Chapter 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
JACE
“Fuck me. How much longer?”
“Five minutes. And quit your bitching; it’s anti-aging.”
I narrow my eyes at Vale. Still. Looking like a serial killer from a horror movie wearing this sheet mask, I can’t intimidate her. “I’ll give you two minutes because if you aren’t aging, you’re dead, and that’s what you’re about to be if you don’t let me take this fucking mask off my face.”
“Jace.” Vale stomps her Mary Jane. “This is a big day. You need to look good for the pictures.”
“I look fine.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes, he does.” Wren debates with Vale. “Jace always looks as fine as wine. I can really see it now, how Sire’s your full brother. You both have bedroom eyes,” she chirps, matter-of-factly. “And big dicks.”
Sitting on the edge of Vale’s desk, she kicks her feet, making me laugh.
“Hold still,” Delphine chides, buffing my nails while I’m perched on my stool.
If I had an inflated male ego, it’d be running down the road with its hair on fire, away from the queens. But I don’t. I’m too fucking in love.
“I can use two rolls of the camera film, no?” Delphine stresses, shining my nailbeds into mirrors. Like me, she’s getting into photography. She treasures the rare stuff. “I will use f/4 aperture, no? That is for group photos?”
“You got this.” I trust her with my camera. I trust her to capture the moment we’ve been planning for a week.
But no one anticipated it’d be this special.
“Where’s the ring?”
I grin at Ruby, sitting beside Wren. “That’s the second time you’ve asked me.”
“Look here, hot Reacher.” Ruby lowers her violet eyes at me. “You may be a stealth stallion on screen, but IRL, don’t fuck this up.”
“Got it right here, darlin’.” Zar leans against the sunshine-filled window, patting the inside pocket of his bespoke suit. All the men are wearing them today, I insisted. “Don’t worry your ravishing red head,” he drawls to Ruby. “We won’t let our queen down.”
“You sure you don’t mind?” But I focus on Alena. “I don’t want to steal the spotlight from your wedding.”
It’s in a few weeks.
“I promise, I don’t mind.” Alena beams, absent-mindedly twirling the new anal beads Vale gave her to try with Loch.
Yep, it’s constant TMI around here. “You and Viv are like me and Loch. When you wait so long to be with someone, nothing can diminish your love. I’m happy for you two. Vivian’s the sweetest.”
“She really is the sweetest queen, and perfect for you, our sweetest king.” Wren sighs, beaming. “Though I heard how she wanted to fire her rifle at that asshole’s balls—wouldn’t blame her—but I’m glad you stopped her.”
Likewise.
Torturing that scumbro, I was torn between Vivian’s victory and my vengeance. I believed her; she’s a good enough shot, able to fire through that fucker’s scrawny spread legs to make him piss himself with the truth.
In my truck, she told me, Sire, and Nick, it’s what she wanted to do.
But I guess I’m already being a father. I convinced her to let me step up. I’d be the violent one, so she could remain virtuous. Not to patronize her; it’s the opposite.
I’ve seen with my own eyes what a mother can do for the sake of her child, so a father needs to do his part. The sacrifice should be mutual.
I didn’t like torturing that shithead, but I’d do it again for my woman and child.
In the end, we both won.
Vivian unlocked her ex’s handcuffs when we set him free on a dark bridge. He snot-cried apologies to her, then ran away, tripping in his yellow Crocs before stumbling up and bolting as if his life depended on it.
It did.
It does.
Because I won her heart for life. I won the picture of me and Vivian, surrounded by our kids and grandkids on the beach.
But first, I have to ask her for the honor.
And the wheels are in motion.
Mom and Sasha are shopping with Vivian. Mom’s treating her to any designer dress she desires before Vivian meets me here at Delta’s to embark upon our ice cream date.
Through Axel, I reached out to Vivian’s best friend, Harlow. They’re lawyers. They know each other. Axel’s impeccable reputation is the only reason Harlow’s giving me a chance after I told her who I really am. I had to put my balls on the line, swearing I’d never hurt Vivian.
Literally.
Harlow’s a blonde ballbuster in lace.
My call to Vivian’s mom was much easier. Sweet, actually, how I could hear her happy tears. Just like her daughter. I found her number in Viv’s phone and told her our story.
Of course, she’s dropping everything to join us today.
“Okay, I can’t wait anymore.” Vale charges my way, peeling the gooey mask off my face. Focused on my forehead, she rubs the residual slime into my skin.
But… she’s biting her trembling lip.
“Aw, is my vicious vamp gonna cry?”
“Shut up,” she mumbles, swiping my slick nose. “I’m just in my luteal phase.”
“What is that?” Delphine drops my hand, done with my manly manicure.
“Emotions before my period.” Vale sniffs.
Wren tilts her head. “But you never get emotional before your—” Suddenly, she claps. “Oh my god! You’re pregnant too?”
I grin at Vale. “Are you?”
God, if she and Vivian are bump buddies like Wren and Ruby called themselves when they were pregnant, it’d be way too fun.
Me and Nash, packing heat and wearing baby carriers. Vivian and Vale doing… whatever new moms do. Letting us rub their feet, I guess.
“It’s too soon to tell, but we started trying, so…
” Vale smiles, blinking back tears before intently focusing on me.
Licking her thumbs, she smooths my eyebrows.
“Let’s just get you engaged. I got Vivian the bouquet you wanted.
And a cake just like the movie. And sixteen candles, and…
and…” She gasps a happy sob. “Oh, Jace.” Flinging her arms around my neck, she squeezes tightly.
“You finally get the love of your life too. We’ve been waiting so long. ”
We?
Yep, she’s pregnant.
Carefully, I hug her back. Can’t fucking fight my smile. “Alright, Wednesday. You’re snotting on my new shirt.”
She laughs into it before pulling away. “Yeah, well, now you don’t look so fucking handsome.”
“Y’all need to stop.” Ruby sniffles, swiping under her eyes. “We got all pretty for these pictures, and now we’ll look like raccoons.”
“Speaking of…” Zar’s phone buzzes. He checks it, grinning. “They’re on their way.”
“Okay.” I jump to my feet. Pit stains starting. “You all need to—”
“We know. We know.” Wren flits her hand. “We’re skedaddling.”
Zar rounds up the queens, escorting them out the door of Delta’s. But not before Alena throws her new sex toys into her purse, then pecks my cheek. “You know, if you want a double wedding, I’m totally game.”
I laugh. “Thanks, but your king loves you too much; he’d toss me off a mountain.”