Free Aftershock by Sylvia Day Page A

and Regina Rutledge had arrived. The two stood near the entrance to the ballroom, surrounded by those who wanted to rub shoulders with a Rutledge. There were several of them in attendance, but Parker was the wizard behind the curtain whom everyone wanted to see.
    He looked over at Jax and me, smiling when he caught my eye and then glancing at Jax. A silent bit of communication passed between them.
    “Gimme a second, babe,” Jax murmured, then he walked away, striding easily through a crowd that parted for him.
    I watched him until he reached his father, studying both men for body language.
    “Well, you cleaned up nicely,” a familiar voice said beside me.
    Turning my head, I looked at Allison Rutledge, formerly Allison Kelsey. I raked her with a glance, noting the changes. I’d barely seen her the night I escorted Ian, so I took the opportunity. She was thinner than she had been in Vegas and she’d been slender then. Polished and perfect in a brittle way, she appeared to have hardened and grown more jaded. There was a world-weariness in her eyes that echoed what I occasionally saw in Jax.
    But she was still as beautiful as ever, with dark hair cut into a sleek bob that framed delicate features and big blue eyes. Her aqua-hued gown was a lovely contrast to her porcelain skin.
    “Hello, Allison,” I said, turning my attention back to the two darkly handsome Rutledge men across the room.
    “That’s a beautiful dress.” She examined me. “Gretchen must be partial to it. She suggested it to me, as well, but it’s not my style.”
    I took another sip of champagne to hide how I felt at the unexpected mention of the stylist’s name. So, Gretchen was an ace in the hole for the entire Rutledge family. Nice to know. “You might be surprised to hear that it wasn’t my first choice, either.”
    Her smile was anything but friendly. “You’re smart to let Jackson dress you. But then you’re obviously smarter than I gave you credit for, or you wouldn’t be here.”
    “Can you go be a bitch somewhere else?” I said, waving my hand carelessly. “This is my space and you need to see your way out of it.”
    “If I remember correctly, you’re not a woman who likes pretense and bullshit, so I’m not shoveling any your way. We have to get along, after all. Might as well start now.”
    “We don’t have to do anything.” My gaze flicked over to her. “I suggest we do our best to avoid one another.”
    Her brows rose as if she were surprised, then she laughed, the sound as melodious as her voice. “That’s not how this works, Gianna. You and I are going to be best friends, as far as public knowledge goes. We’ll have lunch and shop together. Ted and I will have dinner with you and Jackson. We’ll go to ball games and exhibitions. All sorts of things where we’ll smile at the camera and look tighter than sisters.”
    “You’ve had too much champagne.”
    “I’ll let Jackson explain it to you.” Her eyes were suspiciously bright, which got my back up.
    “Explain what?” Regina Rutledge asked, joining us.
    “Ted’s upcoming mayoral bid. Jackson’s outdone himself this time.”
    My hand tightened around the stem of my glass, alarm bells ringing.
    Regina’s mouth curved, but her voice came cold and sharp. “I think you should leave Gianna to Jackson. He’s very protective.”
    “I get the hint.” Allison looked at me. “I’ll plan for us to have dinner in the city soon. Enjoy yourself, Gianna. And again, you look stunning. That dress was made for you.”
    She glided off and I rubbed my nose with my middle finger, discreetly flipping her off before dismissing her and looking away. Parker still had Jax at his side, his hand resting on his son’s shoulder as they spoke to a white-haired gentleman whose face was vaguely familiar.
    “Don’t pay her any mind,” Regina said, stepping into my line of sight.
    Her blond hair skimmed her shoulders in stylized waves that were reminiscent of the heydays of