Page 68 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)
“Look at your hand,” I demand a little too harshly.
“Why?”
“Do it.”
Her gaze drops.
“The diamond belonged to Dad’s grandmother.
My mom helped me design that ring. I told her what I wanted and she went to our family jeweler.
Took four times to satisfy me. Jeweler knew better than to complain to April Simms. I offered more than once to have it designed here, but she wouldn’t have it. ”
“Your mom helped?”
“She not only helped, she was as much of a pain in the ass as me.”
“She may like me?—”
“She doesn’t like you, she loves you. And that shit about you referring to yourself as my girlfriend ends now.
I don’t want to hear it again. Not my style to gossip like a fucking woman, but you wanna know a play by play of the call?
They weren’t surprised at all. Mom cried because she is so goddamned excited that it was leaking through the phone.
I’m not an expert, but nothing about that reads disappointed.
Get ready, Princess. Our world is about to be invaded by April Simms. Dad can only hold her back so much. ”
Her face softens. “They were happy?”
“Yeah, babe, think I told you that before your tirade.”
“Talon! This is serious business. We are throwing a double whammy at our family and friends.”
“Speaking of family and friends.”
The longer it hangs, the more I know she’s not made her calls. This is not a surprise, which is why I took matters into my own hands this morning.
“Princess, call Chase first.”
“Why him? I’m thinking my grandparents will be the easiest.”
“Your brother is happy. He’s also on a tight wire waiting for you to call.”
It takes a second for understanding to dawn on her. “You already told him!”
“Yeah.”
“Why? I was going to tell him… eventually.”
“Because you are close, and in the off chance he had a problem, I wanted him to hear it from me.”
“Again, you were shielding me.”
“Always. Do I need to call Lynden and Rosie?
“No, I can handle it. Grandma is already on cloud nine about the wedding.”
“Good, now are we done with the bullshit of everyone being disappointed?”
“Ugh! I guess we have to be.”
“I’ll be home in a few hours. We have a meeting this afternoon.”
“With who?”
“The contractor, he’s agreed to speed up the timeline on the house.”
“He agreed or you demanded?”
“Same thing.” Ace motions to me through the other side of the glass door. “Gotta go.”
Her face softens, all worry gone in her eyes. “Good luck.”
“Just formalities, babe.” I disconnect, and a second later, a heart emoji pops up on my text.
Fuck if it doesn’t make me smile.
I walk back in and directly to Boyd’s office. The other guys are already waiting.
“You get your emails?” Boyd gets straight to the point.
We nod.
“You’re interviews scheduled?”
“Friday,” Ace confirms.
Boyd jerks his chin. “I got a shitload of pissed-off cops out there who have been on the list for years. Whispers on the lane say I’m facing an HR nightmare.”
I gawk at the man a beat before openly laughing. “Whispers on the lane? What the fuck kind of statement is that? “
He scowls. “Always a fucking horse’s ass.”
“Seriously, since when the hell do you care about that shit? SWAT sets their standards. Anyone who feels slighted needs to step up their game or move on,” Major announces loud enough for anyone within hearing distance of the office.
Boyd casts his gaze to the open door, his lips twitching. “Jesus help your next supervisor.”
“Aww, Peewee, you getting nostalgic?”
His eyes heat, shooting daggers at me. “I will miss you least, Simms.”
I stumble back, covering my heart and gasping dramatically. “You slay me.”
The heat turns to humor and he shakes his head. The man isn’t fooling anyone. Everyone is ready for the next steps.
Nothing stays a secret for long in our crew. We know Boyd met with James this morning.
Any backlash or Human Resource nightmare won’t land on his plate because he’s officially retiring from the force and joining Hayes Security.
“Come on and admit that we made your job entertaining,” I goad. “We made you look good.”
“Entertaining is one word for it. Running off to play Rambo, three of you getting shot, the kidnappings, the cartels, all of it was so much fun.”
“We brought the spice to your senior years.”
He rolls his eyes. “I have a feeling I’m not done with you four. Now get out of here and try to stay out of trouble until you get reassigned.”
A thrill of adrenaline shoots through my system. We’ve worked toward SWAT since the day we started, knowing it was our endgame. But hearing it and knowing it’s coming soon is fucking awesome.
We file out, going to the desks we claim as ours. I stop in my tracks at the pillowed insert in my chair.
“What the hell is this?”
“Figured you may need a little cushion for your back and hips after that fainting incident,” Boyd calls out, setting off Ace, Ford, and Major into roaring laughter.
Fuckers ratted me out.
I can’t help but chuckle along with them.
A text chimes in, making me smile wider.
Princess
I’ve been summoned to Clyde’s. Any idea why?
Nope
Princess
You lie!
6-week deadline approaching. I’ll pick you up at 2.
The bubbles wave on the screen and I imagine her typing frantically. They stop and another heart comes through.
She’s finally getting it. My impatience to marry her doesn’t mean she won’t get the wedding of her dreams. Ember was ready when I called. Evidently, the moment she saw the ring around Willow’s neck, she and Cruz sprang into action. They have several custom selections waiting for Willow.
Along with Stacy, Rosie, and Bex ready to help choose the perfect Ember Hayes original.
Whatever she wants is hers.