Bonding Nameless (Bonding - The Ultimate Guide Book 6), page 23
“In that dress? Yes.”
Ben chokes behind me and Kimi shares a menacing smile with me.
“Mender,” a man in a black tuxedo bows low as he opens the back of the limo.
When we approach he puts a handout and looks between us with a little confusion.
“This car is for the mender only.”
“Of course,” Kimi gives me a kiss on the cheek that leaves a lipstick stain that I’m not brushing off.
He daintily steps into the vehicle and squeals, “Delegates! Oh my, what will I do?”
Once he’s seated I close the door behind him and glare at the driver. He circles the vehicle with a sneer and I step back, leaning down to blow a kiss at Kimi through the window. I can’t see his response because they’re so tinted all I can see is my worried expression.
I don’t move back as the next car pulls up. This driver is just as rude as the last one.
“TGT agents only.”
“Of course,” I nod placidly and Ben comes forward, snarling in warning to keep the others back.
“Have fun sunshine,” I step back, withdrawing whatever I do to make Ben’s mojo not work.
The driver watches him approach with wide eyes and I think he pees his pants when Ben gets in the car and closes the door himself.
I let my power wash back out and give the driver a smile as he regains his wits.
“Have a good drive,” I wave at him.
He sneers at me and walks away for Ben to take care of.
They make it halfway out of the driveway before the car starts swerving. It corrects quickly and smoothly continues on its way.
I turn back to the men left and give them a bright grin I don’t feel. “Have fun boys!”
Sparky takes it as her cue and bounces onto Aodhan’s shoulder.
Sparky: “I’ve got this.”
“Try and have fun with it, Sparks. It’s going to be a long night.”
I cross to Ben’s car and slide behind the wheel, slamming the door shut.
My hands are shaking wildly and I take a second to breathe before I start the car and drive away. I can’t let them see how upset I am or they’ll start coddling me.
They’re together and as safe as I can make them. I don’t care if I’ve ruined whatever beginning they were expecting to this farce. My need to keep them watching each other’s backs won’t let me give in to guilt.
Kimi is immune to anything the Delegates could do to him.
Ben is probably having a snack because people are defenseless against him.
And four fully capable males are riding together in a car that was probably meant for Aodhan to ride alone in with Sparky as backup.
My plan is going as well as it can so far.
I turn the radio up as loud as I can and sing along to whatever mix tape Ben has in here. I try to zone out and enjoy the drive but it’s forced and not working very well. The streets are deserted and I quickly overtake the limos on my way.
I slow to see Ben in the driver's seat of the second car, window rolled down and singing to whatever he’s listening to. He glances over and wiggles his eyebrows, giving the car a little more gas as if he wants to race me. I pull out my phone and risk a picture while he laughs.
I pass him and can’t see inside the first limo until I reach the driver’s door. The guy is gaping at the rearview mirror in amazement. Looks like the Kimi treatment is in full effect.
I speed up and make it to the gala well before anyone else. Then I wait. There are several limos already here and people walking into the venue. They chat and laugh like this is some sweet party they’re excited to attend and I swallow hard. I can’t tell who’s innocent and who’s here to have a mender pet.
The limos pull up well after everyone has gone inside. A dramatic entrance. Kimi is probably squealing in excitement by now.
The driver hurries to the rear door and opens it as Ben pulls up. Several Delegates bail out in a rush for the doors, leaving Kimi by himself on the sidewalk with a pout. I hurry to get out and join him as the driver squeals the tires in his rush to get away.
Ben pulls up and gets out, a mindless driver taking his place to drive away.
We don’t wait for anyone else to get out as we determinedly march forward. I can’t help the grim look on my face as Ben squeezes my shoulder in support.
Kimi takes my arm and whines, “That was so boring.”
“I’m sorry,” I wince because I didn’t factor that in the plan. Those poor Delegates are lucky there were no fireworks leading the way on their drive. He could have set the car on fire. He’s showing a ton of restraint here. “At least you get your catwalk?”
“They better all love me,” he continues his high-pitched whine.
I let him go in alone and tell the guy at the door he’s the mender.
He rushes to introduce Kimi, barely making it before Kimi makes his grand entrance.
The setup is just how I pictured it, plus a lot of people. A lot of people. When they were getting out in the parking lot it didn’t seem like that many.
They’re all standing and applauding Kimi, thinking he’s the mender they’ve been waiting for and I have to bite my inner cheek to hold in my smile. That’s epic. I snap a quick picture so he can see the standing ovation later.
I slip in unnoticed as Kimi struts around, making a big display of his entrance. I make my way to the table to have a seat and get this show over with. The Delegate’s table is on a raised platform and they’re looking down at me with scowls or confusion. I avert my eyes quickly because I saw the last person I ever want to see and a panic attack is starting to build already.
Fyador Makarov golf claps as Kimi struts around, enjoying his popularity. I can feel his eyes on me like a sickness that isn’t curable.
Ben slides the chair out for me and I sit down with boneless legs. And suddenly grateful that my back is to the table. Ben takes his place behind me, standing close enough that I can feel him there. It relaxes me enough that my breathing evens out but the fear is still very present.
The applause dies down as they all look at Kimi and then me in confusion. Kimi takes that as his cue and skips over to me, how he manages it in heels I don’t know, to drape himself across my lap. His arms wrap around my neck as he giggles.
“The mender. Beatrice Wulff.”
Makarov’s voice makes me want to gag. Of course he has to introduce me like a prized pupil. They already said my name when Kimi walked in so he looks like an ass even though I know he’s bringing Kimi’s identity in doubt.
I see everyone else take their places with stoic expressions and try to keep my trembling hands around Kimi’s waist to hide them.
“You smell like fear,” Kimi whispers and traces a claw around the shell of my ear. It sends a shiver down my spine as I side eye him. He looks absolutely serious as he stares back. “Remember F.U. Buddy System.”
I give him a grateful smile and a peck on his cheek. “Your service, kitten.”
He lifts his nose in the air haughtily and calls out, “You may approach!”
“This is ridiculous,” I hiss as the first suitor starts walking towards us with a smarmy smile.
“Let me handle everything, sugartits. Just relax and enjoy.” He makes the words sound like he’s about to give me a special rub down with a happy ending.
I force my body to relax against the seat and he kicks his legs in anticipation.
Chaos ensues.
He interviews each one with a sweet feminine voice that occasionally slips into a baritone and girlish giggles. By the time Kimi is done with them they’re either confused, disgusted, or worryingly interested. Kimi makes sure to write down all their names in a little black book he produces from his little purse. Does he have his jacket in there? How?
I have to stop paying attention to the insanity so I won’t laugh at Kimi’s antics.
“Now,” Ben’s voice slides through my mind and I take a deep breath to hold.
The partial nullification pulls into me and I hear several gags, running footsteps, and gasps behind me.
It doesn’t stop the light click of heels as someone continues to approach.
“Delegate Tremaine,” Ben slides to my side, away from the approaching figure.
“Benji,” the blond sighs with pleasure and the fear takes a backseat to rage.
“Have you met my mate?” He asks and gestures towards me.
Her steps falter for a moment and I turn my head to take her in. Kimi leans around me with a coy smile. She’s short. Long blond hair and blue eyes. For a second I can see GV1 in her. Figures.
“Delegate Tremaine,” I give her a grim smile. “Have a seat.”
“You’re jesting,” she gives a little laugh and continues approaching him. I see the ring on her finger, the other arm crossed behind her back and out of sight. A little sensitive about the amputation? Too fucking bad. She’s not going anywhere near Ben.
I take control of her feet and steer her to the chair across from me.
It isn’t seamless, she’s in a pair of heels that would make anyone fall and she’s confused about her legs moving her in a direction she doesn’t want to go. I enjoy it. She looks like a crooked legged giraffe as she collapses in the seat.
“I’d say it’s nice to meet you but I hate lying,” I give her a winning smile with bared teeth.
“She does,” Kimi agrees with a falsetto that surprises me for a second. He sounds like a schoolgirl.
“Oh. I thought you were a man,” she struggles to regain some authority and probably dignity as she gives me a look of distaste. I laugh at the effort. Kimi giggles and bats at my arm playfully.
“Hold that thought,” my smile grows and I pump energy into Ben, forcing his presence to magnify around our table. Then I freeze her lower half in place to watch her freak right the fuck out.
Whatever she has that makes her immune to Ben’s influence isn’t up to this challenge. Her eyes go so wide they look ready to fall out of her head. She chokes on air as if it’s run out on her side of the table. Her hand hits the table with a loud thump as she tries to push herself away from the horror. Kimi smoothly reaches across and slides the ring from her finger with a little victory shimmy before dropping it into his purse.
I take it all back in and wipe the insanity from her, causing my back to sweat under the harness holding my weapons.
Sparky: “She’ll never touch our sunshine again.”
“You were saying?” I ask politely.
She shakes her head, all those pesky insane ramblings falling right out of her ears as she looks at me again.
“I was wondering how jealous you are? Seeing what he’s had before you.” Her smug smirk makes my smile get wider and more menacing. Her brow furrows at the sight.
“I don’t get jealous of attempted rapists. It’s beneath me,” I mimic Scilla as I say the words with gusto.
“Is that what he told you?” She laughs freely and shakes out her blond hair. “He was very… earnest in bed.”
“He does like to snack in bed,” I agree placidly while my smile becomes demented and her face pales as she swallows hard. Enjoy that memory, female. You’ll be revisiting it soon with a different ending this time.
“We’ve got off on the wrong foot I see. I thought you would be more relaxed than this. I was jesting. I would like to extend a hand of friendship to you.”
“Why not both hands?” Ben happily asks.
Kimi snickers and hides his face in my neck.
Her eyes narrow into slits and her hand snaps across the table, gripping Kimi’s forearm in a tight grip. She looks confused for a moment, staring at her hand. Realizing the ring of fuckery is gone.
“Are you trying to assault a mender?” My voice goes loud with fake horror.
Kimi gasps and cries in a shrill voice, “Guards! Take her away!”
I see several confused males in suits begin to approach and I lean closer to whisper.
“Before they do, may I suggest you run? He likes a good chase.”
Her eyes snap to Ben and I shake my head solemnly.
“Not him, honey. Kimi.”
A smile that shows sharpened teeth made somehow more menacing through the glossy red lipstick spreads across Kimi’s face. There’s a subtle glitter of gold that rises across his cheekbones for a brief second and his bone structure shifts to make him more recognizable.
“It’s called catch and release, Tremaine,” he says in his normal voice and her terror resumes as she gets up and runs without any assistance.
“I’m not in the mood,” Kimi pouts as we watch her.
“It’s ok. I made a plan for her. It’s called F.U. lite. Fewer calories.”
“Do tell,” he leans close to press his nose into my cheek with a light laugh that’s all him.
“Well, you know what fairy’s teeth do to skin, right?” My voice is grim as several fairies float out of the doors after her.
“No,” he gives me wide eyes and starts nodding, squirming around on my lap. “You didn’t.”
“Happy Yule, Ben,” I tilt my head and he grasps my shoulders with both hands to squeeze.
“I love you, baby.”
“I love you too.”
“I love you too, doggo,” Kimi adds and daintily wipes at the fake tears in his eyes.
Ben gives a low growl in response.
The night continues. I’m amazed I’ve only been here an hour. It feels like eternity as more and more males come up to speak with me and end up with Kimi in full seduction mode. He even tries to seduce the allies we have to dismiss so they can take their places at the divide. He also takes a lot of pictures so we can, and I quote, “Remember our third date.”
I should be trying to rein him in but it’s too much fun to watch them all stare at him in horror, knowing exactly who he is and having to stay in place for it anyway.
“You have grown well,” a cold voice says as heavy footsteps approach.
All of the humor wipes out of me in an instant. I knew this was coming. I thought I was prepared. I didn’t know shit.
Makarov slides into the seat across from me gracefully and I struggle to keep an unaffected expression. I draw back on my nullification and he smirks as he looks over my shoulder.
“Fascinating.”
He’s like Mitri. That isn’t going to work. Does that mean all immortals are psychotic?
I release the hold on my powers instead of wasting time and his attention returns to me. I can feel sweat gathering along my spine and temples. No glib words come to me as our eyes meet. I’m frozen in absolute terror.
“Meeting you face to face is like a dream come true,” Kimi sighs and starts rubbing his nose along my cheek.
I barely notice as my heart begins to squeeze and air deserts me. I wonder if I look like Tremaine right now.
“You’ve blossomed beyond my imagination,” he says with a subtle smile, licking his lower lip and trying to take in my body. Kimi blocks his view but I can still feel his disgusting gaze coating me.
Ben makes a soft croon but I can’t acknowledge him. If I take my eyes off of Makarov he’ll attack, I know it. Deep inside, I know.
“Tell me, do you still feel it when they die?”
My lips are sealed shut better than a fae spell.
“Is it more pleasurable to you now? Or does it continue to make you sad?”
My lack of response seems to amuse him because he tilts forward a bit with a smile. “I see you have made a few friends that are very interesting to me.”
Everything inside me is demanding I get all of my bonded out of here immediately.
“It’s what he wants,” Sparky hisses from within me. “He wants to know who he can use to affect you.”
I know that but that means nothing in the face of fear.
“Take your guard for instance,” he elegantly gestures to Ben. “An amorphous being that repels with fear. Wherever did you find him?”
“The pound,” Kimi assures him with a winning smile. “It was love at first fright.”
“And you?” Makarov’s eyes snap to Kimi, glimmering with delight. “Where did she find you?”
“What’s the best boutique you can think of? Amp that up by one hundred and seventy-eight million degrees and that’s where my fine ass was.” He doesn’t bother to disguise his voice any longer while they stare at each other.
His head tilts as his eyes narrow, taking Kimi in thoroughly this time. “I see,” he mutters thoughtfully.
When he returns his attention to me he has an excited smile on his face that builds the dread in my chest unbearably.
“It was wonderful to see you in person again my dear. It’s not the same from afar. I was sorry to see your guardian pass.”
My brain scrambles around as my face pales and Ben begins to snarl behind me. He’s been watching me? The whole time?
“A shame he missed his bus,” Makarov gives me a menacing smile and stands, straightening his jacket.
He had a hand in killing the Old Man.
The fear dissipates under a wave of absolute rage. It wasn’t enough that he was sick and already dying. This fucker had to go that extra mile and kill him before his time.
My mouth creeps up into a smile as I meet his eyes again. The look makes his smile turn surprisingly genuine, like we’re sharing a moment he’s going to look back at fondly. I’m going to enjoy our next meeting a fuck ton more.
“I’ll enjoy seeing you again, Doctor. Very much.”
His eyes widen the slightest bit and his breath catches. The fact that he’s getting off on this makes me want to puke.
Vendetta: “Steady. He will continue to see if you break. Give him nothing and send him to us.”
I blink as V’s voice filters through all the emotion and I lean back, Kimi’s body melting into mine as he plays with the shaved portion of my hair.
“It will be very soon,” his eyes flicker to Kimi and then back to me as his smile widens with excitement. “If you will excuse me, I must catch up with an old acquaintance.”
He gives me an old-fashioned bow that I sneer at. Mitri does it better. His eyes narrow on the look before he walks directly to Mitri, no interference necessary.
“And then the first one left,” Kimi whispers as we watch.
