"Marco is lining up lemon drop and kamikaze shots on the bar top," I announce. "Grab one or two please. Elizabeth, there's a shot of orange juice up there for you."
Cutter grabs the shot of OJ to give to Elizabeth.
"Aww, damn. Orange juice? Don't pregnant women get to at least drink red wine in Europe when they're pregnant?"
Roman snatches the shot glass out of my brother's hand.
"We're not in fucking Europe," he grumbles as he hands Elizabeth the shot and kisses her on the neck.
I grab Jade by the waist, pulling her into my side, and hand her a lemon drop.
"Here you go, itty bitty."
She holds her palm up to stop me.
"I think I ate something rancid for lunch. I better pass."
I don't like how there's something not quite right with my girl. I'm going to drag her ass in for a physical at somebody's doctor's office this week. No excuses this time.
"You want a glass of ginger ale to settle your stomach?"
"Yeah, I'll try that."
"Okay, and if that doesn't make you feel any better we can make our apologies and leave. Cutter will understand if you're not feeling well."
"You fuss too much, grandma. I'll be fine. Go give your brother the toast he deserves. This night is about those two love birds. Not me."
Damn, I love this woman. Always such a trooper.
I rap on the bar top with my knuckles to gain everyone's attention.
"I'd like everyone to raise their shot glasses to my little brother and the woman of his dreams, the glamazon."
Jade elbows me in the waist and gives me a stern look. She warned me all day about calling Sloan anything other than her "government name".
"I mean Sloan."
Everyone laughs at my correction. Everyone but Sloan. Maybe she actually is pissed that I call her that. I never gave a shit about it before, but I suppose I need to change my ways since she is about to become family.
"Congratulations on your engagement Sloan and Cutter, and may the two of you drive each other completely insane like the rest of us do to each other."
I turn my eyes towards Jade.
The crowd laughs again.
Then Jade jabs me in the side once more and comments under her breath. "This isn't an episode of Saturday Night Light Live. Leave the jokes to the professionals."
"I was about to get to the serious part," I say in her ear. Inconspicuously licking her lobe for good measure.
I turn back to my audience.
"But seriously though... Cutter has waited a long time for you, Sloan. He knew you were special the moment he first spotted you when we were barely teenagers sneaking in the stadium to watch your dad play, and it looks like he got it right. You make my brother happier than I've ever seen him, and I wish you both nothing but the best in the future. Welcome to the family. Kings love hard, and Kings love long. Cheers!"
"Cheers!!" The room says in unison.
When the music cuts back on I turn to Jade.
"Did that meet your impossible standards of a good toast?"
"It took you a couple of tries but you did good, King. He looks happy."
"I didn't just do good, I rocked that shit."
"Whatever you need to believe."
I almost laugh at Jade's last snarky comment, when I notice that her eyes look a little dull to me, and that she hasn't taken a sip of her ginger ale the entire time that we've been standing here. She's just holding it in her hand.
"Did you have some?" I ask.
"I did."
"It doesn't look like it."
"I took a sip not a gulp."
"You want to leave?"
"No, Camden. I swear to you I'm fine. Just tired."
"You're not fucking fine."
"I'm not at a hundred percent, but I'm good enough to ride out this party."
"Hey, lima bean," Cutter interrupts and gives Jade a hug. "You're looking a little green around the gills. You had a rough night last night? Was Marco making you taste test one of his new drink concoctions again?"
"You two Kings are going to give me a complex. Do I look that bad? I'm fine, alright!"
Cutter leans his head back in an exaggerated way as if she just smacked him.
"Well, damn, you little stinky lima bean. I was just asking. Did Cam do something to piss you off? If he did, I'll shoot him in the pinky toe for you."
She almost laughs at that one.
"Congratulations on the engagement."
"I think you almost mean that."
"I do mean it." Jade offers. "I'm happy for you both."
"So then how about a double wedding for the King brothers. That shit would be awesome! Top shelf open bar. Seafood and steak sit down dinner. Get a couple of live acts for the entertainment. It will be the event of the summer. Everyone would want to be there!"
Waves of excitement and joy roll off of my brother in a very disengenious way. Jade was right. He's way too hyped. There's something wrong but whatever it is, he doesn't want it to spoil the party. It's hard for me not to ask him what it is and try and fix it for him. It's what I've done our entire lives. He's my little brother. I've always had his back. But he's starting a new life with the glamazon, and I'm going to have to respect that they will have their own problems and secrets that I won't be privy to unless Cutter chooses to share. Right now he isn't.
"Let's not get ridiculous." I say in an effort to play along with his act. "I don't think your fiancee would want a double wedding," I say.
"What makes you say that?"
"I just can't see her family allowing another bride to take some of the shine away from their daughter's big day. She's the daughter of Dan Pearson. They're definitely going to pull out all the stops when she gets hitched."
"Honestly, it's a little weird that you want a double wedding anyway, Cutter. You two aren't twins," Jade chimes in.
"It's economical, you crab apple," Cutter retorts.
"Don't talk to my woman like that," I growl playfully.
"She's my assistant!"
"Correction, she's my woman first and our assistant second."
Jade laughs at the two of us, but I can see a slight pained look in her eyes when she does. Evidently everyone is hiding something tonight. That's my cue to exit.
I slap a hand on one of my brother's shoulders.
"Hey, Cut, Jade and I need to head out early. Make our apologies to the group. I don't feel like taking another fifteen minutes to say goodbye to everyone in here. Love you, little brother."
Cutter takes another careful look at Jade, and I know immediately that he sees it too. "No problem. Thanks for coming. I love your sentimental ass too. You too, Jade."
And the fact that Jade is no longer protesting that we're making an early exit tells me everything I need to know.
Something is incredibly off.
JADE
I've finally figured out why I've been feeling like crap for days. These boys are running me ragged. Every time I turn around one of them needs something, wants something, requires something. They're like children. Muscular, wealthy, spoiled children.
Today they're holding some sort of meeting that I, of course, have to sit on. I honestly don't feel like it today, but if I don't start acting like everything is okay, my boyfriend is going to fly in a fucking infectious disease specialist or something. I love him, but Camden is turning into a freakin' worry wart.
If it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not. There isn't a minute that goes by that I don't understand that this is what happiness looks like. I work for three young millionaires who treat me like family, and one of them would move heaven and earth for me– in and out of bed. Seriously, some higher being took pity on my sad little life and put Camden King in my orbit, and I will forever be grateful.
When I get to Roman and Elizabeth's house, I text Roman to let him know that I'm outside. Might as well get used to a routine where I don't ring any doorbells and wake a sleeping baby, because that's how it's going to be w
hen Elizabeth finally delivers.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Why didn't you just ring the doorbell?"
"Sleeping baby."
Roman raises an eyebrow.
"You are so damn weird sometimes. There is no sleeping baby in here yet."
"There will be. So I'm just getting you in the habit of what to do. Where is your beloved by the way?"
"Doing something in the nursery. I'm not really sure what there's left to do though. The glamazon finished decorating the room weeks ago."
"Oh that's normal. She's nesting."
"What the hell is nesting?"
"You didn't read the book did you."
I'm referring to the baby bible, What To Expect When You're Expecting, and while I'm no expert on raising kids, even I know that it's the go to reference for all new parents.
"Elizabeth has it covered."
"It's the holy grail of baby books. Just read it and maybe you can be of some help to her when the baby comes."
"I don't have time to read that big ass book."
"Forgive me...that's right...you're too busy calling random meetings."
"This one is important. I've got big news."
"Don't you always."
"Where is Cam by the way. Why didn't you two come together?"
"He had to make a stop."
I find Elizabeth exactly where Roman said she'd be. Curled up in the new oversized rocking chair in the nursery with her laptop and some healthy snacks by her side.
"Hey, Jade," she greets me brightly.
"How are you feeling today, prego? I see you're drinking your green juice and apple slices as I advised."
"I can't drink any more of it. I feel like a stuffed pig."
"Good thing you don't look like one then isn't it?” I smile.
"That's easy for you to say with your flat stomach and normal sized breasts and feet. Mine feel like flotation devices. Especially after the party. I think I may have eaten a few too many salty things."
I hold in my laughter. It wouldn't be nice. Her feet do look like little overinflated animal balloons.
"Is Roman being helpful at least?"
"Yes– and overprotective and excited."
"Roman gets excited?"
Elizabeth chuckles. "Sure he does. Over certain things."
My mouth spreads wide for a big yawn.
"You seem tired."
"I think my allergies are bothering me."
"You have allergies?"
"Off and on."
I haven't had to really deal with my allergies since I changed what I eat a few years ago to a more plant based diet, but at this point it's pretty natural for the lies to fly out of my mouth. It's easier that way. I'm not used to having so many people concerned about my well being like this.
"I don't know why Roman made the meeting this early. Didn't you have a long night at the club last night?"
Exhausting.
"Just the usual."
Because I rolled out of bed at the very last minute, I didn't get a chance to go on a run this morning. When I don't exercise or eat something colorful in the morning, I feel out of sorts. So while I wait on all of the Kings to arrive and assemble in the meeting room, I blend us all some smoothies. Thankfully Roman and Elizabeth employ a woman who keeps the place clean and stocks the fridge with fresh vegetables and the freezer with frozen fruit.
After I hand Camden his green smoothie, he winds his arm around one of my thighs and motions for me to sit down close to him.
"You alright, baby?"
Dammit, I'm going to have to really consider wearing some eye concealer or something. How does he always know that I'm tired?
"Fine." I rub and squeeze one of his tight shoulder muscles. "Now relax and drink your smoothie."
"Stop ordering me around,” he grins. "In here, I'm the boss."
"In here. At home. In bed," I mutter flatly under my breath.
He grins sinisterly.
"I'm glad we have a mutual understanding."
JADE
When new brother (Stone) walks into the room, some of the levity floating in the air among us all is sucked out of the atmosphere. While Camden and Cutter have been quick to accept this new person into our circle of crazy, Roman, Sloan and I have been a little more cautious about it.
We all love Camden and Cutter in different ways. As a brother. As a lover. But the bottom line is that we all would do anything for those boys. I know for me, my reluctance to fully accept Stone has a lot to do with the brothers' past. They both have seen more than their fare share of grief and loss, and I don't want to see a look of disappointment cross either of their faces if Stone lets them down.
When he lets them down.
While I don't usually hold my tongue in front of Camden (or anyone for that matter), the three of us have been especially careful about what we say in front of Tiny about Stone.
Somehow this dude has pulled a Jedi mind trick on her and made her fall in love with him in record time. Even after all the slimy shit he was trying to pull on her father, she's forgiven him and is living with him. I swear. New brother must have one powerful ass dick.
"Welcome, brother." Cutter says to Stone. "Have a seat at the table."
Stone doesn't say much. Another thing that annoys the hell out of me. I mean he's brand new on the scene. Who the hell is he to act all reserved and cautious. So what he's done time. My cousin Joey did some time too. He isn't a mute. In my opinion, Stone should have his guard completely down. Reveal to us who he really is if he wants our acceptance.
"So I have some news," Roman says breaking the awkward pause in the room. "Miami is dead."
"What?!" We all collectively exclaim.
The boys are professional fixers. Cleaning up the messes that celebrities or other wealthy people get themselves into for a fee. Their latest client was a company in Miami. A company who represented a roster full of drug-addled celebrities who were always behaving badly.
"The clients are too far, none of us are willing to move to Miami, and so in my opinion we're not giving them a hundred percent effort. I think we can all agree that this isn't what we had in mind when Kat offered us the assignment."
"Miami is a huge chunk of our income."
"We were fine without it."
"Speak for yourself," Cutter says with a hard edge to his words. "You have a rich daddy. The King brothers don't. We depend on every stream of income that comes in. You can't just unilaterally decide to turn off that stream. That isn't how a collaboration works!"
"I know how a fucking partnership works." Roman raises his voice about ten decibels. "And I'm going to need you to calm the fuck down, so that Elizabeth won't worry about what's going on in her house."
Roman and Cutter always verbally spar with each other while Camden sits back and allows them to hash it out. This is normal for them. It's just their way. Of course new guy doesn't know that yet and takes us all by surprise when he slams his hand down forcefully on the table.
Whack!
"I think everyone needs to calm the fuck down." Stone says while staring menacingly at Roman, and I'm going to be honest here, I've never seen someone outside of the Kings straight up challenge Roman before. In his own home at that.
Where's the buttered popcorn?
Where's my Raisinets!
This shit's going to be good. I feel better already.
"Well look who has a ball sack, Jade?" Roman says to me with an incredulous smile across his face. This is a smile I've seen before, and it's never a precursor to anything good. Egging Roman on would not be wise right now, but I'm cranky today, so I just roll with it.
"I see that." I smirk. "You should probably take a seat, new brother. Everything's fine."
Before Roman puts a fist in your jaw.
Stone glares warily at everyone around the table then rests his eyes on Camden who's sitting with a smug look across his face. Cam quietly gives Stone a nod and motions for him to sit.
And h
e does.
I guess that's one of the things that I find so sexy about my guy. He doesn't even have to raise his voice to command the respect of the room, and as usual, he is the voice of reason.
"In typical Masterson family fashion, Roman, you've taken the room by surprise, but I know that you probably didn't come to this decision lightly. So Miami is dead. Fine. But Cutter is right. Do you have any plans for how to replace that income, because the Kings are splitting things three ways now."
Stone shifts uncomfortably in his seat, and I can feel Roman looking at me from the side of his eye. I can already imagine what he's thinking. The same thing I am.
Nobody told their asses to split their money three ways with a virtual stranger.
"Of course I do. I've already secured us a new client. They're local and they have a huge budget."
"Who is it?"
"The Provident Law Group."
CAMDEN
"She's not going to like this."
"She's not going to know."
"She ends up finding out everything."
I laugh a little at the exchange I'm having with Jade's sister Jana. I'm chatting with her through my car's bluetooth system, while I'm on my way to meet my computer guy in the far Northeast section of the city. If I'm going to keep tabs on Provident, one of the largest law firms in Philadelphia, I'm going to need the help of someone who knows as much if not more about computer systems as I do.
"I can keep a secret if you can."
"So how do you want to do this?"
"I want her to be speechless."
"Jade has pretty low expectations of men. I think that any grand gesture on your part will be well received."
"Thanks for that, Jana," I say sarcastically.
"Seriously though. Just pick out a pretty ring, and she'll say yes."
"I want to do better than picking out a pretty ring."
"Aww, you two make me want to believe in happily ever afters."
"What's up with that boss of yours?"
"You mean the professor?"
The King Brothers Boxed Set Page 57