The Brothers Drakos ~ Book 1

13 - Masquerade

Billee and Rayne had spent some of their Saturday in the Emergency Room. Billee, being a Registered Nurse was livid to hear Rayne didn’t get checked out after what happened with the former boss from hell. After receiving the all clear, which Rayne specifically made point to rub in Billee’s face, they went to Mirage Shoes in the Galleria and chose gorgeous footwear to adorn their masquerade attire. Upon returning home the girls cut and styled the mask material so their faces would be concealed. Billee had chosen a butterfly looking cut of the mask with one side being slightly larger and coming to a point at the top left and the other side just working around her right eye and resting on her upper cheek bone all the way across. Rayne decided to have a full butterfly cut as to come down in little swirls further down the cheek bones. This was to help cover the rapidly bruising cheek from her run in the day before. Both ladies chose a dramatic, longer lashed eye make up and lipstick that made their lips stand out with the color tone of dress. Rayne’s lipstick was a deep plum color and with her paler skin and deeply enhanced blue eyes, she was truly hard to take your eyes from.  Billee chose a medium pink with hues of coral the matched the dress absolutely.

Billee had chosen curled half updo that cascaded down one side of the neck. Rayne of course stuck to her normal straightened purple Bobbed hair with only the two front longest pieces in large curls framing her face. The masks they made were cut perfectly to pin in the hair so that no elastic strap or ties were needed to hold it in place. With their smoky eyed makeup and enhanced eyelashes hidden within the masks, the ladies were looking intense.

Looking at the clock it was nearly 7:40 p.m. and Billee helped Rayne place her pasty bra properly.

“These are weird, I feel oddly naked but lifted.” Rayne laughed.

“That is the point dear.” Billee said.

Sliding into her body suit Rayne turned and looked into the mirror. She couldn’t believe it was her looking back. Turning around there her best friend stood fully dressed and ready. Her dress was on point with the chosen hair and make-up and the jewelry she chose completely the outfit.

Rayne snickered, “Giiiiirrrrlll, if I was into chicks, we wouldn’t be going anywhere!”

They both laughed and Billee helped put Rayne into her body suit and clasp the skirt. “Now, you look amazing.”

They both stood in the mirror and smiled. Then proceeding to take several selfies together for over five minutes.

7:58 p.m.

“We should go.” Billee said excited.

They headed out the door and down the hallway to reach the parking lot. As they stepped out of the hallway onto the sidewalk, there was a White 1956 Rolls Royce Vintage Limo place neatly in their path. A tall dark featured man in full limo driver attire leaned over and opened the back door.

“Rayne, Billee… I am here to take you to the Ball.”

The girls squealed in excitement and high-fived climbing inside the amazing ride.

“Well it look like someone thinks they are getting laid tonight. You don’t pull out the Rolls Royce for free babe.” Billee kidded with Rayne.

She laughed and rolled her eyes but not without taking in the extravagance of all the brothers had done for her in such a short time of even knowing she existed. A designer dress, shoes, limo ride and more. Rayne felt undeserving but oddly thankful and needing the attention. The drive was a bit more laid back and timely than when Rayne or Billee drove. Both ladies definitely had a lead foot when in the drivers seat. For some reason there were butterflies inside Rayne’s stomach evidently having a stomping party as she even felt a little bit nauseous. That was either due to the anticipation or the fact that what Josh did to her was still within her mind replaying over and over. While he was never really able to rape her it was so close to happening, her mind couldn’t get over the fear it created. She must have looked pained or in deep contemplation because as they waited in the semi-circle drive at the Drakos home, she hadn’t even noticed they arrived.

“Rayne? Earth to bestie!”

Pulling herself out of the darkened thoughts she looked around. They had arrived and she didn’t know how the night would end but was damn sure going to try and have an amazing time. Forgetting the darkness of days prior was her main goal.

“Holy s**t look at the gowns and suits on these people!” Billee watched in awe.

Each person had their mask in place, their diamond in hand as they broached the door and their wardrobe on point. Rayne looked down at herself and realized how special her dress and Billee’s were. They more revealing than any other females she had witnessed and very distinct in design. No matter what the brothers thought this night would bring they ensured she stood out like a Goddess.

The door opened slowly and a hand reached in to help Billee exit the vehicle. She smoothed the front of her dress and touched her hair as if that would fix it perfectly. She was stunning and by the look on many of the suited men’s faces, that could be seen, she was eye catching. Rayne was suddenly in fear of stepping out. She wasn’t this super model that men ogled. She was a short, curvy hipped girl who always was looked on last. Her emotions were all over the place due to the recent happenstance and she just wanted to be held and loved for a while.

Snap out of it! Have fun! She said giving herself a pep talk.

The hand extended in the vehicle and she took it softly. Stepping out she took a deep breath and decided sexy, confident and pleasure were her goals for that evening. Looking to Billee and linking arms they headed to the small line at the door.

“Diamonds?” the masked butler asked at the door.

They girls held out their diamonds and the masked butler ran a laser scanner over both. There was a small beeping and they were shown inside with the wave of his arm. The aromas that filled the entryway were so inviting. Lavender, Roses, Food, Wine and musky male was all Rayne’s nostrils could take in. Almost immediately upon entering Billee was swooped up in a twirl but a well-built male in a black fitted tux with thin white shirt. It was stylish without costing a fortune and Darryl her boyfriend looked amazing in it.

“There is my giiirl.” He laughed and slurred a bit.

“Are you drunk already Darryl?” Billee grimaced.

“Just a nip here and there. Its fine. Don’t down my night with nagging, ok love?”

Rayne was unhappy with the way Darryl treated Billee this past few weeks and hoped it was a phase. Rayne did the fake kissing both cheeks of Billee as she was whisked away with Darryl to go chat with some other friends of his. “Help me” was all she could see Billee mouth as being pulled away.

Rayne stood there in the entryway for a moment in utter awe and anxiety. The place was exquisitely transformed into a luxurious home for a party just like this. The outside had a dance floor and quartet playing. Sting lights that looked like the stars from the heavens themselves had come down to greet each guest hung neatly in the trees. The large two thousand square foot living room to the right of the entry door had been emptied completely and then decorated in kind. It was transformed with mirrors and lavish decorations to help enhance the beauty of the rust and cream marble floors with the large wooden cedar beams in the ceiling which culminated into a dome in the center. It looked as if this was supposed to be a ballroom all along and not really a lavishly large living area. She gasped walking in the busy ballroom at the sheer beauty.

One of the many waiters walking around with trays in sterling silver got close enough to Rayne so she could grab a glass of champagne. Downing it quickly she put down the empty and replaced her hand with a full glass. The champagne glasses were expensive crystal with diamond crystals floating in the glass’ exterior as well. The sparkling frenzy of glitz was mesmerizing.

A hand slipped around her waist and before she could react badly a voice spoke in her ear, deeply, softly. “You are the most beautiful creature here Rayne. It is a very good thing I am gay man or the brothers might have a run for their money.”

She turned to see Marcos’ smiling eyes through his mask. Brayden was standing just behind him grinning. They were both in tastefully tailors suits of ivory. The entire ensemble was ivory from the shoes to belt to undershirt. It shown off Marcos’ darker Italian skin and dark features discerningly. Brayden being a lightly tanned blonde looked like that which makes the most gorgeous of men, male models. They both looked to be worth billions.

“Thank you, Marc. You two are looking amazingly gorgeous this evening. You sure you don’t want to take a swing on the feminine side Marc? I could utilize this much sexy of you both, for hours and hours.” She smiled winking.

Brayden snickered and nodded in the direction of the brothers to ensure she knew they would likely kill any man that looked at her in a way other than ‘the gay friend’, would suffer death. She hadn’t seen them yet and was trying to prepare for the moment when. Looking across the room they stood laughing and chatting with people the brothers obviously knew, not noticing her as of yet. The songs played by the string quartet were rhythmic and moving. She had the urge to dance suddenly.

“This is amazing.” She leaned into Brayden and whispered.

“They went all out this time. I mean it never disappoints but this one is overly extravagant. Guessing they were feeling inspired.” Brayden winked and shrugged at Rayne.

 She glanced hearing the louder bellowing laughter of Dimitri echo faintly over the music. He was now in full view and Rayne inhaled. His towering six foot three was clothed in a charcoal grey designer suit that was as perfectly fitted as the navy one he wore to her office previously. His hair was down loose and fell in soft cascades down his back and some resting on his shoulders. She was unsure how the gray solid silk mask was in place but it wasn’t tied or pinned that she could see from across the room. The shape of his thighs and the way the muscles moved as he shifted side to side made her body quiver. That massive form had powered over hers with precision and lust. Never had his hair been down for so long and she found it softened him a bit, making him more enticing if that was even possible. Not normally a fan of longer hair, this turned her on from across the room. Dark tresses to the middle of his back were more than she could have imagined.

Directly to his left laughing at a joke from the masked female in red stood Darius. Her mind reeled with what had transpired between them at the bookstore and after the entire night at her apartment. Definitely more gentle of the two his passion and need was just as strong still. Darius was in a silver-grey suit tailored to perfection just as his brothers. What caught more pause in her breath was what she realized suddenly. They both had on white silk shirts but their ties matched the purple of her dress perfectly. It was planned. She looked around the room and recognized swiftly that no one had a hint of purple on in their attire. Not one touch or stripe or dash of purple in the entire party except for her and them.

Those two! She thought to herself smiling. It was a sign they hoped she would see and she did.

The song changed and was an ethereal melody that had dark undertones and a rhythm that sexually charged the soul. She wanted to sway with the music and make way to them both. It was as if the notes were pulling her across the room. She watched them both interacting with guests, females mostly, now crowding around. Abruptly Rayne took notice the jealousy within her grew intense. Walking in time with the music Rayne took slow longer legged strides across the currently empty dance floor.

Quickly all eyes were on her and watched the curved beauty in the plum designer gown make way to the brother Drakos.

One of the ladies talking to, actually flirting with, Darius turned to see what the whispers were about. She took in the lady in purple gliding across the dance floor directly towards her and gasped a bit.

“Wow, she is a bit over dressed and I thought the invitations said no purple of any kind?”

Darius smiled so widely his masked moved. “No purple because she was to be the only one in it.”

Dimitri looked up from the platinum blonde trying to gain his attention and stopped speaking. What he saw was something that shook his inner core entirely. The only thought lurching in his mind was seizing Rayne and claiming her in front of the masses. His pants tightened to the point of discomfort. Thoughts of taking her in the middle of the dance floor aggressively but also slowing stripping her down in his room were now running rampant in his brain.

“She definitely thinks she is the most beautiful here doesn’t she. Across the dance floor like a show?” The blonde said under her breath but loud enough for Dimitri to hear.

He put up his arm and moved the blonde out of the range of sight to Rayne. Her face was shocked and saddened at the loss of attention. It was as if the room fell silent and all eyes were watching the display about to take place. Darius stood at an uncomfortable near attention in his pants and shifted the closer she got.

Her eyes were first locked on Darius, then shifting with a flash of lashes to Dimitri. They both looked upon her as if about to devour every inch as soon as she was close enough. The leg and its softly toned muscles flitting in and out of the skirt as she strode forward created a stir in Darius. Instinctively to gain closer proximity to what he sought within his grasp; he took one step forward. The way her breasts looked so full and bounced slightly as she walked towards them in the open front guise cause Dimitri to growl deep in his chest. The brothers looked at one another for a moment unsure if they should pounce, play it cool or just throw her over a shoulder and carry her upstairs until they all had their fill.

Three quarters of the way to the brothers a tall sandy blonde man of ample body tone stepped out on to the dance floor and bowed in front of Rayne instigating her to stop and give a slight curtesy.

“Would you care to dance with me Goddess?”

Looking at his soft hazel eyes and then back to the brothers she nodded in accordance. Placing his hand on her waist and taking her other hand in his they started to swirl and turn in ballroom waltz in time with the music. 

Dimitri growled in his throat and Darius’ face was neatly furrowed in anguish. If murdering someone was still accepted like the olden days, it is quite certain this man’s head would be on the floor. Interrupting the moment both brothers wanted so entirely was definitely not a good way to make a first impression. He certainly wouldn’t be getting an invitation again, is all Dimitri could think.

Watching another man touch Rayne and dance so intimately with her was more than Dimitri could bear. He started to take off in the direction of the dancing couple and Darius grabbed his arm.

“Patience brother. She will not leave here tonight without us both having our say.”

In a growling loud whisper voice, sounding more beast than man, “But he is touching her body with his, who the f**k is that. I want him gone.”

Darius shook his head and watched Rayne on the dance floor as the song came to an end. She curtsied to the mysterious gentleman and turned back towards the brothers.   

“Since no one else has come forth, would you be so inclined to telling me your name and perhaps another dance?”

She turned back to the hazel eyed man and shook her head in negative repose. “You are lucky to still be standing by the look on Dimitri’s face and come to notice now, Darius doesn’t look to friendly either. Perhaps pushing your luck is a bad idea?”

“Oh, I see are you their property or something? I was unaware either had a girlfriend or date at the party.” In that moment looking at her and over to the brothers he noticed the matching ties to her dress and no one else wore purple. He rolled his eyes, “I see. Well doll we can dance another and make them want you more or I can withdraw.”

She laughed loud enough to echo over the song and realized everyone was still staring. “Let’s go one more round. Wait here.” Walking over to the string quartet she requested a Bach song to be played in its entirety but with some extra movement. It was a perfect song to get a good waltz going and the familiarity of the song would hopefully draw more on the dance floor.

Standing before the hazel eyed man Rayne put up her hand and stepped in close vicinity while nodding to the quartet. The music began and she remembered teaching herself the Viennese Waltz from a you tube video during boredom home with the flu one winter. This man was a good dancer and caught on quick enough. While she was the one leading, it didn’t look like it and no one was the wiser.

“Kris.” He said kindly with a nod.

“Rayne.” She smiled.

“Well I’ll be… that explains a lot. Angelos has told me of you. Evidently Dimitri called bellowing about you making him feel things and moving mountains in his brain to break him of his anger…or whatever his issue with females is.”

“Angelos? That is the one that is best friends with the brothers? He was at the board meeting on Thursday.”

“Yes, Dimitri more so, but yes, he is close to them both. And I am Angelos’ brother Kristos. I am happy to be the one to set off this path for you. I would very much like to see both brothers happy as we are practically family but I do like to see Dimitri sweat a little. When we were kids, he would torment me relentlessly.”

As they turned on the dance floor in time with the movement of the music, a few more couples entered the dance floor and joined in. Rayne smiled and lay her head on his chest for a moment with a giggle.

“Are you trying to get me murdered?” he chuckled and kissed the top of her head.

Rayne felt an instant kismet with Kristos. It wasn’t s****l or anything intimate but something more friendly, personal. Noticing the bruise on her face he asked earnestly what happened. Rayne took pause and looked over to the brothers who were watching very, very intently then back to Kristos. She didn’t say anything. He changed the subject for a moment and paused mid-sentence. “I already know the answer to this but I am inclined to ask as it is nagging me. Dimitri didn’t do that did he? Even by accident??”

She looked him straight in the eyes and shook her head no. Clearing her throat, “My ex-boss was pissed and tried to beat and rape me. That is the simplest way to say it.”

Kris stopped mid step, a dead stop in the middle of the dance floor. “Joshua did this to you? Why the hell do none of us know?”

She pushed him to resume the steps and continue dancing.“ Because I don’t want anyone to know. I have no idea why I told you but please keep it to yourself. And how the hell do you know about Joshua…Wait Angelos, from the meeting?”

He nodded and looked around as they danced and whirled. The scrutinizing look on Dimitri’s face was relentless. Darius was trying to interact with the guests but still his eyes prayed on them both.

“I honestly don’t think they realize it is me dancing with you. Kind of funny really, they look like caged tigers waiting for the opportunity. “

Rayne nodded in agreement. The song was coming to a close and she really needed a drink. Her throat was dry and her skin a bit moistened by the cardio of dance.  Curtseying she asked Kris to take her for a drink outside. The glares were hilariously jealous from both brothers and she nonchalantly looked at the pair walked outside.