Page 61 of Scream (Duchess & Devils #1)

He shakes his head as he stands to his full, looming height, smiling at my husband, the both of us loving that we got a rise out of him. “Nil, from here I’m going across the pond, we’ve been having issues in Dublin I need to settle.”

I frown. “Well, that’s saddening. I wish we could have you over for dinner, get to know each other properly, being family and all.”

Green eyes shine brightly, the corners of his eyes crinkle, and the faint slash of freckles on the tops of his cheeks that have faded over the years pop over his beard.

Other than the auburn in his beard, the dashes of it in his brown hair, and his green eyes, he looks so much like Maksim.

“Well, if this meeting goes according to plan, and we can all come to an agreement, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other. ” he says with a Bostonian Irish lilt.

From what I gathered, like Maksim being a product of the Mafia and the Bratva truce, Kallum is a product of the Mafia and the Irish mob.Apparently there was a lot of bloodshed over thirty-five years ago.

I hike a brow and look at everyone still standing, waiting for me to either sit with them or walk away. I use my thumb to point back at the table where Parker and Raven’s trio wait for me. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, I’m helping my best friend’s men plan their engagement.”

“About time.” Maksim says, and it surprises me.

I lean up and press on the tips of my toes as much as I can to give him another kiss. “I’ll see you at home?”

He shakes his head. “We’re almost done here. Let me finish up, and I’ll be right with you.”

The words settle over me, and I can't believe how… excited I am to have lunch with my husband. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “Okay. Have you eaten?”

He hums. “Not since this morning,” and the knowledge that it was my pussy he ate this morning makes not only my pink parts tingle, but a blush spreads across my face.

“Well then, I’ll go ahead and order for you. Is there anything in particular you’d like for me to order?”

He kisses my temple. “Thank you, wife. You know what I like. Whatever you choose for me is fine, Duchessa.”

Can one melt and swoon at once?

I say my goodbyes and practically skip happily in my Valentino’s back to my seat with the guys.

Our waitress comes by and we all order. I put in for Maksim, Niko and Parker. I’m so sick of him standing by the wall when I've told him countless times to stop doing that. Now, he won’t be able to refuse me.

“Like I was saying…” Mav continues, where I had so rudely interrupted him by my gnawing envy, now calmed. Although still wa tching the way Daze doesn’t lean toward my husband, but toward Kallum, and that settles me a bit more.Except Kallum couldn’t look more disinterested if he tried.

Minutes tick by while we’re discussing that they should marry in Tibet, where polyandry is still somewhat practiced, when the chair beside me is pulled away from the table.

“Gentlemen,” Maksim says, unfastening the buttons on his sleeves and rolling them over his forearms. Slivers of his tattoos peek through, and God, why is that suddenly so sexy?

I’ve seen multiple men do that, but when Maksim or Parker does it, it’s like a visual aphrodisiac.

Maybe it’s because I know what happens when he tends to…

unwind around me. He takes a seat beside me and drapes his arm on the back of my chair.

“Sabrina tells me congratulations are in order?”

Jonas grins. “Yeah, we’re going back next week when we have more time to be able to design the ring to our specifications.

Once we finish designing it, it’ll go to a craftsman or…

blacksmith or something. It’ll be ready for pickup in about three months.

So a week or two after her birthday, If things go according to plan, we’re thinking of taking a surprise trip to Spain, getting Raven’s Abuelo’s blessing, and then flying to Tibet and getting married immediately after. ”

I straighten up in my seat, surprised. “Immediately? Three months? No long engagement or wedding?”

They all nod, and Damon says, “We’ve waited long enough,” just as Maverick says, “We’re ready.”

Then Jonas says, “Besides, with the games starting soon, I can't take too much time off if I really want to make a name for myself. I’ll be traveling non-stop if we make it to play-offs.”

“What’s wrong, Sabrina?” Maksim asks, fingertips trailing the top of my shoulder. I let the sensation glide through me.

“We’ll be in England in three months. Mum and Derrick’s tenth wedding anniversary, remember?

They’re renewing their vows. We won’t be able to make it.

” I groan, lifting my eyes to my best friend's men, and then sigh loudly. “But it’s a good day to get married, I suppose. Look at Mum and Derrick. Ten years now.”

“Maybe we can meet them afterward.” Maksim suggests.

Jonas laughs. “Uhhh… No offense, guys, but you're definitely not invited to the honeymoon. Not unless everyone gets real cool, real fast, about some real weird, kinky stuff.”

Damon and Maverick chuckle, and I hear Parker and Niko snickering behind me. I roll my eyes. “Oh! Then we can have a small party at the mansion when you get back!”

The guys nod as Damon answers, “That sounds fine.”

I squeal and clap my hands together. “I am so excited,” I sigh happily. I reach over, grab my glass of water, and take a sip just as our waitress brings out enough food to feed an army. That’s when I realize three plates are for Jonas.

“Jonas!”

“What? Don’t judge me! I need to feed my muscles. They have us running these crazy drills. I’m so hungry all the time! I’m like a black hole.”

Damon leans over and places a sweet kiss on Jonas’ cheek, and he relaxes into it. Jonas turns his head and kisses Damon on the lips. “You eat, pup. I’m making your favorite later for dinner.”

I avert my eyes. The moment between them is so sweet, it feels like I'm intruding. I don’t even catch what Jonas replies – only that Niko and Parker have finally sat down.

Niko to Maksim’s left, and Parker to my right, and with only Raven missing because she’s busy at the studio perfecting her demo, it almost feels like… like I’m sitting with family .

Picking up my fork, I dig in, only to be surprised by a tap on the shoulder. I turn around, and there she is – soft chocolate waves, caramel eyes, and a broad, genuine grin that feels like it’s meant for just me.

I stand up and hug her, and when she squeezes me back, it doesn’t hurt.

It doesn’t burn. It doesn’t feel like I’m being slathered in dirty slime.

She lets me go, pats Parker on the shoulder, and moves about the table, kissing each of her men, before taking the empty seat by Maverick.

Suddenly, I understand why they wanted such a large table.

I peer over at Damon and nod in gratitude.

Now. Now that we’re all here, I know I’m surrounded by family.

So why can’t I shake the feeling that it’s all good too good to be true?

“Jealousy looked delicious on you,” Maksim whispers in my ear, the warmth of it tickling, and I melt even more into his side.

We’re on our way to the courthouse, since he’s done with his Very Important Meeting, and I still have to speak to Anna Mayhew about whatever it is that she found.

Parker is following us in the Escalade since Maksim still has to go back to…

wherever crime bosses go during the day.

It’s the first time I've been in one of his vehicles in a while, and I’m still reeling that he’s gotten rid of the leather.

I scoff. “I absolutely was not jealous.”

“No?”

“No…”

“Could have fooled me. But… in case you were jealous, you should know, Duchess, it’s only ever been you. No one before. No one else now. No one ever after, if it isn’t you.”

I blink and look out at the traffic, having slowed the closer we get to the courthouse.

“Please, Maksim, I stalked your entire life prior to us getting married to make sure there wasn’t any bad press involving you.

You were photographed with nothing but bombshells.

Piss on me, but don’t tell me it’s raining. ”

“Sabrina. Look at me.”

With a heavy sigh, I do as he asks.

My heart clangs against my ribcage at the intensity in those dark amber flames. My devil. My husband. My favorite nightmare.

“You are my only .” He repeats.

I quirk a brow. “I…” I blink, trying to understand what he’s trying to say. “You were a- oomph !” The car comes to a screeching halt in front of the courthouse, and I hit my head against Niko’s headrest. “Niko!”

“Sorry, Boss lady. Guy came out of nowhere to cross the street.”

Maksim’s biting his lip, shoulders silently shaking with laughter. “We’ll talk more when you get home. Also, the next time you choose to not wear a seatbelt, not only will I place you over my knee and spank you, but I’ll advise Niko to brake harder.”

“You’re being an arse, Maksim. I’ll fly out of the windshield. Then you’ll have no wife.” He growls at this, and I grin. “I take it you aren’t going back to Eden?”

He shakes his head. “No, I took care of what I had to do today. Besides, I want to be home when my wife gets home. I’ve grown rather fond of her, you know,” he says with a terrible English accent. Forgetting my head – and the cars behind us honking – I grin at him, but it feels false.

Was he a virgin before he met me? How? He’s… he’s almost thirty-four.Which reminds me, I need to plan his birthday party. That’s what a good wife would do, isn’t it?

He presses his perfect lips to mine and opens the door and gets out. Then, he helps me down, kissing me once more just as I feel Parker’s presence behind me.

“I’ve grown rather fond of my husband, too,” I admit out loud.

Dark eyes search mine, as if he’s trying to detect a lie, and he hums. “I’ll see you at home. ”

Home.

It may not feel like the mansion, but it’s starting to feel like somewhere I belong.