by Janie Marie
“Go to my brother, Jane.” He took the laptop from her, closing it as he set it down beside him.
And she knew. She knew who was responsible for Dylan’s and Stephen’s attack. “You’re not going to get into trouble, are you?”
His eyes gleamed silver. “I’m quite capable of handling my affairs without you being involved.”
She touched his cheek and leaned down, kissing that corner of his mouth again. “A queen protects her king.”
He smiled, nodding. “You may use my bathroom to freshen up. They will not be happy to smell me on you.” When she opened her mouth to argue, he said, “It’s disrespectful until they accept me. Clean up and rinse your mouth several times. Go.” He pushed her away as he pulled his pants into place, and he once again reached for his laptop.
As she wobbled to the bath, she heard him chuckle.
“Start stretching daily, my queen. When they start taking you two at a time, you’ll need to be flexible.”
She looked over her shoulder, gaping at him.
He smirked, typing something. “And I enjoyed it, my queen. Even with your fumblings.”
Instead of saying something nasty, she poked her tongue out at him.
“Manners, Jane.” That sly smirk was still in place, but he was again focusing on his computer.
“Forgot I was in the presence of a king.” She mock-bowed, grinning when he shook his head.
“Go. You won’t receive sweet words from me. You did well. Leave before they break my door. I do have work to attend today, and you don’t want to be late for school.” Luc waved his hand, dismissing her.
“Yes, my king.” She giggled stumbling as a tremble shook her legs, but she made it to the sink and did what was necessary to respect her boyfriends. All four of them.
Twenty-Eight
Ryder crossed his arms, leaning against the side of his car as he gazed across Helldonna’s courtyard. It was to be a birthday surprise to be there at Jane’s lunch hour, and he was annoyed with himself for not at least alerting Than to make sure she came out here to eat.
“Dad said she was greeted by the guys when he dropped her off,” David said. “They probably took her out to celebrate.”
“Very possibly,” said Tercero. “They are her men, after all.”
Ryder ignored them. Jane hadn’t responded to any of their calls or texts this morning. It was more than her birthday. It was Friday—game day, and it would be his big return to playing on the team. He’d wanted her at school with him today, but Kingston wouldn't pull her from Helldonna. No, that wasn’t true; Jane didn’t want to transfer. And he had no idea why she was blowing all of them off.
A quick shuffling of students darting away from a group of tables gained his attention, and he smiled. There was his girl, strutting like the gorgeous goddess she was, completely carefree as she giggled and did a little twirl before hanging onto Than’s and Damon’s arms. She was surrounded by wolves and princes of hell, and she was right at home. They’d even crowned her with a girly tiara.
He didn’t say anything, nor did Tercero or David, as they watched her laugh at something Sin said. She threw her head back, cackling as the boys laughed with her.
“It’s like watching a movie,” came an unfamiliar voice. “The kind you can’t tell if it’s a rom-com or a horror movie.”
“Oh, hey,” David said, greeting Adam, his cousin, with a laugh. “My baby is not a horror movie.”
“She’s certainly surrounded by monsters, though,” Tercero murmured.
David grinned. “Baby tames her monsters, or we silence them.”
“Well, kings do,” Tercero agreed.
Ryder didn’t take his eyes off Jane. She was being silly and throwing punches at Sin, and Than was correcting her attack, which had Sin’s eyes widened when she went at him again. The whole group was hers, and she ruled them without realizing it.
Adam chuckled. “Yeah. It was rough the first day or so, but no one will fuck with her now. Whatever you did with her, I’m glad. I was afraid it would mess her up. But she’s staring down those who still whisper, or she’s pulling out her guns.” He nodded toward the guys with Jane.
She jumped onto Sin’s back, roaring in his ear as she slipped in a rear-naked chokehold. The guys cheered her on.
“She’s strong,” David told Adam.
She was strong. And she was growing stronger without them babying her.
Ryder sighed, holding out the bag with a greasy burger and fries to Adam. “Take this to her for me.”
David stared at him. “What’s wrong?”
Tercero was the one to answer. “This is her space without us, where she’s learning to be free.”
Ryder passed the food off, smiling at Jane as she laughed. “Just tell her a little bird told you she likes cheap burgers and fries.” He gestured for David to hand over the Dr Pepper, and for Tercero to hand over the shake. “Let’s go before she sees us.”
“We still don’t know why she’s ignoring our calls,” David said, though he gave the drink to Adam.
“We’ll find out tonight,” he said, already walking around his car.
“Luc was here this morning,” Adam said, halting Ryder before he got in. “He gave her a bracelet that had a moon and star. Or something. He, uh, just kissed the inside of her wrist and put it on before leaving. Girls have been talking about it all day.”
David patted Adam’s shoulder. “As long as he made her happy, it’s fine.”
Ryder had to take a breath, but he nodded along; David was right. Sometimes he needed a reminder that his baby girl was more than his, and his asshole brother knew how to get ahead of them. His brother knew how to make her embrace she was a queen.
“It simply means we give her a better surprise, brother,” Tercero said, reaching for the lever to get into the back seat. He smirked at him before sitting. “The question is do we give her a surprise all together? Or do we fight for who gets her first and last?”
Ryder shoved him onto the seat. “Fucker, I’d get her first and last.”
David shook his head, bidding Adam farewell, then got inside the car. “Let’s go. I don’t think I’ll be able to leave for our game if I see her now.”
“Pussy.” Ryder chuckled as David punched his shoulder.
“You’re fucking soft for her, too.” David glanced at Tercero. “Are you going to try to pick her up since we won’t be able to?”
Tercero shrugged. “She didn’t call. I’ll text her boys and see what’s up. If she wants space, I’ll give it. If she’s hurt that we didn’t show up—even though we did—I’ll make sure she’s happy.”
Ryder grunted, driving as inconspicuous as possible.
“Don’t be jealous, brother.” Tercero started texting someone. “It’s you two she feels strongest when I touch her.”
He knew that, and he reveled in it that his touch was magic for her. “Hopefully, Kingston keeps your fucking stepmom away.”
David sighed, nodding. “I’m surprised he’s staying with her, but fuck, I can’t imagine ending things with Jane. He must really love her.”
“Her mom needs therapy,” Ryder said. “No excuse for being jealous of your own daughter.”
“She’ll get therapy.” David was good; he believed in his words, but Ryder knew he’d never forgive the woman for what she’d done.
“Ah,” Tercero said, “she dropped her phone in the toilet last night.”
“The phone is waterproof,” Ryder said.
He chuckled. “Yes, but she washed it in the sink with soap and freaked out, turning it off. It didn’t turn on again. She asked Damon for his phone to call us this morning, then Luc came. They told her we’d come if we could. I suppose I have no excuse for not seeing her, so I’ll try to meet her when she gets out.”
He knew he was scowling, but he nodded. They needed to show they trusted Tercero with her again, and him escorting her to tonight’s game was the best way. “Stop and buy her flowers from me.”
“A D
r Pepper from me,” David added. “And some of those gummy-bears.” He grinned at Ryder. “She tastes like the red ones.”
“I’ve never had them,” Ryder said, not sure if he was annoyed or not that David had some cute shit with her that he didn’t understand.
“You have.” Tercero laughed quietly. “You’ve tasted Jane, so you’ve tasted them. Definitely the red gummy-bear. Raspberry, I think.”
“I don’t want to get hard at the thought of a damn red bear.” Ryder shook his head. “She’s Sweet Jane, not a bear.”
David laughed, turning to show Tercero something. “They sell a big one at that old candy store in town. I’ll call and have one waiting.”
“She’s not going to understand why you’re giving her a big bear,” Ryder said.
“It’s candy.” David was already calling. “She should know what she does to us.”
Ryder’s phone rang through his car system and he growled, answering, “What the fuck do you want?”
Luc wasn’t fazed. “Is Tercero taking her to the game?”
“Yes,” Ryder said sharply. “Stay away. She’s ours today.”
“Are you having lunch with her?”
Ryder debated telling the truth, but in the end, he did. “No, she looked too happy with them.”
“Yes, she did.” Luc sounded somewhat amused.
“You fucking stalker,” Ryder snapped. “Where the fuck were you?”
“In the parking lot,” Luc drawled. “You drove past me. You should know, she immediately looked for you when the cousin delivered your childish gifts.”
“Fuck you,” he spat. “I don’t need to impress her with expensive shit.”
“I know,” Luc said quietly. “Is she coming to our home tonight?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Ryder laughed and ended the call.
David shook his head. “You taunt him too much. He’s going to make you pay one day.”
“He’ll find out what we do,” was all he said as his mind filled with the ideas he’d fantasized about for years. “Damn, my girl is older than me. I’m going to have a semi for the whole game.”
“That’s gonna hurt,” David said, ending his call. “The bear is waiting for you.”
Tercero nodded, staying quiet.
Ryder watched him in the mirror, staring off at nothing. “Take her slow,” he told him. Tercero slowly slid his eyes over to meet Ryder’s, but he didn’t say anything. “Make it yours with her, but don’t break her like I do.”
David was tense, but he stayed quiet. They each got alone time with her, and Tercero was being honorable by not taking her.
“She’s your girlfriend, too,” Ryder said, focusing on driving. “I’ll kill you for it later.”
Tercero chuckled. “Of course, big brother.”
David’s fist balled, but he breathed out. “No coming in her. I don’t. Only Ryder.”
Ryder flicked his eyes back to Tercero. “We don’t need to risk getting her pregnant more than what I do.”
“Then should you also not come inside her?” Tercero challenged.
“I shouldn’t,” he agreed. “But she wants me to.”
“She wants all of us to,” David murmured.
Tercero looked away. “We’ll wait, then. When the time is right.”
David nodded. “When we agree this is what we want forever.”
They stayed silent after that, no doubt all thinking about their future with Jane. Now that she was legal, anything was possible. He didn’t know if things would stay this way—with them as her four boyfriends—or if Jane would decide she could only be with one of them, but he knew she was his. They knew it too. He was going to marry her someday.
Jane frowned, staring at the plastic bag full of rice and her phone. It was her fault for not calling them, yes, but she was certain they’d show up for lunch, or after school. But nothing. Well, not nothing. The bag of food and drink had Ryder, David, and Tercero written all over it, but they’d not stayed.
“Do you want to use my phone?” Wendy asked her. She’d come over with the sweetest gift, a special print edition of Peter and Wendy.
“No.” Jane smiled sadly. “I think they’re mad about Luc. And they probably found out he showed up.” She toyed with the moon and star charms. She loved his gift, and she was totally surprised her king had taken time from work to come to see her at school. He’d been so calm with all the whispers and stares, and he’d made her teacher melt enough for him to interrupt the class. It was like a dream, and she was happy as hell that he’d kissed her on the corner of the mouth and waited for her to smile before his lips twitched, teasing her with a smirk before he left.
“I thought Ryder was the one to send you to Luc,” Wendy said. “I mean, it’s weird, but they kinda prepared you for Luc, if you think about it.”
“I know.” She sighed, tossing her phone aside. Wendy was going to have to leave for a shift, and she didn’t want to spend the time pouting about her boys. “Tell me about this guy at work.”
Wendy’s face reddened. “It’s nothing. He just bugs me.”
“But you said it’s like he goes out of his way to bug you.” Jane grinned widely. “That means—”
“He’s not Ryder,” Wendy said quickly. “Ryder is a jerk for a reason. You just didn’t know it.”
“And this guy isn’t?”
“He’s nice to the other girls,” she muttered. “I don’t want to talk about him. It’s your day. Let’s eat our cupcakes because I have to go soon.”
Half an hour later, Jane walked Wendy out. Sylvia was leaving too, it seemed.
“You sure you don’t want me to drop you off at their house?” Sylvia asked, clutching her handbag as she prepared to take the three steps down the porch.
“I’m sure,” Jane said.
Wendy scowled at her. “Nothing good is going to come with you being annoyed with them. Your phone broke, and they were grumpy at school. It’s a big day for Ryder. He probably kept the others from coming to see you if he couldn’t.”
She could totally see Ryder doing that, but it still hurt that not one of them had snuck off to see her.
“You know Kingston offered to transfer you back,” Wendy reminded. “You’re the one who turned him down. They’re going to be confused about that, and they might not know how to approach you.”
“Stop being wise.”
Sylvia patted both of their cheeks. “I am off. Lock the door.”
Wendy pulled her into a hug, whispering in her ear. “If you’re not tied up tonight, call me. We’ll drive to Mexico.”
Jane laughed. “You’re totally getting a trip to Mexico one day.”
Wendy winked, rushing out the door. “I’m gonna be late! Bye, beautiful.”
“Love you,” she shouted after her.
There was a muffled reply as Wendy got into her car, and Jane sighed, leaning against the doorframe.
“She said beyond the stars.”
Jane yelped, almost slamming the door as Tercero pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against. Neither Sylvia nor Wendy had seen him. Or they had and simply didn’t say anything.
He held up a bouquet of calla lilies. “From Ryder.” Then he lifted a gift bag filled with a Dr Pepper sticking out and what looked like a book. “From David . . . Happy Birthday, Jane.”
She held his dark stare for a few seconds before she told him, “My phone broke.”
“I know.” A faint smile touched his lips. “We came by for lunch, but Ryder decided we should respect your space with the others, so we left.”
“Oh.” She dropped her eyes to the flowers. She loved calla lilies. These were held together by a dull gold thread with a pendant of black angel wings.
“You know,” he said softly, also admiring the flowers, “these symbolize innocence and purity—also rebirth and resurrection.” He smiled faintly and touched the wings. “They are often used for funerals, but many use them for weddings. An end and beginning—much how I view my brother and you
together.”
Jane smiled, taking them from him. “I remember, now. Ryder gave me one at my dad’s funeral. I don’t know how I forgot.”
Tercero reached up, caressing her cheek, letting her feel Ryder’s tingles. “Perhaps because my brother wanted you to focus on living.”
She closed her eyes, suddenly seeing a five-year-old Ryder standing on her porch as she’d sat staring across her driveway, waiting for everything to change—for her to wake up from her nightmare and that her dad would pull into the driveway. She’d run out to greet him with a big smile and hug, and he’d tell her she was his favorite sight. It had been April Fools’ Day when the cops had come with the terrible news, after all.
It hadn’t happened, though. It hadn’t been a cruel joke. Her dad had died on April Fools’ Day. He was gone.
And Ryder was there.
He’d talked to her. He’d told her he was sorry. She didn’t know why he’d been sorry, and she’d ignored him when he put a pretty flower on her lap. David had given her a blue one at the funeral, and she’d thrown it into the grave as they’d lowered her father. But Ryder had given her a pretty white one. So pretty.
It was only then that she met his eyes and got lost in the green flames there. That’s when he reminded her she was still alive. He’d said she needed to live.
Now, she remembered she’d been angry. Being alive was the whole problem. She didn’t want it if her dad was gone. She’d thrown the flower at Ryder, furious and hurt that he wanted her to live when her daddy was dead.
Jane’s chin wobbled as she saw the anguish on Ryder’s little face. He’d wanted to comfort her, and she wouldn’t let him.
Tingles enveloped her cheeks as a sweet kiss was pressed to her lips. Tercero nuzzled her, the same way Ryder did, and he murmured, “I believe this is my brother’s attempt to connect you with your father today. There is more after death, but you must live. Live and love and be loved—just as your father wished for you.”