by Anne Mercier
I chuckle.
“You mad, Cage Dude?” Xander asks.
Cage sighs. “No, but I really wish we’d be on the same page at all times. This situation is delicate.”
Xander nods. “I agree, but it’s also ludicrous.”
“True. But calling that guy… and I quote, ‘an intolerant fuck who doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you two,” Cage relays.
My brows lift. “Xan. Be careful.”
“Have you looked at Linc’s account yet?” Sera asks with a cringe.
“I did,” Linc replies. He shrugs. “I’m not there to make friends. I’m there to beat the fuck out of people and make money.”
“I don’t know whether to laugh or worry until I’m sick knowing they’re all over your feed,” I admit.
“Neither. It is what it is,” Linc says.
I stare at him, dumbstruck. “How can you say that? Some of your opponents are definitely going to be haters. What if they gang up on you or something?”
Linc shakes his head. “It’s not like high school. Besides, I don’t hang out with any of them outside of the ring anyway.”
“Except Jabs,” Tera reminds him.
He nods. “Except him.”
Xander frowns. “You would have to remember him.”
Tera smirks. “Of course I do. How could I forget Jamie “Jabs” Royal, a man who worships me?”
“You’re treading on thin ice, wife.”
“Get a grip,” Lucy tells him.
Tera shrugs and takes a sip of her tea. I can already tell this is going to burn Xan’s ass, and I’m looking forward to it. I love when she razzes him.
“It’s not like I brought up Carter Winters or anything.”
Xander growls—literally growls. “Them’s fightin’ words.”
“I’ll be sure to kick your ass in bed later,” Tera taunts.
“Now you’re talkin’,” Xan replies with glee.
Kadi peers around the kitchen door. “Can I come back in now?”
I nod. “Of course.”
She sits next to me.
“Wait. Where are your parents?” I ask her.
“They eloped. They’ll be back tonight,” she announces, then claps a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.
Xander shakes his head and chuckles. “And they thought I’d be the one to tattle.”
Kadi lifts her chin. “It was an accident.” She glares.
Xan raises his hands.
I put an arm around Kadi’s shoulders and pull her into my side. “It’s okay to tell us. Xander should know better than to keep something like that a secret.”
“Yes, he should,” Cage sighs, fingers flying as he types on his phone. “Jace should know better, too.”
Lucy gasps. “Oh no.”
“What is it, baby?” Jesse asks.
“My mom is going to be so pissed… she’s been planning and…”
Jesse groans. “I’d hate to be Jace Warner when she finds out. The wrath of Regina Russo is something I hope to never encounter.”
Xander shrugs. “Might be fun to watch, though.”
“I don’t blame Summer,” Tera says. “I’d rather be married now being that big already than having to wait until next month when she’s going to look close to this.”
“Good thing you’re already married,” Xander says, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips.
“I think you should renew your vows,” Lucy announces.
Xander cuts his gaze to hers, his expression pleading, saying something like why? Why would you go there?
But Lucy pays him no attention. “I mean, you were apart for so long, and now you’re together again, kinda like a new beginning, and with the baby and everything.”
I look at Tera, and I think she’s been thinking the same thing. Her expression one of, almost, hurt, that Xander didn’t think to ask.
“Luce,” Jesse mutters. “You ruined it.”
“What?” she asks, confused.
“I was going to ask her to do that very thing as soon as Bart called to let me know her ring was ready,” Xan says.
Both Lucy and Tera have their mouths hanging open.
He turns to Tera. “Bart works at Tiffany’s on Santa Monica. He’s the go-to guy for amazing jewelry. I worked with him and a designer for a new ring for you. Like Lucy said, new beginning. I want us to get married again, like the first time. Just close friends and family. Maybe Jesse will sing N’ Sync again as a gift to you.”
“You fucker,” Jesse replies.
Tera looks at Jesse. “Would you?”
Jesse looks pained for a second, but then smiles at Tera. A genuine smile. “For you, little sister, I’d do anything.”
Now Tera starts to cry in earnest.
“You sing N’ Sync?” Sera asks.
“Dude, it’s epic. I’ll show you our wedding video,” Xander tells her.
Jesse groans.
Lucy laughs. “How did I not know this?”
“I never wanted you to know,” he admits.
“But it’s so sweet that you’d do that. N’ Sync,” she laughs, looking at Sera.
Sera laughs in return. “I need to see that video. Today.”
“How about now?” Xan offers.
Lucy claps and Kiki copies her.
Jesse groans and bangs his forehead on the table.
“See?” Linc says, nudging me with his elbow. He points to Kiki. “She scares me.”
“She’s two,” I tease.
“Two in human years. I don’t know what that equates to in She Devil years.” He shudders and I laugh.
“We don’t have to worry. If we decide to have kids, none of them will have the Russo mojo.”
Linc’s expression goes serious. “You never know, babe. They could get it by osmosis or something.”
Xander laughs so loudly, I jump. “Osmosis,” he says, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“Don’t laugh so loud, dickhead,” Linc begins. He points to Tera’s belly and then to Kiki sitting next to Tera. He mouths, “Osmosis.”
Xander’s eyes go wide. “Knock it off. That’s not funny. Not even a little bit.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh loud. “I thought it was hilarious.”
Xan looks to Tera. “Baby, they’re picking on me.”
It comes out as a whine and now everyone sitting at the table erupts with laughter.
“Aww,” Tera coos, rubbing Xan’s head which he’s got resting on her shoulder. “My poor, poor Xan.” She pats his cheek and it sounds more like a light slap.
I snort.
Linc grins.
Kadi shakes her head. “Don’t be such a baby.”
Kiki claps again. “No be baby!”
“You better f—flucking listen,” Linc warns.
Xan sits up. “I’m not a baby, you’re a baby.”
Kiki’s face gets red and she screams, “Kiki not a baby!”
Xander gets up and runs from the room, Linc hot on his heels.
I’ve got tears rolling. Down my cheeks. They’re so afraid of this little girl. I shake my head then look over and she’s staring at me. She smiles a toothy smile.
“Linc and Xan scared of Kiki!” she claps her hands again.
Lucy gasps. Sera’s not far behind.
“She Devil,” Jesse whispers loudly.
Kiki claps and laughs again, nodding.
Jesse mutters something under his breath, then drops his head to the table and begins banging it none-too-gently.
Cage’s lips twitch. “You notice, it’s the one girl that’s causing all the problems. Those three boys are more worried about eating.”
Jesse looks up and over at Cage.
“But when they’re teenagers, they’re going to be worse than she is,” Cage finishes.
Jesse’s eyes narrow, and he points to Cage.
Cage shrugs. “Karma.”
Jesse gets up and starts walking from the room, muttering something about respect and women and what was
he thinking.
When the door closes behind him, Kiki grins and claps again.
Lord have mercy on our souls.
14
DAMIAN
Lean on Dave Richards? No problem. I’m actually looking forward to it. This guy. He’s been making life hell for too many people in my life. It’s about time I get let loose.
I lean against his shiny BMW. Total pussy car. I look over to my cherry red Camaro with the black stripe and chrome rims. The contrast is night and day. Some might say I’m overcompensating. Little do they know, I’ve got no need for that, if you know what I mean.
Fucker’s taking forever, and the sun’s fucking hot today. I scroll through the latest gossip and grin at Margo Phelan’s article. She’s a fine woman and a total looker. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a body built for sin. I’d give her something to write about, but she’d miss work for a couple days before she got the chance. If I ever got that woman into my bed, she’d be there for days until I had my fill.
“Hey! Get off of my car, asshole!” Richards yells.
I smirk, crossing my arms and ankles.
“What’s your problem?” he sneers when he gets close. “Do you not understand English?” He pokes me in the chest.
I look down at his finger, then back at him. “I understand English just fine, and you’re gonna want to remove that finger before I fucking break it.”
He snatches his arm back. “What do you want?”
“Davey, Davey, Davey. You and me, we need to have a talk.”
“Who the hell are you?”
“Me? I’m Damian Black.” Dave pales. Guess he’s heard of me.
“Look man…” he starts, but I hold up a hand.
“Stop. Whatever you’re gonna say is gonna make it worse, so just shut the fuck up and listen.”
Dave opens his mouth, then closes it again.
I nod. Smart choice.
“You’ve been giving a couple of my friends a hard time in your articles. You’ve also been insulting them and making bigoted references,” I begin.
“But I—”
I slide my shades up so they rest atop my head and cut him a glare. He shuts up.
“I think you can be a little nicer to them, don’t you? I mean, they’re just a couple of guys doing what a whole lot of guys do. I don’t see you giving any other gay couples a hard time. Care to explain?”
Let’s see what the chump has to say? Then I can tell Cage I let him get a few words in before I punched him.
“It’s just that they don’t look like your stereotypical gay men.”
I blink. Then again. “You’re coming at me with stereotypes? That’s your excuse?”
“No, no… well, yeah. Look at them. They’re a woman’s wet dream. Muscles and good looks. Fame, fortune,” Dave shrugs.
“Wait. I think I see what’s going on here. You’re jealous of them.”
“I’m not.”
I smirk again. “You are. You know how I know? Because you just basically told me you think these guys are hot, and now you’re pissed that their female fans haven’t turned against them when they came out.”
He says nothing.
“You’re an asshole, you know that? True fans don’t give a fuck if they’re gay or straight, black or white, vegetarian or nonvegetarian…” I shake my head. “Unfuckingbelievable.”
Dave’s looking mighty worried and right now he should be.
I take a step closer so we’re toe to toe. “You’re going to back off of the slander and insults. You’re going to shove your jealousy under the rug, because if you don’t, I’m going to come back, and I won’t let you walk away. You’ll be crawling, if you’re lucky. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Nichols can’t just sic his thugs on me and think—”
That’s enough. I slam my fist into his stomach. Then again for good measure. He doubles over, gasping, and crying. What a pussy.
“Cage Nichols can do anything he wants to do, and you’re going to abide by the rules. You got me?”
Dave looks up, still bent over.
I lift a brow. “I said, you got me?”
He nods.
“Don’t make me come back, Dave. You might not live to talk about it.”
I get into my car and drive away. I’m on the freeway when I let out my disappointed sigh. Only two punches. Am I getting soft? Nah. I wanted to pound the fucker’s face until it resembled minced meat. But leaning on him doesn’t allow for that. Tsk tsk.
Next time, I think with a grin. Because as stupid as Dave is, I know there’s going to be a next time.
15
SERA
“You’re here?” I ask Xan.
His voice comes through the phone crystal clear. “Yeah. I’ve got some ideas.”
I snicker. “Are these ideas going to get me into trouble?”
Xander scoffs. “Would I do that to you?”
“Yes.”
“Would not. Now open the door so your security doesn’t beat me up. It wouldn’t be good for me to play private show we’ve got booked this weekend with black eyes.”
He hangs up.
I’m not going to lie. I’m excited to see what he’s got in mind.
I open the door, and he’s pulling a rolling suitcase behind him. I laugh.
When I close the door, Xander gives me a mischievous grin. “You’re going to love this.”
An hour and a half later, Xander leaves. I can’t suppress the smile on my face. Batman’s in for a surprise—this is so much fun!
16
CAGE
It’s been a very long day. Arguing over contracts with temperamental artists is never fun… so, in the end I told them either they take it or leave it. It isn’t getting any better here or anywhere else.
When it came time to put up or shut up, they shut up. But by then I had a headache forming. I left the members of Still Water, an up and coming metal band, in the hands of my capable assistant Marta. She’s no nonsense and won’t put up with any of their shit.
I sigh when I close the door to the SUV, leaning back into the seat as the driver pulls away from Nichols Towers. It’s been a long, tiring day.
“Sir,” Geno, the driver, begins.
“Yes?”
“Just thought you should know, Xander Mackenzie was at the house for nearly two hours.”
I gaze at him in the rearview mirror. The crinkles around his eyes lead me to believe he’s grinning.
“Were they up to no good?” I question. Likely up to what Tera refers to as Xananigans.
He nods. “I believe so.”
“Is he still there?”
“No. He left close an hour ago.”
I wonder why no Tera. It must have been something that wasn’t healthy for a pregnant woman. I groan inwardly.
“Uh, there’s more.”
I lift a brow. “More?”
He nods. “Meggie Melody showed up a little after Xander did.”
“Hell,” I mumble.
Geno doesn’t even bother to hide his chuckle.
“What did they do?” I question.
“Len was on guard. He did a walk-through after the other two left. He didn’t see any visible issues.”
“Great.” I’m going to have to worry when I shower or use the toilet. Those are the two most vulnerable places. In bed, Sera’s with me. They’d never do anything that could harm her.
Me, on the other hand… That Xander. Such a jokester. Add in Meggie. I’m so screwed.
When we pull in front of the house, Geno turns to me. “The moment of reckoning.”
I give him a glare, and he smirks. Insolent brat. If I didn’t like him so much, I’d fire him even if I had to face Joan’s wrath. As it is, she made sure I wouldn’t involve him in any family business.
He’s only eighteen but wise beyond his years. He’s been through a rough time like me, Damian, and Celeste. If it weren’t for Joan, I’m not sure what would have happened to all of us.
I raise a
brow to Len who’s at his post at the door.
He holds up his hands. “It seemed harmless. I didn’t see anything when I walked through, and I did a thorough inspection.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
“I’d have tried to stop them, but your wife is deadly with her gun.”
My lips twitch. “She does me proud. Fear is a good thing. She shows no mercy.”
Len nods, his eyes wide. He’s afraid of her. Most of the men here are. That’s good. They’ll treat her with the respect she deserves—the respect she’s earned.
I open the door, and everything looks the same.
“Fee?” I call out as I make my way through the entryway.
“In here!” she replies, her voice coming from somewhere down the hall. I find her in our bedroom. She’s strumming her guitar and writing things down. She normally does this in the den.
“I heard you had visitors,” I prod, hanging up my suit jacket.
She nods, smiling. “Xan and Megs came over.”
I hang up my tie and place my shoes in their spot in the closet. If I didn’t, Sera would point, scowl, then do it for me. I’ll skip the pointing and scowling.
“I’m going to run the jacuzzi,” I inform her, stepping into the bathroom and turning on the water. It’s a large tub with a lot of jets. I remodeled this house with Sera in mind. I do everything with her in mind.
“Did you have a rough day?” she questions, following me into the bathroom, hopping up and sitting on the counter. She motions for me to come to her, so I do. She begins unbuttoning my shirt. I love it when she takes care of me. I don’t need it often, but today is one of those days.
“Yeah. The members of Still Water are a bunch of self-entitled pricks.”
Fee frowns. “Already? They haven’t even hit the charts yet.”
I nod. “That is what I said.”
“What did they say?” she asks, now unbuckling my belt.
“That they would soon.”
She looks up at me, pushing the shirt over my shoulders and down my arms, resting it on the laundry hamper.
“Granted, they have talent, but still. That’s never guaranteed.”
