Page 82 of Pure Recklessness

Ever since Joe had given these heels to me, I’d been trying to practise walking in them. I’d never worn stilettos and although they weren’t very comfortable, they looked amazing. My legs seemed longer and more toned, so I was willing to suffer the pain for one night.

Fashion hadn’t interested me before, but I could get used to looking like this.

Never mind a million dollars. Tonight I felt like a billion dollars.

‘Your Andi-fication is complete!’ Dana declared. ‘You look absolutely stunning! Strike a pose, hon.’ She held up her phone. ‘I promised Joe that I’d send a photo so he could see your glow-up before you arrive.’

I smiled awkwardly, not really sure how to pose.

‘Hand on hip, chin up and imagine you’re about to strip naked for one of the Devlin brothers. Or all four of them!’ She cackled and my eyes popped. ‘Deer in headlights isn’t the look that I was going for, but I suppose this pic will have to do. I’ll give you some posing tips in the Uber. But right now, Cinderella, it’s time to get you to the ball!’

32

BLAKE

Imade it.

I stepped out of the limousine and straight onto the red carpet. I should’ve arrived at the awards ceremony twenty minutes ago, but my last meeting in New York ran late, so the jet took off later than planned.

The Chilli Awards were one of the most important awards ceremonies in our industry. Any book that won here was guaranteed to become an instant bestseller. Not just in the UK, but internationally too.

Extra book sales meant a huge bump in revenue, which was exactly what Sated needed right now.

With eleven of our books nominated across multiple categories, we stood a solid chance of a win. But we were up against Debaucherous, by Enigma Aura, which was already an international bestseller and was tipped to be this year’s biggest success. It was the book that everyone wished was theirs.

And it was a novel that would’ve been published by Sated if I wasn’t betrayed.

And if I’d kept my dick in my pants.

I stopped on the carpet for the annoying paps to snap away, then strode inside. As much as I hated having my photo taken, I had to suffer through it occasionally to keep Sated’s name in the spotlight.

Once I was inside the grand hotel foyer, I scanned the crowd for my brothers.

‘There you are!’ I recognised Seb’s voice and turned around.

‘Hi,’ I patted him on the back. ‘Where are the other two fuckers?’

‘Oscar’s over there chatting up some blonde and Heath’s probably sitting at the bar with his calculator, fretting about how many books we need to sell to cover the cost of all the tables we’ve booked tonight.’

‘Accurate.’ I laughed. ‘Although, he probably did that months ago.’

Heath was the sensible, buttoned-up brother. His idea of a good time was creating a new spreadsheet. He was the only sibling who was married with kids.

‘Fuck, incoming.’ Seb’s face fell.

‘What’s—’ I was about to ask him what the problem was, but then I saw her and everything became clear.

‘Blake! Darling!’ She smiled like butter wouldn’t melt.

‘Pandora,’ I gritted out. The audacity of her to call me darling. I hadn’t been that for over a year. She was lucky I hadn’t just called her a deceitful bitch.

‘You’re looking dapper tonight. Perhaps we can catch up, later.’ She went to touch my arm and I swatted her hand away.

‘Cut the shit,’ I spat. ‘We are not friends.’

‘We don’t have to be friends. That’s what will make it even more exciting.’ She winked, before taking a strand of her long jet black hair and twirling around her finger.

‘I’ll pass,’ I replied.