Page 39 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

“Can we talk a minute?”

I turn to Ember, who’s absolutely stunning in her little black dress and sparkling jewelry. When she walked onto the patio earlier, the lights caught the rhinestones and diamonds from her hair to her wrists.

Another supermodel amongst the sea of women flitting around the backyard at Raven and Declan’s house.

“Nope.” I drain my champagne, hoping to sound light and airy. “You are too beautiful to be near me. You must stand away so I don’t get a complex.”

Her face blushes as she rolls her eyes. “It’s me who should have a complex. That dress is made for you.”

My stomach flurries, and I shoot her a grateful smile. “This dress is my favorite little black dress ever. Shayla and you are masters of your craft.”

“It would be hard to choose wrong with this crew.”

“You have a point.”

She’s quiet for a second, but her eyes tell me exactly what she’s thinking.

“I’m totally fine,” I reply to her unasked question.

“Robbie told me what happened.”

“I figured it would get around.”

“If what I did had anything to do with Rylee’s actions, I am sorry.”

My jaw drops and I shake my head rapidly. When Dad stormed into Talon’s house last night, he was on a rampage. With so much happening, it hadn’t occurred to me that Rylee was behind my break-in. As soon as the words left his mouth, it all made sense.

I didn’t want to think she was capable, but Talon’s theory was valid once he explained everything that had transpired in the last few weeks.

Learning Ember and Cruz turned her away and pretty much black-balled her from other boutique bridal stores was only one instance that turned her life upside down.

“Don’t apologize. What you and Cruz did was…” I pause, not wanting to seem insecure. “It meant something to me. Thank you for standing by me, even when it cost you business.”

“No business is worth how she treated you. Cruz and I understand more than you can imagine.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you and Talon okay?” she asks cautiously. “He’s kinda… tense.”

“He installed cameras at my house. Then he made a plan to punish Rylee without consulting me. His actions caused her fiancé to leave her, and she’s unemployed and unhinged. I was furious and felt betrayed.”

“I’ve been there.”

“How do I stay mad when the man of my dreams was having my back?”

“You get used to it.”

At her terminology, I burst into giggles. “You sound like him.”

“It’s contagious. They are all similar.”

“I’m learning that. Even if their methods are a bit wily.“

After the events yesterday, all I wanted was to stay in bed and hide from the world. The images of my place and Wolf lying comatose kept replaying in my head.

But after an hour of wallowing in self-pity, I forced myself to get up and stick with my plans.

Talon arranged for Bex and Lucas to come to his house to study. He said it was for my comfort and ease, but he didn’t fool me. He wanted me under his roof and his security.

He brought Wolf to me, and then he and Ford left to do whatever avenging badasses do when there’s a lunatic raising havoc.

I didn’t think I could concentrate, but Bex and Lucas were the best remedy for my funk. They didn’t tiptoe around the incident.

Talon, my dad, Chase, and almost everyone else treated me delicately.

Not my best friends. They pried and prodded until I had talked myself through the weight crushing me.

I got it all out and we went to work. By the time we finished, my brain hurt for a different reason. I wasn’t exactly in a party mood, but there was no backing out. Talon dropped me at Jewls and Major’s house to get ready with the girls.

Jewls didn’t prepare me for what I was facing. Everyone was waiting.

Since I missed spa day, they brought it to me. Jewls shoved a drink in my hand. Rowan sprang into action, styling my hair while Shayla did my make-up. Their friend, Ginger, did my nails, all the while gabbing about how amazing the night will be.

When they finished, I was refreshed and excited.

The dress samples Shayla brought each had a tag on them. Ember had chosen which she thought would be best for each woman.

All were black to keep with the ‘Black Bash’ party theme Raven chose, but that’s about all that was similar.

Even Harley had a maternity dress that was striking with her curves.

“Are you having a nice time?” Ember replaces my empty flute with a full one from a passing waiter.

“This group knows how to celebrate birthdays.”

“It’s usually not this fancy. Most of the time, the kids outnumber the adults and it’s an all-day affair. This year, Raven wanted something different. Lucky for us, we all have babysitters on call. It was easier for her to plan it here than go out.”

Different is an understatement. I thought Ford’s parents’ home was massive, but Raven and Declan’s home is truly a mansion. It’s also a perfect party place.

When we arrived, I was once again struck by the one-eighty my life has taken.

“Who would have thought I’d be at a joint birthday celebration for a military hero and a world-famous rock star?”

“We are an eclectic crew.”

“Eclectic is a good description. Musicians, security experts, law officers, business owners—I think we cover almost everyone.”

“Pretty soon, we’ll add a few doctors to our family.”

I find Bex and Lucas in the crowd talking to Shayla and Collin. “Lucas is typically unshakable, but I thought he was going to faint when I introduced him to Declan and Raven.”

“It’s definitely surreal. Declan is my brother-in-law, and it’s easy to forget who he is, but the reality slams in full force when he goes on tour. Robbi hires extra security for Declan’s sisters and dad.”

I glance at Declan’s sisters, Abby and Ella, who are wearing light-up tiaras and dancing on the pool deck.

“I bet it gets crazy when Sayge is on tour.”

“It’s crazy.” She pauses, gazing at the group of men surrounding the firepit. “Speaking of security, you met Max?”

Max Roberts. The undeniably gorgeous man standing with Robbie, Finn, and Talon, deep in conversation.

Most likely about my sitch—or situation, in Max-speak.

Turns out he was en route to Nashville when Finn called him last night.

His purpose was to surprise Finn, but his trip took a turn because of my craziness.

I knew who he was before we were introduced, and it wasn’t because of his reception. It was his presence. Sharp, threatening, serious… exactly what I expected.

He caught me staring, his face softening with a jerk of his chin.

If I wasn’t head over heels in love with Talon, I’d have dissolved on the spot.

“I’m convinced there is a super-secret breeding facility that created these men. It’s not normal to have this much hotness in one group of men. There is no ugly duckling.”

Ember giggles. “This is true.”

“I’m not sure who was more surprised, Finn or Rowan, when Max walked in with y’all.”

“We all love him, but Rowan has a special bond after what happened.”

Talon looks up from his conversation and catches my eye. As always, little flutters swarm my stomach.

“I asked Talon if I could talk to you alone, and he’s not thrilled.”

I grin at her phrasing. Talon hasn’t wanted me alone the last twenty-four hours. “I was surprised he left me here to get a drink.”

“I don’t think I have long. Tell me if I’m overstepping.”

“Overstepping with what?”

“You have Bex, Rowan, and the others, but if you need to talk to anyone, I’m here.”

A light goes off in my head and I bark out a laugh. “Ahh, the pity about having a psychotic sister who hates me.”

Dread crosses her features. “There’s no pity. I can relate. Truly relate. Most people have the sympathy down pat but can’t imagine the actual anguish and confusion that come with having a sibling who acts out of hatred.”

“You do? Did your sister possibly poison you and your dog, attack you in a salon while spewing your embarrassing story, and then raid your home for God knows what?”

“Our situations are vastly different, but the common denominator is the same. Natalie’s joy in life was to hurt me and enjoy my misery.

When I finally found my footing with the taste of a beautiful life, she reared up again.

It almost cost me everything. Robbie left me, my family turned, and I was completely alone. ”

Guilt immediately floods me for the cynicism I threw at her. There were whispers of Ember’s past life being rough, but nothing was discussed openly. ”Robbie left you? Your family turned? How can that be?”

She glances back out to the guys, chewing on her bottom lip, and I realize my question may be too invasive. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

Her head whips back, her blue eyes wide. “No, I mean, it’s not prying. I’m trying to estimate how much time we have before they come storming up here.”

“Let’s take our chances.” My curiosity is on the edge of its seat.

“Cliff notes, Natalie hated me as we grew up. She was one of the main reasons my dad went to prison, but the blame was placed on me. Living in the house with her was hell. Aunt Chloe and Cruz wanted me to leave, but it took me a long time to come to my senses. After a while, my life turned around. I went to college, worked at Clyde’s, lived with Cruz, and met Robbie.

Things were dreamlike. Until she showed up one day, bursting my bubble.

That’s the day I saw true evil. She was on a tear, demanding money that she thought she deserved.

That’s the day I learned she bartered my virginity for her drug habit. ”

I gasp so loud she jerks. My eyes well and I take her hand. “Ember, that’s awful.”

I expect her to break down, but she’s unaffected about dropping such a disgusting fact.

“It was a long time ago, and Robbie helped me through the humiliation. He was my protector and my rock. Then I fucked it up because, after all those years, Natalie sicced her drug dealer on me. I was on the hook for her mess-up. Robbie, Declan, Raven, Cruz, and Alex all were in danger if I didn’t comply and keep quiet.

Somehow, my arrangement coincided with a case Robbie was working.

I was caught in the crosshairs and it blew up.

Everyone was angry I didn’t speak to them and they took it out on me.

There was a period of time things were so dark and bleak that surviving was a chore. ”

I can’t stop the tear that escapes and she shoots me a thoughtful smile. “Things worked themselves out after a well-deserved breakdown and verbal lashing. Also, Robbie kinda groveled until I felt sorry for him.”

She says that last part with amusement. I squeak out a little giggle, slapping my hand over my mouth at the pitchy sound.

“Point is, I wasn’t alone, even though it felt that way. You are not alone. If you need to talk, I’m here day or night. Hope like hell these men are wrong about Rylee and this is the world’s biggest coincidence. But whatever the outcome, I am here.”

Her words are still coming when I pounce, hugging her tightly. “Thank you, Ember.”

“You are an amazing human being, Willow. Don’t let anyone or anything make you feel any different.”

“Not too hip on Willow’s tears.” Talon’s brash tone interrupts our moment.

He pulls me from her and takes my face in his hands, assessing me closely. “You okay?”

“I’m absolutely wonderful. These are tears of gratitude and love.”

“The only kind I like to see.” Robbie wraps his arms around Ember’s waist and kisses her neck.

“Your wife is an angel.”

His blue eyes light up with his smile. “I know this.”

“Okay, enough. We’re at a party.” I toast my champagne to Ember’s. “Let’s celebrate Finn and Declan.”

“Now seems like a good time for these.” Presley materializes with three light-up crowns. “Raven ordered these for all the girls.”

Talon takes one and places it on my head, switching the lights on. Flashing colors reflect in his pupils as he grins approvingly. “Every princess needs a crown.”

My heart hammers in my chest and new tears threaten as realization washes through me.

No matter what happens, it will be fine. Material items can be replaced, Wolf will make a full recovery, I have great friends who care, and my family is beside me.

But most of all, I have Talon.