Descent (Black Heart Romance presents Heaven & Hell)

“You knew those people would be here? You know those people?”
“I’ve met Arson, I haven’t really met the other ones. I was going to meet some of his friends
tonight.”
Charity shakes her head, glancing at the hallway with her arms crossed. “Those people aren’t
friends. They’re associates. I thought you said he was some kind of tech company exec.”
“He is. He’s the CEO of a tech company.”
She nods, eyes bulging. “Okay, then you can see why I expected a far different audience here
tonight?”
I sigh. “Yes. I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. I didn’t really have anything to do with the
guest list, I didn’t know who was coming, I just told Calvin I wanted to invite you, and the rest of the
guests were going to be his friends. It was only supposed to be a small get together so we could tell
close friends and… celebrate.”
Charity takes a deep breath, then audibly lets it out. Trying to be calmer, she looks back at me.
“How the hell did you get mixed up with this guy? I’m supposed to be the one that does crazy shit.
You’re supposed to be the boring one who stays home with her cat.”
I rear back, a little wounded by the offhand comment.
Charity sighs and grabs her forehead, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, that was really bitchy. I
didn’t mean that, I just… I’m really worried, Hallie. And I really can’t stay. I can’t be around people
like that. You’re on first name basis with Nicolò Severino’s guard dog, and I just… who are you?”
I stand there and look at her, completely at a loss for what to say.
I’m still me, I think, but I understand what she means.
To be honest, if I would have passed a guy like Arson on the street a few months ago, I probably
would have crossed to the other side of the road. Now I’m yelling at him for eating my pastry puffs.
I understand where her concern is coming from, though. What she’s really asking.
I swallow and try to think how to word it. “Calvin is… different, and he does things a different
way, but I actually… I actually think he’s good for me. He stands up for me in ways I would never
think to stand up for myself. I think in a weird way, he makes me more confident, more comfortable in
my own skin. I always wanted someone who would really love me, you know? Like in a crazy, ‘I
can’t be without you’ kind of way, and… I think he does.”
She stares at me like I’ve lost my mind, but she looks more helpless than anything. “I’m worried
this isn’t healthy, Hallie. I’m worried he isn’t healthy.”
I look down at my glittery shoes, then back up at her. “I’m okay. Whether he’s entirely above
board or not… I’m good, and I’m happy, and…” I chuckle at the absurdity, but my smile is real when
I tell her, “I’m gonna marry him.”