Chapter 10

• Crystal's POV I was late to the gala. I knew Jackson was going to pitch a fit if the number of times he'd called my phone was any indication, but I didn't give a damn. He was already there but I knew he wouldn't be inside just yet. He was the one who was supposed to be getting the both of us in. Therefore, my tardiness would only serve to delay him and force him to wait for me outside. True, I figured he could go in without me and that would complicate things for me, but even if he did, I still had a plan to get in. So, it really wouldn't matter if he chose to actually escort me into the gala. I could get in on my own. Though, my way could pose a problem in the long run but I doubted it. Jackson, like the gentleman he's not, had sent a car to pick me up after I'd fail to show on time and he'd taken his own vehicle (wherever he'd managed to get his hands on one) by himself. Noah would be staying with the yacht in case something went wrong and we needed to get away fast. If I had my way, nothing was going to go wrong. I was driven through the open gates of a grand estate and when the driver came to a stop in front of the huge mansion, I thanked him and opened the door, stepping out into the cool night air. Jackson was waiting at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the front door, looking both stunningly handsome and extremely pissed off. I noticed the exact moment he'd noticed the car drive up because until that moment he'd kept his facial features very serene, but the moment he knew that that was the car he'd sent for me, the expression changed. His suit was dark and I couldn't tell for sure if it was navy or black but I was willing to bet it was black. His button-up shirt underneath matched his suit and the tie he had on was an eye-catching royal blue. I had seen the tie he planned on wearing beforehand because he'd held that one up as well as a red one and asked Noah which one made him look more "dashing." I had told him no tie in the world would ever accomplish that. He'd simply laughed the insult away. Though Noah had pointed to the royal blue one and I had decided in that moment that I was going to make sure that when I went to this gala, that there would be no doubt that I was with him. As I said, I wanted all eyes on him. I wanted people wondering who he was. I was looking to stir up trouble and for that very reason, I had chosen a dress the exact same shade of blue as his tie. I walked up to Jackson and he turned his full attention from the car and driver to me instead and I got the satisfaction of watching his carefully constructed facial expression crack and shatter before my eyes. His eyes went wide as he looked me up and down. From the sparkling silver shoes and the hem of the long dress, all the way up the long silt that stopped well over halfway up my thigh, the torso of the dress that hugged my curves and breasts and to the large diamond that was pinned right between my breasts. His eyes, of course, stopped there. I rolled my eyes before walking past him toward the door. I heard his intake of breath as I walked past and he caught sight of the back of the dress which was completely open back with a matching diamond clip pin that was pinned where the dress stopped, right above my ass. I ignored him and continued walking. I had curled my hair and pinned it all out of my face with several diamond-studded pins that matched my dress and shoes. And of course, I had also taken the time to do my makeup which I actually kept rather simple instead of trying something overly complicated. I looked back at him over my shoulder. "Are you coming or not?" I asked him. This seemed to snap him out of his trace and he scowled at me. "What are you wearing?" He questioned. I played dumb like I had no idea what he meant when he asked that particular question. "A dress," I replied. "I can see that," He replied flatly. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked innocently. I tilted my head and batted my eyes at him as I did so. His eyes darkened, but not in the kind of way that said he wanted to strangle me. "Nothing at all . . . if we were alone," He said as he once again dragged his gaze up and down my body. "Seeing as how I was trying not to draw an excessive amount of attention . . ." I shrugged and turned away to continue up the stairs to the front door. "Were you?" I said over my shoulder. "Huh, I never would have guessed." "Don't play stupid," He said. "Though I know you can't really help it." I glared at him. "Excuse me," I said with false politeness. "But I have a gala to attend and a necklace to retrieve." His hand on my arm stopped me from going anywhere. "Take it off." I raised my eyebrows and just could not keep my amusement from showing on my face. "Pretty sure me walking in there naked is going to draw much more attention than this dress." Jackson's eyes darkened even more and I didn't have to guess what he was thinking. Then he swore. He looped his arm through mine and pulled me toward the doors. "Nevermind," He said. I smiled widely to myself. "I think I've finally managed to wipe that smug smile off your stupid face." Suddenly, his smile returned as he led me through the doors. He leaned over to whisper in my ear. "I wouldn't celebrate just yet Babe." His hand went from being looped through mine to wrapping around my waist, settling on my hip and pulling me flush into his side. Immediately I tried to shove away from him, but he didn't let me. "What's a matter, Babe?" He asked and I glared at him. "I thought you wanted people to know we're together." "We are not together." "The matching dress and tie tell a different story, don't they?" He didn't seem to realize he was pushing me closer and closer to the edge. The edge being slamming my fist into his face and then shoving him headfirst down the stairs. I tried desperately to ignore him as we made our way into the huge ballroom the gala was being hosted in. Tried to ignore his hand on my hip, his arm at my waist, and his body pressed into mine. It wasn't nearly as easy as I wished it to be. Jackson leaned into me once again to whisper in my ear. I just barely resisted the urge to turn and spit in his face. "Don't talk to anyone. Don't say anything. Just stick close to me," He said. "I don't you need you getting me killed." I rolled my eyes. "Now wouldn't that just be an utter tragedy." It was impossible for him not to pick up on the sarcasm in my tone. "Do try to be the civil little spoiled brat you are." I wanted to glare at him, instead I smiled sweetly. "Shall I assume that means you'll be playing the slimy bastard you are?" It was his turn to glare. I continued to smile oh so innocently. "So," I questioned. "where exactly do we begin?" Jackson's eyes started to roam over all the room. After a long moment, he just shrugged. Then he got that stupid spark in his eyes once again. "With a dance," He said. "What?" I asked. I didn't have time for any other protests however, because he dragged me forcefully to the dance floor and spun me around to face him. His hands settled on my waist after he'd put mine on his shoulders. "Jackson," I growled. "We don't have time for this." He shrugged but continued to move with the elegant and unfortunately slow, music being played. "We're not in any rush," He replied simply. He smiled recklessly at me. "Learn to have a little fun." I gave him a flat look in return. "I know how to have fun. This," I took my hand off his shoulder long enough to wave it around in gesture to everything in the ballroom. "is not my idea of fun." "Oh?" He questioned. "Then what is?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "That's really none of your business." He shrugged and looked around the room as he swayed us both to the music. "Is it, sitting around with a camera and taking pictures of anyone who meets with your father?" I glared at him. "Or maybe, snooping through his things when he isn't home? Wait," He snapped his fingers as if he'd just had an epiphany. "it must be hiding evidence in a necklace." I continued to glare at him. "Just because I've been doing all that," I snapped. "doesn't mean I don't do other things for fun. Besides, life isn't all fun." He smirked at me. "Mine is," he said. "Good for you." "Your sarcasm isn't appreciated," He told me. "Life's too short not to have fun." "Is that your motto?" I rolled my eyes and shook my head. He was completely ridiculous. "Just relax." He smiled at me and it did the exact opposite of relaxing me. I shook my head. "I need that necklace back," I hissed. "And I need it now and instead of helping me get it back you're forcing me to dance with you like we're having a blast." "I am having a blast," Jackson told me. "How much of a blast are you going to be having when I shoot you?" He smiled widely. "You didn't bring a gun." I stared at him incredulously. "How could you possibly know that?" His smile got impossibly wider. "You're not going to like the answer," He replied simply. I really wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face once and for all. I knew it wasn't wise to do it in front of all these people, but I was also thinking that I didn't care. My hand which had clenched into a fist on his shoulder was suddenly engulfed with his and he led me off the dance floor. "I quite like my face the way it is," He said simply, refusing to release the hold on my hand. "Now," He said as he continued to guide me through the people. "Let me do all the talking." "So, I'm just here to play the part of arm candy?" I glared at him. He smiled and it was infuriating. "I knew you'd understand." Something nasty-followed closely by a punch-was on the tip of my tongue, but before I could say anything, we were stopped. "Mr. Porter," The man said as he stepped in front of us, holding out his hand to Jackson. "So nice of you to join us tonight." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Of course, you don't use your real name," I muttered. Jackson's elbow nudged me in the ribs. My heel found his toe. To his credit. He didn't let out a shout of surprise, he didn't even flinch. He did, however, clench his jaw and his hold on my hand tightened. As Jackson took his hand, I stared at the man in front of us. He looked to be in his late forties or early fifties. His eyes were menacing and his entire posture was stiff and alert. This was a very dangerous man; I knew and it wasn't just because of how he behaved or what he showed in his body language. It was because I'd seen him before. Many times. And I knew who and what he was. "It's very good to see you again Peter," Jackson said smoothly. "How is business?" The man-Peter-smiled, but it wasn't a nice sight to see. "Very well," He replied politely before focusing his attention on me. "And who is this lovely young lady your brought to accompany you tonight?" I went to reply but Jackson cut in front of me, blocking me from the man's view. "No one you need to concern yourself with," Jackson said as he placed his hand on Peter's shoulder and tried to steer him away. "She looks awfully familiar," Peter insisted. I rolled my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time and not so gently shoved Jackson out of the way. I held out my hand to Peter and smiled brightly. My voice calm, without hesitation, as I spoke in a tone of silky softness. "Crystal Carver," I said. I watched as Peter raised his eyebrows and Jackson looked about ready to ditch me . . . or kill me. "Miss Carver," Peter said as he took my hand. "I had no idea you would be coming." I nodded, not at all fazed by Jackson's death glare into the side of my head. "My father was supposed to come but unfortunately he had a prior engagement." Peter continued to study me. Jackson came close enough to whisper in my ear, asking me if I was out of my mind. "I don't recall you ever being included in your father's dealings," Peter said. Jackson subtly tugged on the edge of my dress. I shrugged. "It's not common knowledge. I'm the face presented to the media so they don't look too closely at his . . . activities." Which I had found out, was completely true. "I tend to stick to the spotlight unless he needs me." I stared at him and decided if I was going to play this part, I was going to do it one-hundred percent. "That's why I'm here," I continued. "I understand my father and you had some business to discuss. A new form of . . . product to move." The wariness and no doubt disbelief suddenly faded from Peter's eyes. "Yes," He said. "That is correct." He held out his arm to me. "If you'll follow me, I believe we have some things to discuss." He didn't think to question how I knew. After all, no one except whoever my father trusted was supposed to know anything about his dealings with anyone. As I had made it my mission to know everything about what my father was doing. I knew exactly what to say without drawing suspicion. I smiled sweetly and looped my arm through his. "I'd be happy to," I replied as he started to guide me away. I turned over my shoulder to look at Jackson who was gaping openly at me. "Run along and mingle, Babe," I told him. "I'll be back soon." Jackson glared at me as I walked away and I was beginning to think he might be right. Life was too short not to have fun . . . and I was currently having a lot of it. All at his expense, of course.