“You need to leave your attitude at the door, baby,” he’d told her as he passed her the garment bag with her dress.
“I know you don’t like me to ‘control’ you,” he gestured with mock quotes, “but others need to think that’s exactly what I’m doing. No hesitation. I know I sound like a broken record but I can’t stress this enough. Think about this mask you’re putting on and put a mask on the rest of your face as well. This collar, pretend there’s an invisible leash between you and I attached to it. You wearing that is symbolic, shows everyone that you’re off limits; that you’re mine.”
Kyla swallowed hard.
“If we’d been at home I would’ve brought you out for only a short time but here you’ll be with me most of the event. There are pros about it being here, too, as everyone will be on their best behaviour. But don’t forget that someone could be watching you closely. After the banquet senior team members will be in a behind closed doors meeting. That meeting will have a part 2, tomorrow. I’ll bring you back to the apartment after the dinner and then head over there for the meeting. I’ll duck out with you as early as I can manage. Depending on how the conference goes, I’ll decide what to do next from there.”
Kyla was as ready as she’d ever be.
Walking into the banquet room Kyla caught sight of the back of herself in a full length mirror looking sexy, she could even admit it herself, but she wondered who could see bite marks on her shoulder in two places, once on the top and once on her upper back. If someone looked closely they’d also see past the concealer and count fang marks peeking out from the thick jeweled collar on her neck in several places and her shoulders and the crook of her arm as well as her calf despite her efforts to cover them up. A turtleneck long sleeved ankle-length dress would’ve been better, obviously.
Of course the dress hid marks on her thighs, her hips, backside, her lower back, her stomach, and that cuff bracelet hid the marks on her wrist. Tristan had spent the better part of the past week and a half branding her thoroughly, just as he’d told her he wanted to do.
The mask over her eyes did lend enough anonymity to help her feel a bit more at ease about her poker face. As she quickly surveyed the room she wasn’t sure who was a vampire and who was a human date or pet. She knew most of them were vampires and it was more than unnerving but she did her best to walk steady on his arm and not make direct eye contact with anyone.
Tristan looked debonair in a black tux with a dark ruby red bow tie. He was clean shaven, his wavy hair slightly gelled, and he smelled awesome, as usual. He was tall, dark, and gorgeous and even in her very high heels he towered over her. His black satin mask made him look mysteriously sexy and dangerous, the icy blue gemstone eyes blazing through.
Tristan told her ahead of time that as the event host he needed to speak at the start and end of the event but that it would be largely social in nature for the vampires so she’d be able to simply stay at his side and quiet throughout the event. He sat Kyla at an empty table for eight close to the podium and whispered in her ear to stay there, stay quiet, and simply smile and be polite if anyone greeted her. If in doubt, act catatonic. There was a card at the place setting with ‘guest of Tristan Walker’ embossed. The band leader gave him a nod and then there was a break in the music. Tristan removed his eye mask,
“Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the eightieth annual conference kickoff for Kovac Capital. Thank you for all of your efforts that have contributed to our ongoing success. I apologize for the short notice on the venue change and I hope you all have a good time tonight despite that. I will see many of you tomorrow for meetings and discussions here that will help us take this company to new heights in the coming year. You’ll have notifications texted to you before midnight about your schedule for tomorrow. Tonight is about celebrating so Salut. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and dancing. And have fun. Keep your masks on but don’t have too much fun.” He gave an exaggerated wink to the crowd. Laughter rang in the air. He smirked, raised his glass of champagne, and dipped slightly in the direction of the crowd who all clapped.
Tristan signaled a thumbs up to the maestro and the band started to play another song. He put his mask back on.