His Slave

20. Evening Out

Erin

Never once in my life have I worn heels for any occasion, and god they're difficult to walk in. I commend all the women who wear heels on a daily basis because I don't know how they do it. It took me almost twenty minutes just to get down the stairs and out to the car, and that was with James' assistance. It didn't help that he kept laughing at me.

I wasn't expecting that he'd want to go out when he got back, but I don't mind. I needed a break from Anna's teasing. God, she wouldn't shut up. I was relieved when the packages arrived and I had a substantial reason to get away from her. Apparently wanting to spend some time reading is not a valid excuse in Anna's book.

James takes me to a mansion, though it's quite a bit smaller than Harrington Manor. I turn towards him, a little confused.

"What are we doing here?" I ask, glancing around at all the people getting out of their cars and climbing the many steps up to the mansion.

James shuts his car off before turning towards me. "The Governor decided to throw a party this evening- some commemorative bullshit for the government. I forgot about it until I was on my way back. The fact that you happened to be in a party dress when I got home was actually perfect," he replies, smirking at me.

Nervousness wells up inside of me. When James said we were going out, I assumed he meant out to dinner. Not to a party thrown by the fucking governor.

"Will they be upset that I'm here?" I ask him, instinctively glancing down at my debtor's mark.

"Ah. They won't be upset but I suppose they might find it a bit odd that I've brought a debtor to such a high-profile party," he agrees.

"Wow. You called me a debtor. I'm shocked," I tease with a laugh.

James scowls at me. "I was generalizing," he retorts. "And most people won't care if you're a debtor or not, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I suppose something can be done," he adds, opening up the center console and searching through the contents.

"Wow, getting called a debtor twice in one evening!" I reply, continuing to tease him.

He gives me a pointed look as he pulls a bandage out, closing the center console. "Give me your arm, slave," he demands, getting a little frustrated with my antics.

"You know I could put a bandage on my own arm, right?" I ask just because I know it will irritate him more.

James sighs, clearly done with my shit.

"Erin," he warns, his violet eyes alight with anger. I finally do as I'm told, surrendering my left arm. James removes the bandage from the paper, holding my arm still as he pastes it over my debtor's mark.

"There. Now it just looks like you cut yourself," he says before popping his door open, stepping out. He comes around to the passenger side, helping me out of the car. I rest my hand in the crook of his elbow, trying not to trip as we walk. The dark leather of his jacket is cool and smooth against my fingers. You wouldn't think that a suit paired with a leather jacket would work, but somehow James pulls it off. He leads us over to a man dressed in a red tux, dropping his keys into the man's hand.

"Not a scratch or you're dead," he hisses at the valet before turning and escorting me inside. As we ascend the steps that lead up to the mansion, James leans in close, his lips brushing against my ear.

"You're going to behave," he whispers, his words still laced with warning.

"There are a lot of very important people here tonight. Follow my lead, do not make any kind of scene, don't speak to someone unless they speak to you first. If you're not sure what to say, don't say anything at all."