Ashes and bones the red.., p.11
Ashes & Bones (The Red Masques Book 2), page 11
I would do this.
For us. For our family.
Grover
I felt like an asshole. My angel had needed my support and instead of giving it to her, I had messed up. Despite being four hours since then, my heart still felt heavy. She and everyone else seemed to have moved on. I hadn’t though. I felt sick that my need to please people and only have positive attention around me… had hurt her. I had hurt my angel.
I needed to do better.
As our group began to grow drunker, it was unofficially decided that Kodiak, Edwin, and me would stop drinking. I had been the only one on the way to being drunk but had stopped upon hurting Vegas. I needed a clear head to fix this.
How did I fix something I hadn’t really even broken?
I wanted to make it up to her, make her realize how important she was to me.
Edwin gave me a knowing smile. “Trying to figure out how to say you’re sorry?”
I groaned. “Yeah. Any ideas?”
Edwin’s orange eyes filled with humor. “Well, what I would do to show my love is probably a little different than yours.”
“You mean I shouldn’t leave creepy poetry?” I laughed quietly.
He narrowed his eyes. “Do you want help?”
“Yes,” I sighed.
Edwin watched me carefully for a minute. “Well, Grover, you seem like a pretty traditional guy, right?”
I nodded.
“So, get her flowers.”
I frowned. “Flowers?”
Edwin snickered. “Like, enough to fill the penthouse.”
I twisted my lips fighting a smile. “She would lose her mind.”
“Isn’t that the point?”
I looked at my watch. “Everything will be closed.”
He grinned. “Just tell me the type and I’ll make the call.”
“Red roses,” I muttered. “Let’s just keep it simple. I don’t want to fuck this up.”
Edwin picked up his cellphone and made a call, his voice coming across in a familiar romantic language. Italian, I believe. Vegas leaned across the table and stole my beer with a coy smile.
“Want me to get you anything new?” I asked loudly as the bar conversation continued to rise in volume. She smiled, her eyes clear from any tipsiness, and shook her head. I had a feeling she planned on stealing beers from us all night.
It was super cute.
“They will be there when we get home,” Edwin confirmed.
I offered him a smile. “Thanks, man, really.”
Hopefully, this would work.
Vegas
“Rocket,” I giggled as he led me out to the dance floor. “What are you doing?”
I had a bit of a buzz going on but not much.
“I’m dancing with my girl,” he grunted quietly and swept me into his arms. My southern boy had some smooth moves he had kept hidden. I supposed being raised in elite southern society had left its impression.
“You’ve got some smooth moves,” I admitted as he winked. I laughed at his relaxed expression and bright eyes. It was rare to see Rocket so damned relaxed. It just reminded me how pretty he was. Damn those long lashes.
As he turned me out from his arms, I let my laugh fill the space and a big grin split my face. Rocket’s metallic eyes lit up at my expression and I leaned up to kiss him firmly on the lips. I could feel people staring but I didn’t care. I didn’t care what they thought about which of my boys I was with. The truth was, I was with all of them. I was theirs and they were mine.
I couldn’t believe that only last night we had been dancing at our house in Boston. Was this what it was like to be rich? For time to stretch out to create a singular day into nearly a week. I let my head fall back as he spun me around.
We were in Las Vegas! This was unreal.
“I love your laugh,” he admitted quietly in my ear. I swayed against him as my face flushed after our dancing exertion.
“I’ll have to do it more then,” I teased.
Rocket groaned. “Better not. Who knows what I’ll do, I’m unpredictable around you.”
I grinned at his drunken openness and raised my hand. “You mean liking putting a ring on me and marking me up with a hickey?”
He chuckled while kissing me firmly on the lips. “Exactly. Who knows what I’ll do next?”
“Nothing.” Booker joined us with a calm but drunk smile. “Because we are heading back to our penthouse.”
Rocket groaned and collapsed his arms around me. “No.”
The massive man was practically hanging on me and Booker just shook his head.
“Dude,” Booker grinned, “She can’t walk like that.”
Rocket frowned and looked down at me. “You’re right, I’ll carry you instead.”
“What?” I squeaked as he threw me up into his arms. I let my head fall back as a laugh tumbled out and Booker walked with a slight beat to his step next to us.
“Ugh, this lady again,” Booker muttered. I narrowed my eyes at the woman talking to my boys. It was clear she was far more drunk and trying to talk to the unimpressed Kodiak guarding the table.
“Listen,” she explained in a slurred voice, “I don’t get it.”
I wiggled down from Rocket as he groaned at my ass against his pants. I smiled at that victory and stalked forward as her hand landed on Kodiak’s massive chest. I knew how that chest felt and she soooooo didn’t get to touch it.
Hell, I just earned girlfriend privileges to touch it.
“The answer to that is simply,” I moved her hand off his chest, “they are not, will not be, and aren’t interested. So please move on.”
BITCH.
“And who are you?” She sneered before looking me up and down.
I grinned with a vicious smile Blue would be proud of, “I’m their girlfriend, now fuck off.”
Her bloodshot eyes narrowed. “You can’t be dating all of them.”
“Well, I am,” I explained with as much patience as I could muster. “Now, go harass someone else.”
“Bitch,” she sneered and stumbled away. I lifted my chin and turned back to my boys. Yes, tonight I was including Edwin and Byron.
I had just saved them from a she-wolf. I hoped they appreciated my loyalty. It was clear since they hadn’t made a move they weren’t interested, so I simplified it.
“Go, Beautiful!” Blue called out with a big drunk grin.
The entire table was smiling at me with big goofy grins and I rolled my eyes.
Idiots. All of them were idiots.
They proved my point by giving me a drunk round of applause and cheering. I couldn’t help the small amount of pride that radiated through me, even if they were keeping light-hearted about it. I had stood up for what we were and our relationship. Somehow it made everything feel more real.
Life wasn’t as easy as our little Victorian home, but it seemed to be doable. I just needed to keep confident and develop a spine of steel.
I needed Lucida’s opinion is what I needed.
“How much did we spend?!” I exclaimed while walking next to a very drunk Byron. His warm soft brown eyes were trained on me as he offered me a goofy grin.
“With food and everything it was like 400 hundred something,” He motioned with his hand. “But you really need to relax about money, doll. It’s just a tool.”
I rolled my eyes at his ‘doll’ term and continued our walk back to the hotel. I pursed my lips. “I just don’t understand. How in the hell did you and Edwin get so rich?”
He made a random motion with his arm and slipped another around my shoulder, “You see, our line comes from a long line of Eastern European human royal…”
“Byron,” Edwin warned. “I don’t think Vegas is interested in our human genealogy. Why don’t you tell her about the mage side instead?”
I frowned. “No, no, no, Edwin. What was he about to say?”
Edwin groaned.
Byron smiled. “Yes, brother, tell our beautiful Vegas what you have been trying to keep secret.”
Our group was split in front of and behind us. Edwin walked next to me and pursed his lips. “So, mages are half human and half Fae. In our case, both our parents were mages from the Horde but at some point, within our line, the original union occurred. Our ancestors and current family are royalty from a small country in Eastern Europe.”
My mouth opened. “Wait, like what type of royalty?”
Bryon grinned. “You are looking at the Crown Prince of Aclary, Edwin Ivanov and his charming, yet understated brother Byron Ivanov, second in line to the throne.”
I pulled away from both of them, turned back, and held up my hands. “You are motherfucking princes?!”
Edwin’s jaw tightened. “Not too loud please.”
I shook my head and looked at both of them, “I don’t know what is more upsetting. That I didn’t know or …no, it’s definitely that I didn’t know.”
Byron frowned with drunk attitude. “You know, brother, most women don’t get angry about this revelation.”
Edwin got a crazy grin on his face. “Vegas isn’t exactly normal, or sane.”
I flicked him off and flushed.
Fuck. He was a prince.
Nope. Wasn’t going to change how I treated either of them. They wanted respect? Well, then, they better work for their place in our family.
Edwin chuckled. “Byron, I prefer her reaction.”
Byron crossed his massive arms. “I don’t know, I wouldn’t mind her getting all starry-eyed about being near princes.”
I groaned. “I almost wish I didn’t know.”
“Curiosity killed the pussy cat,” Byron sung. I rolled my eyes. That wasn’t even the phrase. Both boys caught up to me as we continued our walk toward the hotel. I was completely trapped between all my boys.
“So, you’re dating a prince, how does it feel?” Byron teased drunk again.
I narrowed my eyes fighting a smile. “I am not dating you.”
Edwin smirked, “Not what you told that woman at the bar. You said all.”
That’s what nice gets you. A big old bite in the ass.
“It feels like if you don’t shut up, I’m going to hit both of you hard.”
“Where?” Edwin asked with interest. Oh right. He liked pain. I should test that.
I hit him hard in his side like Decimus showed me. Edwin groaned, the edge of his lips curled in a smile. “Now, dolcezza, you know I like pain.”
I hit him again as Decimus chuckled behind me. “Just checking.”
Edwin pulled me into him with a powerful grip, he nipped my ear. “Let me show you how to ‘just check’ that I’m into it.”
A whimper pulled from my lips as Edwin pressed close, his red wine and cigar scent filling my inhale. I could feel his arousal against my hip and after another ear nibble, he let me go. I tumbled away from him and shot him a scowl.
Motherfucker.
He grinned.
The desert heat rolled through the strip though the sun had set long ago. I trailed after a very merry and drunk Blue. His tune, a merry little jig, echoed around us. I grinned at his merriment. I loved when Booker joined in because his voice was so beautiful and soft. I really needed to hear him sing alone one of these days.
The hotel staff turned their embarrassed faces away as we made it to the elevator. My arms were tossed around both Decimus and Grover. One was for support and one was in comfort. I could tell he was still worked up over the incident earlier.
Cosimo’s silky accent voice echoed as the doors opened, “Mierda!”
“Dude, Grover!” Decimus laughed. The group exited as the three of us finally squeezed out. My eyes opened.
Red roses. Red fucking roses everywhere.
A blush overtook my cheeks as I examined every inch and surface of the penthouse… covered in massive vases of red roses. The boys began to search the place as Grover continued to stare at me with soft wide chocolate brown eyes. Fifteen in each vase. It was beautiful, thoughtful, sweet, and way too much.
“Grover,” I whispered through a thick voice. “I already forgave you, this is so sweet, but you didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to,” He whispered and wrapped his arms around my waist, “I know I’m never going to be perfect, but I should have been clearer today. No one is going to matter more to me than you. I may have my own issues with other people’s negative opinion, but the opinion I value the most is yours. So, fuck whatever anyone else thinks.”
I placed my hands on his chin. “Thank you, Grover, this is amazing.”
He offered me a flirty but shy smile. “Yeah? Well, I couldn’t have done it without Edwin’s connections so he is partially to thank.”
I tilted my head and looked over to the man in question. He stood in the doorway of his bedroom, talking to Blue, with a serious expression on his face. Sometimes I was taken back by his sweet gestures. The man was very confusing. I put it aside for now.
“I love them.” I grinned and kissed him. Sweetness flooded through me. My Grover was a regular prince charming and, man, was he sweet.
As I proceeded to get ready for the night, I noted a single blue rose petal on my vanity. My gut reaction told me it was purposeful while my brain assured me it had been left by accident. Surely, extra flower petals had been left before.
Right?
Vegas
When I woke in the morning, I found myself having to detangle my way through Kodiak, Decimus, and Blue. It was easier today because they were dead to the world. It was clear alcohol had tired my boys out. As for Kodiak, who hadn’t drunk more than a single beer? He was just dead to the world when he slept.
It was barely dawn, but I wasn’t tired. I slipped into the closet and tugged on a swimsuit that fit my body perfectly. It was a one-piece and fairly athletic, but perfect for a morning swim. I moved downstairs with careful steps and found myself on a massive stone patio that had an overreach supporting the balcony from above.
Shit. This was crazy.
The infinity pool was heated and overlooked the Las Vegas strip. I slipped into the water and began to swim slow laps. I wasn’t a swimmer by any means but found myself relaxing into the motions as if I was made for it. The sun began to rise and heat my skin as every pull worked my muscles.
It felt good. It cleared my head.
Shit. Should I start working out?
I hadn’t in the past but the idea of being strong enough, especially with my stalker and Nathan floating around, was appealing. I groaned and pulled myself to the edge of the pool. A pair of orange eyes greeted me as I stifled a curse. Edwin.
“Coffee?” He offered a mug to match his own.
“Thanks,” I muttered as I pulled myself to sit on the edge, he pulled up a chair. Both of us drank our coffee in rather comfortable silence. My heart slowed from his appearance.
“What are you doing up so early?” He asked quietly after setting us mug down. I noticed that he looked freshly showered and dressed in a perfectly pressed suit… how was that possible? Honestly, I hadn’t even fucking brushed my teeth yet.
“Couldn’t sleep,” I muttered, “You? Or did you just want to scare the crap out of me?”
He grinned. “Maybe a little of the latter, but I received a call last night, so, I couldn’t really sleep.”
“What was the call?” My curiosity was piqued.
He stroked his chin. “A Red Masque mission was called in. The other team that was supposed to handle it couldn’t. So, since Byron and I are in the area, we need to handle it.”
I nodded. “But, why you? Are you a high-level member? I know you mentioned not having a team before.”
Edwin nodded. “We didn’t have a team because Byron and I were busy founding the organization.”
“Come again?” I sputtered. It was fucking adorable I’m sure. Not that I cared what he thought about my reactions. Ah man, the crazy. It was growing on me like mold. A sexy orange-eyed mold. Yes. That does exist and your house doesn't have any because… alright, I'm done.
Edwin nodded. “Yes, we are the founders, but that’s not the point. The point is that we need to handle this today before we head back to Boston.”
My knees cracked as I stood up. “Well, you have a team now. Even without the powers we can be pretty useful. Put us to work.”
Edwin tilted his head curiously and assessed me from his seat. “And your boys will be okay with that?”
I grinned. “Last time I checked, Boss, this is work-related. So, yes, they will be fine with it. Now I need another cup of coffee before we get started.”
My patience didn’t allow for me to wait for his response. No. Instead I strode inside and up the stairs, with sore muscles and an alert brain. Our butler was traveling room to room in an attempt to wake my boys. I grinned. That was not the way to do it.
“Does this place have Bluetooth?” I asked with a grin.
He smiled, “Morning, Mrs. Ivanov. It does.”
I nodded and strode into the bedroom, I slipped into the bathroom and logged onto the blue tooth. In minutes the loud beat of Britney Spears was waking up all my boys as I sang in the shower. The door was besieged with insistent knocks, but I ignored each one. Besides, I really had to make sure all the chlorine was off.
“Please!” Cosimo pleaded against the doors. “Mi tesoro, our ears are fucking bleeding.”
“Not true, I have caught all of you, especially you Kodiak singing along to her music,” I yelled back with glee.
“Did not,” Kodiak growled to the room.
I sighed and changed it to the Allman Brothers. The pleas stopped as I got ready for the day. I had no idea what today would consist of, but I was excited. I enjoyed working and if it meant doing something important, all the better.
Nearly an hour later, the caffeine and breakfast were flowing. I was comfortable in my position on the couch as I stretched my arms above my head, loosening those stiff swimming muscles.
Fuck, I was so out of shape.
“All right,” Byron began while dressed in a polished navy-blue suit. “We were alerted today about a Red Masque mission that needs handling in the area. Now, without magic, you aren’t expected to help-”
“We are helping,” I decided softly. “I want in.”
