Viv

My dress for tonight has sheer tulle draping across my shoulders from just below my collarbone, and fanning out in two layers over my upper arms. The rest of it is a tight spandex hugging my body from the sweetheart neckline to just past my knees. Alone, it would give my mother palpitations, but paired with the shoes Rhys gave me, it’s going to send her over the edge. Oh, and let’s not forget the hickeys I left uncovered on the back of my neck. My hair covers them—mostly—but I’m secretly hoping she sees them.

“Fuck, Viv, how am I supposed to control myself when you’re looking like that?” Rhys asks, when I open the door to him.

“You’re one to talk,” I reply, taking in his dark grey suit, crisp white shirt, and deep blue tie. His hair’s pushed up into submission, and I’m ready to submit too. And mess up his perfect hair later, of course.

“They’re not going to know what hit them when we walk in the room. This is going to be so much fun.”

“And hopefully bring some bad people to their knees. Don’t forget that part.”

“Like I said, fun.”

“You’re so adorable sometimes.”

“Sometimes? And wait, I want to be manly and sexy, not adorable.”

“You’re all of the above, but mostly the sexy part.”

“Okay, I can work with that.” He holds out his arm for me, as I grab my clutch. “Your chariot awaits.

No fancy limo for us, because we’re doing things our way now. When he opens the door to his car, I find a Tiffany box on the seat. Turning, I see a sheepish smile on his face, and quirk my own eyebrow at him.

“I know you like being all in black, but you’re so colorful, Viv. Everything about this new you, which reminds me of the girl I fell in love with, is so colorful. I wanted you to have something colorful to wear tonight.”

I pick up the box, and open it, finding a stunning starfish cuff made of diamonds. There’s a white one, a pink one, and an orange one. It’s gorgeous, and perfect. I don’t know what to say, so I just take his face in my hands, and kiss him for all I’m worth.

“It’s stunning, and I love it. Thank you,” I finally manage to get out.

“You’re welcome. I’ve always wanted to spoil you with more than flowers.”

“I always loved your flowers, and I don’t need anything but you.”

“I know, but you’re going to have to humor me sometimes, okay?”

“I think that can be arranged,” I agree, as he slides the cuff onto my wrist.

One more lingering kiss, and then he’s settling me into my seat, before jogging around the car to get into his. The drive isn’t long, but I’m actually glad for that tonight. I’ve waited far too long to walk into a party of Rhys’ arm.

He valets the car, and takes my hand. “You ready?”

“Yes.”

When we get close to the ballroom doors, I slide one hand under his bicep, and place the other over it. It’s a little hard with my clutch in my hand, but I make it work. He smirks—per usual—before placing his hand over mine. The doors open for us, and it’s showtime.

The noisy room goes quiet, except for a few gasps, as we step inside. I cuddle a little more into him as I take in the shocked faces before us. Not because I need comfort, but because I’m loving this.

“Vivienne, what is going on?” my mother asks, moving to my side, and hissing in my ear.

“I’m walking into this party of yours with my boyfriend. Is that a problem?”

“You know it is. Step away from him now, and we can just say he was helping you inside. There’s nothing to do about your dress, hair, and those hideous shoes, but we can at least salvage your reputation.”

“I like my reputation just fine,” I tell her.

To prove my point, I turn toward Rhys, and pull his mouth down to mine. The kiss is hungry, and scandalous, and as he pulls me against him, he moves my messy chignon aside, exposing my neck. My mother’s horrified screech can probably be heard on the other side of town, causing me to laugh against his lips.

“You’re so bad,” I whisper.

“You know you wanted me to do that.”

“I so did.”

Rhys

Viv’s father pulls her mother away as she cries fake tears over her daughter being “corrupted” by me. We’re in our own world right now, so I barely notice anything or anyone else. I know what’s coming, though, so I take her hand and walk her down the steps toward the tables our Society friends are occupying. Rhieve and Calum aren’t here yet, but I’m guessing that’s because they were letting us be the stars of tonight’s show. Or they’re off in a corner making out. Either one is possible.

“I always knew you were trash,” Christon says, stepping into our path.

“I seriously hope, for your sake, that you were referring to me.”

“I was talking about the sloppy seconds you have on your arm.”

I don’t even hesitate, taking him down with one punch, just how Nate taught me to do. He’s out cold, and I lift Viv into my arms as I step over him. Laughter breaks the silence, and I know it’s coming from where we headed.

“That was hot. Like, I need to find a supply closet and beg you to fuck me against the shelves, hot.”

“I got us a room upstairs, but you’ll have to wait at least fifteen minutes before we sneak out, or all of these people will speculate on where we’re going.”

“Do I look like I care?” she asks, before kissing me again.

Damn, I love this woman. “No, but we have more work to do here tonight.”

“Fine, but I hope that bed is sturdy, because I want it rough tonight.”

She walks away from me, to hug Reina, but I have to stand there for a minute like an idiot, as I get myself under control.

“Good hit, young grasshopper,” Nate tells me.

“I learned from the best.”

“Damn right.”

Things are quiet for about a minute, before it’s my parents who descend on us next. I’m ready for them, but I was secretly hoping they’d behave like decent humans for once.

“You broke Christon’s nose!” my father growls at me as he stands over my chair.

“He’s lucky that’s all I did.”

“Your behavior is unacceptable.”

“He insulted Viv, and no one’s going to do that without having some consequences. I’m not going to apologize if that’s what you’re waiting for.”

“Do you not understand how powerful that man is? He could destroy you!” my mother whispers, because you know, she can’t cause a scene.

“I would love to see him try,” X says. “Please ask him to try.”

“Me too. I haven’t had a good battle in months,” Matt adds. “We could totally crush his ass.”

“These are the people you’re choosing to associate with?”

“Yes, Mother, because they are simply the best people I’ve ever known.”

“Aww, dude, you’re going to make me tear up a little,” Nate says, laughing so hard I think he might pass out.

“You’re dead to us,” my father tells me.

“Can I get it on that, too?” Rhieve asks, coming up to the table with Calum at her side. “I’ll even write my Society page eulogy. It can go something like this: ‘because Rhieve fell in love with Calum, who owns numerous sex clubs she likes to visit with him, she was happily removed from the Madison family. In addition to her love and sex crimes, she also works in a job her family disapproves of, and dresses the way she wants’.”

“You are both a blight on this family!” my Father yells, no longer caring about decorum.

“Right back atcha,” my sister says, as our parents storm away from the table.

“Damn, you’re good Rhieve,” Viv tells her.

“From what I saw from the bar, you’re right up there with me, my friend.”

“Ah, the bar. I was wondering where you were, Sis.”

“We were enjoying the various acts in your show,” Calum tells me, tipping his glass of Scotch my way. “Nicely done, both of you.”

“It was fun,” I admit.

“Just like you wanted it to be,” Viv says, biting my ear as she whispers into it.

Yes, that was fun, but the fun’s not over yet. There’s one more person we have to make crazy enough to act, and then we can go upstairs. Up there, the fun’s going to go on all night once again, just like it does every other night. At this rate, if she doesn’t get pregnant soon, there’s something wrong. With me, and not her since she’s perfect, but we’ll deal with that if it happens. And keep having fun.