Chapter 17 Predators in Armani

Nicholas

The last time he had attended such an event, he was fresh out of Cambridge at twenty-one. He was deployed to a military training camp the next day. His first tour in Afghanistan came six months later. His life had drastically changed by then.

He was not expecting his mother tonight nor his sisters, though he wished they were attending to take Sinclair under their wings. Just as well, he was here and he would not be leaving her side. He glanced down at the beauty tucked to him. He couldn't believe he was this lucky. Love and passion. All his.

His actions, showing his affection for Sinclair was unconventional in his world; like he gave a fuck. This was the main reason he would never fall for arranged marriages amongst the nobility. He wanted the real thing and he found it with his sweetheart.

Climbing the stairs of Lady Morgan's beach mansion, his lips lifted imagining the baroness's surprise when she finds out he was no longer in the market. Well and good. He had no patience for matchmaking mamas. His sole goal for the evening was to enjoy his first date with his lady and observed the pompous asses of lords and nobility gracing the evening while some of the soldiers in their unit plant tracking devices on the guests' cars. His peers had their own tactics to gather information. They would be working the rooms as well.

"Nicholas," his date uttered his name softly. His attention went back to her.

"Yes, sweet?" God. From his vantage point, the diamonds doing nothing to distract her charms, he could scan the expanse of her chest unhindered, and the innocent mounds of her smooth breasts while she breathed deeply. His cock, always ready for her, twitched. He would need to find a nook later to assuage his need, realizing he would never make it home without tasting her first.

"Is this normal? They have a lot of guests." She said. Unaware of his growing libido because of the delectable picture she presented in her fitted white cocktail dress and the lush red I'll-blow-your-cock-later lipstick. Shit!

Scanning the crowd, he tried to think of something else other than Sinclair's hot mouth. "Yes, it's normal. Don't worry. My friends will be here as well." It was then he remembered something significant. This gathering had more predators than all of the African jungle combined. The assholes prey on innocents and naive. More than six years ago, he and his peers attended such events, to do their duty and guard their sisters against the vultures until their siblings found suitable matches. After that, his mother left him alone and he joined the army. "A moment Sinclair." They moved to the side. "Make sure you stay with me at all times and never accept an invitation to go anywhere without me. You only trust me and the friends I introduced yesterday. Am I clear?" she nodded her head frantically. Understanding the implications of his command. "Words, sweet."

"Yes, sir," she smiled teasingly. -The little minx.-

"Later." He promised. "Let's go." With her arm looped around his biceps, he led her inside the elegant foyer where a butler announced their arrival.

"The guests are in the drawing-room, my lord." He said and gestured towards the area where well-dressed people gathered to meet and greet newcomers. Lord and Lady Morgan were among them.

Face impassive, his warm hand on Sinclair's tucked to his arm, he approached their hostess. "Lord Morgan, Lady Morgan," he bowed slightly. Surprised flared from the lady's aging silver eyes upon recognizing him and immediately went to the petite woman beside Nicholas.

Her husband greeted them first, shaking his hand enthusiastically. Lady Morgan, one of his mother's bosom bows waited patiently. Delight in her features. "Lord Redington, it is an honor to see you this evening," her eyes went to Sinclair again, her smile broadened, "and you, at last, brought a lovely date. Introduce us, please, my boy."

He nodded. "Lady Morgan, this is my girlfriend, Sinclair. Sweetheart, let me introduce my mother's best friend and Jared's aunt."

"A pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Sin smiled nervously.

"Oh, none of that, Sinclair." She leaned and kissed his girl's cheek fondly. Then her handsome face focus beyond them. "Oh, my. All five of you in one night? Why was I not informed?" He hid his smirk. "Excuse me. I hope to talk to you again later. I am so happy to meet you." With those parting words, she smiled at them once more and glided to her other very important guests. Nicholas was well aware they would be causing a stir tonight.

"I didn't expect that. She seemed happy." Sinclair murmured while they looked for a spot to relax before dinner was served. They found one near the music room. A waiter approached them and the Viscount picked two glasses of pink champagne from the silver tray. He handed one to his date.

"She is very happy. Especially when she saw you." He sipped his drink. He would have preferred a stronger liquor. Perhaps later.

"Why?" she asked. Puzzled.

His hand touched her cheek lovingly. "Because I introduced you to her. That was a first."

"You never brought a date before? What about your previous girlfriends?" She asked incredulously.

"None, sweet. Only you." The women he associated with before were one-night stands from drunken escapades. He couldn't even remember their faces nor their names. He never dated daughters from their circle for fear of being trapped in an unwanted marriage. "You are my first and last love."

Her soft brown eyes gleamed with happiness. "Really?" Fuck! He should have told her sooner if he knew this was the reaction he would be getting from her.

"Yes." He answered with conviction. "I have to tell you something later." Time for the next step of their relationship.

"Me too, baby." Her face bloomed with a pink blush.

"I can't wait to taste you, sweet." His warm lips whispered in her ear.

"Nicholas!" She slapped his chest. He chuckled.

"I see you are having a good time, Redington." Turning to the direction of the voice, all humor left his face.

"Tanning," Nicholas greeted the man with no inflection. His one arm pulled Sinclair closer to him protectively. He knew of the older man's reputation. Rumor has it, he was fond of young girls and boys. Though no proof, there must be a semblance of truth behind such allegations. And Lord Tanning was on their list.

"You have a very beautiful girl in your arms, Redington." His beady eyes went to Sinclair and he licked his lips suggestively.

"She is none of your concern, Tanning." The Viscount's voice had an edge to it. A warning not to push his limits. His blood was simmering with anger.

"Not your usual, eh?" Not backing off, the toad moved closer to Sinclair's side. She looked down and shivered in Nick's arms.

"I suggest you move along before I bash your head in. My Sweetheart is not comfortable in your presence so it means you are on my blacklist. Walk away or you will regret it, Tanning." He warned with a menacing voice. One he reserved for enemies. Sinclair trembled. He kissed her forehead to assure her, his dark eyes never leaving Lord Tanning's smug face.

"Need help with the bashing, Redington?" Jared Bentley, Marquis of Sandringham joined them, towering over Tanning and Sinclair with his heavy muscles and 6'5" height. The weasel gazed at the two tall men in alarm, his eyes filled with terror, and he instantly moved away blending in with the other guests. "Stupid son of a..." Glimpsing Sinclair's round-eyed expression, the marquis stopped, he smiled his apology. "It's nice to see you here tonight, Ms. Yuan."

Nicholas felt her tried to curtsy, he stopped her. "No need for formalities, sweet. Sandringham is like a brother. So are the other three."

"Yup. Let me introduce you to my little sister later. I'm sure you will get along. She is your age if I am not mistaken." The marquis offered with a kind smile which was returned by Sin, already relaxing back in Nicholas's hold.

"Where are they by the way?" Referring to the three other lords.

"Caught up by the piranhas, toads, and slugs," Sandringham smirked.

Sinclair laughed. It was the sweetest sound ever. The first one he heard from her. "What do you say we rescue them?" He asked her softly.

"Yes, let's," she agreed with a beaming smile.

"Whipped," his peer murmured.

"Shut up, Sandringham." It was true and he was proud of it.

***

They rescued Huntley, Mountford, and Cerdic in the guise of introducing Sinclair to them once more and an urgent business they had to discuss. The timing was just right. Lady Morgan's butler announced dinner was ready a few minutes later. Aware of the glances they were earning from the other guests, especially Sinclair, from the men, Nicholas was glad the hostess did not separate their seating arrangement.

Cerdic himself returned to the safety of their group after he escorted their hostess to the long dining table.

Each course of the meal was done with expertise. He made sure his girl was content before his attention returned to his plate. He also took notes of what she liked the most. When dessert came, since he was not fond of them, he gave her his portion of mixed fruit and chocolate confection. Dinner was coming to an end when Lord Morgan signaled him. Shit!

Another thing he dreaded during dinner parties, especially this evening, the men had to be separated from the women for hard liquor and cigar. An old tradition. He could decline. Not a wise move. They were here to gather more information about the gang responsible for the increase in human trafficking in the city. To assess some people on their list. He had no option but to leave Sinclair in the care of Lady Morgan and Jared's sister, Lady Louise, who had hit it off right away.

"I'll be in the study with the other men, please stay close to Louise, my sweet. I'll be back soon." She nodded, smiling up at him. He kissed her temple, bowed as if she was already his Viscountess, and kissed her knuckles. They parted ways. He watched her until she left with Jared's sister.

"Don't worry. They'll be fine." Sandringham assured him following his gaze.

"Come on. It's time to work." Cerdic clapped his back. Nicholas nodded. For some reason, he couldn't shake the foreboding in his gut. Mentally shaking his wits into place, he followed his comrades in the study. The sooner they were done, the sooner he can go back to Sinclair's side.

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Sinclair

"So, you are graduating in a few weeks, too?" Lady Louise Bentley, Jared's sister, was genuinely interested in her.

Sinclair was unsure at first. At the back of her mind, women born rich and titled would see her like dirt on their feet. However, Louisa was very different. Though her beauty was to die for, she was down to earth. But picky. She didn't talk to just anyone. Sinclair was surprised Louise had stuck by her side after dinner. She was glad.

She hated the calculated stares she was receiving from the other ladies. And the men looked at her as if she was a piece of meat, ready to pounce at her at the slightest provocation. Thank God Nicholas never left her side until now.

"Yes. I will be. How about you?"

"Yup. Biochemistry. Then I will proceed with Medicine. I want to be a surgeon." Lady Louise answered. "You and Viscount Redington looked great together."

Sinclair blushed deeply. "I feel out of place." She confessed.

Leaning closer to her so others won't listen in to their conversation. She scoffed, "Pft... Don't be. I've been to gatherings such as this since I was twelve. I tell you, most people here are harmless and nice. The rest are classified as fools."

Sinclair chuckled. Louise was straightforward and she liked it. "You are refreshing, you know that? I never had a friend such as you before."

"Really?" She asked. Skeptical.

"Yup. Without these," she tapped her hearing aide, "I only sign. And girls my age don't like me because I'm beneath them."

"Fuck! That's crazy, Sinclair. They don't deserve you anyway. But I know what you mean. I had a lot of fake friends before. They only like me because of my brother and his friends. When I realized that's the case. I said, to hell with them. I am better off alone. That's why I am glad I met you tonight. Listen, can we exchange numbers?"

"Oh, god. Sure. I would like that. We can meet sometimes." They exchanged numbers, giggling when they realized they had the same phone case.

"So. Nicholas, huh?" Lady Louise teased.

"Yes, first boyfriend." She said with a gentle smile. -And my last.-

"You are lucky. I saw the way he looked at you. For being one of the unattainable, he's whipped."

"What do you mean unattainable?"

"My brother Jared, Viscount Redington, and the rest of their group are better known to us as unattainable. They don't date, had no girlfriends, no mistresses nor had they visited nightclubs to pick women. From what I heard, they had a pact." Both of them were at an alcove, separated from the group of ladies.

Sinclair was becoming engross with Louise's gossip. "What pact?"

"The next woman they would bring to their beds would be their wives. They were celibate since they returned from Afghanistan. That's why a lot of women flocked at them, hoping that they'd be that woman. So far, only Lord Redington hit the jackpot." She finished her statement with a huge smile.

"God, Louise. That's too much information. I...I am not even sure that's how Nick sees me." Her head was spinning. Did he see her as a potential wife right from the beginning? He told her she was his. Forever. Damn. She was dense. They had to talk later.

"Believe me. That's how he sees you. Hey, don't panic. Do you love him?" She gripped Sinclair's arm.

"Yes." She confessed to her new friend and she shushed her to prevent her from squealing.

"God. That's so romantic. I am glad I am waiting for the one."

"What? No boyfriend or anyone yet?" Sinclair asked in skepticism. With her goddess-like beauty, Louise can have anyone.

"Nope. As pure as the freshly driven snow. I am waiting for someone actually." She answered wistfully.

"God. He is stupid not to notice you."

Lady Louise laughed. "He notices me but he is too afraid to act on it." She shrugged. "Maybe he will come to his senses soon."

"Just tell me when and where and I will gladly tie him up for you," Sinclair whispered conspiratorially.

"You are crazy." She shook her head. Grinning.

"I know." Being Nicholas' date for tonight made Sinclair slowly come out of her shell. They talked some more until Louise's attention was caught by someone across the room.

"Listen. My mother is signaling me to go to her. She will be leaving early. I'll come back, okay?" Louise said. A bit worried.

"Go. I'll be here. I'm sure Nicholas will be out in a few." She's a grown woman for christ's sake. She can hold her own.

"Okay. I'll be back. I promise." With that, her vivacious friend almost ran to her mother.

Sinclair hummed her answer. Inwardly reviewing the events that had transpired since Nicholas came back for her a few days ago. Her life had drastically changed. He had boldly claimed her. Without an objection, she gave herself to his keeping. She was ready to confess and give her all. He deserved her. Including her past. Yes. It's time.

"Well, well, well, the little brat has landed on her feet, I see. Or rather, her back. Can't say I'm surprised. It's either you had become a whore or a kept woman. Or both."

That voice. Her heart stilled and her stomach dropped to her feet. She had never expected to meet her cruel past here. Her eyes filled with tears from the viciousness of her words and the pain was stronger because it was inflicted by someone she had trusted once.

But she was tougher now. Nicholas made her stronger. She would fight back and win. Taking a deep breath, her face blank, she faced her nightmare.

"What? Cat got your tongue, Sinclair? You are not only deaf but mute, too?" She mocked. The woman before her was dressed in red. Elegant and provocative. Heavy make-up covering her wrinkles and imperfections. She had done well. Though she looked older than her age and worn out, she screamed money. But her eyes were full of hate and rage. For the daughter she had left without remorse.

From her posture, a bit wobbly, Sinclair could see the woman standing before her was drunk. Nothing new there.

"Mother, I can see you are still a drunkard bitch." Sinclair spat out. Without warning, she felt it. Her cheek stung and she could taste blood on her lip. Her body trembled with rage. The urge to retaliate was strong she had to clench her hands from doing so. Nicholas. Sinclair thought. She didn't want to ruin his reputation.

"What the fuck is happening here?" A dark familiar voice growled and she was pulled to a hard chest possessively. She could hear shocked gasps and whispers.

And she had thought her night was perfect.

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