Chapter 57

Gavin’s POV

There was a hopeful boyish quality about my nephew and the thought of poking that bubble with a needle didn’t sit right with me. But I also didn’t want to get his hopes up. It shouldn’t matter to me if Judy decided to be his girlfriend. She was her own woman, and she could do whatever she wanted. It was clear to me that she didn’t want me in that kind of way; she only wanted to keep our relationship professional, which was probably for the best.

But the thought of her being touched by another man left me feeling nothing but resentment and anger. I had to brush that thought out of my head though; it was my business. She made her choice and now I had to make mine.

“I can’t answer for her,” I finally settled on. “You’ll have to ask her for yourself.”

I turned on that note and walked into the kitchen without saying another word. Irene and Matt were already seated at the dining table and Walter walked in moments after I did. I sat at the head of the table and Walter took a seat beside Irene.

“I’m so glad you can join us for dinner, Dad. I didn’t think you’d be here,” Irene said with a fond smile.

“I’m surprised you aren’t with Ethan,” I replied, putting my cloth napkin on my lap.

She shrugged and glanced at her phone which was beside her on the table.

“He’s been busy today,” she said softly. “After I got back from the hospital earlier, he had to catch up on some work. He spent the entire night with me. He was such a gentleman.”

I looked around her face and saw that the bruise was almost completely gone, and she was looking a lot better. I was relieved to see that; when I saw her at the hospital this morning after I left the Villa, she was exhausted and still so scared. Spending time with Ethan must have helped her mentally recover.

“He was so noble last night, Daddy. I wished I could have remembered him fighting those rogues, but I passed out. I couldn’t believe he came to save me… he must really love me,” Irene continued to gush. “I can’t believe I ever doubted him.”

“You doubted him?” Walter asked, raising his brows.

“Only for a minute,” she admitted. “I thought he might have feelings for someone else. But I think I was just paranoid.”

“Who would he have feelings for?” Walter asked. “Who could possibly be better than you, Rena?”

Irene blushed and glanced at her empty plate.

“It’s not important,” she murmured.

It was clear she didn’t want to say; I already knew who she was thinking of. Before anyone could say anything else, the maids were bringing in the food.

“It all looks so good!” Irene gushed.

“I can’t wait to eat,” Walter chimed in.

“Did in,” I said as the food was finished being served.

I waited until they were able to get their filling of food before I began to eat as well.

“Did you hear about the masquerade gala this weekend?” Irene asked, glancing at me. “Everybody who is anybody will be there.”

I nodded.

“I have invitations for you and Ethan,” I told her.

She squealed happily and clapped her hands.

“Is it possible for me to get a couple of tickets as well?” Walter asked, glancing at me before taking another bite of food. “I would like to ask Judy to accompany me to the gala.”

“That’s a wonderful idea!” Irene said excitedly. “I can take her shopping and make a girl’s day out of it.” She froze when I glared at her and she gave me a sheepish smile. “And this time we won’t wander off without guards.”

“You’ll take extra guards and Beta Taylor,” I told her, not leaving any room for arguments.

She nodded and glanced at her plate.

“Yes, father.”

Walter cleared his throat, bringing my attention back to him. I didn’t want to give him a gateway to take Judy out, but if I refused him, I would have to explain why, and I wasn’t prepared to come up with such an excuse right now.

“So, can I get a couple tickets?” He asked again.

I nodded.

“Yeah,” I murmured. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks, Uncle,” he said as he started on his food again.

“This is going to be so fun<” Irene babbled. She continued to mindlessly talk while we ate our meal.

My eyes wandered over to Walter briefly and lingered there for a bit longer than they should have. He had a smile on his lips, and I knew exactly who he was thinking of because I was thinking of the same woman.

…..

Judy’s POV

“Two words. Masquerade Gala!” Nan said, shoving a flyer in my face and squealing excitedly. I was perched against the tree in the campus quad, studying a textbook, when Nan came out of nowhere.

I grabbed the flyer and frowned at it. Of course, I’ve heard of this Gala. They have it every few years and it’s the most popular event that includes all the big packs in the area. Only the rich and famous attend these Galas. The most famous will fly in for an event like this. But you have to be invited in order to get through the doors.

“Only anybody who is anybody will be there,” Nan continued as she gazed lovingly at the flyer.

“And since when are we anybody?” I asked her, raising my eyebrows.

“Not ‘we’. You.”

I sighed.

“Since when am I anybody?” I rephrased.

“Um, since you started dating the world's second-sexiest badass bachelors,” she told me, sitting beside me.

I rolled my eyes at her words.

“Now that’s a mouthful,” I teased. “But seriously, Nan. I only went on a couple of dates with Walter. I wouldn’t exactly say we are serious. At least not serious enough for him to take me to this thing.”

“You literally kissed,” she reminded me, nudging me with her shoulder.

Yeah, we kissed. But it wasn’t mind-blowing and left me on weak knees like my kiss with Gavin. I couldn’t tell Nan that I kissed Gavin though and I certainly couldn’t tell her about last night. I bit my lower lip, hoping she didn’t notice the sudden blush in my cheeks.

“You are literally blushing thinking about it,” she chuckled. “You can’t tell me you don’t like him.”

I shrugged casually.

“He’s okay, I guess,” I murmured.

“Just okay? Don’t be ridiculous. He’s gorgeous and anybody would kill to be going on dates and kissing him,” she told me. “He’s going to invite you to this thing. You have to say yes, Judy.”

“If he invites me then I will,” I tell her. “But until then, I’m not going to wait for him or get my hopes up.”

She sighed and leaned against the tree as she continued to gaze at the flyer.

“I wish I could be so lucky,” she breathed.

As I packed up my books, shoving them into my backpack, I stood to my feet and shouldered my bag.

“Well, I’ll send you pictures,” I said sarcastically.

“You better,” she replied.

I laughed and shook my head. It was ridiculous to think he would invite me to this thing and even if he did, I’m not really sure if he would go. I wasn’t going to tell her that though; I didn’t need to give her another reason to hound me about something.

We said our goodbyes and I started to walk toward the front of the campus. I doubted Gavin would pick me up for my tutoring session this afternoon, so I was about to call an Uber. However, as soon as I stepped out front, a familiar luxury car pulled up in front of me and I froze entirely.

The window rolled down and I saw a smiling Irene in the driver’s seat. Another car pulled up behind her and I knew that they were Gamma’s warriors.

“Get in, bitch. We are going shopping!” She teased.

I raised my brows.

“Didn’t we just go shopping?” I asked as I opened the passenger side door.

She nodded.

“Yeah, but this is different,” she told me.

I sat in the passenger seat and shut the door behind me. The car sped away from the school before I could even get my seatbelt on.

“I see the Gammas are trailing us,” I said, glancing at her. “Are you okay with that this time?”

“She has no choice.”

I screamed at the sound of a male voice in the backseat, and I whipped around to see Beta Taylor seated behind me. The head gamma, I believe his name was Derek Richards, was seated beside him. They both looked started at the sound of my scream.

Once my heart rate went down and I was finally able to breathe, they also relaxed.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” Taylor said, giving me a sheepish grin.

“Probably should have warned you that we were here,” Derek agreed.

I looked at Irene who had a grin on her face.

“Definitely not taking any chances this time, “she confirmed with a light chuckle.

I nodded and I couldn’t help but laugh with her as I relaxed back in my seat.

“So, what are we shopping for this time?” I asked her.

She grinned widely and my stomach tightened; I was nervous about what she was about to say.

“We are dressing for the Gala!” She finally announced. “it’s this weekend and you are going as Walter’s date!”