Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
I n the two weeks that she’d been living with Ezra, Lucky had established a routine.
She woke up with him as he got ready for work and hit the gym he had on the first floor.
Afterward, she would have breakfast, then spend the rest of the day exploring the grounds of her new home.
She’d also found a yoga studio on the island that she loved, even meeting some of the wives.
Lucky still didn’t know what she would do with this new chapter of her life, but she was hopeful.
In the meantime, she was having fun living the soft life.
She filled her weekdays getting to know her new city, and her weekends were spent with her mate.
She loved those days most of all.
Last weekend, he’d taken her to the Florida Keys to lounge around the beach.
This weekend, they didn’t have any plans, but she was happy nonetheless.
She left her mate asleep in their bed, heading to the kitchen.
Having their own kitchenette was nice for the days when she wanted to be alone with him, but having access to a chef was top-tier.
Eve was in the kitchen, perusing a tablet at the counter as Lucky rounded the corner. Breakfast was laid out in warmers and her stomach rumbled at the spread. His sister smiled as she came in.
“Good morning!”
“Morning, Eve.” She nuzzled the woman’s cheek, their animals greeting each other.
Lucky liked Ezra’s siblings. They had accepted her wholeheartedly and even though they lived on the estate, they hardly ran into each other unless they planned dinner together.
“What are you and my brother getting into today?”
Lucky settled in the chair next to Eve. “Your brother has a meeting this morning that just popped up.”
Both women turned as a beep at the front door indicated someone had entered the house.
She expected to see Easy or one of the security men, but instead, a beautiful older woman sauntered into the kitchen.
She wore a navy blazer with gold buttons and white wide-legged linen pants.
She carried a designer purse that cost most people’s salary, her sharp eyes sweeping the kitchen and its occupants with a disdainful eye.
The woman’s presence was heavy, filling the air with her perfume, her tiger taking up the rest of the space.
A predator to her core.
Lucky tilted her head in curiosity. She didn’t have to wonder who the woman was. Eve looked identical to her mother.
“Who are you?”
The refined edge of the woman’s voice spoke of big money. Long money. Ezra had explained his family’s history, but his mother wore it like armor.
Before she could answer the woman, Rah entered the kitchen.
He wore a short-sleeved Henley that hugged his chest, jeans, and boots, all black.
He looked dangerous, and her panther reacted as though he’d reached out and stroked her.
Ezra greeted his mate first, his eyes only for her as he stalked toward her.
Goosebumps traveled down the length of her arms at the way he stared at her and how his animal reacted to her.
Rah nuzzled into her neck, his breath sending shivers down her back.
“You good, princess?” he asked her quietly.
She smiled and cupped his chin. “Be safe, love.”
“Ezra,” his mother hissed as a greeting to her eldest son.
Her mate stood and smiled politely. “Good morning, Mother.”
“I take it by your attire that you’ve forgotten about the autumn regatta.”
He winced. Guilt and an emotion she couldn’t quite put her finger on slid down their mating bond. Unused to it, she immediately jumped to his defense.
“I don’t mind going in your place.” She felt his shock and saw the way his mother hid her displeasure.
“Princess,” he said softly, “you don’t?—”
She kissed him softly. “I’m your mate now. I imagine I’ll have to do a lot of this. May as well start now.”
He nodded and kissed her deeply until the rest of the room faded into obscurity. His mother sucked her teeth, her audible disdain piercing their bubble.
“No introductions have been made,” his mother reminded them.
“Mother, this is my mate, Lucky. Lucky, my mother, Vivian Kaine.” Ezra stepped to the side so that the women could greet each other.
Vivian’s face didn’t crack. “Fine. Ezra, quit manhandling the girl so we can go.”
Lucky rolled her eyes and smiled at her mate. “This ought to be fun.”
He winced. “You don’t have to do this.”
“It’ll be fine, Rah. Plus, I’ll go to keep her company,” Eve interjected.
“How much time do I have to get ready?” Lucky asked his mother.
The woman studied her before releasing an irritated huff of air. “An hour. I came early because I knew I would have to remind my children.”
Lucky smiled, determined to get past the woman’s hard outer shell. “Plenty of time.”
She kissed Ezra and left the kitchen. Quickly showering, Lucky stood in their closet and glanced at what she had.
Rah had filled her side of the closet with clothes the last time they’d gone shopping, so there was plenty.
She just didn’t know what the hell a regatta was.
Strictly going off the vibes of his mother’s outfit, Lucky picked out a natural colored linen wrap skirt with matching halter, then a blue and white striped cashmere sweater and tied it around her shoulders.
The separation of the skirt revealed her legs with every step, giving the demure outfit a sexy edge.
Pulling half of her braids up into a topknot, the rest brushed her back.
With a light beat and simple gold jewelry along with the diamond earrings Ezra had bought her from the auction, she was ready within the allotted time.
Ezra was waiting for her at the foot of their bed as she came out of the closet.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He pulled her into his arms and spun her around.
A moment later, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, placing a cold chain over her skin.
She shivered and looked down at the gold playing card on the end.
It was the ace of spades, tiny diamonds filling the spade in the middle of the flat gold pendant.
It was pretty, delicate. The weight settled on her chest, resting at the top of her cleavage, and she wondered what came with it.
“What’s this?”
“Anytime you’re attending these types of events without me, I want you to wear this,” he said in explanation.
Lucky turned and faced him, studying his face. He was serious, but no worry coated his features, so she nodded.
“Thank you, Rah,” she whispered, going to her toes to kiss her mate.
“Have fun and be careful,” he told her with a simple kiss.
“You be safe as well,” she ordered.
His smirk was his answer as he released her so she could leave.
Lucky didn’t rush her steps down the stairs even when she saw his mother.
Vivian gave her a nod of approval as she hit the bottom landing.
Eve came behind her in white shorts and a striped navy blazer.
The three matched, and some of Lucky’s nerves settled.
Lucky hid her smile as Eve waggled her eyebrows at her.
They loaded into a black Jaguar, with Eve settling in the seat next to her mother.
“What type of event is this?” Lucky asked.
“Sailing, but this one in particular is to raise money for various charities. Mother’s committee throws it every fall.”
Despite Vivian’s frigid reception, Lucky got excited. “Oh, I’ve never been to a sailing race.”
Vivian turned and gave her a narrow-eyed glare. “Are your parents aware that you’ve mated with my son?”
“Ezra has met both my parents,” Lucky answered pleasantly.
“Humph, so only we are unaware of this union.”
Lucky tilted her head and debated how to approach it, but Eve beat her to the punch.
“Mother, Lucky is not responsible for your relationship with your eldest son.”
An indignant gasp was the woman’s answer to that as she turned and stared out the window.
Eve gave her a smile and Lucky hid her own.
They pulled up to the event and Lucky fought to keep her composure.
Even though she didn’t want to act like a bumpkin, she still took her phone out to take pictures and video.
The dock area was cordoned off, a strip of green turf set down to demarcate a viewing area.
Standing tables were scattered across the turf, the striped table cloths tied down to keep them from blowing with the wind.
There was a step and repeat at the entrance where photographers lurked to catch society members as they attended the event.
A few large white tents had been set up, and people milled all throughout the area.
Sailboats bobbed along with the ocean waves, moored until the races started.
Vivian’s shoulders were back, a haughty sway to her walk as she led them to the step and repeat. Lucky posed for pictures with the two women, giddy with excitement. What was her life now?
Soon, they entered into the thick of things, the murmur of the crowd filling the air. There were faces that Lucky remembered from the last charity auction she attended when she first met Ezra. Money and power moved through the event and she was reminded of the new status of her life.
The briny scent of saltwater soothed her nerves and Lucky relaxed. Discreetly taking more pictures, she sent them to the group chat she had with Keisha and Amber.
Eve tucked her arm in Lucky’s. “Do not take offense to my mother. You’ll hardly have to worry about her except when she strong-arms Ezra into these types of events and the occasional Sunday for church.”
“Does that happen often?”
“Not as often as Vivian would like.” Eve grabbed wine from the table and passed one to Lucky. Her phone buzzed in her hand and she giggled as the family group chat started back up.
Amber: you in the big leagues now.
Keisha: Let us see what you’re wearing, you can’t be out embarrassing us.
Lucky: Bitch, I step every time I’m outside, don’t do me.
Laughing emojis were their answer to that.
“Eve, can you take a pic of me for my cousins?” Lucky offered her phone as she stood at the short white fence separating the area from the rest of the dock.
Smiling, Eve took a few pictures as Lucky posed. Waving her over, they took a selfie together.
“Thank you, girl.” Lucky sent the best ones over.
Amber: Ate down.
Lucky snickered. Amber barely used slang so that tickled her.
Keisha: You look beautiful, cousin. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
She tucked her phone back into her purse and finally took a good look around the event.
“Now, how does all this raise money?” she asked Eve.
“Well, there was a ticket price to enter, of course. There are also a few charities set up in their various tents, taking donations directly. Rah’s information is already with the committee, so if you find a charity that interests you, you can just write down his name and amount.”
“Really. No ID?”
Eve snickered. “Trust me, the people here will know who you belong to.” She sent a pointed glance at the pendant dangling from Lucky’s necklace.
Lucky fiddled with the charm, a nervous gesture. “Should I be worried?”
“Absolutely not.”
Lucky released the breath she was holding.
“Girls,” Vivian snapped. “Lucky, if you’re going to be in Ezra’s life, there are a few people you’ll need to meet.” She raked her eyes over Lucky’s frame again. “Did your mother name you Lucky?”
“My name is Lucinda,” she answered, following Eve’s advice not to be offended.
She would allow grace for now, but if their mother pushed it too far, she would put that heifer in check with the quickness.
Vivian nodded. “Well, that I can work with.”
“We’re gonna need stronger drinks,” Eve muttered.