Chapter 1 #2
“No.” The word was out of her mouth in an instant, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t gone through a difficult time in school trying to explain to teachers and other classmates their complex relationship.
Most just nodded and weren’t brave enough to say anything to her face about it.
But on that particular day, four years ago, Mrs. Fisk had told her in no uncertain times how disgusting her fathers were and how their situation would leave her alone in heaven when the time came.
That night, she’d raced home and angrily written her thoughts about the whole situation in her diary before hiding it away so her fathers would never know. Then she’d cried herself to sleep.
That was the moment Chloé’s eyes had really been opened to the kind of hate that existed in the world.
But where some might decide to let that shape them, or change their opinion on love and life, she had decided to let it free her.
That had been the day she rejected anything and everything that was expected of her, and instead followed her heart.
She found her voice that day, and got suspended for it. But when asked why she talked back to her teacher, she’d made up some ridiculous answer, not wanting to hurt her fathers in any way. It had been worth it, and she’d never looked back since.
“You know, I actually wish I could see her again to thank her.”
Shayla eyed her as though she’d lost her mind. “To thank her?”
“Yep.” Chloé winked and plucked the diary out of Shayla’s hands. “That was the day I decided I wouldn’t let anyone tell me how to think, and thank God for that. Because without her, I wouldn’t be moving in with my two doms above their sex club today, would I?”
* * *
ZAYNE WIPED THE sweat from his brow as he waited inside the small office of the truck rental store. He’d been standing there for a good twenty minutes now while waiting for the desk attendant to return from helping the guy who’d managed to get in the door two minutes before him.
It was just his luck, too. It was hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement outside, and now here he was standing in a tiny-ass office with no air conditioning on literally the hottest day they’d had so far this summer.
But it was Chloé’s moving day, and for that reason alone, he was more than willing to stand in the portal of hell to get the truck he needed to help her move her things.
Plus, it wasn’t like he was alone. He had—
“What on earth is taking so long in here?”
—Priest with him.
Zayne looked over to the door where Chloé’s papa was scowling at him. He’d decided that was a look of affection from the oh-so-serious lawyer since Priest had specifically picked him to come on this little adventure today.
Then again, considering his only other option was Ethan, it really wasn’t a surprise that Zayne had been his first choice.
Julien and Robbie were at the restaurant today, and over the last month or so it had become increasingly clear which fathers gravitated to whom—and lucky him, he’d ended up with the difficult, possessive alpha one.
“Guy before me must be havin’ issues. They went out back as soon as I got here, and I haven’t seen them since.”
Priest made a disgruntled sound and marched up to the front desk. He peered around the side and out the back door, and when he saw the same thing as Zayne—absolutely nothing—he shook his head.
“This is ridiculous. How long does it take to hand someone a set of keys?”
Zayne leaned up against the desk and crossed his arms. “At least twenty minutes.”
Priest tugged at the collar of his shirt, and Zayne thought he might jump the desk to go and find the missing worker. But before he could, the back door opened and the worker walked in.
As the guy came to a standstill behind the computer, he looked between the two of them and sighed. “You got a reservation?”
Priest’s jaw bunched, and as he opened his mouth to no doubt ream the guy a new one, Zayne quickly jumped in, not wanting to be stuck there any longer than necessary.
“Yeah, it’s under Copeland.”
The guy started tapping away at the computer and then nodded. “A truck?”
“No, a Maserati,” Priest deadpanned, and the guy stopped and looked at the two of them.
“It’s a truck, yeah.” Zayne chuckled. “We have it till tomorrow.”
“Right.” The guy frowned at Priest, then looked back at his computer. “Got it. Let me grab the keys.”
Priest rolled his eyes as the guy walked off, and Zayne shook his head.
“What?” Priest said. “Don’t act like you aren’t thinking the same thing I am.”
“Oh, I’m not denying that.”
“Then what?”
“I was just wondering if there’s anyone you’ve liked as soon as you met them?”
Priest’s eyes narrowed. “Yes. She’s moving in with you today. So watch it.”
“Got it.”
“Uh huh.” Priest shoved open the door. “I’ll meet you outside.”
Not long after, the guy returned with the keys, and they headed outside to find Priest standing in the shade with sunglasses on and his usual scowl back in place.
“It’s over one aisle in row B—spot 204.” The attendant indicated the direction they needed to go, then handed over the keys.
They located the truck with no issue, and as they both walked around the back toward the driver’s side, Priest stopped abruptly, causing Zayne to all but run into him.
“I’ll take the keys.”
Zayne twirled them around his finger. “It’s all good. I can drive.”
“I’m sure you can, but I’ll drive.”
Not about to get on Priest’s bad side, Zayne tossed him the keys then made his way down to the passenger side. There was a reason he’d been sent today, and that was to keep the peace. So if giving up the driver’s seat for now was what it took, that was what he’d do.
He climbed in and buckled his seatbelt as Priest turned on the engine, then Zayne got busy adjusting the air.
“It’s hot as hell out here today.” Priest lowered the windows halfway to let out the hot air, but with the truck having been parked in the midday sun, the heat was stifling.
“Gotta love Chicago’s summers.” Zayne directed all the air vents where they’d feel it best. “And its winters, come to think of it.”
Priest grunted then looked to his side mirror and began to back out. “It definitely has its extremes, for sure.”
“You ever lived anywhere else?” Zayne turned toward his driver as Priest pulled out onto the main road.
“I did. Yes. L.A. for a while and New Orleans as a boy.”
“Oh, well why are you complaining about the heat?”
Priest side-eyed him. “Because I’m natural redhead, which means I’m not compatible.”
Ah, okay… So maybe Zayne and Ethan’s theory was correct when it came to Chloé’s biological father.
The resemblance to Priest was definitely the strongest with her eye color, but his thick hair was a such a striking silver that they hadn’t been one hundred percent positive.
This, however, cleared it up, and Zayne couldn’t help but wonder how the three men had decided—not that he’d ever ask.
No way. He loved his life a little too much to risk that.
“You sound just like Chloé. She almost made us move the sun when we were over in Paris.”
“That sounds like her.”
“We now know that when looking for a picnic spot, shade is a must.”
Priest said nothing to that, but when Zayne snuck a look in his direction, he noticed the ever-serious lawyer grinning.
Proud of himself, Zayne settled back in his seat. They’d come a long way since that first awkward dinner at the estate. Largely because all of the men in Chloé’s life loved her and wanted to make an effort to at least try to get along.
Some of them were better at it than others. But hey, at least they were all willing, and as they drove across town toward Wicker Park, a comfortable silence settled between them.
“So,” Priest said as they came to a stop several minutes later. “Have you and Ethan discussed how a move like this is going to impact your lives on a day-to-day basis?”
Okay, so much for comfortable. “Uh, yeah. I mean, we know things are going to change, but I’m sure it’ll all be fine.”
Priest tapped his finger on the steering wheel. “You think so, do you?”
Well, he had until now .
“Yeah. Chloé’s great, and we’re pretty easygoing—for the most part. I’m sure we’ll find our groove.”
“Uh huh.” Priest glanced over at him. “You have met my daughter, right?”
“Yeah…”
“I don’t think ‘easygoing’ is quite the adjective I’d use to describe Chloé. After all, she grew up with a princesse and truly believes—”
“That she’s one too?”
Priest’s lips twitched. “As she should. Are you two sure you can handle that?”
“I think so?”
“Mhmm.” The light turned green, and Priest started down the main road. “Well, it’s sure going to be fun watching you try.”
Feeling a little less comfortable now, Zayne kept his smile to himself and contemplated Priest’s words. The man always had to get the last one in, and damn if it wasn’t usually something that made you check yourself.
They made several more turns and finally headed down the street the Thornton-Priestleys lived on. Priest pulled up, backed into the drive, and honked the horn several times. Then he turned to Zayne.
“Well, what are you waiting for? If you don’t hurry up, your princess’s carriage will turn back into a pumpkin.”
Zayne opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Priest shoved open the door and headed up the front steps, his deep chuckle mocking him.
Zayne quickly followed, making his way inside and up the stairs. When he reached the main floor, he noticed Priest had vanished as Chloé came out of the kitchen with a bottle of water and a grin on her beautiful face.
She was wearing a pair of cute denim shorts that were cut so short it should be illegal, and across her purple shirt read High maintenance. But I’m worth it.
Yeah, Priest knew his daughter well. But still, Zayne wasn’t worried. He and Ethan had this…right?
“Hey you.” Chloé sidled up to him and wound her arms around his neck.
“Hey yourself.” Zayne tugged her in nice and tight. “Get your packing done?”