Page 52 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

“Stacy and I always knew Willow would succeed at anything she set her mind to. Since she was born, our daughter has been an overachiever. Her ambition came with its share of challenges that she never let stop her. Those challenges weren’t always in the classroom or in the walls of her clinic; some hit closer to home.

” He clears his throat and my eyes sting, reading the guilt and sorrow on his face.

“She didn’t let anything deter her, finishing top of her class, pushing for perfect scores, and cementing a job at a top facility in the city. ”

“With a great boss!” Abe throws in, earning chuckles from the room.

Dad nods, his somber mood lifting, and his focus comes solely to me. “Apparently, also a great boss. Watching you accept your diploma was a solemn moment for your mom and me. We are delighted and proud to congratulate you, Doctor Willow Mara Richards.”

Loud cheers and wolf-whistles bounce off the walls. Talon pulls me in for a sweet kiss before standing and urging me forward. Dad hugs me tightly, and on instinct, I turn to hug my mom.

She sniffs, her hands trembling. When I pull back, her eyes are shining bright. “Thank you for coming.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d be.”

Talon’s hands circle my waist as he presses to my back. “Think you can pull off a few words?”

Everyone is leering at me expectantly, my adorable nephew smiling encouragingly and holding Bex’s hand.

Bex’s parents are seated on her other side, beaming. I’m not sure if it’s because of our graduation or the fact their daughter is clearly in love.

My eyes find Lucas. His mom is at his side, also wearing a bright smile.

“Thank you all for coming today. Getting here hasn’t always been easy.

But I had the two best people with me every step of the way.

Lucas and Bex held my hand, literally, throughout this process and guided me when I didn’t know how to go on.

My parents, grandparents, brother, and all-star nephew have been my rocks.

” I take a calming breath, clasping my hand with Talon’s at my waist. “A few months ago, a wonderful man came into my life and brought this amazing group of people with him. Thank you for that.”

“She’s talking about me!” Nate calls from the Sayge table, Raven slapping him on the arm.

Another round of laughter goes around.

“Of course, Nate, having you in my life has made it colorful.”

Talon grumbles.

“All that being said, my throne at the center of attention is over. Only so much I can take, so let’s enjoy the rest of the afternoon. And for those of us going to Tom’s later, NO MORE SURPRISES!”

Tom flashes me an unpromising grin, shaking his head.

Wyatt leaps up and races to us, throwing his arms around Talon and me. “Love you, Squeak.”

I pretend to scoff, “Who told you to call me Squeak? I’m Aunt Lolo.”

“Dad said I was allowed.”

I cup his cheek and bend to steal a quick kiss.

“Can I attack the dessert bar now?”

“Attack away.”

He takes off and I secretly hope he eats enough sugar to drive Chase crazy.

I turn in Talon’s hold, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “I love you.”

“Love you, too, Doc.”

“That being said, you ever do something like this again, you won’t get laid for a week.”

Hunger fills his eyes, his lips coming to my ear. “Try it, Princess, and see what happens.” He takes my wrist and brings it to his mouth, skimming his lips along the make-up-covered bruises.

The memory of the other night replays in my mind. Handcuffs are definitely my new kink.

“We’re stealing Willow.” Jewls tugs on my elbow.

Talon reluctantly lets me go and I’m dragged to the corner where all the girls are waiting. We’ve been able to text, but this is the first time we’ve been together to discuss our disastrous sting.

Apparently, Max set up a tracking system to watch for the stolen items online. Robbie was monitoring it and picked up on the first sale. He was biding his time, but when ‘Carrie’ tracked back to Ember’s IP address, he was ready for us.

Harley is rubbing her lower abdomen, chewing her lips. She gives me a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

I glance down at her hot pink Chucks, noticing her ankles swollen.

“You need to get off your feet.”

“I’m about to go home and rest before tonight. This baby is active. Probably shouldn’t have eaten so much.”

“I’ll be quick. Next time there’s a bust on a bitch, don’t leave me out.” Raven sulks. “I miss all the fun.”

“Well, your overbearing brother stole all our glory,” Ember mutters.

“Not me, I had a killer time watching her squirm,” Shayla triumphs.

“You were the perfect actress. Bravo!” I praise her with a raise of my glass.

Harley reaches for my wrist, twisting the new Cartier bangle Talon gifted me. “This is stunning.”

“Thanks.”

“I especially like the concealer covering the cuff marks.”

“How… I… Those aren’t…”

“Save it, Squeak. We all know handcuff marks when we see them,” Jewls pipes in.

No use in denying. I’m about to gush when Harley’s hand tightens painfully.

Her face pales, eyes glassing over.

“What’s happening?”

“Nothing… just a cramp. I think I need to use the restroom.”

“I’ll get Ace,” Ember offers.

“No. No one tell Achilles about this. He’s already overbearing. I think the baby is wrestling on my bladder. That’s all.”

Rowan removes Harley’s death grip, leading her away. I scan the room and rush to my brother at the bar.

“Chase, I think something’s wrong with Harley. But I don’t want to freak anyone out.”

He turns and follows me to the hallway restroom.

Rowan swings the door open in a panic. “Thank God!” She wrenches Chase into the room.

Jewls can be heard in the handicapped stall with soft, soothing words. Harley lets out a little moan and Chase raps on the door lightly.

“Tell me what’s happening.”

“Harley’s admitted to contracting for the last few hours. Pretty sure her water broke.” Jewls’ answer is strained.

My heart races, eyes locking with Rowan, whose fear is reflected back. She mouths ‘Get Ace’.

But I don’t make a move before the bathroom door slams forcefully, the handle lodging into the wall.

Ace stands there like a madman. The air in the room goes static as he stalks to the stall Jewls has already opened.

A second later, Harley is in his hold. He stops briefly by us, his dark eyes showing a fear I’ve never seen.

Chase interprets his unasked question. “I’ll follow you and make calls in the car. OB will be waiting.”

There’s a flicker of appreciation before Ace is gone.

Then all hell breaks loose.