“Hold it—” Declan lifted a stern brow at his son. “You’re just gonna throw your old man over for someone new?”
“Of course!” Daniel grinned. “Blaéz looks capable and probably doesn’t have to break a sweat. Man, with his height, he’ll just dunk the ball into the hoop, and it’s a win.”
At the father and son banter, Darci’s heart lightened that the old animosity between them had finally faded.
“You should be aware,” Blaéz said, “I’ve never played basketball.”
“What?” Daniel gaped, appearing shocked out of his sports-crazed mind as if Blaéz had committed a terrible felony by admitting such a thing. The spinning ball bounced away. “Not even shooting hoops?”
Amusement lit Blaéz’s eyes. “No.”
Daniel’s brow furrowed, then he shrugged and, in the typical teen fashion, moved past his predicament. “Okay. No problem. You can be on my team. I’ll show you how. Yo, Ethan?” he called out to his friend shooting hoops. “You partner my dad. He’s good. You should be happy you got an old college pro.”
“I don’t know whether to be insulted or stunned at that endorsement.” Declan snorted. “But I’ll sit this one out. Someone’s got to feed your bottomless pit.”
“Guess it’s just you and me then, loser.” Jasper snatched the ball from Ethan.
The baby whimpered. Grace set her half-drunk juice down and crossed to Darci. “It’s her feeding time.”
She handed the baby over. And as the guys gathered on the ball court, Darci followed her sister-in-law indoors and up to the lovely pink and green nursery decked out with white furniture.
“You’re all ready for the big day?” Grace asked. “And you’re okay with having the wedding here?” She lowered into a rocking chair before unfastening her top to feed her daughter.
“Yes…” Darci rubbed her palms down her jeans and told Grace her concerns. “I’m happy Dec offered to have it here—really. But all the Guardians in one place will bring notice. It’s not like they can avoid it. I don’t want to be the reason for their undue attention. And here, the neighbors will be dying of curiosity—we’ll more than likely have several unwelcome guests.”
“True.” Grace frowned as she stroked the baby’s hair. “Why not have it at the castle? I mean, it’s not like we don’t know the truth, right?”
Darci didn’t say anything for a second. She wanted her family to see where she lived and that Blaéz didn’t keep her in some shack.
As the idea took hold, she slowly nodded, her mind already discarding her guest list. At the end, the only people who really mattered to her were her family. “I’ll have to speak to Blaéz.”
“How’s the dress?” Grace asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “It must be beautiful. I can’t wait to see it.”
“It is. But then I’m partial to it since it’s my dream one.” She laughed, pulling off her jacket and dropping it on the white chest of drawers there. The nursery was a little too warm for her.
“Dars?” Grace’s smile faded. “Daniel doesn’t know anything about Blaéz and who—or ratherwhat—he is.”
“I know.”
“It’s just that he’s so young, and I don’t want him saddled with this burden of secrets just yet.”
“I understand, Grace, honestly I do.” She absently tugged at a lock of her curly hair. “But if we have the wedding at the castle, that is if Blaéz agrees to it, then what? Daniel’s going to notice that things aren’t what they seem. If you think Blaéz is intimidating with his size, looks, and height, wait until you see all the Guardians together.”
Grace nodded, switching Liana to her other breast. “I can imagine.”
Her mind in a whirl, Darci wandered to the window overlooking the backyard and watched the boisterous game for a minute, their grunts and yells muted with the windows shut.
Blaéz easily blocked Ethan’s shot. Grumbles followed. Daniel, of course, whooped in excitement. Her man seemed to have easily adapted to playing basketball with a bunch of loud teens. He pushed the sleeves of his black sweater to his elbows and stepped away from the hoop.
Even though he’d dressed casually in jeans and a sweater, he somehow retained that perilous air. But then he was a true predator.
As night approached, the outside lights flickered on, brightening the entire tarmac area. The game continued despite grouses from the losing team when Blaéz suddenly stilled amidst the rowdy teenagers, the ball hitting him square in the chest. He grabbed it and took a second before tossing the ball back to Daniel. Her heart clopped hard against her ribs. Something was wrong.
He spoke to the boys then crossed to Declan. Her brother nodded at whatever he said. Blaéz headed indoors.
“Excuse me, Grace, I’ll be right back.” Darci ran down the stairs as he walked into the living room. Her anxious gaze searched his. “What is it?”
“The others need me.”
