Jessica pops up beside her, the sun setting her hair in red gold as she smiles broadly. “Oh yes. Especially when the circumstances are a tad more ideal than our own weddings.”
Issa laughs loudly. “So not coerced, you mean?”
“Exactly,” Jessica responds with bark of laughter. “Maybe not under the threat of imminent death.”
They giggle, and Carolina adds, “Or to save yourself from having to marry some old creep with a sadistic streak.”
They all crack up, incredibly amused by some inside joke I am entirely certain I don’t even need to understand. Still, I stare at them, completely dumbfounded, and after a few more laughs, they sober, and Issa says, “A nice, calm, ceremony based on love and understanding.”
Grimacing, I give Ren a look, but he just shrugs, so, having no idea what to say to that, I remain silent. Luckily, Declan interjects, “Come on, doll face, you know our ceremony was based on love and understanding.”
Issa purses her lips, her expression stern, and then Jessica responds, “You mean love and understanding from you, the only person in the equation who knew what was going on.”
He smirks, lifting a shoulder dismissively as he adds, “If I remember correctly, I had some help at the time.”
Issa levels me with a smirk of her own as she says, “Don’t believe a word this man says. He’s as shady as they come once he gets his mind made up.”
Declan reaches for her, obviously intent on some kind of playful bantering, but she spins away then shoos him as she says, “No funny business, Mr. Hughes. Us ladies have a hot date.”
“We do?” I ask just as Ren says, “You do?”
Ignoring us both, Issa takes my hand, pulling me toward a new car that arrived while we were making introductions. I hesitate for a moment, unsure what I’m supposed to do, but Ren gives me a small push, so I go along.
Jessica and Carolina climb into the back, and Issa pauses at the door, still holding onto my hand. “Do you trust me, Cass?”
Startled, I frown, once again entirely unsure how to respond. Issa squeezes my hand as I stare back at her, a slow smile growing on my lips at the warmth coming from her dark eyes. Her smile turns radiant as she releases my hand, climbs into thecar and slides over to the far side of the seat, making room for me.
I pause, looking over my shoulder at Ren, who remains standing beside Declan, an odd expression on his face. Catching me watching him, he nods, motioning for me to get moving, so I turn away, climb into the back of the car, slamming the door behind me.
12
SLIDING SCALES & BOUNDARIES
REN
“Where are they going?”
I’m not sure why I waited until they’re driving away to ask, but for some reason I feel compelled to check on their plans.
Declan and I walk toward the car that’s still waiting, Tony falling in beside us as he responds, “Some magic show or something.”
I make a face, climbing into the car and turning to face Tony before I ask, “What kind of magic show?”
Tony shrugs. “The kind with magic, I suppose.” He shifts in his seat, sighing heavily before turning back to me and adding, “Mike’s Magic or something like that.”
My heart stops in my chest just as Declan laughs and asks, “Do you meanMagic Mike?”
Again, Tony shrugs, looking helplessly between the two of us but after a moment he says, “Yeah, that’s probably it.”
My eyes widen in horror, but Declan chuckles and shakes his head, not saying anything. I wait, expecting some kind ofreaction, and when I don’t get one, I finally ask, “And you’re not going to stop them?”
Tony raises a brow at me, and Declan sobers immediately and asks, “Stop them how?” just as Tony asks, “Why?”
I turn my attention to Tony first and explain, “Magic Mikeis a male strip show.”
He stares at me blankly, then shrugs again, so I turn to Declan. “Aren’t you going to do anything?”
“And what it is you’d like me to do, Ren?”
