No Simple Sacrifice

by Angel Payne

  “If you could just point us in the right direction?”

  He might as well have left off the question mark—though three-inch-thick-makeup girl seemed to enjoy his demanding tone. She eyed him up and down before grinning. “Sure thing, milord. Follow me. They’re in the back, at the makeup stations.”

  We wove in and out of little princesses as we followed her to the back of the store. Six tall purple director’s chairs stood in a row, facing brightly lit mirrors. Each one had a young girl anxiously perched in it, with another woman working diligently on her makeup. There were giggles and whispers as we came to a halt near the first seat.

  “Is your friend here?” The receptionist tried to crank down her skepticism, while keeping her roving eyes all over Drake.

  “Oh. My. God.”

  Huzzah. We’d been spotted by our very own princess. “What are you two doing here?” Talia bit out. For a second, I didn’t say anything. Couldn’t. Fuck. The woman was even more breathtaking with bright purple eyeshadow, glitter butterflies in her hair and a lopsided crown atop her head.

  Drake, thank God, hadn’t let his head explode yet. “We came to see you.” He stamped out each word, openly daring her to challenge them. “You keep blowing us off, love.” He shrugged matter-of-factly. “So, we came to you.”

  Talia’s eyes grew wide. “I haven’t been blowing you off!” She walked over to where we stood—creating a wall of man so she couldn’t escape. “And stop calling me that!”

  I slanted my head toward her. “Are we there again? I thought we handled that in Veg—”

  “Ssshhh!” Her eyes weren’t just wide anymore. They looked terrified. “Can we…not mention Vegas right now?”

  Drake turned a little, getting her back against the wall. A flock of sparkly butterflies appeared to be flying out of her head. “Why shouldn’t we mention Vegas?”

  She popped up on her toes, darting anxious glances around the room. “This isn’t the time or the place. My entire family is here, okay? Well…the females, at least.”

  Drake emitted a low rumble. “So we’ve noticed.”

  Talia took that in—then suddenly burst into laughter. Just as instantly, my dick twitched. She really sounded as magical as a fairy princess.

  “All right. I’ll bite,” I murmured. “What’s so funny, Tolly?”

  “The two of you. Standing here. In the middle of all…this.” She waved her hand through the air to encompass this. I grinned, unable to help myself—deciding that was my favorite habit of hers. The way she waved her hands in the air when she was excited about something…it encompassed so many wonderful things about her personality. Her passion, her life—

  But shit. Also her anger. Yeah, she definitely did the hand-waving thing when she was pissed, too—especially after the weekend we’d spent together in Las Vegas. Damn, that weekend. The two nights and three days that had changed absolutely everything about the three of us.

  I didn’t want to see her pissed again for a long time.

  Thankfully, now wasn’t going to be that time, either. Mischief actually began to twinkle in her eyes, forming adorable gold flecks against the sable hues. “Well, gentlemen. You’re here. Perhaps you’d like to join us?”

  Drake took a turn at the flustered thing. “Uhhh…wh-what do you…?”

  “Hey, I can’t leave until the party is over, and that’s not for another”—she swept her phone screen, checking the time— “two and a half hours.”

  That was when I saw her game. Little sneak. She was actually banking on us leaving. I stepped up with a smooth-as-Astaire sweep, beating Drake to the answer. “We’d absolutely love to stay, baby. If you’re sure the birthday girl won’t mind?”

  Cue the birthday girl.

  “Auntie Talia?” A little girl walked up and studied us with eyes that were stunningly like Tolly’s. The little princess’s hair was pulled up into a bunch of elaborate curls, from which turquoise and purple extensions dangled. “Are these your boyfriends?”

  “Yes.”

  “No.”

  We all answered in unison. The little girl inspected Drake and me as we stared at Talia—daring her to change her response.

  “Anya, these are the men I work with. They’re friends of mine.” Her eyes never left ours, especially as she stomped on the word friends. Little minx—always pushing.

  Though apparently, in her own way, Anya was on our side. “Well, they should be your boyfriends. They’re cute and”—she dramatically whispered the last part—“I think they like you.”

  Drake and I traded smirks. Anya was a smart little thing for…what? Seven? Eight at the most?

  “I like this kid,” Drake mumbled.

  “Agreed,” I said.

  “Shut. Up,” Talia gritted.

  I squatted down to be on the birthday girl’s level. “So, it’s your birthday today?”

  “Well, yes. Kind of. This is my party, but my real birthday was on Wednesday, but Mama said we couldn’t do the party on a school day, so we had to do it on this day.”

  I lightly grabbed her white-gloved hand and bowed my head over it. “Your mama sounds like a very smart lady.”

  Anya giggled. “You can stay if you want! Please say you will.” She turned a look up at Talia. “Auntie, don’t be rude! Tell them they can stay. They can play with me and my friends!”

  “You and your—” Drake choked off the rest of it. As Talia and I swallowed back chuckles, he spluttered on, “Uhhhhhh…hey…we don’t mean to intrude, little one.”

  “Princess Anya,” the girl pointedly reminded him.

  “Right. Okay. Well, we just wanted to talk to your aunt for a minute or two.”

  Talia clenched her jaw. “Two,” she ordered, flashing more of those gold knives in her eyes at us both. “Maximum.”

  “Nonsense.” The source of the interjection walked over on graceful steps. An elderly lady, so strikingly similar to Talia that her identity wasn’t in doubt, pushed closer to sweep glitter off Talia’s nose. “Natalia! Let your friends stay a while. You have better manners than that.”

  There’d been nothing wrong with the woman’s tone—except a full-blown case of maternal chastisement. Instantly, Talia’s shoulders sagged. Her gaze swung to the floor. Drake and I exchanged a tight look, filled with the same conclusion. This was something we’d never seen from our forthright, confident Tolly before. Only years’ worth of proper training could’ve done it. As in, a whole life’s worth.

  “Mama, these are my colleagues, Mr. Drake Newland and Mr. Fletcher Ford.” She waved her hand toward each of us during the formality, seeming to appease her mother while making herself five times more uncomfortable. As she spoke, several more women converged on the spot where we stood, curiosity painted across their faces.

  Talia rolled her eyes and continued with the introductions. Sisters, sisters-in-law, a few aunts, even her grandmother. By the time she was through, I was hoping we wouldn’t be tested on any name recalls—especially because so many of them sounded the same. Silver lining? Talia’s accent, so fucking sexy as she pronounced each one, made my slacks tight again. I’d have to keep that new discovery in mind for when Drake and I next got her alone.

  “So, these are the men from your work? And from the hotel room in Las Vegas?”

  I was tempted to swallow my tongue. Was damn sure Drake had already slam-dunked his. Still, he managed a damn impressive poker face as Mrs. Perizkova stared expectantly at us—not a feat I could come close to touching—while Talia stammered to answer. Her eyes had widened with the force of a new expression, though whether it was embarrassment or frustration, I couldn’t be sure.

  “Mama!” she finally blurted. “I explained that to you how many times now?”

  “Don’t be sassy with me, young lady.” It was clear where Talia had learned her ability for fierce glares. “You aren’t too old to be taken over my knee.”

  My dick rose to full attention. Not one bit appropriate given the time, the place or the company, but the
thought of that perfectly shaped ass bent over for a few swats? Jesus Christ.

  Drake’s cough shook me from my musings. The pained look on his face told me his imagination had just eased on down the same dirty road as mine. Luckily, Poker Face recovered more quickly. With a smooth-as-whiskey smile, he leaned forward. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. Your daughter is an amazing asset to the team at Stone Global, especially with all her new responsibilities. I was just speaking to the owner, Killian Stone, about a possible promotion.”

  Talia glared at Drake. Yeah, glared. Who the hell glared about a promotion?

  Mrs. Perizkova provided the answer to that quickly enough. “Hmmph. New responsibilities. She already works too much for a woman. It’s no wonder she’s first in line to become the next family spinster.”

  “Mama!”

  “It’s true, Natalia. And since these men are your bosses, someone needs to speak up for you, if you’re not going to do it for yourself.”

  Talia put her face in her hands, physically shrinking once more. Watching the change in her was like getting wrapped in barbed wire. I refused to stand by and let it happen a second time, no matter how it affected the way her mother viewed me. I wasn’t there for Perizkova brownie points.

  Instinctively, I tightened a hand on Talia’s shoulder until she raised her face for me. Only after ensuring her undivided focus did I finally speak.

  “You are an amazing, talented, smart and necessary part of our team. No one knows that better than Drake and me. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You single-handedly organized an entire product line launch. SGC would never be enjoying its exposure and success without you.”

  Before Tolly could voice a peep in response, I turned on her mother—the woman who should have been building her up, not tearing her down.

  “Your daughter is in a league of her own among her peers, Mrs. Perizkova. If we were standing at SGC headquarters right now, I guarantee you I’d be backed by hundreds more voices. She has a promising future because of her insightfulness, awareness and compassion. It would probably be best if you came to terms with that truth.” When Tolly fidgeted beneath my hold, I clamped my grip tighter. “More importantly, this is what she wants. She has too much to contribute to the world to be sitting on the sidelines repopulating the earth. Not that I have anything against children”—I tossed a weary look around at the little princess mobs still running about—“but she is young and just hitting her professional stride. I can only imagine her abilities if she had a little family support.”

  Silence. Well, what could pass for it in this place.

  Everyone, including Drake and Talia, just stared at me. Gawked? I couldn’t—and wouldn’t—debate the point. At the moment, for Talia’s sake, I hoped I hadn’t gone too far overboard and would be forgiven the outburst. I sure as hell wouldn’t be taking it back. No way could I bear witness as her own mother whittled away her self-esteem. It hit way too close to home. I knew exactly what Talia was feeling inside. And I wouldn’t wish that feeling on my worst enemy, let alone the woman I loved.

  What. The. Fuck?

  Had I—?

  I hadn’t.

  Yeah. I had.

  I’d just admitted it. Granted, to myself—thank fuck for small miracles—but ohhh, yeah, I’d definitely gone there. And, I realized with a start, would happily do so again if need be.

  I love her.

  Yeah. I did.

  “Is it time for cake now?”

  Praise be for Anya.

  Everyone in the crowd immediately started fussing, happy to have the diversion rather than deal with the diatribe I’d just laid out. I still wasn’t a damn speck remorseful—until I turned toward Talia, and those huge brown eyes brimming with tears.

  My stomach flipped over on itself.

  Shit.

  “Sorry.” I mouthed it, shrugging like a lame-ass.

  She shook her head and dashed off, toward the little princess’ room, I assumed. Though I longed to follow her, I was stopped by a gentle tug on my sleeve.

  “Mr. Ford, a word?” It was Grandmother Perizkova, leading the way to some privacy in the corner. I had no choice but to follow—yet was relieved to see Drake heading toward the restroom. Probably to clean up my disaster.

  The old woman’s eyes narrowed, though her regard felt shockingly friendly. “You’re quite a young man, Fletcher Ford. I can see why my granddaughter is so smitten with you.” I must have looked shocked, so she went on. “Don’t worry, she hasn’t told us anything yet. I daresay she doesn’t even know it herself.” She grinned as though we shared a secret. “But a woman as old as me? I’ve seen it all, Mr. Ford. And the lot of you are in love.”

  Once more, my jaw fell. Still, I managed, “The…lot of us…?”

  “Don’t play coy. You know what I mean, Fletcher. And I’ll bet you even know what I’m going to say about that, don’t you?”

  “Not in the least.” Not a lie.

  “I say…” She tugged me down toward her, making sure our gazes met. “Follow your heart. Clearly, she already has it in her hand.”

  And with that, she lifted her Cleopatra smile once again, before turning on her heel and walking back to the party.

  I could react with nothing but speechlessness for a few moments—before I, too, bolted into motion. On a determined pursuit of the two people who formed my component parts.

  It was easy enough to find them. Drake and Talia were huddled together near the back exit of the store. My steps slowed as I watched them. They were a magnificent sight, dark heads so similar in color, Tolly fitting so perfectly into the space beneath Drake’s jaw. I almost turned around, not sure if she’d want to see my face after the hammer I’d just thrown into the party.

  But then…her head jerked. I could damn near smell her awareness of me…sensing me near her, like she always seemed to…before she looked up. Her eyes glimmered. A warm, beautiful smile spread across her face.

  I dared a few more steps closer. Had to clench back the rise of feeling as Drake swung his body out, opening their circle to include me.

  A few more steps.

  When I came within reaching distance, she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me in. It would’ve been rude not to hug her back, right? My arms felt so perfect around her tiny waist…so perfect. I pulled her tighter, all the way up against my body. Since my back was to the crowd, no one could see how intimate our embrace was.

  “You’re…not mad?” I didn’t try to disguise the hopeful catch in my voice.

  “No. Not even a little.” Her smile turned tremulous. “Mama needed to hear that. I needed to hear…” She sniffled as she trailed off.

  I tucked her in tighter. “Tolly. Why are you crying, baby?”

  “It’s just—I just—”

  “What?” I brushed my lips along her hairline, yearning to do more. My whole body sure as hell begged for it too.

  “I—I don’t know how to say it all.”

  “Try,” I urged. “Please. I don’t ever want to hurt you or embarrass you. Please tell us what’s going on in there.” I replaced my lips with a finger, tapping her lightly on the temple. She grabbed it, gathering up my whole hand then lowering it over her heart. That did it for the corresponding part inside me. My ribs strained from the effort of keeping its thundering beats contained.

  “It’s what’s going on inside here,” she explained. “It’s…in here.” She patted my hand on her chest. “I’m scared. And overjoyed. And—so many things all at the same time. It scares me and confuses me.”

  Drake stepped in closer. If anyone was looking now, we definitely were not being discreet. I didn’t think I cared anymore.

  “Sweet, beautiful girl. Every single thing Fletch said over there was the truth, plain and simple. You need to believe it and they need to believe it—and we’re here to help.”

  She laughed softly. “Help, hmmm? Like locomotives plowing snow?”

  Drake growled. “Maybe like trains…carrying passengers. We wa
nt to be with you while you grow, to help you believe how astounding and smart and dazzling you truly are. You need to surround yourself with people who will lift you up, baby—not hold you down. Do you get that? Do you see that was why Fletch got so worked up?”

  “Yes.” She sighed. “I do. And I know, but they’re my family. It’s not that they don’t love me. It’s because they love me. My mother and grandmother—they’re old-fashioned. They were both brought up in another country, for heaven’s sake. They have completely different ideals when it comes to how success is measured, and… What?”

  Her self-interruption came on the heels of my snicker. “Well”―the conversation I’d just had with Grandmother P replayed itself―“you might be surprised, Tolly—at least when it comes to one of those things.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well…your grandmother just gave me a little ‘talkin’ to.’”

  Her eyes bugged. “She did what? Why?”

  I shrugged, even pressing the charm button a bit. “She thinks you’re in love with us…and that we could make you happy.”

  Drake joined my soft laughter. Talia jumped back as if burned. “No. She. Did. Not.”

  “Yes. She. Just. Did.”

  “Damn,” Drake murmured. “Grandma’s a dialed-in little lady.”

  Talia shook her head, setting free a cloud of sparkles. “That doesn’t make sense. Or maybe it does. We all think she’s been acting a tad senile lately.” She finished by waving a hand, though flashed a watery smile, as if already knowing her attempt at levity would be rebuffed.

  “Talia.” Drake wiped the grin right off her face with his drill sergeant tone.

  “I’m teasing. But I don’t want to talk about this anymore…please.” She clasped her hands, looking like a princess grown into a queen. “Why don’t we go get a piece of cake?”

  My gut growled. “What kind?”

  Drake’s jaw firmed. “Cake is fine—but you know we’ll finish this later. After I have a nice piece of—”

  “Don’t you dare finish that sentence, Mr. Newland.” Yep. The queen was ready to rumble. “There are children everywhere.”