It never got old.
Greyson was borderline giddy.
“Is it a ring?” Steele asked, fixing Dante’s tie.
“I’m not telling you.”
Dimitri checked his watch. “Natasha should be in position inside the event. She’s dressed as a waitress. She’ll have eyes on all of you.”
“I really only want one set of eyes on me,” stated Emma from the doorway. “I think we know who they belong to, don’t we?”
When Greyson turned, he knew there would be that punch of lust to his gut. Emma always did this to him. She had a way of picking out the best gowns.
This one was no different.
She went with black. It was formfitting, following every line of her body. When she went to walk toward him, her leg appeared.
The slit ran ALL the way up to the highest part of her thigh. After the Trudy incident, she swore she’d be able to run and move in any dress from there on out.
He was good with that.
After all, she was bearing sexy leg and heels.
Lord have mercy on him.
Greyson began laughing like a fool, and everyone looked over at him.
Then he glanced up at the ceiling. “Thank you. Whoever sent her, thank you. Please don’t let me die until after I molest my wife.”
The men laughed.
Emma grinned. “Do I look okay?”
He dipped her low, finding her mouth with his. When he finished kissing her, he stared into her green eyes. “You are gorgeous.”
“Great. They’re already kissing. This night is going to be very long,” Chris Ford muttered from the doorway as he pulled on his Tux jacket. “You haven’t lived until you were sucked into that nineteen fifties movie where the man chases the babe.”
They all knew what he meant.
The gangster was going to get the girl. He always did.
Emma and Greyson ignored them all. They were only focused on each other.
When Croft righted her back onto her feet, she ran her fingers over his tuxedo. “You look handsome, my sexy pirate.”
“Oh, there shall be plenty of booty later.”
Dante groaned. “This is torture. We all know you’re going to get laid. Stop pointing it out!”
Steele kissed him, amused at how his fiancé was horrified by the fact that Greyson was the man.
“I think it’s sweet. Love is beautiful,” Steele admitted. Greyson wasn’t the only Croft going to get lucky later. Dante looked just as handsome in his tuxedo.
“Yeah, old people making out. It’s gross,” Curtis teased. “Mom and Dad are getting their sexy on. Don’t go near their door tonight.”
Dante fist bumped him.
“Amen.”
Greyson ignored them both. It was time. Pulling a box out of his pocket, he handed it to his wife. Now that they were loaded, he didn't sweat the price tag. It was all about making her coo and giggle at the sparkle.
Not that Emma would care. In all honesty, she was all about the romance. She’d love a gum wrapper with a heart drawn on it. She loved him for him.
When she took the box, she shook it. “Earrings.”
Everyone stared at the box.
Then at her.
“What? I’m a girl. We know our jewelry. I can identify any Tiffany’s object from across the room. It’s a gene thing.”
“See what’s inside, honey,” he prodded.
As she opened it, she gasped. “Oh, Greyson Thaddeus Croft. They’re gorgeous. Can you put them on me?”
He helped her by slipping the post into her ear. When it was fastened, he let the earring drop.
They were giant teardrops, and they hung halfway down her neck, drawing their attention to her throat. They glittered and sparkled.
Later, he’d be nibbling on it. Already, he could see her naked and in nothing but them.
He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
“I love them. I love you.”
All the men rolled their eyes. Greyson, grinned as she clung to the front of him.
“How about a kiss, kitten?” he asked.
Emma didn't hold back. As he lifted her off the floor, his arms wrapped around her, she was in heaven. There was nothing like being loved by a powerful man.
This was her heaven.
Slowly, he put her down. “I love you, Emma. Thank you for being my wife.”
She leaned against him. That’s when she saw Katerina.
“Oh, Curtis, your turn.”
That had everyone’s attention.
When the man turned, he nearly fell over. “Oh, holy shit!”
He couldn’t recall ever seeing a more beautiful woman. Katerina had piled her hair on top of her head and off her neck, bearing her back and shoulders. The dress went high up on her throat, but covered nothing past her thighs.
All the men stared.
Especially, Dimitri.
The look on his face said it all. His baby sister was growing up, and into a beautiful woman.
He struggled with the emotion.
Then he glanced over at her date.
His face said it all.
There was more than lust there. In that moment, as he watched Katerina approach him, he looked at her the way Greyson watched Emma.
It was nothing but adoration.
Dimitri knew it was time to let her go.
Somehow, Curtis managed to stay upright as she approached. Katerina in red short sequins was a thing of beauty.
“Do I look okay?” she asked.
Showing off her back and shoulders was incredibly brave, but after thinking about what Emma said, she was right.
Curtis knew they were there.
Why hide it?
Besides, Dimitri was her brother. She was accustomed to bossy men.
“Anfisa, you are beautiful.”
She didn't flinch at the name.
Dimitri, on the other hand, opened his mouth to object, but stopped when he noticed his sister wasn’t upset.
In fact, she was glowing as she headed right toward her date.
“I wish I bought you jewelry, instead I got you roses. Only, they aren’t as gorgeous as you.”
He handed them to her.
Katerina sniffed them, her black hair dropping sexily in front of one eye. Curtis immediately removed a pin from her hair to fix her.
Emma was proud of him. Curtis had studied his ‘father’, and well.
“A dozen roses,” Dimitri said.
“Thirteen,” Curtis corrected. “To give her an even number would be rude. In Russia, even is for funerals. Odd is the way to go.”
He stared at him. Had Curtis said what he thought he said?
No one had ever done that right.
There had been boyfriends, suitors who tried, but none were spot on. Most people cared about the customs here in the United States. Few thought about their heritage.
Well, shit.
He was impressed.
Curtis wrapped his arm around her waist. “May I kiss you?” he asked.
She nodded timidly.
Curtis gently placed his lips against hers, and life bloomed around him. When he’d taken Brynn to fancy function, she hated it. Here, Kat apparently liked getting prettied up for him.
Just like Emma for Greyson.
Score!
While Dimitri wanted to hate the man, he couldn’t. Katerina was allowing him to use her real name, she was bearing her shoulders where there were scars, and she seemed…happy.
His own hand went to his shoulder, and he thought about that afternoon when he woke up.
This was a good thing.
His baby sister was safe.
Dimitri knew that if Curtis didn't keep her safe, Greyson would. If anything happened to him, that was all he wanted.
One sister down, one to go.
Greyson cleared his throat. “We have to get going or we’re going to be more than fashionably late.”
Paris hugged his wife as she sat on his lap. “Have fun! We’
re going to make out and watch a movie.”
Dimitri handed Tessa the security tablet. “If anything happens, hit the red button. The house will lock down, and no one will get in—including us.”
She could do that.
“Have fun.”
Greyson escorted his wife out to the limo. When no one was looking, she grabbed his ass.
He wanted to melt right there and then. Croft loved when she pawed at him like she couldn’t keep her hands off him.
“Are you feeling frisky, Emma?” he whispered, nibbling gently on her ear.
She shivered at his touch, as they waited for their turn to get into the limo.
“I’m feeling very frisky. Promise you’ll dance with me tonight, Grey.”
He smiled.
He really only had three plans.
Dance with Emma.
Keep his family safe.
Oh, and make Dominic Marianna weep.
“I’ll dance with you all night long.”
Why tell her the rest?
She’d only worry.
A lot.
Chapter Thirteen
As usual, when the limos pulled up to the curb in front of the hotel/casino, the media was there waiting. The second they saw the first limo with the license plate ‘Croft 1’, they knew who would be inside.
That ride was strictly reserved for the head of the massive fortune, and they knew it.
As the driver got out, rounding the front, the camera began flashing. Inside, there were three passengers.
They had divided up for a reason. In Greyson’s mind, if something happened, or someone went after him, his brother or Curtis would be safe and could carry on.
It was like Airforce One and Two.
A part of him was amused that his life had taken this turn. What had happened to his simple days as an ex-soldier and Fed?
As the door opened, he glanced over at Chris Ford. “Are you ready?”
He nodded, now accustomed to the mêlée. Dropping his sunglasses on, despite the dark night, he’d need it for the flashing of camera lights.
He was so damn glad that he was just some simple guy. Dealing with the chaos had to be emotionally draining.
Once he was outside, the media went insane. Already, there was the rumor that he and Emma had a thing going.
He hoped they didn't really go nuts over this. With these hounds, they’d be plastering across the news how they were having a threesome in the back of the limo.
They loved drama.
As he nodded at the crowd, he didn't even stop for interviews. During the day, he did plenty.
Why ruin his night?
At the top of the stairs, he stopped and waited for the Crofts. He’d promised Greyson that he’d keep his eye on Emma, and he would. After the last gala, where she was nearly killed by Trudy Booker, he had to make amends.
It mattered.
Greyson held his wife’s hand. He liked to make them wait. “I wanted to tell you how sexy you are.”
“I’m not wearing panties.”
She dropped the bomb just to see his face.
“Emma! We’ve discussed this.”
“Then I guess you better be all over me tonight. By all over, I hope you find a secret place to have your wicked way with me, Director Croft.”
His heart thumped.
He could make that happen.
Getting out, he offered his wife his hand. When she took it, slipping out of the long black limo, the media went insane. As always, they were asking who she was wearing, who did her hair, and who designed the shoes?
“Maybe I should tell them there’s nothing under this dress,” she teased, keeping her voice low so only he heard her.
“Emma, teasing me is always a bad idea. I think you know that.”
She winked as he escorted her up the stairs. When he stopped to wave, he was actually scanning the crowd for anything that would hurt her.
As ‘Croft 2’ rolled up to the curb, they waited for the first passengers to exit.
Out first was his brother and fiancé. They were old pros at this. Now that the media was focused on Chris Ford, it made it easier for the two men. Greyson didn’t have to worry.
They’d be fine.
“Let’s head in. I want to get you drunk so I can jump you in a corner. I’m having a hard time thinking about anything but your nakedness, kitten.”
She snorted. “Like I have to be drunk for you to have your way with me? Please, Director. You can have me anytime you want.”
Thank heaven for that.
Dante and Steele headed up the stairs hand in hand. They were gay, and they were out. As the photographers kept snapping pictures, Dante took the opportunity to kiss his husband-to-be.
The media went wild.
He knew that kiss would be on the news in the next few minutes.
Good.
He wanted his mother, and Steele’s mother to see it and know that some things were off limits.
Their love and relationship was only their business. No one was going to disparage them.
No one.
At the top of the stairs, Steele leaned into him, standing shoulder to shoulder. “Uh, can I have my gum back?” he asked, grinning.
“I forgot mine at home. You didn't offer to share.”
Steele was no fool. He was well aware why his fiancé kissed him.
“Thank you for that.”
Dante grinned. “Babe, I’ll always have your back. Don’t doubt it. I’m proud of us. If gay is wrong, screw being right.”
The stress of the week began melting away. Steele was safe. The Crofts were taking him in, and he couldn’t be happier.
He was a lucky man.
Curtis could see she was scared. Kat’s hands were shaking. He wished he could make it better, but they’d all been in her place at one point.
The first time was the worst.
“It’s okay,” he reassured as the media waited for them to exit. “If you can’t do this, we drive around the corner and go home. The world won’t come to an end if we bail on this party. I’m used to this mayhem.”
She took a deep breath. “You won’t hate me if I can’t do it?”
“No. I’ll never hate you. Sometimes, it’s braver to walk away then to do something you feel isn’t right.”
Besides, he’d been on the opposite end of hate, and it sucked. There was no way he’d ever feel that way about the person he loved.
“I have your back. Let me protect you for a change. This is my thing.”
He was right.
She had to trust him.
“Can you help me out?” she asked, pointing at the length of her dress. “I don’t think you want me giving off a crotch shot.”
He didn't, especially since he’d yet to get a glimpse himself. Call him old fashioned, but that should be his first.
Then he realized how caveman that sounded in his head.
It made him laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Kat asked, trying to catch her breath.
“Just the voices in my head.”
She stared at him.
“Follow my lead. I’ll divert their attention from your dress.”
Curtis had a plan.
It was one his mentor would wield.
It was perfect.
As he got out, the media went crazy all over again. As he reached in to take her hand, they realized that he wasn’t alone. Normally, he hit up these functions as a single man.
Yeah, that was over.
He was definitely going to give them something to talk about tonight.
As they approached the crowd of photographers and reporters, the news was already out.
“Is it true you’ve been legally adopted by the Crofts?” someone yelled.
He knew that was likely the first thing on their minds. Since it was out, why not go for it?
“Yes.”
“You’re the heir apparent since they have no kids? Does that mean they can’t have children?”
&
nbsp; The questioning was off, and a lame attempt to get dirt, but that was what normally happened.
He ignored that one because it wasn’t about the money or their desire to have kids. Curtis knew that the media thought it was some slick move to protect their money, but it had nothing to do with it.
“Are you changing your name, Agent Briggs?”
“It’s been changed. I’m Curtis Croft now. It’s official as of today.”
Since he had no personal attachment to his mother, wherever she was, the name could go.
They went crazy, snapping more pictures.
“Who’s your date?” one asked. “Is she a model?”
He glanced over at her. “I told you that you’re beyond beautiful,” he whispered in her ear.
She was shaking against him.
Katerina wasn’t used to being seen and this was hard on her.
“This is Kat Gideon, she’s a security expert for Gideon enterprises,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist to hold her against his body.
She fit perfectly.
“So she works for your ‘father’?” someone asked, throwing it out there.
He could feel her tense beside him.
“Yes, she works for our family, but she’s also my girlfriend.”
With that, he kissed her.
It was the same exact lip lock that his idol had given Emma before, just minus the dip. Greyson had set the bar, and as his ‘son’, he was going to give them something to talk about.
The kiss was hot.
Steamy.
Curtis never wanted to stop.
He could feel the cameras flashing, hear the questions being thrown at him, but he didn't care.
Then, the one that pulled him out of the moment happened.
“Are you over your dead wife? It looks like you’ve moved on, and fast.”
It stole his breath.
It always would, because he felt responsible for Brynn’s demise. Since her death, the truth had come out. The media dug, and they knew she was cheating, especially since that bastard detective told the world the truth.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes filling with pain.
She couldn’t hide and watch him hurt.
It was time to do what she did best.
Justice is Dead (Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 7) Page 32