23. Queenie
My legs are shaking in the best possible way. Joker holds me close, and now I wish we were already home. I hate to admit that I am slightly a homebody. However, with this experience, I have a few things from this adventure that will go into my shopping cart. “Did it meet your expectations?” I’m unsure what his were or if he had any, but I feel confident about it all now.
He pulls me back and his hands push my hair back out of my eyes and face. My face now rests in his palms. “Queen, I don’t have the words to describe how I feel since this started. All I know is that I feel happy, but that doesn’t even cover it. It’s you and me.” He kisses my palm, and I understand his words because I feel the same way. I am so glad I got to see this place, though. There is a part of me I know would always question whether something would be missing from his life. I also in a way understand what he wants with the control, and it’s also what I need to turn off my brain.
“Can we pick up pizza on the way home?” I ask as I kiss his lips and lean against him, needing one more minute with him surrounding me. Pulling back, I look around the room, searching for my panties. “Have you seen my panties?”
As he pulls up his pants, he reaches into this pocket, producing a pair of lacy panties. Then he pockets them again. “I think I’ll hold on to them. The thought of my cum trickling out of you while we walk out of this place turns me on more than I thought it would.” I roll my eyes as he pulls out his phone to order pizza. My middle finger rises to flip him off and I hear him chuckle with his phone still in hand. “According to the time, we have 15 minutes before we get kicked out of this room. We can have a drink at the bar and get the pizza.”
A groan escapes me, but I get moving, knowing there is no choice but to leave. “You order while I get myself together?”
He takes the used items and puts them in a metal bowl as he speaks to our favorite pizza place and writes on a clipboard beside the bowl. I pull my clothes on and cringe slightly at putting my heels back on. I walk over to a mirror and try to fix my makeup that has smeared and run over my face. He walks over and wraps his arms around my middle while looking at me in the mirror. “You’re messing up all my hard work.” He smirks, and I roll my eyes.
“Yeah, you’re probably the only person who would like to look at your handy work.” I laugh and give up. At least the lipstick is no longer running down my chin, and my mascara is better. “Can we skip the drink and wait in the car for the pizza? It’s official… I no longer enjoy wearing heels. I’ve gotten soft from no longer doing fieldwork.”
He kisses my cheek. “Of course.” He leans down and puts my heels on for me. He looks up from securing my heels into place. Joker kisses up my thigh. “Special occasions, though, right? They are pretty sexy.”
“I think I can manage that.” I adjust my mask so it fits over my eyes just right. Joker does the same before offering me his arm. “What a gentleman.”
We journey through the much busier club. The lights are down low, women are now dancing in cages and the music is loud. A woman is wearing only body glitter, gliding through the air on the ribbons, and my eyes are wide. We are for sure coming back here. I smile at Joker and start to tell him that until a scream rips through, then the yelling begins. “I know he is here! His car is outside!” Ugh, she is crying; I hate criers. The woman is close to hysterics as security tries to calm the situation down. Joker’s arm is no longer in mine, but he moves down and holds my hand instead. It’s at this moment that I know this is about him.
The woman must have seen him at that exact moment. She ducks out of the security guard’s arms, spinning around them as her hair flies behind her, and she sprints toward us. Her fish-scale mask is skewed, and there is a tear in her stockings already. She falls to her knees when she reaches Joker. “Please, master! Please tell me it’s not true! Tell them you still want me!” She is close to hysterics while holding onto Joker’s leg. “I’ll be better! Whatever I did… I will be better!” She wraps her arms around him, holding on for dear life.
Was this what I was jealous of? Sure, she is beautiful in a broken kind of way. If she doesn’t stop touching him, I am close to making her. A part of me feels bad for the girl who needs help, but the other part wants to break all her fingers off for touching what’s mine. Right now, the side of my brain that wants to break her fingers is winning. Joker’s hand in mine tightens, and he looks at me rather than her. He is addressing her but clarifying to me that this isn’t something he wants anymore. “Yes, it’s true, and you will find someone else. Someone better for you. Malcolm will help.” He runs the back of his fingers down my cheek, showing her it’s me he is loyal to.
“No! No, I won’t! We are meant for each other.” She sobs and finally notices me standing there. “This is your fault. You poisoned him against me!” She raises her arm, shoving me away from Joker as I grab her wrist and bend it backward. I laugh when her head flies back, her mouth opening to scream from the pain.
She lets out another yelp of pain, and I push her back onto her butt. She is an unworthy adversary. My hands are no longer on her as I tilt my head to the side, waiting for her next move. I grab Joker’s hand as I bend down to say, “Yes, this is my fault. He is mine now; always has been.” She reaches for him, and I pull him behind me slightly before slapping her hand away. I am still bent as I keep talking to her. “You touch what’s mine again, and I won’t be so forgiving next time.” The palm of my hand pushes her forehead slightly as I stand.
Joker leans toward me. “I got plans for you when we get home,” he growls under his breath and adjusts himself.
She sits and watches and pulls back as if she is in pain. “Just tell me what she has that I don’t?” She is on her knees but falls back against the balls of her feet, looking defeated.
“It’s always been her. She is my Queen. Nobody else could stand a chance against her.” Joker says to her and kisses my hand. “Malcolm will help find someone for you.”
The woman crumbles and sobs, then looks back up at me like she wants to argue. Joker pulls me to him, and we walk past the woman as security helps her up and takes her toward Malcolm’s office. He stands to the side. “The complication we spoke about. Sorry about that.”
Once we get back into the car, I turn and look at Joker. “I don’t think we should go back for a while. I don’t think Malcolm would appreciate blood on his floors, and there will be blood.”
“Let’s get you some pizza.” Wise man.
That first stretch of the morning is always the best when you wake up tired and sore in all the best places. Arms wrap around me and pull me back into Joker’s chest. With my eyes still closed, I smile as his beard tickles the side of my face. This is the way to wake up in the morning. He kisses where my neck meets my shoulder. “Good morning, Queen.” His voice is still groggy from sleep. Has anything sounded more sexy than his gruff voice first thing in the morning? It sends endorphins throughout my body, and I bask in it.
I roll over and snuggle into his neck. “Can you just move in so you don’t have to leave every morning to get clothes?” There, I said it. No part of me thinks he will say no. The odds are that he is just waiting for me to say something. I like my space, and he understands and will respect it in the future. He gets me on a level I didn’t think possible. I want to keep pushing us forward and ready to be all in.
“Do you think you have enough closet space for me?” he whispers into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I think about my building section’s number of rooms, closets, and pointless spaces. We can put them to good use, and I know Joker doesn’t own enough clothes. That thought makes me smile as I think about filling his closet with clothes I want to see him wear. The man couldn’t care less about his appearance, so I knew he would wear anything if it made me happy.
“There are plenty of empty closets. You can take your pick. Whichever closet you want is yours, as long as it keeps you in the same apartment as me.” I tell him as I pull back and look down at him. His light eyes watch as I lean over him. “Are we doing this or not?” I smirk at him with a ghost of a challenge on my face.
“Oh, I’m all in, baby.” He gives me a cocky smile with his head still on the pillow. I love I get to see this side of him. He is one of the most dangerous men I have ever met, yet he lies before me, exposed here.
“We will see.” I move quickly before I decide to say fuck it and stay in bed. Getting to my feet, I stand there for a second, looking him over to appreciate the view of him wearing only a sheet covering his naughty bits. He is a work of art, messy yet perfect, and all mine. “Well, go get dressed. We have a date with an adorable, slightly feral Bear.”
I get dressed and play it safe by grabbing Joker and I to-go mugs of coffee in case Tess is off the caffeine. Ace is probably giving it up, too, if she is, which makes me smile. I love watching a small woman put Ace in his place. I walk to the door, and Joker stands there wearing dark jeans and a black T-shirt. “Considering I think you have the same four shirts in every dark color that is made, I think you might fit them all in the closet,” I tease him because there is no way I am going to share my closet either way. I love clothes. I used to deny my love of fabrics and outfits, but fuck that. It makes me happy. I guess Jack isn’t the only one who is bougie.
“There are over 100 shades of black. You will be amazed at my wardrobe.” He slaps my ass when he looks at me like somehow he has won. I shake my head as I hand him his coffee and we walk down the hall. Each step we take I feel more excitement building inside of me. My niece is back and I can’t wait to see her. I knock on the door, and I hear something hit the floor. A quick foot stomps toward the door. I hand over my coffee to Joker to free both arms and hug her.
“Aunt Queenie!!” Winnie shouts as I bend down and open my arms, and she launches into them. I stand up and hold her close, enjoying the full of love hugs.
“I missed you!” I sit her back down inside the kitchen and look down at her. “Wow. I think you have grown close to a foot since I last saw you!” She giggles and smiles at me. Her dark, long hair is still wild with bedhead.
“Hi, Mr. Joker! You guys are supposed to wear pajamas for breakfast!” She sighs dramatically, like she doesn’t know what to do with us. We need her to be in charge because we would be lost without her here. Well, she isn’t wrong. She adds an air of brightness and innocence that we need terribly.
“It’s just Joker, kid, but I don’t think my sleeping outfit would be appropriate for breakfast.”
I elbow him in the side but stifle a laugh. “I’ll buy you pajamas,” I tell him as Winnie runs off into the living room. “We will call them breakfast clothes instead of pajamas. Because personally, I love your pajamas or lack thereof,” I say slowly as I turn the corner, and the large sectional sofa is full of my siblings. Along with Ash and Letha, this event got turned into a gathering. I am oddly okay with that. We all made this happen. Everyone in this room fought hard to get Tess and Winnie back into our lives. They are family now.
With little room, Joker sits on the end and pulls me into his lap. Tess enters the room and sees us, and her eyes get misty. “Please tell me this is a thing and is happening?” I nod, and she squeals and claps her hands together adorably.
I stand back up and go around the couch to hug her, and my eyes widen. I have not been around very many pregnant women. “Holy shit—I mean, you look… you’re glowing!” That’s what you say to pregnant women, right? She appeared almost glowing, with longer hair curled in beautiful dark blonde waves. Her face is rounder, probably from being close to six months pregnant, or was it seven? Damn, I need to be a better aunt and know these things.
“You can say it; I look huge.” Tess poses to give me a side view. “I made them look around to ensure only one was in there. They assured me there was only one.”
Ace comes up behind her, wraps his arms around her, and puts his hands on her belly. “You have never looked more beautiful to me,” he whispers to her.
Part of me wants to gag; the other part has become a marshmallow lately. I glance over at Joker and feel the happiness that I imagine Ace feels every time he looks at Tess.
I let them have their moment and return to Joker. My twin gives me a look I cannot decipher, and I don’t like it. His eyes narrow, and he shakes his head before looking down. I know we will have a conversation soon. I hope he will not have a hard time with this relationship. The vibe in the living room is weird, but honestly, I couldn’t care less about that. Ash looks super uncomfortable, and I tilt my head. She and I have become closer, and while I wouldn’t say we are girlfriends yet, we are friendly, at least. “You okay, Ash?”
She almost jumps before blinking a few times before focusing on me. “Yeah… Everything’s fine.” She nibbles at her bottom lip.
Letha scoffs. “That’s now the third person to see something is wrong. Now, spill.”
Their relationship is interesting to me. They are close like siblings, but more of a friendship that has me scratching my head. They are an unlikely duo. Letha is bold, slightly loud, and confident, yet has that same thing I see in Jack. Unsettled, they don’t quite know exactly what side of themselves they want to show people. They both need a self-reflection class of who they exactly want to be. Just like I can see through Letha’s extreme hair colors, wanting to control something but never truly happy with the results. Ash, on the other hand, knows exactly what she is. Girl has been through some therapy or something. She knows herself and would prefer to sit on the sidelines and let anyone else have the spotlight. Even though, in her own right, her talent outshines everyone else. Being around Ash is like finding a magnificent shade tree in the heat of summer. Calming, soothing, and gentle, you cannot help but relax around her.
Ash sighs as she throws her straight hair over her shoulder. “I got back to my shop and apartment yesterday. The pipes must have busted, and it’s unlivable. I have someone coming today to look at it.”
“You can stay with me,” Letha pipes up. We just set her up with a one-bedroom apartment with a nice living area.
King clears his throat. “You have a room, and your studio is still set up in mine. It’s no trouble. You can stay there.” I eye King. Sure, he is the peacemaker and always putting too much on his shoulders, but I’m unsure if he wants to do this. I slightly elbow Joker and his eyes meet mine before accessing my face with his ‘what did I do now’ face. He is paying attention, but he isn’t usually a team player.
“Oh, you can come stay at my place,” Joker says and gives me a look that says, See? Helpful. Reward me with your vagina later, please.
I almost open my mouth to berate him, but then I shake that off when King looks gobsmacked. Then anger flashes over his face, and he flexes his fist; I didn’t know breakfast would come with a show. “Why the hell would she come stay at your place?” His jaw is tight, and it seems he is fighting to keep his mouth shut from saying more.
Joker raises his hands. “Excuse the fuck out of me. I am moving my stuff into Queen’s, and it will sit there.” He gives me a look as his nostrils flare. “I fucking tried, and I hated it. Being nice can be your thing now.” With that, he leans back onto the couch and pulls me into him.
I can’t help the giggle that escapes my mouth. I kiss his cheek, and he grumbles before getting comfortable. Jack scoffs slightly. “You’re already moving in—”
“Congratulations, you two,” King interrupts my twin, thankfully cutting him off from trying to ruin this morning. He looks back to Ash. “You have options, but your stuff is already at mine.”
“Thanks, Joker. I appreciate the gesture and will keep that in mind. I don’t want to make you rush to get your stuff out. King’s right. It’s probably easier this way.” She bites her lip once more, looking mildly unsettled.
Winnie takes this time to run over to Letha, landing in her lap and not giving her a choice. “Bear says he is going to come visit me! He also told me to tell you to teach me to play something other than Go Fish.”
Letha laughs. “What’s wrong with Go Fish?” Winnie throws her head back and huffs like the world’s weight is on her tiny shoulders. Her eyes roll dramatically.
Winnie throws her hands out dramatically before groaning like she has heard this a million times. “He can’t win against a fucking almost five-year-old. Bear is not as lucky with cards as with women.” The entire room goes silent before busting out laughing.
I look at Tess, who seems mortified, before putting her hand to her face to compose herself. “Winnie, everything you just said, never say it again.”
Her bottom lip pouts, and she crosses her arms at her chest and huffs. I think she opens her mouth to argue when Ace snaps his fingers. Her eyes look up at her dad, and she settles back into Letha’s lap. Letha hugs her against her. “My brother and the rest of the Fallen Sons need to have a lesson on what is appropriate to talk about in front of little ears. Since you have been hanging out with them too much, I can teach you other games to beat Bear when he visits.” Winnie’s smile slightly disappears, and she gets quiet.
“Maybe we can learn one he is good at. Bear’s my friend, and he might stop playing with me if he doesn’t win, too.” King pulls Winnie to him and wraps his arms around her, hugging her before helping the tension in the room by tickling her into giggles. A few minutes later, breakfast arrives with enough to feed a small army. The teams will love the spread down in the cafeteria this morning. Joker and I usually go down after a mission to eat with everyone. I think, though, that I am where I am supposed to be. When I look over at Winnie, a laugh escapes as I watch her attack her waffle like her nickname suggests, and I couldn’t be happier.