Chapter 37 #2
Vivian slants me that feral-kitten look. The one I want to capture in a boudoir photoshoot. Fuck the scumbro, telling her she’s not sexy. Vivian makes the wholesome girl next door look like the one you want to have back-door fun with.
Especially with those baby-blue eyes, batting her lashes at me with her reply. “Gotta find the ladies’ room first. Excuse me.”
She pecks my cheek and swishes away. I watch her cute ass in those jeans as Grant whispers, “Delphine’s getting the throne room ready.”
“Thanks, man.”
It’s why she’s not here with him. I had a few requests for Vivian’s initiation, and I know Delphine and Vale won’t let me down.
While we sip our final round, watching Sasha clean up at the pool table, I mutter to Grant, “Did you talk to him yet?”
“Nah. Haven’t seen him.”
I scan the room. “Is Remi even here?”
“Should be.”
“What do you think he’ll say?”
Grant shakes his head. “Axel’s fucking crazy if he thinks his plan will work. Even if he and Remi are tight, the cousins hide more skeletons than we do. The last thing they need is to put their company’s name on federal documents testifying that Sasha’s been working for them for years.”
I wince. “It is kinda ris—”
“Well, hey there, big fella,” a voice gushes as a hand gropes my ass.
I reel around to three women, a little flushed from testing brews.
One with her lips barely slurring, “Anyone ever tell you you look like that big sexy Reacher guy?” The brunette eyefucks Grant next. “You too, big boy. Are you twins?”
Annoyed, Grant lies to her, “Yeah.”
“And we’re taken.” But I tell the truth. “Thank you, ladies, but hands off and move along.”
“But why?” She drags her long red fingernail down her amply exposed cleavage. “With the size of you two, there’s plenty to enjoy. We don’t mind taking turns.”
“But I mind.” My favorite voice interrupts her. Vivian returns, nestling between us, proudly hooking her arm around my waist, then Grant’s. “These are my men, ladies. Go find your own.”
To emphasize her claim, I reach down and cup her ass. To piss me off, Grant does the same.
But in this instance, I don’t mind.
Neither does Viv.
She’s Grant’s as well. He adores her. Vivian’s about to be my queen, my lioness, who’s defending Delphine’s man from hungry cougars when she’s not here.
It’s what the queens do for each other. They guard their mates as much as we do.
But the brash brunette scoffs, narrowing her eyes. “They can’t both be yours.”
“Oh, but we are.” I smirk. “And together, we treat her like a queen.”
“Both? Together?” A younger blonde twists her face in disgust at Vivian. “What a whore; you’re a cum bucket.”
I tense—so does Grant.
I’d never hurt a woman, but for Vivian, I’ll kill anyone.
But her touch pulls me back, Grant as well.
Vivian lifts her chin and proudly schools her.
“You know, my whole life, I’ve feared being slut-shamed like this.
Cruel people like you have made others want to take their lives.
Do you realize that? Your words can hurt that much.
You think you’re so morally righteous with your judgment, when really, you’re the sinful one causing harm. ”
She tilts her head. “But then I realized, your scorn is hurting yourself. You’re miserable because you’re too ashamed to ask for what you really want.
It makes you jealous and bitter and probably fuck like a dying fish, because if you had a love like this…
” On cue, I lean down, kissing her neck; Grant does the same, and she smiles.
“If you actually felt love like you desire, you’d be happy for everyone to feel it too. ”
I see it flash across the blonde’s eyes. Her friend’s as well. Vivian dropped a truth bomb on their lives.
But the brunette sneers. “No God-fearin’ woman would ever whore herself out like that.”
Vivian licks her lips like a lioness on the savanna before she purrs, “Oh, honey, I don’t fear God. I thank him every night for giving me three holes to fill, and I love it when all of my kings do.”
The brunette angles back like she was bitch-slapped, hissing, “You little, fucking—”
“My sestra!” Sasha shocks us, charging our way with her shout. Somehow, she’s gotten a hold of a bread knife—must be from the loaves they serve here—as she jabs it against the brunette’s throat. “Touch her, and I shoot your dick.”
“And not with that you won’t.” Out of nowhere, Remi appears. Gently grabbing Sasha’s wrist, he lowers her culinary weapon, telling his customers, “Ladies, run. These are my friends, who you don’t want to fuck with.”
They hesitate until he casts a sinister glare that could freeze fire, so they storm off in a huff of slurs and curses.
I mutter into Vivian’s ponytail, “You okay?”
She gazes up at me, grinning. “Never better.”
I believe her, wrapping tighter around her as we turn to catch Sasha wordlessly gazing up at Remi.
To others, he’s a menacing creature. To Sasha, she admires him like a monster only she understands.
Fearlessly, she points at Remi’s hulking chest. “I have you jacket.”
He almost grins at her goof, his gaze combing her dark hair. “Keep it. It’s yours.”
Vivian mumbles, “What are they talking about?”
I mutter, “Remi was there when Alena and Loch rescued Sasha. It was cold. He gave her his leather. Long story.”
“No.” Vivian sighs. “I spot a love story.”
Grant side-whispers, “Not with our sister, you don’t. Axel will fucking kill him. Clearly, we need a plan B for her citizenship.”
He steps toward Sasha, protectively wrapping his arm around her petite shoulders. “Come on, killer.” Grant jokes with her. “If you want to murder someone with a bread knife, put butter on it first.”
But Sasha won’t stop looking back as we leave. Her eyes find Remi’s, watching her.
Then mine clock Wilder, twiddling his fucking fingers at Vivian again, just to piss her off. So Vivian gives him her middle finger farewell.
Bishop nods our way as we leave. We’ll be back, he knows.
But then I catch Luna, across the brewery, eyeing Vivian, her brows knitting like she recognizes her, but how?