CHAPTER 40
FURY
All decked out in lace, satin and black tuxes, Dottie, Ryder, Grace, Jackie and I strolled through the town square towards the Greenville School, following the others that were streaming over to the Greenville Winter Ball.
The moon hung heavy amongst the clouds tonight, a chill having settled in the air as soon as the sun set earlier.
Passing the pristine white steps of the church, Jackie and I exchanged a secret smile as we gazed up at the tall steeple that held the church bell.
We’d shared a magical evening up there.
We’d spent almost every night together since then, tangled up together, learning about each other’s minds and bodies, laughing and whispering in the still of the night, reluctantly parting at dawn so Jackie could run off to the diner for the breakfast rush.
When we arrived at the school, it was obvious what a big night this was for the town. Swarms of people streamed in and out of the school’s gates, the women all perfectly coiffed and manicured, their smiles wide as they greeted their friends, the men looking awkward and uncomfortable in their suits and tuxes, looking as if they’d rather be anywhere else but there.
The gym had been transformed into a winter wonderland, with sparkling blue and white stars hanging from streams of garland that exploded over the entire space. They’d managed to bring the winter ambiance inside, piling fake snow drifts into the corners. Soft white lights twinkled over the already full dance floor, a band playing old 50’s, 60’s and 70’s covers on a makeshift stage in the corner.
“This is lovely!” Grace exclaimed.
“It’s quite charming, isn’t it?” Dottie nodded. “It’s our most cherished event every year.”
“Well, it does seem to draw a lot of people,” Ryder said.
“Everyone stops by, at least for a little while, it seems. I see a few friends I need to greet, I trust you’ll all be okay on your own?” Dottie asked.
“Of course, of course,” Grace said. “Have a lovely evening.”
“You, too, dear. Mingle a little. Most of them won’t bite,” she said, winking before walking away.
Jackie turned to me with a mischievous smile.
“Do you dance?” she asked.
“Me?” I asked, with a mock bow. “I do. But I’m afraid if I break out my stellar dance moves in front of all these people, they won’t be able to handle it.”
“That good, eh?” she asked, lifting a brow.
“That good,” I nodded.
“Well, I can’t wait to see this,” she said. “Leave the fainting ladies for me to handle.”
“If you say so,” I said, shaking my head. I offered her an arm and we strolled onto the dance floor. I pulled her into my arms, a slow song pouring from the stage as we began slow-dancing. She stared up at me, her bright blue eyes sparkling under the flickering lights above.
“Thank you for coming,” she said.
“Thank you for making me come,” I said.
“I didn’t force you!”
“That’s not what I was talking about,” I winked suggestively.
“Oh, you!” she laughed, then lowered her voice. “To tell you the truth, you look so handsome I can’t wait to get you alone again.”
“The feeling’s mutual, babe,” I said, leaning down and whispering in her ear. “If the neckline was any lower on that dress, I’d have to whisk you off to the bathroom for a little instant relief.”
“You like it?” she asked, with a sly smile.
“Oh, I like it,” I assured her. “I like it a lot.”
“I’m glad,” she said, raking her eyes over my face and biting her bottom lip. “Maybe you can take it off of me later.”
“The sooner the better,” I said, slightly pressing my hips forward, my hardness brushing up against her center. “It’s getting harder by the second.”
“Down, boy!” she teased. “The night’s just started.”
“Tell that to my cock,” I growled in her ear. Her laughter bubbled up in my ears, my heart swelling with desire for her. The long black dress she wore hugged her curves, begging my fingers to run over them. I pulled her into my arms, needing her body close to mine.
Grace and Ryder swayed to the music beside us while the rest of the crowd mingled around us, their voices a low dim in the background. Over Jackie’s shoulder, I saw Bodhi and Will huddled in a corner talking excitedly. I kept one eye on them and one eye on Jackie as the night progressed. We danced for almost half an hour before I saw Bodhi motion to me from the corner.
“I need a minute to go talk with Green, babe,” I said. “Will you excuse me?”
“Sure, I’m going to the ladies room, and I see Tara waving. She really wants to meet you,” she said. “Meet you back here in a few?”
“Sure,” I said, brushing a kiss across her lips before walking over to Green. He looked nervous and over-heated in his perfectly tailored suit. He held a glass of whiskey in his hand and his breath told me he’d been drinking for a while.
“Good evening, Bodhi,” I said.
“Fury, I’m glad to see you here,” he said. “Even if it is with that tart.”
“Bodhi, Jackie’s a good woman. I’m not going to stop seeing her.”
“Suit yourself, just make sure you wrap it up, buddy.”
I shook my head, biting my tongue, determined to avoid a scene by making him eat his words here in front of everyone despite my urge to do just that. That didn’t stop the scene from playing out in my head — I could see the blood spurting from his nose as my fist made contact. My hands balled into fists at my side and I swallowed hard, a huge lump of pride just waiting to explode onto him.
“Did you need something?” I asked, pointedly, doing my damnedest to keep my tone even.
“Yes,” he said. “About that request I made earlier.”
“Yes?”
“It’s almost time. I assume you have everything in place, as I asked?”
“I do.”
“Great. I’ll let you know when.”
I nodded and looked out over the crowd on the dance floor.
Dottie was dancing with another woman her age, both of them barefoot, their sparkling heels discarded under a bench against the gym wall. At the other end of the room, I spotted Molly, sitting sadly in the corner, looking like a sullen, dressed-up doll. Her red hair was twisted into tight ringlets and she wore a pretty green dress with a big black bow tied in the back. Sitting next to her like a loyal puppy dog, Benji wore a stiff black suit and tie that was a little too big for him, his small frame disappearing comically into an overwhelming pile of fabric. He’d slicked his hair back and as he gazed down at Molly’s still-encased arm as he drew on it, a errant lock of dark hair fell over his eyebrow.
They were so innocent. All of them.
The entire time I’d spent here, I’d been mostly greeted by nice people. The only thing that stained this community was Green’s bullshit.
My eyes trained in on Molly’s broken arm.
Anger ripped through me as I was reminded of exactly why we were here. I couldn’t wait to bring this bastard down.
I turned to him with a somber grimace of determination and complete professionalism.
“Ready when you are, sir,” I said, nodding.