“Agreed. I am curious about your nails. I want some!” Elvie giggled.
“Yes, and I’d like to know your supplier,”Corrine added in a more subdued tone.
“Or the whole stolen identity thing, can we talk about that?” Tully added loudly, throwing up his hands. “That was insane!”
Ginata laughed. “Oh yes. I’ve been quite busy these last few years. I’ll call ahead and get rooms prepared for you all.”
Out of all the homes the Seven Sins had, Ginata’s was the most lavish. I didn’t think that was possible after seeing Arsenio’s white marble palace. The Seven Sin of Greed walked into Gluttony’s home,and I could see him sizing up everything.
We reached her place by morning, and we all agreed to go rest. It had been an insane night.
The room Scout and I had been given was amini-suite. There was a large bathroom attached, and we took a shower together. It was silent but in a way, comforting. When we fell into bed, we laid there, bare, skin to skin, and fell asleep in each other’s arms.
The next evening, we had clothes waiting for us. Scout was given a simple black dress, and I wasgivena black business suit. I frowned, but having no other options, I slipped it on.
We joined the rest of the party downstairs. Ginata was entertaining everyone with wild stories of what she’d been doing. Everyone chimed in with their own crazy moments.
“So, it wasn’t just the phony that was obsessed with harems?” Elvie asked when the three rather attractive darker skinned Bloodborns came in and sat with Ginata.
“Mm, I don’t like that sentence.” Ginata scrunched up her nose. “Thomas, Ronald, Bruno, and I have been in a loving relationship for over twenty years. It’s more than just physical. What she had over there,” she waved the air as if wanting it gone. “Was not what healthy polyamory is. None of my men are bound to stay, nor are they sex slaves.” The foursome shared knowing smiles, and the topic was dropped.
We spent the evening telling tales and drinking blood. Ginata had gotten fireball whiskey for meand made sure to get something Arsenio enjoyed drinking.
“You look odd, in that suit, baby brother,”Ginata smirked. “Thomas was the closest to your frame, and it does fit, but that’s not you.”
“Agreed. Any way you can get me a band shirt and some jeans?”
She winked. “Consider it done.”
As we were going to bed that morning, Arsenio stopped me. Scout went up without me, and I assured her I’d only be a moment.
“It’s the perfect time to pop the questionwith all of us here. Just say the word,and I can plan a grand affair. Ginata has a wonderful garden that would be perfect.”
I shook my head sadly. “The ring was left in Mexico. It was in my pants.”
He grinned wide. “Actually, I had a feeling that I would need to move my best man duties forward.” He dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box. I snatched it with surprise.
“Holy shit. You really got it.” I opened the box to check,and sure enough, my family ring sat in its rightful place, safe and sound.
“I did, as well as a few other items. Your deck. And hers.” He dug into his other pocket and handed me the two tarot decks. “We found them under her pillow. Oh, and this. This was in a bowl in her room.” He dug into his pocket one last time and pulled out the necklace I had given her with the nickname she had for me.
“I recalled the matching one youworeand thought it was hers.”
I stared at everything in wonder. “Thanks,man. You risked so much to get these.I appreciate it.” I shoved the items in my jacket and pulled him into a giant hug. He patted my back hard,and I jerked forward. He laughed.
“Yes. I know. So, the garden then?” He let me go and put up his hands. His eyes lit up with his ideas. “Lights everywhere. Soft violins playing. We’ll have the finest champagne ready,and we can all hide in the flowers, waiting for the right moment. And then you’ll bend down, wearing the finest suit I can find, and ask her to be your wife for eternity.”
I grimaced. “Is this what you sit around all night and think about? This romantic shit is too much for me. What happened to the plan of you doing it all and I just show up?Surprise me. I’m too tired for this shit.” We shared a laugh,and I went upstairs to Scout.
I found her already sound asleep and realized I was just as tired. I stripped down and slid in beside her. When I woke up, I found two outfits waiting for me. One from Arsenio, the other from Ginata.
“Aw, who got me this?” Scout beamed as she pulled on her thigh-high socks. She took, had been supplied with two outfits. I looked at the expensive suit and the Iron Maiden shirt, opting for my comfort over style. I could always come back up for the suit.
“You’re fucking gorgeous, you know that?” I told her as she slipped on hi-top sneakers. She had been given a black tulle skirt, a black shirt, and a leopard print jacket. “That High Priestess look, wasn’t you.”
“I kind of miss the hair,” she laughed. She stood and sauntered over to me, putting her arms around me. Despite her naturally cold vampire skin, she felt warm to me. She felt… like home. I reached up and gently fisted her hair.
“I don’t know.I think I’ll always love the ‘freshly-fucked’ look.” I laughed. She looked at me,and I planted a quick peck on her lips. “You’re a wild one, and I never want that to go away.”
