Logan lifts a hand his way. “I’ll save you the trouble. Lizbeth, let me know what you need. I’m footing the bill for everything. And I have plenty.”
Ellis hoots, “Damn straight you do. No thanks to me.” He slaps Logan five before pointing at Coop. “And this dude, right here, is heading into business with me next.”
Laken looks mildly alarmed, as she should. Ellis happens to be building a very lucrative cannabis empire with Drake and I’m pretty sure Ethan, too.
“What kind of business?” I ask for Laken and she nods my way appreciatively.
“Roach coach,” he snarls at Gage. “This idiot wouldn’t take a chance. I guess eating out of the back of a truck is too good for royalty these days.”
I’m more concerned over the fact Ellis just called Gage an idiot. I wonder what punishment the royal one will dream up for him.
Chloe grabs Ellis by the T-shirt and pulls him in. “Nobody calls my husband an idiot.”
Well, there’s that. Chloe is not only Gage’s punishment, she’s everyone else’s, too.
“Let him go,” he orders, and Chloe does as she’s told.
I take a deep breath. “How does it feel being on a leash, Chloe?”
A dull huff emanates from her. “As long as Gage Oliver is holding the reins, I’m all for it. I’m a fool for love, Skyla. And Gage and I are just that, madly, deeply, most abundantly in love.”
“You got the fool part right.” I couldn’t help it.
Laken bubbles with a laugh. “You walked into that one, Chloe.”
Bree inhales with a sudden rage. “Nobody makes fun of my bestie.”
Laken scoffs. “Then I believe you would be very upset with Skyla.”
“All right.” Gage holds both hands up in surrender. “I think it’s time we bow out.” He looks my way, a stern expression on his face. “Mind your people, Skyla.”
“What people?” Ellis steps between us. “You shook down the last of them when you handed those Celestra to the feds.” He looks to me and offers a cocky nod. “But don’t worry, dude. Skyla is about to rock your world. We’ve got a few things cookin’. And there won’t be a roach in this coach.” He looks across the room. “Come on, G. We’ve got someplace to be.”
Ellis and G storm out of the room with Giselle waving wildly to her brother and shouting out her enthusiasm for tomorrow.
I step over to Gage as the room picks back up to life with the kids shouting, my mother and Tad arguing about my impending wedding, Drake and Ethan howling about something on TV.
“I am minding my people, Gage. I don’t know how or when, but I will restore my people and recover all you have stolen from me. Yes, I will be at your coronation and I will watch you slide further into wickedness.”
Logan grunts, “I’m pretty sure that will complete the descent.” He picks up my hand and it comforts my weary soul. “I’m assuming you’ve invited your parents, the ones that raised you?”
“Yes.” Gage takes a breath and his chest expands. “Both my mother and father will be there. My dad isn’t enthused, but my mom more than makes up for it.”
“I bet she does.” I couldn’t help it. Emma is notoriously pro-wickedness. In all of this madness, I truly believe she wants to create a position for herself. It turns out, Emma has been power-hungry from the beginning.
Gage looks my way, cold and unfeeling, as if this entire charade were somehow my fault. “Be ready by noon. Have the boys ready as well. Stay indoors. Demetri is doing the transports. He’s not taking anyone in a public environment.”
“Nice,” I quip. “It looks as if he’s leaving the destruction of our people to you. He does keep his hands clean like a pro.”
Gage chuckles as he draws Chloe close to him and they leave with a celebratory goodbye to everyone. Gage pecks a kiss over both Nathan and Barron on his way out the door.
“It all feels so final,” I whisper to Logan as we both stare off in the direction he disappeared. “Do you really think there’s a way to save Gage from himself?”
“I don’t know anymore.” Logan exhales as if he’s been holding that breath all along. “I’m willing to bet your mother will be there tomorrow. I think we need to have a chat with her.”
“Good. At least that will distract me from the fact Gage Oliver is about to brand himself the king of the wicked.”
“The Good Book says that evil doesn’t win.”
