“No way.” Vale props against Ruby. “First, no one’s told Alena yet about the kings and queens. About this.” She gestures to the low black leather platform where she relished her initiation. Ruby too. And it stirs my cock, imagining Alena’s initiation in the same spot, as Vale adds, “She’s been too overwhelmed processing the whole not-mafia-mafia thing; me-with-her-dad thing; and the whole Loch-lied-to-her thing.”
I mutter, exhausted, “I neverwantedto lie to her.”
“We know.” Wren pecks my cheek. “You were protecting her from Bratva bullshit. She’ll understand one day.”
Her optimism is almost contagious.
Until Zar asks Vale, “What’s the second thing, darlin’, cuzyou just fired off three reasons for her to run like hell from us?”
“Huh.” Vale cocks her head, her long black braids tickling her naked nipples. “Don’t know. Guess I’m like Alena. I’m still getting used to the mafia thing.”
“We’renotMafia,” Axel calls out. Sprawled naked across the platform, he’s sated like a massive inked lion. But I know him. It’s a matter of minutes before his pierced dick is stalking for Ruby again.
“No, but Wren’s right.” Sire lords from his black throne, across the circle from mine. “This is real Bratva bullshit, and Loch’s been the sacrificial lamb.”
“I’m no fucking little lamb.”
“Ouais, we know.” Delphine pets my shoulder, appeasing egos. “You are a very big lion.”
“Hey!” Grant shouts from his fourth throne. “I’m fucking big too!”
“The biggest, my king. Tu es l'amour de ma vie.” Delphine blows him a kiss.
He catches it in the air, touching it to his dick.Dumbass.
“So, what’s the plan?” I focus on Ruby because I’m shit out of luck and ideas.
I’m happy for Alena to have Mutt, keeping her company. I’m not too proud to take the shit-shift at work, so Alena can maintain the status she’s earned. I don’t mind losing sleep, watching her from my deck every night. I know she sees me.
She sees me talking with Wilder, Remi, and Bishop. You can’t miss their hogs, rumbling up the mountain when they stop by to exchange intel. From the ridge above our cabins, they overlook ours. Alena knows they’re her backup guards.
Deftly, she ignores them.
She’s going on with her life.
But she’s ignoring me, and it’s like a barrage of bullets.
I can’t stop bleeding for her.
Ruby scans the queens—her, Zar, Delphine, Wren, and Vale. Then, she glances over her shoulder at her kings, commanding, “We all work together to get Alena to come to our wedding. We make her feel welcome and give her a choice to join us.”
“My queen,” Axel challenges lowly, “you sure that’s a good idea?”
An odd look slides between them. I catch it before Ruby lowers her chin at Axel, answering her fiancé, “Yes. I want Alena there. She belongs with us.”
“Ouais. Listen to Ruby.” Delphine chides, “You kings have controlled enough of Alena’s life. Give her the power now.”
“What if she says no?” Nash asks, hissing a sip of vodka over his lips.
“She won’t say no to me,” Vale replies.
“Poison,” Nash warns her. “Alena needs your friendship. Don’t risk it by guilting her into something she doesn’t want to do.”
“Shewantsto be with Vale.” I mumble, “Just not with me. Not anymore. Alena hates me.”
“Aw, Loch.” Wren rests her long crown of curls on my shoulder. “I have a strict policy: nobody cries alone in my presence.”
Zar chuckles. It tickles at my sad lips. Wren’s always quoting Dolly Parton.
