Black
“We’re here, sir,” my driver said as we pulled up to Quill’s building. I texted him that I was out front and proceeded to return a few texts from Jones and Lee while I waited.
We knew most of the Sterling family would be in attendance for the Rainbow Hart Charity Ball, which worked out well. There would be no misunderstandings about Quill being under my umbrella of protection. If they wanted to think he was my boyfriend, all the better. This way he would be safe. At least, I hoped.
I had just finished my text when I heard the car door open. A cheery hello from Quill had me glancing up and doing a double take. He had taken out most of his piercings, likely to fit in as best he could. His hair was still black and his eyes were a deep blue. Any chance of him blending in went right out the window with his suit.
It was the color of his eyes, and by the looks of it, crushed velvet. Jacket and pants both melded to his body like a second skin. For a moment, I wanted to reach out and touch it, wondering how soft it was.
On anyone else, the suit would have seemed absurd, but for reasons I couldn’t articulate, it worked for him. He was going to stand out, and in this instance, it wasn’t a bad thing.
My silence must have come off as disgust as I noticed Quill’s crestfallen face and how he nervously rubbed his thigh as he sat in front of me in the limo. I didn’t want him nervous. I needed him confidant, like this was a life he was used to.
“That’s quite the suit,” I said with a small smile, which he returned.
“Yeah? I wasn’t sure. I mean, I fell in love with it when I saw it and Lana was all, ‘try it on,’ so I did, and yeah.” His eyes darted nervously over the interior of the limo.
“It works for you. I’d never pull something like that off.” It was true. I was a large man and didn’t need help being seen in public.
“I like the classic tux. It is very you.” He reached across, lightly fingering the silver pocket square. “Matches your eyes,” he said softly, almost like he was talking to himself.
“Thank you.”
Whenever in Quill’s presence, I was always on edge waiting for his flirting that was often annoying. Sometimes, it bordered on inappropriate. It was something I worried about tonight, and while he seemed to be in the mindset that this was important, I still felt I needed to make some rules clear.
“We are about twenty minutes from The Camille, so I’d like to talk to you about a few things.”
He nodded, sat back, and I was relieved when he gave me his undivided attention.
“First and foremost, Jones, Lee, and Ginger will be in attendance. You may or may not see them, but if you do, don’t bring attention to them. They are keeping an eye out.”
“Got it.”
“Second, you don’t go off with anyone while we’re there without talking to me first.”
Quill’s brow crinkled. “I doubt I will know anyone there aside from you, your guys, and some of the Sterlings, and there’s zero chance of me being alone with any of those fake assholes.”
“Right, but if someone makes an offer or…”
“Wait just a minute.” He held up his hand as anger morphed his sweet face. “Are you calling me a slut? You really think I’d go off for a quickie with some rich nub?”
Nub? “Quill, I’m just giving the black and white rules here, calm down.”
He chuckled. “Right, sure, fine. Go on, Master.”
“That sarcasm brings me to another important rule.”
Quill leaned forward, irritation pouring off him like water. “I’m dying to know, sir, please tell me, sir.”
“Don’t make a spectacle of yourself by flirting cheesily or humping my leg.” I was going to phrase it nicer, but his attitude was pissing me off.
“Cheesily isn’t a word, and I’m not feeling very humpy toward you at the moment. Stabby, yes.”
This was going to be a long night.
* * *
The Camille was by far the most expensive and opulent hotel in all of Haven Hart. It was to pay homage to a woman no one knows much about, but the extraordinary sight of the lobby alone tells anyone who enters that she was extremely important to the Hart family. When I was younger, I told my father I felt like I needed to pay my respects. He laughed and told me sometimes the extravagant hides the truths and to not think more on it. So, I didn’t. For years, I simply walked the marble floor whenever I entered and stopped gawking at the gold and ivory.
I had every intention of doing that this time, but as we entered, I was brought to a sudden halt when Quill stopped walking. His head dropped back, taking in the heavenly ceiling that was reminiscent of Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
“Wow,” his voice echoed in the lobby. A few desensitized people walked past him, scrutiny adorning their faces. Of course, to Quill, this was outstanding. He’d likely never been inside here.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Lightly, I took his arm and was glad when he slowly began following me toward the grand ballroom.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. We have a gorgeous mural in the book store above the café, but it’s nothing like that. It’s like looking into heaven almost.” He spoke with so much reverence, I wished I could let him stay and appreciate it. But the laughter and sound of the orchestra playing not far from where we stood made that wish impossible right then.
“Perhaps when we leave, you can take a longer look.” I tried for a soft smile as his blue eyes glistened and his face dropped. The reality of tonight, no doubt weighed on him.
“Right, yeah. Let’s get this show on the road.” He entwined his arm with mine, pasted on a perfect smile, and the determination in his poise made my earlier worries disappear. Of course, he would be great at masking his emotions. According to his file Lee gave me, he’d been doing it forever.
The grand ballroom was just that, grand. Being it was December, it was no surprise to see them work a Christmas theme into the LGBT one. Trees and wreaths covered the walls and the circumference of the ballroom. Each a symbol. Gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, intersex, Asexual, you name it, it was represented here tonight. The more I scanned the room, I saw all the religions were in attendance as well. It was diverse in every way. It made me more curious about the Hart heir to go all out for LGBTQA youth in this city.
“I feel like a broken record, but wow.” Quill chuckled and gripped my arm tighter. “This is crazy.”
I had to agree with him on that. I had been to many balls and galas in my time, but this one seemed to have almost a whirl of magic to it. The orchestra all dressed in rainbow tuxedos played soft music, likely to keep the mood calm for now. The tables all were a different color; red, orange, purple, and white. The room itself made it clear why we were all here. To help our LGBTQA youth.
“Shall we find our table?” I asked Quill, and he nodded absently as he continued to take in the room.
I was impressed with our table. It was along the dancefloor away from the kitchen entrance, and there was plenty of room for my large body.
“I wonder who we’re sitting with.” Quill pointed to the empty seats, and I hoped they weren’t chatty and annoying.
“As long as Bartholomew Sterling sees us and I get a chance to speak with him, I don’t much care who we’re saddled with.”
Quill shrugged and began to fidget with his suit. He tried to remain strong, but every so often, his nervousness showed.
“Why don’t we walk to the bar, get a drink, and maybe by the time we return, we will see who our mysterious tablemates are?” I offered my hand, which he took like a lifeline.
“Yeah, a drink is a perfect idea.”
My eyes scanned the entire ballroom, but I didn’t spot any of the Sterlings. They likely would arrive fashionably late, or as I called it, irritatingly late.
At the bar, Quill ordered some fruity pop drink. He winked at the bartender and while I knew it was just his personality and not that he wanted to get in the guy’s pants, I couldn’t help the unease it brought me.
“Thor will have a Jack and coke, please.”
“Thor?” My eyes widened, but the bartender just chuckled and left to retrieve my drink.
“Um, yeah. You remind me of Thor and a little like what I imagine Satan might look like.” He smiled brightly as he took the tiny red straw into his mouth and sucked.
“Satan and Thor?” He nodded. “So, you think Satan is hot?” When he choked on his drink, the satisfaction of shocking him made me smile. I thanked the bartender as he placed my drink in front of me.
“I had no idea you could do that,” he said in wonder.
“What, make a joke?” I gratefully took the drink the bartender handed me.
“No, not that. I had no idea you could smile.”
Something about his tone had me stopping mid drink. Surely, I’d smiled in front of him before.
“You wear it well, Satan, you should do it more often.” With that, I watched as Quill walked back to our table.