Fated Series. Book #2
"Be possessive of me, own me, keep me, because if you do then nothing and no one else can." - Maddox.
My name is Maddox Vallero, and I'm dead.
Well, that's not quite true. I'm alive in the breathing, walking, talking sense-but...
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Chapter 22 His Reward Sophia.
The event was stunning, every detail meticulously crafted to create a lavish atmosphere. Tables framed the grand ballroom, and just beyond, a connected area held a spacious dance floor, already alive with swaying guests. The rich colors of gold and maroon dominated the decor, a clear nod to wealth and prosperity, while a massive Baccarat chandelier illuminated the entrance to the dance floor, refracting light like scattered diamonds. The entire room glimmered in a dim, ethereal glow, making it feel almost dreamlike. Waiters moved elegantly through the crowd, their trays brimming with champagne flutes and high-end cocktails.
A soft symphony played in the background, blending seamlessly with the hum of laughter and conversation that buzzed throughout the room. The vibe was undeniably rich and sophisticated, but no matter how dazzling the setting, I couldn't quite shake the small voice in my head—the one that whispered I didn't belong here. A girl from the ghetto walking among the elite. I knew better than to indulge that thought, but it lingered anyway.
I scanned the room, watching the guests laugh and mingle, seemingly effortless in their confidence and ease. Maddox, however, stood stiffly beside me, scowling as if this were a prison sentence rather than a gala. "People are going to think you don't want to be here with that expression," I teased, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray.
He snatched one, too, gulping down half of it in one go. "What a horror," he muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Can we go now? It's been two damn hours."
"It'll probably be at least two more," I replied with a smirk. "The auction hasn't even started."
He groaned like I'd told him he was about to face a firing squad. "There's a fucken auction?"
Wow, he really wasn't paying attention in the meeting. "Yes, boss, there's an auction," I said, trying not to laugh. "Which you are presenting with Mateo, in case you forgot."
Maddox frowned deeply, downing the rest of his champagne as if it might erase the reality of his obligation. "If they can even find me," he muttered under his breath, spinning his ring yet again. I was half surprised he hadn't worn the skin off his finger from the sheer number of times he'd twisted that thing tonight. His sharp gray eyes roamed the room, scanning every face. It wasn't until they landed on Mateo, stationed across the ballroom, that his shoulders loosened ever so slightly.
Mateo was deep in conversation with the COO of another Fortune 100 company, but I didn't miss the way his eyes occasionally flicked toward Maddox, as if checking in on him from across the room. And every time Maddox found Mateo, he visibly relaxed, the tension in his frame dissolving just enough. They had this silent way of grounding each other that I couldn't fully understand but had come to notice.
I brushed my pinky lightly against Maddox's hand, a small, subtle gesture that wouldn't draw attention but would let him know I could feel his rising anxiety from where I stood. I'd watched him grow more on edge with every person who approached him, his energy leaking out little by little as the evening dragged on. His ring spinning became more frantic, his gaze seeking Mateo more often. "If it makes you feel better, you can leave after the auction," I told him softly, letting my pinky linger against his hand a moment longer. "Just wait it out till then, boss."
