41. LUNA
Luna
I ’ll never get used to fresh hot water while taking a shower. I’ll never take it for granted. I’ll never ever complain about having clothes that I don’t want to wear because it’s more than I’ve had in six years. I will always complain about that fucking yellow dress but otherwise? I will be grateful for whatever happens upon my lap.
Including this shimmery black gown that Nova has helped me into. It’s an inch off the floor but it hugs every curve and pushes my tits up until it looks like I’m wearing a corset. “Nova, I can’t fucking breathe.”
“Seriously? The designer said that the material was stretchy and I checked three times with Griffin that-” Nova cuts himself off and huffs as he realizes I’m joking to calm my nerves. I love the dress, even if it puts me a little outside my comfort zone. Nova steps up behind me, his hands falling to my hips. They run up and down my sides before cupping my tits. “You’re gorgeous, angel. You’re also ours and I will be enjoying every last minute as I peel this fabric from your body and then fuck you into oblivion.”
Griffin pops his head out of the bathroom, his hair in wild disarray. “Right after we get rid of the wicked stepmother.”
“And right after I fuck her in that dress,” Rome calls out. We all share a laugh, Nova turning me around and pressing me up against the mirror. His lips connect with mine and I wrap my arms around his neck as his hands cup and massage my tits. He swallows my moans as my body heats until Griffin steals me away. We both know that Nova was seconds away from ripping the dress off and keeping me in the hotel room.
“Ready for battle?” Griffin asks and I shrug before kissing him too.
“Where’s mine?” Rome whines and he emerges from the bathroom with a pout large enough to suck on. He’s even more polished than the cover release, some of the piercings missing. I frown, immediately hating it. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?
“The lip piercings and the nose one. Why’d you take them out?” He shrugs and I guess that ‘fancy attire’ doesn’t usually include Rome’s expression. “What does it matter? We’re going to war and we need our armor.” It sounds cheesy as fuck but he’s not Rome without them. Rome hesitates and then returns to the bathroom to put them in. Only when he comes out the second time do I approach and steal a kiss. He swats my ass in return, mouthing ‘brat’. Neither him nor Nova has seen that side of me yet.
I might not be ready for a foursome but they aren’t ready for when Griffin and I decide to truly play.
We spend the next several minutes getting ready as I debate a full face of makeup or just war paint, aka lipstick. I don’t feel like having to wash off everything at the end of the night if I don’t want to wake up as a raccoon. Red lipstick also seems like a bold choice that doesn’t fit me so I go with a neutral tone. The dress already shows I mean business and my hair settled around my shoulders brings out the beauty that my men keep going on about.
It’s been a wild nearly two weeks and the woman staring back at me is someone I’m proud of. She’s loved, cherished, and well-fed. The bags under her eyes aren’t from pain and despair but from laughing too loud and her men unable to keep their hands off of her. She has the love of her life back and two others that have kept her safe. I place a hand to the mirror, thanking her for not running. Thanking her for finally being able to trust. Thanking her for opening her heart even just a little so that these men could pry their way in.
When I leave the hotel room, I feel like I’m one step closer to that happy ending. Tonight will be the end of Yana’s hold on my future and with my father taken care of? I have everything to live for.
I’m not surprised that everyone is staring at me when I enter the venue just below the office dressed in fancy clothes that are far outside my pay range. Griffin holding my hand and the other two standing behind us like terrifying bodyguards, there’s no doubt in my mind that people are now confused. Is the video we put out real? Or the press. Were we ever married?
Griffin asked for the ring back, saying that it was all part of the plan. I trust these three, so I gave it willingly. Mostly because I hated the rock.
Maximillian’s office sits above a few other businesses, one being a dance hall that he’s rented out for the night. Most of these parties take place at the larger venues a few blocks from here—not that I’ve attended one—but on such short notice, this is what he came up with. The turnout is massive, people screaming Griffin’s name as I cling to his side. There aren’t obnoxious cameras flashing in my face but the squealing might get to me.
Beneath the general chatter are the questions about our relationship, Yana’s involvement, and where my father is. They want the truth and I’m ready to give it to them. I’m done hiding.
Max greets us by the small stage, wringing his hands together. He cleans up nice, as he always has, but the weary expression has aged him a few years. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing. They’re going to take my business from me. Fuck, I’m sorry. Luna, you look really good. These men are exactly what you need. Yes, men. I’ll introduce you and then you get up there and shame the hell out of that woman.”
Griffin tightens his hand around mine and brings it to his lips. “I can do that. We’re not staying long, you know that right?” Maximillian nods. “Then introduce away.”
Yana appears from nowhere, like a bat out of hell, in her perfectly manicured suit. She’s wearing white with black accents this time, the scowl on her face matching her witch status. “Don’t fuck this all up. Promote the book, shake a few hands, and be done with it. We didn’t need a second party so soon, especially not with the woman ruining Griffin’s life.”
She’s still holding onto that lie even though we all know she’s been playing us. Cute. Rome steps up behind me, close enough that I feel every hard ridge of his body against my backside and the prominent bulge between his thighs. “She’s not ruining his life. Maybe his sleep but not his life.”
“I don’t understand why you couldn’t just let things lie! They’re together, you guys, hands off. ”
Confusion washes over me. Did she even watch the video we made? If she had, she would have known that we know who she really is. Or maybe she’s in denial. So, I play into the idea that we’re just here for a party and I’ve brought along my other men with me. “I like them here. Gives me more support.” Nova snorts and he knows I’m referring to the moment he held my tits in front of the mirror.
“Did you really need to bring the fucking barista?”
Rome sighs exaggeratedly. I’m loving this side of my men. “Disrespectful but fair. Also, I’m here for moral support and I’m scared to sleep alone.” Asshat. Yana opens and closes her mouth like a floundering fish before growling at us and stomping off. Max throws up a thumb, trying to overshadow his concerned expression. Pissing Yana off wasn’t part of the plan but it was funny.
Rome and Nova set a hand on my shoulder and I relax with all of them hovering around me. My gaze peruses the crowd, seeing how many people are happy to be here, to meet The. Griffin. Solace. How have I missed this for six years? When my eyes lock with Yana’s in the far corner, it’s not a happy reunion. The scowl on her lips is no doubt a remnant of us pulling one over on her. Her narrowed gaze is locked on me as Max introduces Griffin and his upcoming book.
Before I know it, I’m being led onto the little round stage as everyone hushes.
“Thank you all for coming,” Griffin says as he smiles. It doesn’t quite reach his eyes but I’m sure everyone in this room doesn’t know that. “I’m so happy to celebrate my new book with you. I’m also aware that there’s been some rapid release of coverage of my relationship in the news.” No one is speaking. Yana hasn’t budged from her spot but I can see her poised at the ready. What does she think she’s going to do? “So, I’m here to clear a few things up and then hopefully you can all celebrate with me. Deal?”
There’s a chorus of yeses before Max waves his hands to quiet them down. This is what I would have expected of the last gathering. Fans, movie producers I actually recognize, and a few famous people who have made a name for themselves. I recognize coworkers, other writers who are signed with Shepard’s Press, and even the doorman.
“My private life is mine and mine alone. Unfortunately, my wishes weren’t heeded and our PR manager took it upon herself to curate an image that doesn’t reflect who I am. My tattoos aren’t from some dark past that I don’t want to talk about. The only pain I’ve ever been dealt is losing the love of my life. She came back to me and my relationship with the ones I love most in my life is everything. I’m not ready to get into the specifics or all the details. Just know that Yana Siegel is the reason that I’ve been in ‘pain’ all these years. She stole my woman’s past from her for selfish gain and it’s only now as we approach our 30s that I can enjoy my happy ending. To be honest, god, I hate plugging my book here,” he chuckles and I squeeze his hand to give him a little comfort as he wipes his eyes with the back of his other hand and then continues. “I had so much trouble with this last book. The main character was dealt a bad hand over and over and over again. I wanted him to have a happy ending and everything he wanted but I couldn’t give it to him. Not until Luna St. Claire stumbled back into my life. The light that I needed was her. It’s always been her.”
My smile morphs into confusion as I twist around to look at the other two standing off to the side. They’re grinning little boys in a candy shop and when I twist back around, Griffin is on his knee holding up a small red box. “Precious, will you marry me?”
The entire place is dead silent. I don’t even know how to react.
So, I do what anyone else would in this adult situation where I have more than one man. I bend down and slap his shoulder. “I said I was going to marry all three of you,” I hiss.
“Something you just announced to the entire world, precious.” There are giggles and shocked gasps that follow his words. “They said I get dibs. You were mine first. Marry me?”
I’m going to rake them over the coals for this. Fuck, I have a lot of raking to do.
“Yes! Of course, I’ll marry you, sunshine. I’ve waited for this day for six years.” I grab his face in mine, kissing him soundly before he stands up and opens the box. I don’t expect to see his mother’s ring staring at me. Tears gather in my eyes as he sets the microphone on the ground and then slips the ring from the box. “That was your mother’s,” I whisper.
“And she gave it to me for you before she died. Said that no matter what happened, that you would always end up right here. She may not have known what would happen when we got to college but she told me that something precious should be cherished. I always knew you were mine, Luna. Always. ” Griffin holds up the ring and I give him my hand as he slides the metal onto my finger. Unlike Yana’s ring, this one is muted with just one small diamond crested into the band. I love its simplicity and the meaning behind it. Griffin drags me in for another kiss, cheers erupting from everyone who’s watching.
Thank god I didn’t wear all that makeup, right?
I wish I could share this moment with the other two but I know why they did it this way and I love it. We’ve gotten to create another memory that my 12-year-old self always wanted and I get to cherish it. Even the part when Yana comes stomping into our limelight, growling at our display of love.
“You really thought it would be that easy? You’re a gold digger, looking for an easy payday! You have everyone so fooled, Luna St. Claire.” Yana snorts as she steps closer. Griffin pulls me behind him and I just sigh. My whole life is a bad movie at this point, isn’t it? When do the police arrive at the last second and cart her away? “You’re up to your neck in debt and thought you could just push all that under the rug?”
She takes another step closer but Nova is there, arms folded across his chest. “If we airing dirty laundry, Yana, would you like to explain why you’ve had Luna followed for six years ? You even married her father, the original owner of the debt. You’ve been terrorizing a woman and then taking her hard-earned money, pretending to be the loan agency. I’m pretty sure there’s a crime in there somewhere.”
Yana shakes her head, her eyes widening at the accusation. “No.”
“No?” Nova prods. “No, you didn’t have her followed or no, you didn’t marry her father? Or you didn’t steal her money? There’s a lot of things to say no to. It’s too bad that there’s enough proof to drown you in.” He leans closer so that only the four of us can hear. “It’s too bad that where you’re going, I don’t need proof.”
It’s like Yana knows exactly where she’s headed. Once again, I’m not really perturbed by the fact that they’re going to deliver her to Paula’s Agency and then wash their hands of her. So long as I’m off the fucking hook, I’m ecstatic. “Do we just let her get away?” I whisper and Nova shakes his head, turning around to face me. There’s a determination in his expression I haven’t seen before mixed with… is that excitement? He’s going to have fun with this.
I swallow nervously and nod, giving him my blessing to deal with her as he sees fit. Rome is more than happy to join him while Griffin picks up the microphone and announces that it’s time to party. More cheers and whoops as he guides me off the stage and hands the microphone to Max. “Once they catch her, you’ll get your company back. Might be a little while before everything resets though.”
Max gives him a sheepish smile. “Not sure there’s much left if you’re leaving. That was a ‘this is my last book’ speech, right?”
Griffin frowns and shakes his head. “Not that I know of. I was just proposing to Luna and putting Yana on blast. Just… when the contract renews, less of this shit. I really don’t like all the attention.”
My boss blows out a sigh of relief. “Absolutely. Can do. 100%.”
“And Luna is my permanent editor.”
“Done. Anything else?”
“Hire someone better than Yana. Someone who doesn’t think they’re living in a movie.”
Max snorts and pats Griffin’s shoulder before throwing his arms out to me. I give him a tight hug, loving every memory that came from working for this man, a light in the darkness when I was running. “You are one of the best things that ever happened to me. Don’t be a stranger in the office, alright? Regardless of what KJ thinks.” We share a laugh as he releases me and we head toward the main crowd.
I didn’t see the waiters before, carrying around champagne and little plates of food but I’m happy there’s something to eat after all of that. “We’re not staying long,” Griffin whispers in my ear as the attention falls on us. “Nova and Rome are gonna need an outlet when they’re done and I for one don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“Are you talking about a foursome?” My words are definitely not quiet enough but who cares at this point? I accidentally outed our little poly relationship to the world when Griffin was proposing to me. Griffin nods and I grin. “Great, then how fast can we say hi and dip?” His laughter is like music to my ears as he introduces me to the older gentleman on my right. Oh, it’s the mayor. I’m definitely not blushing.