I stuck my head out the door, looked both directions. When it was clear, I pulled her from the depths. I smiled. She was the absolute best thing that had ever happened to me. If I didn't hate the bastard with a fiery passion in my soul, I'd probably thank Ethan Errington. But that was beyond my ability. Escorting the sexiest woman back to the party, we ran into Jessa and Nico and Nik and Turo as they came in. I glanced at my watch. Raised my brows at Nico.He rolled his eyes. "Women."Willow snorted. "Men," she said it with the exact same inflection. Jessa and Nik laughed. "You'd think it was our fault, but he had to change his tux twice so it would be the ‘same undertone' as Jessa's dress," Nik said. She made air quotes around the appropriate words. Turo nodded. "It's disgusting. He has more clothes than most women."Nico stuck his nose in the air. "Can I get a drink now, please?"I looked over the people I'd claimed as my family. Jessa and Nico were a striking couple

My chest swelled with pride as Willow, Jessa, and Tali all gathered on the stage. "Taylor Pankoswki, age fourteen," Willow said, her voice strong. A picture showed on the screen behind us. A young girl who had seen too much life in her years. Her blue eyes were hazy, her brown hair hung in straggles down her face.A woman in the crowd screamed. "That's my baby. That monster had my baby?""Born January 14, 2006. Died -"The woman shouted and wailed.Tali's fists clenched. "Died June 28, 2019.""Cause of death: traumatic blood loss," Jessa said. The woman collapsed into tears and grief. Several around her either moved to help comfort her or stepped away. Their gazes lowered, their shoulders hunched. The guilty would out themselves by the time this was done. The next picture was displayed. The group of gathered monsters and innocents sucked in a collective breath. "Marigold Lightfoot, age fifty-five." Willow didn't take her gaze off the crowd. Blue eyes, red hair, ro

Next weekend"Archie, you look so handsome," Grams said as she came into the room on Baxter's arm. Baxter helped her to a chair. "That's Ryker, Alda. He's your grandson."My heart ached for a moment. I'd been hoping she would have a good day. A day she'd never forget. I guess it had been a bit of a pipe dream. Dementia didn't discriminate on stealing memories. It eventually stole them all and it was a greedy bitch. Grams' face clouded for a second. Then her green eyes brightened. "I know my own boy, Baxie. Stop fussing. Go away now." She slapped at the man's arm. "I need to impart some wisdom on him."I nodded at Baxter. He walked back to the door, but didn't leave. "What's up, Grams?"She looked up at me. "I can see that you're happy. Which is good. But you need to know that marriage is more than just the happy. It's the boring, the normal, the sad, the horrible."I squatted down, took her hand. "I know that, you old bird. I thought you were going to tell me something

I wanted to punch myself in the face as she turned away from me. Again. How could one slim, far too young woman make me feel like a teenager? I said the wrong thing. Every. Single. Time. I'd had more cold showers and solo jack off sessions than I cared to admit. She'd made it so that none of my previous companions did anything for me. Other than turn my stomach. They were all too soft. Too...needy. But Nik. She was strong. Probably stronger than I fully knew. And she didn't need any man. Hell, I was pretty sure she didn't need anyone. And fuck if I didn't want to be needed for the first time in my life. Mas was watching me from across the small impromptu aisle. He raised a single brow. I flipped him off. He'd always told me I was going to find a woman who'd treat me like I treated women. Disposable. Toys. Nothing more than a release. He'd laugh his damn head off if he found out Nik had given me more than ample opportunity but that I choked each time. I was runni

My adrenaline spiked as I watched her slide towards me with all the grace of an attacking lioness. Silent in her approach, had I not been watching her, I wouldn't have been able to track her movements at all. She was fucking fantastic. I slapped her first attack away. Felt my belly tighten with heat as the rage was quickly controlled on her pixie face. She spun with the deflection, went for my legs. From standing tall over her almost delicate frame to being flat on my back and wrapped up in her thighs, staring at the ceiling, in the space of a heartbeat. Once I could breathe again, I was going to -She rose up on one knee...that was planted in my crotch. She leaned down into my face, her strawberry scented wet hair trailed cold fingers over my cheek. "If you want to get out of here without permanent damage, stop trying to start shit you can't finish." She sneered at me. "On any level. You don't want me? Fine. But you will treat me with respect." She emphasized her point with so