El, the girl suddenly heard a familiar voice. A tall, red-haired girl in a blue dress was walking straight towards her.
Sophie! Lincoln jumped up and hugged her.
Sophie Taylor, the daughter of Jason Taylor and Gail Jones, was Lincoln s best friend. The girls became friends in childhood and had been inseparable ever since. Sophie was 5 years younger than Elena and was just finishing her studies to become a programmer. A quiet and modest girl, she always supported Elena in word and deed.
Sophie, when did you arrive? Elena could not take her eyes off her friend.
It s been about 20 minutes, and I m immediately looking for you. At first I thought you were going to miss the ball, but when I saw you in the garden, I felt such a lift and joy, Sophie laughed. Is your father here?
Where else would he be? Taylor s faithful guard dog, Elena spoke tenderly.
As a teenager, Lincoln was quite the rebel. After quarrels with the Grays, she would pack her things and move in with the Taylors for an indefinite period. What s most surprising is that Jason and Gale didn t give her away and were patient with her unplanned visits.
Hi, El. I m going to see him, I ll see you at the party, Miss Taylor waved to Lincoln and went into the house.
There, going down to the basement, she entered the TV observation room, with a bunch of screens and computers. Taylor reigned here a reliable guard and loyal protector of the Gray family. He knew every corner of the house, every path and tree in the garden.
- Hi, Dad, - Sophie hugged her father from behind.
- Oh, fox, you're here, - Jason hugged his daughter. - How are you?
- Tired. The flight from Madrid was tiring, then the hassle with the luggage. But now I'm here and I'm glad about it, - Sophie kissed her father.
- And I'm glad. Mom was wondering if you'd come or go straight to your "friends," - Jason's face darkened.
- Dad, don't start. They saved Mom's life. I'm grateful to them for that, and I think you are too, - Sophie's face darkened. - Will you let me use the computer? I'll install updates for you and download new episodes of "Gotham"
- Sit down, of course, Soph, - Taylor let his daughter into his observation post and went out for coffee.
Left alone, Sophie opened the guest list for the ball and added a few names to it...
Elena's POV
Champagne, manicure, sweet chatter from Franco, who is busy with my hair. I completely relax and smile at my mother, who is sitting in the chair opposite. Greta, Gretchen's sister, is working on her image. They are both irreplaceable assistants in our family. Gretchen is a maid, and Greta is a personal stylist. And we value them as we value everyone who works for us.
After I am completely ready for the ball, I go down to the garden, holding the hem of my pink satin dress. When I enter, everyone freezes and looks at me. I straighten my shoulders and proudly look at the guests. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Isaac and Phoebe standing at the buffet table and laughing. I nod to them and go to my parents. Christian and Ana are standing near our table and warmly greet the guests. I stand next to my father and do the same.
An hour later, I am standing at the buffet table, drinking champagne. Soft music is playing, and I can hear the laughter and conversations of the guests. My soul becomes calm, and I even think about agreeing to dance with one of the guests.
Miss Lincoln, I thought you didn t like such gatherings, I hear a familiar voice and shudder. Robert De Niro is standing next to me in a strict black tuxedo without a bow tie. His whole figure exudes majestic calm, proud arrogance, and icy cruelty.
How did you get here? I swallow. My executioner looks at me with defiance and undisguised sexual desire.
I received an invitation. Nice evening, Lena. But I like sabbaths and orgies, Robert grins.
Of course, you prefer the worship of death, debauchery, and cannibalism, I grin. - But behave more restrainedly here. This is not your castle and I am not your sub.
I want to move away from him, but the ogre gently squeezes my hand. I feel the electric discharge again and take a deep breath, raising my eyes to him.
- Lena, will you not refuse me a dance? - The ogre gallantly swears and looks expectantly...
Lena could not find what to say. Robert was now just a man who wanted a dance from her. And she did not want to scandal. The girl carefully put her hand in his palm and again struck her electric shock, as then in the forest.
Silently they went to the dance floor and began to dance under a beautiful calm melody. Robert s movements were smooth, graceful like a cat.
- Where did you learn how to dance? - Elena finally destroyed the silence between him.
- It doesn't matter. And you? - de Niro brought his face to her.
Well, the ladies from high society are obliged to be able to dance, Lincoln caught Gray's gaze and felt his support.
A good answer, Robert introduced her into the new Pa.
They gracefully glided on the parquet and were silent. And Elena suddenly felt safe, felt that she was good with him. The girl relaxed and laid her head on the cannibal's shoulder. And I heard a purring sound. He ... he ... purred! Like a large cat, soothing it and relaxing.
You ... will be revealed, Lincoln reminded with a crafty smile.
Believe me, Elena, I can make people be silent. Do not think about it, just dance, - Robert's voice lulled her.
After the end of the music, Robert took Elena to her table.
He was glad to dance with you, Miss Lincoln, he gallantly kissed her hand.
I will not say that it is mutually, but I liked it, Elena took her hand out of him.
De Niro grinned and putting his hand into his jacket pocket took out the black panties of Helena from there. The girl burst with laughter.
You have not forgotten about them, Lincoln was shocked and at the same time pleasantly surprised that Rob fulfilled her demand. She did not care about people and what they would think, now she was seized with a certain emotional rise.
Believe me, Lena you will not want to put them on, learning how I used them, de Niro admired Lincoln's laughter. He was happy to discover humor and self -irony in it.
This is my business, Elena took her panties and smiled. - Well, before meeting in London?
- When are you flying away? - The cannibal did not want to let her go. He wanted to stand all night at her table and chat with her about all nonsense.
- Tomorrow. And I do not want to see you there, - Elena moved away from Robert.
Yes, she was harsh, but she began to like it, but the fear and the habit of speaking all in the eyes prevailed again. She wanted to conclude a deal with Daphne and enter the European market. Her plans did not have an affair with an elderly cannibal-pervert. But the search for a pretty Saba was
Elena, Christian called to her. The girl turned around and hurried to her father.
- Dad, don't start. Yes, I danced with him. Yes, I was good with him, but it was just a dance, snapped Elena.
- I'm not talking about that. Just ... I have never seen you so happy, - Christians hugged her and left her in complete shock.
POV Elena
What was it now? My father - the head of the bright said that I would be glad to see me with the Dark Lord? Does he really understand that no one and nothing can heal me? That I will be a lonely house with a bunch of rules and love for control? Love for fools, but the head of the dark does not know how to love.
I enter the house and go to the kitchen. I have to drink. And champagne will not help here. I find a bottle of whiskey and drink a burning drink directly from the throat.
- drinking alcohol alone leads to alcoholism, - and the kitchen enters Mia. - What happened to you?
Well ... Dance with de Niro, I say and smile. How calm and reliably I was with him. How sweet he purred ... And I'm afraid of these feelings, I have to hate him, and I ...
- I saw. El, it's just a dance. He is soft and friendly when he is beneficial to him. Do not score your head, baby. But I have a problem ... here is Jack ... And I'm afraid to approach him again, - Mia takes a bottle from me and drinks.
- Mia Jessica Gray, went and told him about feelings. If not now when? Tomorrow you will never come for you if you cannot tell him that you are in love with him, mi. You have to take a chance. If not now, then when? - I look into her eyes and hug. She shines.
- Exactly, I'll go drag him into the boat barn. Ellie, you are lovely. Thank you - she runs out of the kitchen.
. image of Elena Thursday morning began with rain and light headache. Elena opened her eyes and swore to herself that she would never drink again. The second bottle was clearly superfluous. The girl smiled, looking at the burning fireplace and stood up. Cold shower, coffee - and she came to her senses.
Elena, Taylor called her. Lincoln froze with a cup of coffee and smiled at him.
Good morning, Jay. Did something happen? - Jason's view was upset
Could you take with you to London Sophie? You see, she got into a bad company, here in New York. Moreover, she fell in love with one boyfriend-right hand of the leader. And I would not want to see her with him. And London will distract her and perhaps this love will pass. I know you are there on the case, but Sof does not need a nanny, only a change in the cost, Jason spoke sincerely and hotly.
Taylor's request puzzled Elena. Well this is Miss Taylor in love with, since Jason asks her to lead from America? Okay, she once asked him for help, and now he came to her with his problem.
- Okay, Sophie will fly with me. It will be scattered, Elena smiled warmly to the guard.
He silently hugged her and glanced at her suitcases that stood under the stairs.
- Did you house again? She scolded and went to her room.
There she put on a black dress, sandals and made a tail. Satisfied with his appearance. Elena went downstairs and saw Sophie with a small sports bag. The view of the younger Taylor was slightly upset.
- Sof, London is not only rains and fogs, there are awesome culture, food, monuments. I will promise us cheerfully, Lincoln smiled at her friend.
I know, but ... here I have a boyfriend. And dad believes that he is not a couple to me. He is cool. Al, he is cool. He promised to marry me. He has tattoos all over his body, we have cool sex, - Sophie almost cried.
And you invite him to London. I promise, your dad does not know anything, - Elena saw when people speak sincerely and began to understand Sophie's feelings.
- El, you are golden. Good, - Sophie hugged her.
After 10 minutes, all the Groys went into the living room. They warmly said goodbye to Elena. She hugged each of the members of her family in turn and kissed.
Take care of yourself, Christian whispered and handed his daughter a whole pile of protective amulets.
Dad, you are as always, Elena muttered. Anastasis, on the other hand, handed her a large package, full of all kinds of goodies, which Mrs. Gray he had prepared.
After that, Sophie and Elena left the Graev house and went to the private airport. There they were already waiting for a small personal aircraft. Elena climbed on board the first, and Sophie followed her. The girls took their places and after 20 minutes, the plane soared into the sky, heading for London.
POV Elena.
They brought us a bottle of champagne and two glasses. I open the bottle and pour Sophie drink. We drink and chat about different.
- So what kind of guy is there? - I am interested in, bite off Mrs. Gray from home pizza.
- Oh, his name is Josh Khaterson. We met at the University of Madrid. He is my classmate. Very brave and arrogant guy. Protects me from any dangers, real and imaginary. In short, he looked after me for a long time and beautifully, and I gave up. But the father believes that such a bully is not a couple to me. And yet, our novel, by stupid chance, coincided with Gail's disease. You know, she found ovarian cancer, - Taylor is sad.
Yes, Gail was very ill three years ago. Doctors shook their hands, powerless to help her. And suddenly, in some way, she recovered. There was no trace of cancer. Miss Jones again became that smiling and positive woman who raised me with Ana.
- Understand. Father vinyl you are spending a lot of time with Josh? I asked, having drank champagne
-The. And since then he does not like Josh - Taylor grins. - Well, as usual: parents know better than children that children need.
Familiar. Gray believed that I needed a guy, and I thought that I did not need no one except BDSM and sessions with Hyd, where I was the bottom. It was they who taught me control and faith in themselves. As a result, I was right. It was my choice, and I have never regretted that I touched the world of dominance and submission. Miss Lincoln, Madam, Domina ... as it sounds proud of me.