Alphas & Fairytales: A New Year's Eve Anthology

by Molly McLain

  Tate and Viktor come in together and take their seats, greeting us all. They’re my sponsors, so I’m assuming that’s how they got the seats they have. JT still isn’t here, but I’m guessing he’s schmoozing with the two he introduced me to earlier.

  Viktor places a flute of champagne down in front of him while his younger brother Tate sets three rocks tumblers down that are damn near filled to the brim with what appears to be bourbon.

  “You good, bro?” Jace gestures to Tate’s mini bar he has going on.

  “We’re in Vegas and my wife had to stay back in Tennessee. I figure if I can’t be with her on New Year’s, then it’s pointless to even remember it.”

  Viktor rolls his eyes but stays quiet. He’s older and calmer than his younger brother. From what I’ve noticed, they’re opposites.

  “I get it,” Jace responds, being a hothead himself.

  The catering people start placing dishes in front of everyone, and the room begins to swirl with even more delectable scents. Once mine’s set down, I don’t even taste it. I think inhale’s more appropriate for my eating techniques.

  Aria’s not too far behind me, munching away happily on her well-done steak.

  “Good, Boo?”

  She nods, still chewing.

  “If you weren’t going to taste it, you should’ve ordered the salmon,” Viktor comments and takes a bite of his lamb.

  With a shrug, I push my plate forward. “Eh, doesn’t matter. I didn’t pay for it.”

  Tate laughs and Viktor nods, “I know. As your sponsor, I did. The cook nearly threw your ticket out. Luckily I’ve met them, and they thought to call me. The preorder box you checked is where people are to put allergies and special requests—such as no salt. It’s not a section where you make up your own dish.” Viktor grins.

  I almost choke. I had no idea he’d get the tab. I can’t believe he got the chef to make me and Aria steaks instead of serving us that stuff everyone else was eating.

  “Shit, Mr. Masterson; I had no clue. I would’ve gotten something cheaper like a salad. Here, drink my wine. I hate the stuff, and it was expensive.” Carefully, I push the wine glass toward him, making sure not to tip it over. That’d be all I need right now.

  Everyone chuckles and I feel my chest heat up. I’m a dick, plain and simple.

  With nearly everyone finished and a small bit of adrenaline still in my system, I must do what I came here for. Aria deserves her moment.

  Standing, I push my chair back, startling everyone but Jace. Aria glances up at me, questions filtering through her worried gaze. “You okay, Gav?”

  “I’m good. They’re going to start the announcements soon, so I’ll be right back.”

  “Oh, okay. You want me to come with you?” she asks and my smile grows.

  “In a minute, baby,” I say and push in my chair. She stares at me—puzzled—trying to figure out what I mean as I start toward the stage.

  Chapter 4

  Aria…

  I have no idea what that was about, but I hope he’s okay. The guys at the table all smile at me like they know something I don’t. I hate that feeling, but there’s nothing I can do at the moment.

  JT finally arrives at our table, sitting down and pushing his plate of food out of the way.

  “Where’s Gavin going?” he questions.

  Jace perks up. “It’s time for that announcement he was talking about earlier today.”

  “Oh right. This’ll be good,” he responds, glancing at me.

  I’m just about to ask what the hell’s going on when Gav’s voice comes over the speakers from earlier.

  “Hey, everyone. Can I have your attention for a minute?”

  Someone from one of the tables shouts, “Heeey it’s the Ripper! You kicked some ass tonight!” I think it’s one of the rocker guys; they’re pretty loud.

  Gav chuckles, nodding and smiling in the direction the shout came from. “Thanks. But I’m not up here to talk about the fight, even though it was pretty awesome. There’s something really important I need to do that I should’ve done a long time ago.”

  We all wait, watching him silently. I’m holding my breath. I doubt others are, but I’m freaking out inside for him. I know his anxiety has to be through the roof right now. It just shows how if you want something bad enough, you can do it. He begins to speak again, and I finally release my breath.

  “You see I have this amazing support system—a badass best friend and a woman I love with my entire heart. The fact that all three of those things are compiled into one person means I shouldn’t be wasting her time any longer.”

  I don’t know what’s happening right now, but I swear to God if this man breaks up with me tonight, in front of these people, I may start throwing fine china at the stage.

  “Aria—Boo—I love you. Thank you for standing next to me and shining so brightly. I can only hope this diamond will add to your sparkle.” He pulls a small box free from his jacket. Jace must’ve had it until we were at the bar. I wasn’t even paying attention to them.

  Opening the box, he shows it to me and the crowd, the light reflecting off what has to be a huge rock. “Baby, will you do me the honor and be my partner—my wife—for life?”

  I can’t speak. I’m pretty sure, I’m about to cry or pass out. I can’t believe he’s doing this in front of everyone. There are so many people here, and he’s on a stage, asking me to marry him. Three years of struggling of growing of loving, and now he’s going to be mine forever.

  My champion. My friend. My Gav.

  Standing, I quickly push the chair in and make my way to the stage. It’s harder being all choked up inside and wearing this obnoxious outfit, but I make it.

  His gaze meets mine as I get closer to him; he’s excited, as am I. Everyone in the crowd’s watching. I think they’re finally holding their breath, waiting to see what I’ll do. Once I get to Gav, I lean in close to the microphone and whisper into it, “Yes!”

  I don’t get a chance to utter another word, as he spins me, bringing me to him and kissing me like I’ve just given him the world. But I know deep inside that it’s him who’s given me his heart, his devotion—his everything. With a kiss like this, I know I’ll be cherished for life, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

  Duet (Rockstar 8.5)

  Bestselling Author

  Anne Mercier

  Duet (Rockstar Book 8.5)

  Copyright ©2016 Anne Mercier

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  SERA

  “Where are our seats?” I ask Cage.

  “Ringside, of course.”

  “Please say not the first row. I don’t want any blood staining my dress,” I tell him. I don’t mind blood on my jeans when I’m taking care of business but not on a ten thousand dollar Donna Karan dress.

  Cage leans in over me from behind, his breath whispers against my ear. “It won’t matter. Your dress will be off very soon.”

  I turn and see those eyes have gone black. “Mmm, promises, promises,” I tease.

  “I always deliver on my promises, my darling Fee.”

  I turn more so I can meet his lips. It’s just a press of our mouths together, but it ignites the spark that always burns for my husband. He pulls away too quickly for my liking.

  “Let’s go find our seats,” Cage says, steering me down the aisle in the arena.

  I knew MMA was popular but I had no idea it was like this. The main event tonight is Gavin “The Ripper” Jones versus Johnny “The Bone Crusher” Rodriguez. Falling Down is going to play Johnny’s entrance music. Falling Down consists of five guys: Jesse Kingston on lead vocals, Ben Kingston on lead guitar, Kennedy Caldwell on rhythm guitar, Ethan Ashcroft on bass guitar, and Xander Mackenzie on drums. Cage Nichols, my husband, produces and manages Falling Down. He also produces and manages Blush, the band I’m in.

  How we all met is a long story, but I’ll try to condense it for you. Cage works with my grandpa, Giovanni Russo, in our “family business”. Lucy, my sister and Jesse Kingston’s wife, and I met Cage seven years ago after we moved to LA from Chicago. Lucy was chasing an acting career—one that she was pretty much forced into by our mom—and I chose modeling.

  Lucy had a schoolgirl crush on Jesse, watching as Falling Down won some music show and went on to make it big. At the age of seventeen, when we were in the Chicago airport waiting to catch our flight to LA, we met Jesse. In the short amount of time we had to spend with him, Lucy and Jesse clicked on a whole other level.

  But she was too young, being seventeen to his twenty-three, and Jesse wasn’t ready to settle down.

  As luck would have it, we ran into them again six years later on the set of the making of the new Falling Down video. As Lucy and I both were very successful at our chosen careers and we loved music, Cage hired us to dance in various music videos over the years. This one he kept secret, and when Lucy and I were playing their instruments on the faux stage, they caught us.

  That was the beginning for Lucy and Jesse—and that’s what inspired us to form Blush. Lucy’s lead vocals, I’m lead guitar, Jace Warner (a lifelong friend) is bass guitar, Meggie Melody (also a lifelong friend) is rhythm guitar, and Trace Styx (one of the biggest names in drummers) is on drums for us.

  Jesse and Lucy got married one drunken night in Vegas. That was epic! Their story is just as epic. The story of Lucy and Xander searching for the "real" Elvis is priceless.

  Xander's wife (we just found this out), Tera, is here and so is Ben's wife Nicole. She met Ben when she was working as the Blush Baby—though he didn't give in easily. Nothing about Ben Kingston is easy. Well, except for his possessiveness. That's on a hair trigger.

  Jace and his soon-to-be wife Summer and Jace's daughter Kadence didn't come along. They're celebrating their first New Year's Eve as a family. I think that's what Meggie and Trace are doing as well since they're not here either. It's kind of weird and nice at the same time not having the entire gang together at an event.

  "They're all set up?" I ask Cage.

  He nods. "I checked in with them earlier."

  I snort. "No, you stopped by earlier, Mr. I-have-to-make-sure-things-are-done-the-way-I-like-them."

  One side of his mouth tips up in a smirk. "You love that about me."

  "I do. I love everything about you." I love my husband more than I ever thought I could. He is the other half of my soul.

  His eyes darken. "You can show me just how much soon."

  I rub my thighs together. Just that look gets me hot. "We have the gala," I say, almost pouting.

  He runs a finger along my jawline and over my lips. "We won't stay long. We'll make our appearances and go to our suite."

  "Mmm," I purr, leaning into the hand now cupping my cheek. "I love how you think."

  "Let's sit," Lucy interrupts. "They're getting ready to introduce the fighters." Tera follows behind her and we take our seats—third row.

  "Not first?" I ask Cage.

  "Not first."

  That's it. No explanation. Odd but I'm sure he'll tell me eventually.

  I listen to the announcer, loving the cadence of his voice, as he announces the first fighter.

  "Johnny 'The Bone Crusher' Rodriiii-gueeeeez!"

  The crowd erupts and so does the music.

  It's all drums and cheers and riffs and chaos—and then it's Jesse Kingston.

  I know who you are

  I know where you come from

  I know where you've been

  I'm gonna stop you from where you're goin'

  * * *

  I'm going to break you

  I'm going to crush you

  I'm going to rape you

  I'm going to annihilate you

  * * *

  You won't see me comin'

  I'm stalking my prey

  You won't see me comin'

  I'm the bone crusher hey!

  * * *

  You think you know me

  You think I care

  You think you're the shit

  You think I’m fuckin' scared

  * * *

  Dream on, you won't rip me

  Walk on, you don't grip me

  Go on and think what you want

  I'm comin' for you

  * * *

  I'm going to break you

  I'm going to crush you

  I'm going to annihilate you

  I'm going to conquer you

  * * *

  I'm!

  Going!

  To crush!

  Yooooou!

  * * *

  Yeah, I'm gonna crush you

  I'm gonna grind you down

  I'm gonna crush you

  I'm gonna crush you

  * * *

  Crush! You!

  The cheers erupt for both Falling Down and The Bone Crusher.

  "Wow. That was really intense," I mutter.

  "I am so hot for my husband right now," Lucy tells me and I laugh.

  "Did they play that for you before tonight?" I ask her.

  She shakes her head. "Nope. All secretive and stuff, but it's going viral right now."

  I nod and turn to Cage. "You heard it, though?"

  "I did."

  "It's heavier than they've been in a while."

  He nods. "It is, but it's them. It's what they're known for and it's refreshing to see them going back to their roots."

  "It is." I rest my head on his shoulder as the next fighter enters to In This Moment's Adrenalize. Nice.

  Both of these fighters are incredibly ripped. Muscles on top of muscles, so well defined you just know they work hard to look that good.

  "They look like a good matchup," I murmur to Cage.

  "They are."

  "Did you bet on one?"

  He nods.

  "Well, which one?" I ask.

  He merely smirks.

  "You're so frustrating sometimes."

  "I'll help you with that very soon, Fee."

  Yum.

  CAGE

  "That was very bloody," Sera mutters as we exit the arena.

  I rest my hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd.

  "Too much?"

  She looks over her shoulder and smirks. "Not for me." Her eyes slide to Tera and Lucy who look disgusted.

  I smirk desp
ite myself. I shouldn't make light of their aversion to violence and blood, but given my occupation, it's an everyday occurrence. And Sera is no stranger to them, either. I've seen her do more damage to someone than those fighters did to one another.

  "I'm going to find Jesse. Hopefully he can fuck that image out of my head," Lucy says with a shudder.

  Tera nods. "Just… yuck."

  "Oh come on," Sera teases. "Didn't you look past the blood and see those hot male specimens?"

  "Who could see past the blood?" Tera squeaks, and then the two of them disappear.

  Sera laughs.

  "You, dear Fee, are a naughty girl," I tease, sliding my finger down her jaw, over her shoulder, down her arm, and then I take her hand in mine.

  She leans in close, lifting our joined hands pressed against my chest.

  "I think I deserve a spanking."

  "You'll get that and so much more, my impertinent wife," I promise. Her eyes twinkle and I take a deep breath to steady my control. This woman, my wife, the love of my life, is my match in every way—and because she is, she tests my resolve.

  She can test it now and later I'll break it.

  SERA

  The gala is beautiful. The room is decked out in black and white. White linen tablecloths cover large round tables with seating for eight. Small floral centerpieces with holiday greenery surround large Hurricanes housing white candles. New Year's Eve party favors are randomly placed within and around the centerpiece. Perfect.

  White fairy lights surround the edges of the room creating a romantic ambiance as the lights are dim. We'll be eating by mostly candlelight and I love that extra touch they added to the event.