My phone went off at exactly 1730. I replied to the text with a quick BRT, and then gave myself a good once over. Just like the first time I tried on the dress, the soft gold and white silk flowed softly against my sun kissed skin. Every movement, the dress moved like it was a part of me. I had to admit Veronica did good. This dress was easily appealing to the girliness deep within.

My long hair was now curled, the loose spirals resting softly against my back. I wanted my make up to be as natural as possible, and April did an amazing job. The shades of brown eyeshadow she used made my blue eyes pop. I naturally had long eyelashes so no mascara was needed. Like always, my lips held their own light pink tint, so I had nothing on but a slim layer of chap stick. No earrings. No necklace. No rings. Besides the dress and make up, I was still my natural self. "Let's do this." I mumbled and then grabbed my gold clutch and headed to the elevator.

On my way down my eyes has started to roam. I had no doubt that Killian was not going to be anywhere in the condo, but after last night, and parts of this morning, I wanted to check if he was okay. As the doors to the elevator closed, I let out a soft sight. Just like I'd thought; the place had been empty. Still, even with his absence bugging me, I managed a smile. If Veronica saw the worry lines, she'd start bugging, and I didn't want or need her friends or Austin knowing any of my business.

The moment I walked outside, a long, slick, black, hummer limo pulled up. It came to a stop and then a man was outside opening the back door. He smiled with a light nod, and waited until I was seated comfortably before closing the door. He slipped back into his own seat and then the limo was moving. I shifted in my seat, waiting for the strange silence to pass. Everyone was here; Veronica, Amber, Chelsey, Zoey, and Austin, but no one was saying a word.

Finally, someone snickered. My eyes darted to the left, landing on a pair of mischievous hazel ones. I gave the guy a smirk followed by the finger. He instantly responded.

"Flipping off an officer. I'm pretty sure you can go to DRB for that."

"Why are you here? Don't you have a division to fail...sir?"

"Don't you have a person to accidentally shoot?"

"Don't you have a life to find?"

"Don't you-"

"Don't you two ever shut up!?" Veronica snapped. My jaw dropped, I looked at her with wide eyes.

"W...what's wrong?" I asked weirded out by her behavior.

"Her and that ass hole got into a fight."

"Be quite Austin!" Veronica growled, her eyes starting to tear up, "If it wasn't for you there wouldn't have been a fight!"

"I was only being honest-" I shoved him to the floor, and scooted over so I was next to Veronica. A single tear started sliding down her rosy cheek, but I caught it before it could even manage to get down half way.

"What happened?" She looked at me but didn't respond. I shook my head and tried again, "Come on Veronica, holding it in will only make things worse. You know you can talk to me..." Her bottom lip began to tremble and in a matter of seconds she was face down on my lap sobbing. I froze, my hands awkwardly rubbing back and forth on her head, my brain unable to function in correlation with the large amount of emotion.

"A...a...w...w....we...b...bro....brother...h...he's....gu...gunn...a...a...b...b...b...break...up...with...m...m...me..." Her words barely audible. I sighed softly and turned towards her brother with a low growl.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing." He deadpanned.

"Lier! Now tell me what you did!"

"I only did what was needed." Austin was off the floor, the collar of his tux clenched in my fist. It took everything I had not to yell in his face.

"What. Did. You. Do?" I hissed. He stared at me with only a slight amount of fear, but it was enough. After a few moments of stone cold glaring, he gave in.

"I told him he didn't deserve Veronica. That she was much better off with someone of her social status. Then I lied to him saying my father and I had a marriage propose set up, and that Veronica planned on agreeing to it."

"Why would you do that!?"

"The guy only wants Veronica for her money-"

"He has money you idiot!" I screamed.

Veronica froze her eyes going wide. "W...w...what?"

She didn't know. No one knew. I had only found out because I overheard a conversation between him and some guy on the phone. When I confronted him about the situation, he'd asked me not to tell. He wanted to explain his circumstances with Veronica himself.

"No he doesn't!" He snapped back, "Trust me, I've looked into the guy."

"Veronica," I ignored her brother knowing he had no clue what he was talking about, "Look, the only reason I know about it was because I was being a bad person and was eavesdropping on one of his conversations before. I overheard him saying something about transferring a large amount of money into an account and I got worried that he was in fact taking advantage of you. When I confronted him about it he explained his entire situation, but he had me promise not to tell anyone...especially you."

"Why? He should know I wouldn't care-"

"And he does...just trust me, how he gets his money, is definitely something you need to hear in person...face to face. Now call him and talk to him." She heeded my order and pulled out her phone immediately. There was a pause when the screen came to life, but after a nudge from my elbow, she dialed.

The phone rang, and with each ring, Veronica only became more depressed. I was about to just hang up the phone myself, when the timer started.

"A...Aaron?" It was so hard not to palm my face. She was always to gentle with him. "I uh...please don't be mad at me! But- No- It's not- Please-"

"Listen Aaron," I growled as I ripped the phone from her hand, "Veronica's brother is an ass hole who only said what he said to you because he thinks your poor and as much as he doesn't want to admit it, he loves his little sister more then life and doesn't want to see her get hurt like she did with that piece of shit she dated before you. If you really love Veronica, and yes I said love, then ignore her stupid brother and be with her. Not to mention, because I can find you if needed, I will rip your fucking man hood off if you even think about putting her through what that last bastard did! Now you are going to talk to her and listen patiently. Do I make myself clear?" The limo was dead silent. Even Aaron's side of the phone call was eerily quiet. I pulled the phone away to see if he had hung up on me but the screen showed that the call was still going. Before I could say anything more he gave me a quick okay. I handed the phone back to Veronica.

"Hello?" She sounded so weak; it hurt to hear her like that. "Y...yes it was. He lied to you Aaron. I would never say yes to an engagement...well I mean not never...you know when the right guy asked...and you know...I'm rambling!" Her eyes lit up. Clearly everything was going to be okay. "I can call you back after the event. Yes. I love you to." She ended the call and gave me a soft smile. "Thank you Mia."

"Can't have my girl hurting. Now fix your make up," in front of us lights began flashing, "We're here." She nodded quickly and pulled a few tools from her clutch. With some concealer, here, some foundation there, and just a tad bit of mascara and black eyeliner, she was once again the beautiful girl that she was. Her skin was glowing, the slight tan standing out perfectly with the help of her pink Champaign colored dress.

"You're amazing, you know that?"

"Tell myself that every morning." The limo came to a stop and the door opened. Amber stepped out first, her long white dress, with a split up to her thigh flowing against her legs with the slight breeze. Zoey followed close behind with Chelsea behind her. Their dresses were both simple. Zoey wearing a strapless black dress, and Chelsea wearing a silver one. I was next. I stepped out with a hand from the driver.

The moment I stood up straight, the cameras were flashing. Questions were thrown my way in every direction. Most of them wanted to know who I was or what I did. I just smiled politely and waited for Veronica and her brother to join me. The reaction was the same, though most of Veronica's question were about her business and Austin's were about his job with the military. They stole the show, that was until a man suddenly jumped onto the path and asked the one question that put me directly under the spot light.

"Ma'am, exactly how long have you and Killian Cross been together?" My eyes went wide.

"W...what?"

"But isn't Killian Cross single?" A woman shouted from the crowd. In a matter of seconds, I was surrounded. Photographers pushing onto the walkway, questions about Killian and I thrown every which way.

"When did your relationship start?"

"Is this a relationship or is he just messing around with you like all the other woman?"

"Are you pregnant?"

"How far along are you?"

"Is it true Killian likes the kink-"

"ENOUGH!" My uncle threw a man to the ground; in an instant I was surrounded by a group of security, their overly large bodies blocking the view of the cameras. I grabbed onto Veronica and with the help of my uncle and his team, we moved into the hotel were the event was being held.

"Well," Veronica sighed loudly as she fixed her dress, "Didn't expect that to happen."

"Neither did I, but what even makes them think that I'm with him?"

"You've been out in public with him many times. Someone probably saw you two together and made the assumption that there was something going on." My uncle stated, staying close just in case something else went wrong.

"See, this is why I don't like the money life. It's nothing but drama and rumors and assumptions! I need to go back to my life, where simply going through a gate, brings me all the protection I need!"

"Please," Veronica said as we began moving towards the ball room, my uncle and two others close behind, "Sometimes a little bit of drama is needed in ones life. Everyone is going to love a story about how Killian got some woman pregnant and had to give up his life as a man whore so he could raise his child."

"Everyone but me! And I'm not pregnant!"

"I know you aren't" she chuckled mischievously, "But they don't."

"If this gets out of control, I'm blaming you." She grinned but chose not to respond.

We walked in through the silver and gold doors into a crowded room. Everywhere I looked, all I could see was the word rich. I instantly hated the place; to many judgmental eyes. Though as I moved about, my body moving towards the bar at the far left corner, I began to notice a few different types of looks. I was being checked out, and along with those came the states of jealous women. Clearly I was making an impression, but they had no need to worry for I was not on the prowl tonight. I just wanted to hear the speech and leave.

As I made my way to the bar, I kept a look out for the guest of honor. He was no where to be seen, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was getting a round in before they arrived. It wouldn't surprise me if that was exactly what was going on, but I would be a little disappointed, knowing that he's sunk that low.

With a glass of wine practically at the tip of my fingers, I pushed the thoughts back for another time and met the bartender with a soft smile. He met mine with one of his own.

"What can I get for ya?"

"A glass of your best wine."

"Right away." He turned towards the back and began going through his shelves. I managed to wait patiently, giving the man yet another smile when he handed the glass over. I dug through my clutch for money, but was stopped by a hand.

"First one's on me." I knew the voice. When I looked up, I was met my Marc's gleaming white smile.

"No thank you." I deadpanned and continued with my digging. I was stopped again, but this time it was by the bartender.

"No worries ma'am, drinks are on the house."

"Oh...okay...well at least take the tip." I handed him a 20 and grinned as I took my glass, "I'll be back soon...that bottle is all mine!" He took the bill and then I was gone, winding through the crowd until I spotted my group. There were a few others gathered around, but I didn't care. I had my wine. I was happy.

Seeing me coming, Veronica held out a hand, starting the introductions as soon as I was in reaching distance.

"Mia," she turned me towards an older version of herself, "This is my older sister Whitney, and her fiancé Kyle. Whitney works with me and Kyle owns his own publishing company." Next to them were two girls with a ruddy complexion. They had beautiful high cheeks bones, and the most gorgeous dark silky hair that I had ever seen. They both had the same nose and lovely dark brown eyes, so I figured they were twins, "These two lovely ladies are Blaire and Fraye, they own this amazing Native restaurant...remind me to take you some time. And last but not least," she pointed to a man standing next to her brother. He seemed quiet, his dark green eyes observing every one around him, "This is Brandon, one of Austin's friend."

"Nice to meet you." I smiled and downed half my glass.

"Same here," Whitney smiled, "I've heard a lot about you." My gaze landed on Austin. What a coincidence that his eyes were pointed anywhere but at us.

"Well let's hope they were good things."

"Always good things. I don't think he's ever said anything bad about Ms. Blue-on-blue."

"Do you tell everyone about that?" I snapped. He gave me a lop sided grin.

"The best stories have to do with blue-on-blue. I can't help it."

"So you're the one always waving her gun around..." Brandon commented as his eyes on me, "I've heard the stories. The best shooter from the Bulkeley; who aims at everything and anything."

"I do not." I mumbled. So maybe I did...sometimes...I always knew what I was doing though...

"Lies."

"Shut up Austin!"

"Telling an officer to shut up...Mast sounds pretty nice right now..."

"I'm not a part of your crew anymore. In fact, I'm not even on your side of the continent anymore! Your threats don't work!"

"We'll see." He chuckled.

"Enough military talk!" Veronica growled, "Let's talk business!"

"Yes!" Her sister beamed, "Ladies, I want to get my jewelry business into the younger generation."

"What do you mean?" Chelsea asked.

"I was on Pinterest the other day and saw some pictures of promise rings. One pair of rings was shaped like a crown. I thought it was so cute! So I thought, we would try something like that. The band would be made of gold and the Jewels would be made of diamonds. We could do a set in rose gold too!"

"Sounds like a good idea. My little sister just hit her 2 year mark with her boyfriend. They were considering promise rings since they are both only 17. I bet she'd love that." Zoey commented.

Amber simply shrugged, "I buy all my jewelry from you guys. Your pieces are always beautiful. Anyone would be stupid not to buy from you guys."

"That you do..."

"So," Kyle started as the girls dived into a conversation about concealer that helped hydrate your skin, "How long have you been in?"

"Four and a half years. Just reenlisted."

"Do you like it?"

"Love it. I mean there are some days where I wish I would have chosen to go to college instead, but I know if I would have done that, well...my life wouldn't have been fair to others."

"What do you mean?"

"Well...I received a good amount of money when my dad passed away, it would have gotten me through up to med school...."

"But?"

"My extended family would have started pulling strings. Nothing good would have happened simply because I deserved it, it would have only been because of money. I didn't want that kind of life. The military gave me my freedom."

"I've heard about that." Kyle deadpanned.

"About what?" His friend asked. Kyle was about to answer when the answer himself showed up out of nowhere. All the girls around were staring at him. When I followed their gazes, I could completely understand.

Dressed in a three piece, black, Italian silk suit, Killian looked like heaven. He was all business. The look in his wicked green eyes challenging everyone. He was the alpha here and he knew it. No one would challenge him, no one, but me.

"What do you want?" He didn't answer right away. He pulled me away from my group first before speaking low enough for only me to hear.

"How are you feeling? I don't want you to push yourself."

"I'm fine. Just like I told you earlier."

"I know you said that. That doesn't mean I'm not going to be a little worried."

"Well don't. I'm fine. Now go do your speech and please leave me alone." I walked away before he could say another word.

🍷

I am so sorry for the late update. I know it's been a good minute since the last update! I am going to try to update more often! At max I'm trying to keep it under two weeks for each update.

I hope you are all having a good holiday!

-Stiel out!