Page 124 of We Three Kings
“You’re so sweet Melchior. I love it!”
I coil the chain around her ankle and secure the clasp. “First I’m terrible, now I’m sweet. You girls can’t ever make up your minds.”
Ignoring my teasing, she launches herself at me as soon as I fully rise. “Thank you so much! I’ll never take it off.”
“You’re welcome.”
This is the best holiday I’ve had in years thanks to her. When she beams at me, I’m glad I indulged in being all sentimental and sappy. Just like Balthazar and Dad, she’s changing me too.
“I have something for you too. I’ll be right back.”
Adorable as she scurries out of the room wearing only one sock. I take the opportunity for a second salute to the baby Lord and grab another drink.
Not quite as quick with her arms loaded down with a gigantic box, she dashes back into the kitchen. What the fuck? I hop up and relieve her of the burden, setting the container on a chair with everything else occupied.
Almost as if preventing me from opening my gift, she fiddles with the bow. “I hope you like it but if you don’t it won’t hurt my feelings. I’m not sure about these things.”
It could be dog shit, and I would still love it since it’s from her. I lift the lid and nestled inside the white tissue paper is a black robe. I hold up the fabric and findWisemanembroidered on the back above a gold crown.
“I know the crown is your symbol for your company and you use it for the three of you and I just thought it looked powerful and that you might want…”
Nervous words trail off. Fuck that. I whip the material over my shoulders and slowly turn for her inspection. “I fucking love it. What do you think?”
She pulses with excitement from my approval and lifts her slight fists in a fighting stance. “You look tough.”
“Iamtough.”
“I know.”
She’s laughing again as we hug. I grin too from the glorious thought that pops into my mind.
Later when I go and torture our dungeon guests, I will wear her gift into each room making sure they know it’s from her and remind them how sweet she really is.
And, I’m not.
Seraphina
Isqueeze Balthazar’s hand curled over my thigh. He’s in deep conversation with Reid which I hate to interrupt but the generous flowing of champagne gives me no choice. “Please excuse me. I need to go to the ladies room.”
London—it still feels strange calling her that instead of Ms. Fine—is not the kind of woman who travels in pairs to the ladies’ room. So I’m surprised when she hops up too and grabs her sleek white clutch.
“I’ll go with you.”
Almost as if on instinct, Balthazar also stands up from our banquet table. “I’m coming too.”
A man accompanying us to the restroom would be awkward. Despite how overprotective he is, I still can’t help but laugh at his worry. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
London wags her finger at him, with a deadpan serious expression. “Yeah, she’ll be fine. We promise.”
The slur of her words shocks me even more. She’s always so poised and controlled.
Maybe the stress of her upcoming wedding or pressure for success for tonight’s fundraiser causes her to let loose a little more than normal. She’s a fun drunk though so I don’t mind when she slips her arm through mine and starts dragging me away.
Huge fingers wrap around my other arm. Balthazar holds us both in place with the strength of his grip on my wrist, and he doesn’t let go of me until his lips brush my temple.
“Two minutes and I’m coming for you if you’re not back.”
A shiver ripples through me from his promise uttered in a guttural voice. My feet move fast as soon as he releases me so London and I can go and get back in his timeframe.