Page 49 of Hers to Rule

Mari had the feeling that the fate of their friendship might just hang in the balance. They had all had more than enough tears already. “I’ll take the cars.”

Tilly whooped. “That’s the right answer.” She pressed a few buttons on the remote before rising to help Mari figure out where the snacks should go.

They cheered and wolf-whistled their way through the first half of the movie, polishing off most of the margaritas along the way before Mari called for a bathroom break. When she got back, Tilly was frowning at her phone.

“What’s up?”

Tilly wrinkled her nose. “Reached out for a post-movie booty call and she gave me the cold shoulder.”

“Aw, that sucks.” Mari paused. “Is this where I say you can do better, or are we not there yet?”

Tilly smiled as she put her phone away. “Not just yet. She’s head of security at the club, so things are probably weird for her right now.”

Mari split the last of the margaritas between their cups. “Okay, you let me know when, and I’m there.”

“Deal.” They tapped their plastic glasses together.

Mari took a long pull of her drink. She was glad her booty calls were in residence and not prone to playing hard to get. “Maybe you’ll see her when we go to the club tomorrow?”

“Probably not. I’ll be posted up outside. But if you see a hot-as-fuck lion shifter with shoulders that make your mouth water and a bad attitude, tell her she’s a bitch for me.”

Mari made a thoughtful sound. “I don’t think I will. She sounds tough.”

“She is.” Tilly settled herself back in her blanket nest with a sigh. “I knew I was a goner the first time she pinned me to the ground during a party night fight.”

“You make that sound a lot sexier than I assumed.”

“It isn’t always.” Shaking her head, Tilly took a swig of her drink. “Sometimes it just felt like getting beat up.”

Mari had always been curious about the dynamics at play among the guards. She’d seen them pairing off at her father’s parties over the years, especially after exhibition fights. “But when it doesn’t?”

Tilly let out a slow breath. “Best orgasms of my life were after getting my ass kicked at those parties.”

Mari’s magic hummed contentedly as Tilly remembered the steamy encounter. “What did you like about it?”

Tilly’s hand rose to her neck. “Being vulnerable, I think. We train to be fearless, but it feels good sometimes to let that go.”

Like so many of the guards, Tilly had come to the compound very young. They’d all grown up knowing they were expected to sacrifice everything for Mari’s father. She hated how they’d been forced to grow up so quickly.

Mari wrapped an arm around Tilly and squeezed her in a hug. “You don’t have to be fearless with me.”

Tilly leaned against her. “Thanks. I’ll take you up on that. At least until Kima gets her head out of her ass.”

“If I do see her tomorrow, can I deliver a message that won’t get my ass kicked?”

“Yeah, tell her I miss her.” Tilly’s voice was sadder than Mari had ever heard. She hugged the harpy again and then reached for the remote to continue the movie.

Chapter 16

Mariana looked like a queen. There was no other way to describe the fit Cisco had picked out for her debut at the club. Sky-high heeled black leather boots that came up to her knees. Stockings with intricate embroidery of roses and thorns up the back, anchored to the fanciest garter belt she’d ever seen. A frilly velvet skirt that was so short it showed everything if she even thought about bending over. A blood-red bustier that had been tailored so exquisitely she looked like she was going to tumble out of it at any moment but was in no danger of doing so. And a platinum fucking crown with rubies set into it.

Rio just about fell to his knees in supplication when he saw her, which is how she knew it was fucking perfect. For his part, Rio wore a black mesh shirt that was entirely see-through and black leather pants that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. They tied at the waist, but he hadn’t bothered to do more than knot them loosely as though they might fall at any moment, though they were taped into place precisely.

Cisco strolled into the room next, wearing a tight black shirt that looked like it was going to pop a button at any moment, even though it was undone nearly to his navel. His pants were red leather that matched her bustier perfectly. Saints, the man had taste. And he looked good enough to devour.

Mari had to keep a tight hold on her libido, or they were all likely to tumble into bed, or the limo, or some random closet along the way, rather than make it to the meeting they couldn’t afford to miss.

She strode between them, feeling powerful and gorgeous.

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