“You’re back.” He nods, his weariness not lifting despite the smile on our girl’s face.
“Yeah, they’re all done over at the house, and I locked it up. The agents are in Dad’s office talking to Emma now. I just wanted to help you feed the cubs before I went to bed.”
Harlow stands up and moves over to get out, with Declan ready and waiting with a towel. He wraps it around her body, his touches lingering a little too long for the purpose of drying her off. “Kai, I’ll meet you in bed?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Harlow
Idid my walkthrough of the zoo with the McCallister brothers, all of whom have now moved into Dad’s house. The zoologist and vet that Dad poached from the MacGinty Sanctuary joined us, and with those two lovely men involved, I’m more ready than ever to begin this process. Both of them were thrilled to meet Nyx and the cubs, and the zoologist, Doug, has moved into Luke’s old room in the staff quarters for now and taken over some of the cubs’ feedings. It’s a big help since Dec is back at work and I have meetings and things to do.
The police identified the body as Count Radic Bucataru, and we held a small private memorial for him that only the family attended. The police gave us the all-clear to continue renovating the house since the investigation of his death amounted to no more than a cold case given the lack of evidence.
Chuck and Melinda have made the move from Connecticut to the West Coast and are busy settling into their new home. Max is still working on the movie, but she’s flown out for the gala with the director and the cast, so I’ll finally be able to see her tonight. A conversation is long overdue between us, and she won’t be able to conveniently escape from this one.
Since Jaxon’s bike blew up, there’s been no stalker activity, so Thomas and Dad okayed it for Josh and all of the Summers’ horses to return as well as Mrs. Hayton. Oliver wept in her arms when he saw her.
Smoothing down the fabric of my ball gown, I study myself in the mirror. The Jace-designed dress is a strapless gown, gathered around the fitted bodice and down over the hips before flaring into a voluminous train of shimmering champagne fabric. It’s gorgeous, and I feel like a princess in it.The makeup artist did an amazing job of hiding the dark circles I’ve earned from working non-stop for the last two weeks.
A knock on the door of my hotel room has me hurrying over to open it. We all have rooms at the Neighpalm Resort where the gala is being held. I haven't been alone all day, and I finally kicked everyone out so I could get ready in peace and quiet. Thomas is in the adjoining room, but as long as I leave the door unlocked, he’s fine with giving me some time alone.
When I open the door, it’s to an assembly of Summers waiting on the other side. “Is everything okay?” I ask as I step aside and let them all in. Despite my room being an executive suite, the space is a little cramped after the full invasion enters the room.
“Forrest has news for us, so he requested that we all get together before we go to the gala,” Dad explains, fidgeting with the bow tie of his tux. Nana smacks his hand away as my gaze scans the room. All my men are wearing tuxes, looking sexy as hell. It’s enough to make a girl lightheaded, and each and every one of them is looking at me like Nyx stares at a deer leg. What makes it even better is the way they’ve personalized their outfits so that no two Summers are wearing the same thing.
“Harlow?” Jacinta’s voice shakes me out of my thirst-induced coma, and I have to blink a couple of times before I look at her. “You’ve got a little something there.” She points to the corner of my mouth, and my hand flies up, worried I had actually drooled. She and Hope collapse against one another in laughter.
“Assholes.” I flip them both off, but there’s no real malice behind it. Being teased by them is nice, homey even, and it really just feels like family, which I’d never complain about.
Another knock sounds at the door, and Holden, being the closest, reaches over to let Forrest in.
The poor man looks tired. He‘s been working overtime for the Summers for weeks now, and I know Dad basically had to strongarm him into taking the next week off. With the offer of a fully paid trip and use of the family’s private jet, how could the man say no? His wife would likely kill him if that were the case, so I think they’re heading to Cancun for a week in the sun.
“Hey, guys, sorry to do this now, but I thought we should get a few things out of the way before I leave in the morning.” He places his briefcase down on a side table, clicking it open. “Okay, first things first. Harlow, that thing you asked me to do is done, congratulations.” He holds out a sheet of paper, and I take it, scanning the words. It’s a change of name document confirming that I am now Harlow Summers. Tears prickle in my eyes as I throw my arms around the older man and give him a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you,” I whisper, and he pats my back awkwardly.
“My pleasure, my dear.”
I pull away and whirl around, waving the document in the air. “It’s official!” I hand it over to my dad, and Nana and Poppy peer over his shoulder to scan it.
A sob leaves Nana’s mouth as all three of them look at me. “I hope you don't mind that I did that.” I had wanted to surprise them all, or at least that’s what I told myself. The truth is, I think a little fear of rejection was always sitting in the back of my mind. Old mental shit rearing its ugly head even though I knew it wasn’t a real concern.
“Mind?” Dad is all choked up. He hands the paper to Declan before tugging me into his arms. “I couldn't be happier that you have my name now. Just like it was meant to be from the start.” His hug is fierce and warm and welcome, drawing out a sigh of relief.
“Awesome, you don't even have to marry any of the boys to have the same last name. It’s perfect,” Jacinta points out. A rush of warmth fills my body with the thought of being married to these men. I know I’d legally be able to marry only one, but with all of us having the same name, there will be something permanent that connects us no matter what.
“It certainly does solve the problem of having to choose,” Nana says joyously.
“Sorry to rush you, but we’re needed downstairs,” Poppy frets. I’m surprised he lasted this long before trying to herd the Summers horde to the party. The gala is Poppy’s baby, and he’s been particularly fussy about wanting things to go off without a hitch, which includes our timely presence.
“Okay, next, I would like to announce the official adoption of Miss Hope Green into the Summers family.” He takes out two more pieces of paper and passes them to my friend, or I guess she’s my sister now. “Or should I say Miss Hope Summers.” Forrest grins widely, and it’s Hope’s turn to tear up as everyone surrounds her with warm congratulations.
“Oh, what an absolutely wonderful day!” Nana claps her hands together enthusiastically. “I can’t wait to get downstairs and celebrate with some champagne.”
“One last thing. I probably should have led with this one and saved the good news for after.” He’s frowning at the boys, a concerned glint in his eyes. “I’d tell you all to sit down, but I think ripping off the band-aid is really just the best course of action for everyone. I have the results for the paternity test for Veronica’s baby. It’s Kai’s.”
