Page 28 of Beautiful Unity
“Damn straight.” I grinned so wide my cheeks hurt, but I couldn’t tame it if I wanted. “So here’s the deal, Hank. We’re not here to surrender. We’re here to conquer. If you can’t get on board, I have no qualms about locking your ass up until it’s over so you don’t get in my way.” I scanned him up and down. “I don’t want to fight you, but I will if it means keeping the men I love safe.”
“Men?” my dad asked, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the guys.
“Like I said, I’m no little girl. Dad, meet the Royals, and my boyfriends.” I could feel them standing at my back, giving me their love and support, and showing my dad we were a united front.
It wasn’t how I’d planned to announce I was in a polyamorous relationship, but it also wasn’t the worst. Considering he didn’t keel over at the news, I’d take it as a win.
After a quiet moment, he cleared his throat and rubbed his head. He nodded once to himself, settling something internally. I’d seen him do it a million times as a kid, so watching him now brought back a flood of memories, but I held strong. I wouldn’t wilt in the face of nostalgia.
“All right, Rose—Queen. I know when I’ve been beaten. If I can’t talk you out of this fight, then let me give you the last ace up my sleeve.” He eyed the guys, some of his steel returning. “And afterward, I’ll decide if you’re worthy of my daughter.”
While I could appreciate his use of after and not if, I couldn’t let him dictate my future.
“Nope. You don’t get to decide. We’ve chosen each other.”
He smiled, and I knew I’d stepped right into his trap. “Then it should be no problem for them to pass MCD. That is if they’re as great of men as you claim.”
I laughed. “Easy.” We held one another’s stares, smiling and unwilling to admit defeat.
The problem was, I wasn’t sure I won this round in the end.
Diary #9
From: [email protected]
Subject: How are you?
Dear Lennox,
How is the tour? The other day, I heard you on the radio and about ran off the road in excitement. I can’t believe my best friend is a bonafide rockstar! Get it, girl! Is Slade an insufferable bear about it? I imagine he won’t let you out of his sight!
What’s the band like? Are Shadows of Mayhem cool or stuck up? I looked them up the other day. They have a good sound to them. A little more rock n’ roll than I usually listen to, but I can’t deny it doesn’t have a nice beat. Plus, the lyrics were beautiful.
Send me the schedule of your shows, and maybe we can make one soon. It would be amazing to see you. I miss you, friend, so much.
Nothing new here. Absolutely nothing. Pretty boring, actually. In fact, I think I’m going to take a nap. Yep, that sounds nice. Just going to sleep the day away. Definitely nothing on my mind that I need to talk about.
Cheers!
Darcie
Ten
MADDOX
Tiny and Mack headed out after giving Darcie a hug and a reassuring squeeze. Tank had left earlier, leaving the seven of us to discuss the next steps. Mack had disclosed a rumor circling about something big coming. No one had any other information, leaving me to believe the rumor was started to create more discourse than actually be true.
It was something my father would do, something I had no doubt believing Stanley Driscoll would do as well.
At the thought of my father, I took out my phone and sent a message to a guard I trusted. I needed to know he was still behind bars and that Becca was safe. It took a few minutes, but he messaged back, and my heart skipped a beat.
Maddox: Has the Destroyer arrived?
McDaniels: Affirmative.
McDaniels: There’s word of him making a play for you.