Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
We’re all still naked when a clap of thunder causes the boathouse to shudder, and through the window, I see a streak of lightning blaze across the sky.
The heavens open up, and the sound against the roof drowns out any possibility of conversation.
Instead, the four of us snuggle together and doze as we wait for the rain to stop so we can walk back to the cabin for dinner.
Half an hour later, there seems to be no end to the downpour, and we’re resigned to spending the night here.
“I think there might be some tins of food in the kitchen. We can light the fire and cook them over that,” I say after Sage gets up to turn on a light, and we discover we don’t have any power.
“Does the other house have power? I don’t want Addi to be scared,” Vienna asks as she sits up on the bed. All three of us are slightly distracted by the sway of her boobs before I finally come to my senses.
“The other house has a generator, so they will be fine.” A noise downstairs has Sage peering over the loft to see who it is.
“Hey, we’re up here,” he calls, and I’m assuming it’s Xavier and Tristan, since we’re all still naked. Still, I wouldn’t put it past Sage just to invite anyone, seeing that gratuitous nudity does not bother him in the least.
A faint glow comes up the stairs. It’s Tristan carrying a lantern, which he puts on the bedside table before grinning at us.
“I told Suzy I bet you had gotten distracted down here. She sent us down with food and told us not to bother coming back. There isn’t enough room for all of us with Dan taking the other bedroom.
She said there was plenty of room here for the six of us, and I see the party started without us,” he grumbles, pouting.
“Get dressed and get some food,” Xavier suggests, giving Vienna a steamy kiss before, to my surprise, doing the same to Sage. I don’t think either of them had been intimate yet, but maybe I don’t know everything.
“Hmm, you taste like my wife and my girlfriend,” he says before chuckling and stepping back. “I’ll get the fire going so Tristan and I can dry off.” He disappears down the stairs, the light of his phone illuminating the way.
“Hmm, okay, my turn,” Tristan says and does the same thing, but each of us gets a kiss so he can sample the tastes of one another on our mouths.
“Delicious,” he says, smacking his lips together when he’s finished.
“Suzy and Maeve’s shepherd’s pie will pale in comparison, but I bet it’s tasty as well.
She gave us a whole one for ourselves, and we grabbed a bottle of tequila and bourbon from the cellar.
Mickey said there should be some mixers in the fridge down here. ”
“The power only just went out, so they should be cold,” I add, sliding off the bed and grabbing a discarded shirt from the floor, pulling it over my body.
It’s definitely one of the boys’, because it hangs on me, but that’s okay.
I look around for my underwear but can’t see it and decide it really doesn’t matter.
Everyone has been intimate with my bits today.
“Let’s go find some glasses and plates. I don’t want the food to get cold, I’m starving. ”
“Did you work up an appetite today, my love?” Sage calls out, and I give him a wink.
“I sure did.”
When Tristan and I make our way carefully down the spiral stairs using the light from his phone, we find Xavier kneeling in front of the fireplace where a small flame burns within. He’s lit a couple of extra lanterns that must have been stored down here also.
I go to the cupboards and reach for the plates and glasses but nearly drop them when I feel Tristan’s hands on my ass. I yelp and spin, clasping them to my front.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. The shirt rode up when you reached for them,” he tells me with a grin before taking the plates from me and putting them on the counter. He pulls out a big casserole dish from a warming bag and fishes around in the drawers for a serving spoon.
I grab the rest of the glasses, placing them on the counter as well, before going to the fridge and taking out some cans of soft drink before closing it to keep the cold air in. The other three join us, bringing the lantern with them, and we all grab a plate.
The next few hours are spent laughing and drinking and spending the most relaxing time the six of us have ever had in one another’s company. The looming deadline of Tristan’s wedding and the hopeful downfall of the Maricuso family are distant thoughts for a few blessed hours.
When we finally decide to go to sleep, the six of us snuggle up on the bed upstairs, listening to the storm crash and the wind blow around us.
It’s like we’re in our own private cocoon with no worries left in the world, but as I close my eyes, Sage snuggled up on one side and Xavier on the other, I can’t help but wonder about what can go wrong, and I pray that in three days’ time, all of us come out of this unscathed and intact.
The next morning blooms bright and clear, and the six of us head up to the house for breakfast. Addi is already seated at the table when we stumble in the back door in search of coffee.
“Mommy!” she screams and claps her hands. “And my daddies and Sagey and…” She breaks off, frowning, and looks at me carefully. “And Tori,” she adds with a little less enthusiasm.
Great, looks like Addison is as undecided about me as I am about her. We’re going to have to work it out if this becomes a permanent thing, but that’s a future Tori problem.
“Oh baby, not so loud. Mommy has a headache.” Vienna winces as she picks Addi up and gives her a kiss.
“So do the daddies.” Sage grins as Xavier pulls out six mugs and pours us all coffee before distributing them.
“Big night?” Maeve asks dryly as she passes Addison a plate of pancakes.
Addi scrambles from her mother’s arms and sits in her chair, reaching for the syrup.
“A little too much to drink is all,” Colton replies, taking his mug and pressing a kiss to Addi’s head.
“Where is everyone else?” I ask as Suzy enters the kitchen carrying an empty mug and places it in the sink.
“You aren’t the only one who drank too much. Mickey, Gio, and Ben are all still in bed. I heard poor Casey puking in the bathroom. Her morning sickness has been really bad the last few days, and Dan is already warming up the helicopter to take you guys back to the warehouse.”
“You’re leaving?” Addi asks quietly as Tristan helps her pour some syrup on her pancakes before cutting them into smaller, bite-sized pieces. I smile as I watch him, but I see Vienna’s face fall a little.
“Yes, but it’s only for a few days. Maeve and Suzy are going to bring you back to Banebridge, and after we take care of a couple of things, we can all be together again like one big happy family,” Xavier assures her, draining the rest of his coffee.
I see tears well in her eyes, and her bottom lip drops and starts wobbling.
“Oh hey, no, none of that. I’m not leaving, and you promised me a Mario Kart tournament. I bet we can rope in Gio and Mickey as well if we ask nicely.” Sage scoots onto the stool next to hers, and Maeve passes him the next plate of pancakes.
That promise from Sage has Addi perking up, and we decide to leave while she’s distracted.
The four of them give her a hug and a kiss before doing the same with Sage.
She beams the whole time, basking in their love as I watch, feeling awkward.
Seeing them all together, and how even Sage fits in perfectly, really highlights how emotionally stunted I am.
“Are you okay?” Suzy hip bumps me, and Maeve crowds closer, blocking me from their view.
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. “Yeah, I just don’t know how I’m going to fit,” I admit with a whisper, and Suzy cups my cheeks while Maeve rubs my back.
“Give it time and yourself a little grace. This is all new to you. You’ll find your stride, I promise. Just don’t give up.”
Maeve nods her agreement. “Blended families take work. Don’t put any pressure on yourself, at least not until after we’ve gotten over the next big hurdle.
Once that has all been dealt with, you can decide what you want your life to look like.
For now, just enjoy the little bits of peace you can snatch here and there. ”
I give them a wobbly smile and take a deep breath, appreciating their advice. I realize everyone is looking at us and waiting for me. “What are you doing?” Addi asks, unable to hide her curiosity.
“Well, Tori is like my baby girl, just like you are your mommy’s baby girl, and I was just giving her some love and advice like your mommy does for you,” Suzy explains, going over to the fridge, pulling out a carton of juice, then pouring Addi a glass.
“Now shoo, you lot, and we will see you in a few days.” She waves us out of the kitchen, and I feel Addi’s gaze on my back.
“Hang on. You didn’t think you were leaving without giving me some sugar, did you?
” Sage jumps out of his chair, pulls me to a stop, and whirls me around, dipping me dramatically before kissing me breathless.
I’m so stunned that it takes me a moment to react, but before long, I’m kissing him back and gripping his shirt like my life depends on it.
When we pull apart and he sets me right again, Addison laughs and cheers.
“Me next, dip me too, Sagey.” She jumps off her stool and holds up her hands.
He releases me after one last kiss and grabs her, spinning her around the kitchen before finally dipping her and kissing her neck.
I leave the kitchen to the sound of delightful girlish squeals and a smile on my face.
I run to catch up with the others who are already cresting the hill.
I hear the sound of the rotor blades whirling, and the five of us climb into the chopper with a smile for Dan.
We put on our headsets and strap in, and the bird lifts into the sky. “We’re going to leave as soon as we get there. Once you fill the chopper, head back to the hangar. Mario wants you to move into one of the houses at the back of the mansion, but I’m sure he won’t notice if you don’t.”
“That’s good, because I’m on one of the teams assigned to Club Hell.
I spoke to Nico, and he told me that there is a manager and four security guys who belong to the Maricusos.
Apparently, they only report in once a week, so we are going to take care of them tonight, then we will be free to help with the main house the night of the wedding,” he tells me, and I nod.
“Good. It seems like Sam and Dean are on top of it.”
He chuckles at my nicknames for my guys. “Yeah, they have everyone organized for the raids on the properties. You guys just focus on cutting off the head of the snake.”
“Oh, believe me, we will.”
The flight isn’t long, and before I know it, we’re setting down at the warehouse. Dust and debris kick up as the five of us climb out and wave goodbye to Dan before he takes off again. I press my hand against the biometric scanner, and we enter the warehouse.
“Okay, Tori, you ride with me, and you three take the other truck,” Xavier instructs as I press my hand to the inside scanner to lift the cargo bay doors.
They groan as they slowly open. Colton takes the wheel and drives the first truck out, followed by Xavier with the second one.
I press my hand on the scanner again and let it close behind them before exiting the warehouse, shutting and locking it up.
I hurry over to Xavier’s truck and climb up into the cab after giving the others a wave as they pull out.
“We worked out a route on the flight over, and Tris is going to take the lead. We will stop in two hours for food and a bathroom break. Hopefully this shouldn’t take longer than four hours, and we will head straight to the Kitty Kat Club once we hit Suncity and unload everything.”
“What are we going to do with the trucks when we’re done?
I haven’t thought that far ahead.” I study his profile as he keeps his eyes on the road.
He’s so freaking handsome, and now that I’ve gotten to know him much better, my feelings are growing by the day.
I can’t believe this man is my husband. I guess we’re going to have to decide what to do about that once we get to the finish line, but that’s another future Tori problem, although I won’t deny I feel sad about the prospect of divorce now.
“We can drop them off at Mario’s vineyard. There’s ample room for parking there. Vienna and Colton both have their cars there, so we can drive them back to your place in time for the rehearsal dinner.”
“Great, just how I wanted to spend my evening, watching everyone fawn all over the vapid bitch and having her smirk in my face,” I complain, making a face.
“Yeah,” he grumbles. “I want to cut her every time I see her put her hands on him.”
“Oh, of course you would. I hadn’t even thought about how you would feel. I was focused on my own jealousy and hatred.” I reach out and give his thigh a squeeze.
He takes my hand and presses a kiss to the back of it before returning his to the wheel.
“I’m just happy that you were feeling jealous, considering how we treated you.
I thought we lost you for good. We are so incredibly sorry we lied to you, but we couldn’t risk Addi.
” He takes his eyes off the road and looks at me, and I see all the guilt and fear he’s feeling.
“It’s okay. I understand. I hope you can forgive me for my deceptions as well.”
He gives me a rueful smile and turns back to the road. “I think we should call ourselves even and start with a clean slate, don’t you?”
“I’d really like that.”
“I think we made a good start on that over the last few days.” He gives me a wicked smile and a wink, and I laugh as I lean my head against the window.
“I mean, sure, I guess, but you could use a little practice,” I tease him.
“Oh, practice, huh? You better watch out, Victoria Russo, because I’m about to bring my A game. It is so on.” Heat and promise lace his words, and I shiver with visceral need.
My voice is husky when I reply, “Bring it.”