[BL] I Didn't Sign Up For This-Chapter 34: In Which I Crash a Date (For Business Purposes)

Chapter 34: In Which I Crash a Date (For Business Purposes)

The invitation arrived Thursday morning via courier.

Not email, not a phone call. An actual physical invitation on expensive cardstock with embossed lettering that probably cost more than my old monthly rent.

*Lirien Shade requests the pleasure of Azryth Valek’s company for dinner. Friday evening, 8 PM. Monarch, private dining room, business matters to discuss.*

"Business matters," I said, reading over Azryth’s shoulder. "That’s what we’re calling it?"

"That’s what she’s calling it." He set the invitation down on his desk. "I’m calling it what it is: an attempt to undermine our relationship and test boundaries."

"By inviting you to dinner."

"By inviting me to a private dinner at one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, knowing full well that such an invitation carries certain... implications." He picked up his phone. "I’m declining."

"Wait." The word came out before I could stop it.

He looked at me, surprised. "Wait?"

"Don’t decline." I was already formulating a plan, probably a terrible plan, but a plan nonetheless. "Accept. But not alone."

"Riven.."

"She’s testing you. Testing us. If you decline, she wins, she’s made you reactive, made you change your behavior because of her." I moved around his desk. "But if you go, if we go, and make it very clear that you’re unavailable, that I’m not going anywhere, that our relationship is solid, then she loses."

"You want to crash her dinner invitation."

"I want to assert my spousal rights." I crossed my arms. "She invited you for ’business matters.’ Well, I’m your spouse, your partner, it’s entirely appropriate for me to attend a business dinner."

Something like pride flickered across his face. "You’re being territorial."

"I’m being strategic, there’s a difference."

"Is there?" But he was smiling slightly. "You’re also being jealous again." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I’m being pragmatic. She’s a threat, not just to... whatever this is between us, but to our security, the Covenant might be using her, or she might have her own agenda." I moved closer. "Either way, we need to know what she’s planning. And the best way to find out is to accept her invitation and see what she reveals when she’s forced to include me."

He studied me for a long moment, then picked up his phone again.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Accepting the invitation, for both of us." He typed out a message. "You’re right, this is strategic. And watching you be territorial is remarkably entertaining."

"I’m not being territorial!"

"You absolutely are, and it’s adorable." He hit send before I could protest further. "Done. We’re having dinner with a succubus tomorrow night, I hope you’re prepared for whatever game she’s planning to play."

"I’m prepared to make it very clear that you’re taken."

"Taken," he repeated, something warm in his voice. "I am, aren’t I?"

"Yes," I said firmly. "You are."

***

Friday night arrived too quickly.

François the stylist had been summoned to ensure I looked "appropriately sophisticated" for an evening at Monarch, which apparently had a dress code that would make most black-tie events look casual.

"You’re representing Azryth Valek," François explained while adjusting my collar for the fifteenth time. "Everything about you must communicate power, wealth, and unavailability."

"Unavailability?"

"You’re married, taken, off the market, your entire presence must scream ’this one is mine and I’m not sharing.’" He stepped back, examining his work. "Perfect. You look like you could buy the restaurant and not blink."

I looked in the mirror. The suit was even more expensive than the one from the gala, charcoal gray, perfectly tailored, with a subtle pattern that caught the light. And I noticed a pocket square that matched the amber color of Azryth’s eyes.

"Did you color-coordinate me to my husband?" I asked.

"Of course. Couples who coordinate communicate unity, strength and exclusivity." François was already packing up his supplies. "Now remember: posture, eye contact, and minimal smiling. You’re not there to make friends, you’re there to establish dominance."

"This is a dinner, not a territorial dispute."

"I heard from your husband that it’s a territorial dispute."

Azryth appeared in the doorway, already dressed. Black suit, crisp white shirt, silver cufflinks that probably cost more than a car, he looked devastating.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready to assert dominance through coordinated suits and minimal smiling, apparently."

The corner of his mouth twitched. "François has been coaching you."

"He has opinions about territorial disputes."

"He’s not wrong." Azryth moved closer, adjusting my already-perfect collar. "Lirien is going to push boundaries, test weaknesses, try to create division between us. Your job is to stay calm, follow my lead, and remember that we’re a united front."

"And your job?"

"To make it abundantly clear that I’m not interested in what she’s offering." His hand lingered on my collar. "While also extracting any useful information about her true agenda."

"So we’re both playing games."

"We’re both surviving in a world where games are how business gets done." He stepped back. "Come on. The car is waiting."

***

Monarch was exactly as pretentious as I’d imagined.

The building looked like it had been transplanted from Paris. All gilt and marble and the kind of aesthetic that screamed "if you have to ask about prices, you can’t afford it."

The maître d’ recognized Azryth immediately. "Mr. Valek, welcome. Your party is already seated in the private dining room."

"Thank you, James."

We were led through the main dining room, full of beautiful people eating beautiful food, to a hallway lined with private rooms. James opened the door to the last one.

Lirien Shade was waiting.

She’d dressed for war. A red dress that looked painted on, with a neckline that was basically a suggestion, her hair cascaded in perfect waves, her makeup was flawless. She looked like sin personified.

And when she saw me, her smile sharpened.

"Azryth! How wonderful." She stood, moving toward him with predatory grace. Then her eyes slid to me. "And you brought... a guest."

"My husband," Azryth said smoothly, his hand finding the small of my back. "Riven. You’ve met."

"Of course. How... unexpected." But she was already recovering, smile never faltering. "Though I suppose I should have been more specific in my invitation. When I said ’business dinner,’ I meant the kind where we discuss sensitive matters. Privately."

"My husband is privy to all my business matters," Azryth replied, guiding me to the table. "We have no secrets, it’s one of the benefits of a genuine partnership."

The emphasis on "genuine" was subtle but unmistakable.

Lirien’s smile tightened fractionally. "How modern. Please, sit."

We sat across from her, Azryth’s hand stayed on mine on the table. A clear statement: we’re together. United.

A waiter appeared with wine. Expensive wine, based on Lirien’s expression of satisfaction.

"I took the liberty of ordering," she said. "I hope you don’t mind."

"Not at all," Azryth said.

The wine was poured. Lirien raised her glass.

"To old friends," she said, eyes on Azryth. "And new... complications."