Page 113 of Jace
The sun is setting on the day. I wish we could’ve stayed in bed in her studio—I could hold her forever—but I can’t put this off. I need to assess her risk.
And end it.
The guard opens the door as a husky voice calls out, “You gonna play without me?”
We whip around to find Nick standing there. His beefy arms crossed. His dark, bearded smile proud. His blue eyes twinkling beside his husband, Zar.
Fuckers: they were waiting in a car for us to arrive.
“How did you know?” I’m not mad; I’m impressed.
Zar nods toward Vivian. “We had a spa photo shoot that was supposed to start today, and she’s never missed a day of work.”
Nick adds, “And Grant never misses a chance to piss you off. He told me about your arrangement with Daddy Dearest and didn’t want you going rogue again.”
I huff. “Oh, so everyone knows.”
Nick shrugs. “Knows that you’re playing the long game with that fucker? Yeah. But needing some backup with this piece of shit who’s been tormenting Viv?” He gestures to where our father’s soldiers secured David for me. “The pleasure will be all mine.”
Zar rolls up his starched sleeves. “And mine.”
“Just a minute.” Vivian’s hand flies up. “I’m not a damsel in distress; I’m a bitch on a mission. If anyone’s playing games with my ex, it’s me. Are we clear?”
They salute, grinning, but I tug her hand. “Let me be clear,” I warn. “He’s got a ball gag in his mouth because if I have to hear one whiny word from him, it’ll be his last. Don’t take it out unless you want him dead.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” She keeps stride beside me. “I can tell by his eyes if he’s lying.”
It’s what I’m counting on as the guard closes the door and the four of us march down the long, underground corridor.
Old beige paint peels off the concrete walls. Safety lighting illuminates the way. The floors are bone dry. This old bunker by the river is nothing like the rum-runner’s tunnel Vivian and I used to escape The Mercier, but still…
It makes me sweat.
She can feel it in my hand. “Talk to me,” she whispers. “Talking is breathing.”
“I don’t…” I swallow, vision tunneling, air thinning. “I don’t know…”
She halts, turning to Nick. “I need your help with my initiation.” The sudden change of focus distracts me. “I love Jace and want to be his queen, but that means I need a second king, and I’d be honored if it’s you. I’ve known you for years, and I trust you.” Softly, she beams at Nick. “But I’ll never coerce you to…bondwith me. I won’t even let you try; it doesn’t feel right.” She tugs my hand. “But we have to do something. Will you help us?”
She means me.
She means now.
She’s bringing this up to stave off my panic attack. Not a worry. I’m suddenly attacked by even more love for her.
Nick closes the distance, resting a hand on her shoulder and mine. The weight comforts me. “If my rainbow could be straight,” he offers, “it’d be for you. But you’re right; it’d be like forcing a wet noodle in the wrong hole.”
Zar laughs. “Though it gets damn hard to fill my hole.”
“So what do we do?” Vivian wraps her arms around my waist. “I want Jace to initiate me soon. I don’t want to wait.”
“You don’t?” I’m shocked out of my phobia. “What happened to slow?”
“Uh, I’ve been trapped in hell, and now I’m free to love you.” She gazes up at me. “Plus, you and the kings and queens have burst into my life like a party that never ends. Why wait?”
Zar crows, “Darlin’, Jace has been waiting so long to make you his queen, he’s gonna break his throne doing it, and I, for one, am here for the show.”
Can’t say I disagree with him.
