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Sighing, Shade runs a hand through his hair. “Don’t be an asshole, Tiller.”
“When have I ever not been one?” Tiller grumbles, his usual ice-cold demeanor returning as he slams his phone on the table. “That’s like telling me to not be me.”
Shade watches Scarlet out of the corner of his eye showing the ring to River. “Good point.”
Camden smiles at Shade. “Can I be your best man?”
Shade ruffles his hair, winking at him. “Yeah, dude.”
Camden seems satisfied with his reply and then eyes me. “We have plans. Now. I have to be home by three. We’re wasting time.”
I stare at Tiller when Shade and Scarlet leave to do who the hell knows what. I don’t care. I’m one-tracked and single-minded. I have a plan and I need this motherfucker to own up.
Tiller glares. “What the fuck are you looking at?”
My smile is vindictive. He knows it. “You in or out?” But then I remind him, “You know you fucking owe me.”
“Jesus Christ.” He blows out a breath and tosses his head back dramatically, his braids flopping around ridiculously. “What’s your plan?”
“Doesn't matter. Just do what I say.” I stare at his hair. “Take those braids out. You look stupid.”
“I’m too nice to do what you say” is his reply as he lights up a cigarette in the house. He takes a puff and then blows it in my face. “It’ll taint my reputation as a saint.”
Crossing my arms over my chest. I don’t budge. I’m the one person who doesn’t deal with his bullshit. “You make the devil look like a goddamn Care Bear.”
For a moment, he plays cool, then his signature sinister smile plays across his face, smoke filtering through his nose and upturned lips. “What the hell. Let’s go. It’s been at least a year since I fucked up a wedding.”
He really has no idea what he’s just signed up for. Slumping in the booth, he lies down on the bench seat, his head hanging over the edge, draws his legs up and holds an icepack to his junk. He’s not wearing any pants. Only boxers. At least he has those on.
Camden is practically buzzing with excitement and pulls out a piece of paper he had in the pocket of his shorts. At the top of it I notice he’s written “Rescue the Bride” in red marker. I take the paper from him and laugh.
Check it out. It’s crazy.
“Cam-man, what is this?”
He shrugs, retrieving a Pepsi from the fridge. “It’s a rescue mission. I drew out the property layout of San Ysidro Ranch and where we might find her. I listened in on Carl’s conversation with Brad. The ceremony is in the Hydrangea Cottage.” He stabs at the map, his eyes intent on mine. “We need to do it before the ceremony.”
Tiller chuckles, adjusting his icepack on his nuts. “Your plan is to kidnap her? Might as well ride in on Aladdin’s magic carpet.”
Camden huffs and slaps his palms on the table as if he can’t entertain our ridiculousness. “It’s at least a plan. I don’t see you dummies coming up with anything.”
It’s hard to keep a straight face with how serious he’s being over this.
Tiller lifts his head, smirking at me. “Dummies?” he repeats.
Huffing, Camden rips the paper from my hands. “Do you have a better idea?”
Before I can tell them what I have in mind, Willa comes into the room, heels clicking against the tile. Before any words are spoken, she snatches the cigarette from Tiller’s mouth and throws it in the sink behind her. “No smoking in here.”
Camden shoves his map into his pocket, his cheeks pink, eyes wide.
I hadn’t seen Willa come into the kitchen but she’s wearing a dress. One you’d wear to a wedding. Traitor. My scowl reaches a new low, even for me. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Tiller laughs from his place on the bench. “Damn, Willz.” And then he bites her ass cheek.
Don’t look so surprised. Tiller may be a dad and have a live-in girlfriend but he’s not tamed. He’s like a haunted hotel. Fun to visit but not to stay the night. Same goes for being in a relationship with the bastard. Enter at your own risk.
Willa glares right back at me, takes her purse and hits Tiller right in the face with it. “I’m going to a wedding. And you’re not.”