Chapter 9
Today was a more relaxed Memorial Day celebration.
On Saturday, the Patriots gathered their entire staff and families for food and fun.
Now, we were gathering as the smaller inner group to hang out and enjoy the last day of the holiday.
I was always humbled to be considered part of the inner circle surrounding the owners and their families.
Ben and Beau felt the same. We’d discussed it before.
Justin had passed on the invitation. He was worn out from Saturday.
Johann was still home, so Danae and I reminded him of the invitation.
He couldn’t say no, especially when, before we left Saturday night, Undertaker had come up to us and point-blank told him that he’d see him Monday.
Johann respected all the Patriots he met, but there was a degree of hero worship, I thought, when it came to Undertaker.
He was a legend in the SEALs, and then add on his MC reputation, and he was almost a walking God. But Undertaker seemed oblivious to it.
Johann and I insisted on making the side dishes for the party. Danae looked tired to me. She protested, saying she would do it, but we joined forces to keep her resting. She told us not to believe that we’d get away with ganging up on her every time.
Danae ended up sitting at the kitchen island, guiding us when we had questions or ran into snags. I teased her that she was a general and we were mere soldiers at her command. She got a big laugh out of it.
The party was at Sean and Cassidy’s house this time.
The dragons took turns hosting. While the others’ houses weren’t quite up to the standard of Griff and Hadley’s, they were nothing to be ashamed of.
All of them had pools for the hot summers.
They preferred to be on the outskirts of the city, or even farther out.
No neighbors right up your asses, as Gabe said.
We arrived at Cassidy and Sean’s place a quarter after twelve.
We were told to come anytime after twelve noon and that we’d go until we couldn’t stand it any longer.
I parked in the long driveway that led to the attached garage.
Checking out the other vehicles, it appeared that everyone was here except Ben and Kensy.
While I helped Danae out of my truck, Johann carried the box of our casserole dishes, filled with our offerings.
The smell in the vehicle on the way over here made my stomach growl.
We’d eat between two and three o’clock if they stuck to their standard party schedule.
I might have to sneak something before chow time.
In the evening, eating was more informal: people ate whatever they wanted, whenever they were hungry. It wasn’t a formal sit-and-eat time.
We bypassed the front door, and I led them to the gate that opened into the large, enclosed backyard. Voices were coming from there. Rounding the corner of the house, I found big and little people milling about. The two large grills Sean had were open and ready whenever the ladies said it was time.
The temperature was in the low eighties with blue skies and no clouds.
The sun felt extra hot. Summer was here, even if the calendar said we had over three weeks until it was official.
To honor the day, their pool was open. And there was no need to worry about the water being too cold.
They had a heater, and Sean had mentioned on Saturday that he’d started it on Friday to make sure it was ready to go.
The kids’ shrieks greeted us first. They caught sight of us moments before their parents. Amid the little ones’ shouts, the adults hollered “Hello” to us. It was a jumble of sounds. The three of us laughed and shouted ours back. We crossed the yard to the tables set up on the outdoor patio.
“Where would you like me to put these?” Johann asked the ladies.
“If you don’t mind carrying that box, I’ll show you,” Cassidy said nicely.
A nod from Johann, and the two of them went inside the house. Danae and I remained outside. She hugged Sloan, Gemma, Keeley, and Hadley. They began chatting immediately.
“Glad you made it. I can’t eat all the damn food that’s been made, and you brought more,” Sean mockingly complained.
“Speak for yourself, Fiend,” Gabe elbowed.
“We’re here. Let the party begin,” a boisterous shout kept Sean from responding to Gabe’s jab.
Turning, I noted that Ben and Kensy had entered the backyard. Ben carried two large covered glass dishes. Kensy carried a smiling Brandon. His bright eyes took in everything and everyone. He homed in on the other kids, who ran up to them.
By then, Johann and Cassidy returned. Another round of greetings was kicked off. As Ben and Kensy joined the circle, I leaned over to loudly whisper to Ben.
“Always have to make a damn entrance. We’ve been here waiting on you for over an hour. You were supposed to be here at eleven,” I lied.
For a moment, his surprised expression said he believed me, then he gave me the middle finger.
“You lying a-hole. No, we weren’t. When did he get here?” he asked the others.
“Not even ten minutes before you. Don’t let him fool you,” Sloan said.
“Sloan, you weren’t supposed to tell him that,” I protested.
“Sorry, but if you wanted backup, you should’ve given me an incentive,” she replied, holding her hand up, rubbing her fingers together in the well-known gesture of money.
I pretended to reach for my wallet as I muttered. “Damn, I guess you’re not getting paid enough. Better watch her. The next thing you know, she’ll be running a side business.”
“Oh, what kind of side job?” Sloan asked.
“You know, as an assassin. Your tagline can be I’ll take out anyone who’s a pain in your a—butt. Are your friends/family bothering you? Call me,” I quipped.
The others laughed.
“If you’re offering that service, Sloan, then we need to talk. I have a few I’d like to add to the list. However, killing them isn’t necessary. A good beating would do wonders. I’d do it myself, but Heath will freak if I strain myself in my present condition,” My woman grinned as she winked at me.
I growled playfully, drawing her close so I could nuzzle her neck.
“There they go again. I’m telling you, it’s getting to be sickening. I volunteered to take extra assignments,” Johann said. His smirk told that he was lying. It earned him a shove from Danae.
“Keep it up and see who wakes up with me looming over them,” my woman threatened.
As Johann chuckled, Danae turned to the ladies. The bigger kids were running around the yard. The ones too small to walk on their own were held by their parents.
“Okay, who’s giving up their offspring? We need practice. Don’t we, honey?” She fluttered her eyelashes at me.
Four babies were thrust at us. As we took one each, Sloan got back to Danae about needing her services. “Who is the friend or family member who is giving you grief? Maybe I could open my business with you as my first customer.”
“First, do you give discounts on more than one at a time? Or have frequent user perks? If not, you should consider it,” Danae joked.
“Hmm, I should do that. Okay, how many do you want me to hurt? And what are the reasons?”
I knew two I’d put on her list. I waited to see if that was who she named.
“There are two women at work who have always been a pain. They’ve never liked me.
I don’t know why. They like to make snide remarks, and when it comes to doing work, they slack off more if it involves me.
They were pushy enough that Heath even stepped in to introduce himself.
They’ve been worse since they found out he’s in my life.
“And then last Thursday, it came out at work that I’m pregnant.
I was keeping it private until I had to say something.
They were reprimanded by the clinic’s manager that day.
Undoubtedly, when I return to work tomorrow, they’ll be worse.
I’d love to punch them in the face, but I like my job.
But if they keep it up, I’ll forget that. ”
“They’re jealous, catty women, Sloan. You know the kind,” I added.
“I can picture them. Unfortunately, I do know the mold they come from. You need to stay clear for the baby’s health, yours, and the safety of your job. Bet I could make them see the error of their ways,” Sloan smiled.
“Wonderful. When you’re done with them, will you swing by my mom and stepfather’s house and do the same to her?” Danae sighed.
“Wait. What the hell happened with Dallia? Is she causing you grief again?” Johann interrupted. His scowl was dark.
“You know her. She thinks everyone is beneath her if they aren’t multimillionaires at her husband’s level or higher.
Haris and I were always disappointments to her after our dad died.
She never forgave my brother for going into business but not pursuing the avenues she and her new husband did.
She told him he wasted his time and money on his degree.
And I’m doubly useless to her. The only acceptable thing for me to do is marry rich so that I can bring money and prestige to our family.
Working is degrading to her. My worth is in my womb and holding onto a rich man, even if we detest each other, and he cheats and abuses me.
She won’t win any Mother of the Year awards,” Danae explained disgustedly.
“That’s for damn sure. So, has she bugged you again?” Johann asked.
She sighed. “Sort of. I stopped at the grocery store close to Heath’s condo.
It’s on the edge of their area of town. Anyway, I never thought anything of it, since Mom hasn’t set foot in a regular store in years.
I was just grabbing the last thing I wanted when I heard her behind me.
She was her usual condescending self. The difference this time is that she had a guy with her.
He presented like a bodyguard. When I tried to leave, he blocked my path. ”
“What the hell! What is up with that? Did he touch you?” Johann barked.