s always Gwen, Mal. I wish that wasn’t true, but you know it is.”
“You’re lying. You just want me out of the way.” Gwen’s voice carried a mean edge.