Page 63 of Gilded Kisses

“And this place? What will you call it and where do I fit in?”

I feel my men watching from inside, but respectful of my space. I send a wave of love through our connection and get it back threefold.

“It will be the Morning After Society and I want you to be my partner. I can’t do it all alone and as you can tell, this place needs a lot of work. Just like us.”

Magnolia stops, turns to me. Brows pop up, and the look of confusion on her face makes me want to hug her again. “But you don’t even know me. I could be a psycho killer hiding in plain sight. And you are already my boss. Are you sure? Partner?”

I cock a grin. “Err…true to the killer part and boss. But I want to change that. But that much pink on one person should be questioned, but I am willing to forgive if you bring your know-how to here and help get this place going.”

“Partner, huh? I do love the Garden District.”

“I have a sixth sense about people and I knew it the first time I met you we would become old friends. Our energy…I don’t know. You can call it spooky voodoo magic that seems intertwined and rooted deeply into everything about this city. Or just my gut feeling. Really, put any label you want on it, but I know you are a kind soul and that is what matters to me.”

She looks around at the weeds and peeled paint. “The Morning After Society, huh?”

“Mmhm. And there’s space on the deed for your name.”

“I guess this means I’m permanently moving to the Big Easy.”

“I guess we both are.”

And I am totally okay with leaving Chicago in the rearview. My desire to be an undertaker for my family has found a new venue. One where runners and undertakers are not needed. At least I hope not. There are secrets about the Gilded Key not everyone is privy to. Key bearers are elite members of society, but their knowledge of the intimate workings of the Gilded Key Society stop at the ground level—both metaphorically and physically speaking. To them it’s just a sex club.

But it is so much more.

I silently stroke the pad of my thumb over the key newly etched into the tender flesh of my arm. But the real reason my men made the purchase goes deeper than that. The clandestine society within the sex club is where the real power is found. Empires rise from the depths of the society. Thrones are built. And lost.

As the night deepens and the city of New Orleans slumbers, the real Golden Key Society comes alive, its members engaging in activities that will shape the fate of so many. It is a place where fortunes are made and lost, where alliances are forged andshattered, and where the shadows hold secrets that could change the world. And now that it belongs to us, I am determined to make sure we use the power in our hands to do good. I have to for the sake of my new family.

As the night deepens and the city of New Orleans slumbers, the real Golden Key Society comes alive, its members engaging in activities that will shape the fate of so many. It is a place where fortunes are made and lost, where alliances are forged and shattered, and where the shadows hold secrets that could change the world. And now that it belongs to us, I am determined to make sure we use the power to do good. I have to for the sake of my new family.

As the night deepens and the city of New Orleans slumbers, the real Golden Key Society comes alive, its members engaging in activities that will shape the fate of many. It is a place where fortunes are made and lost, where alliances are forged and shattered, and where the shadows hold secrets that could change the world. And now that it belongs to us, I am determined to make sure we use the power to do good. I have to for the sake of my new family.

As the night deepens and the city of New Orleans slumbers, The real Golden Key Society comes alive, its members engaging in activities that will shape the fate of many. It is a place where fortunes are made and lost, where alliances are forged and shattered, and where the shadows hold secrets that could change the world. And now that it belongs to us, I am determined to make sure we use the power to do good. I have to for the sake of my new family.

I find Mirsha, Luther and Viper watching from the second-floor balcony.

I’ve found my home and they’ve vowed to never leave my side again and I believe them.

Magnolia disappears inside, and my men find me in the gardens, sitting on a bench by the jasmine a few minutes later.

Two settle on either side of me, while Mirsha comes to crouch in front of me. He brushes the backs of his knuckles over my cheek.

“Thank you,” I offer, a moment later. I hold a hand up when I know all three are going to say I don’t need to thank them. “I am not thanking you for buying me this beautiful location. I’m thanking you for believing in me. That takes a level of trust no one has given me before and I cherish it as much as I do your love.”

Mirsha kisses me first and then Luther. Viper, the greedy bastard, always likes to wait for last so he can take the longest. When he’s had his momentary fill, he breaks the kiss but doesn’t move away. His lingering touch feeds our connection, and I love his warmth.

“There’s nothing you could do that will break our faith in you. Our hearts and souls belong to you. You know this.”

I cup Mirsha’s face. “I do. And that is why I know what I have to say next will make us all stronger together.”

I take their hands and one by one I place them on my abdomen. “It didn’t happen on our first night together, but I’m glad that it happened sooner rather than later.”

Three sets of eyes widen in surprise. “Are you saying?—”

“Yes,” I cut in when they all try to speak over me. “You are all going to be fathers.” The joy triples, radiates and buries into the very fabric of this place. Hundreds of years from now, the newowners of this place will feel the energy and my hopes are they find peace in the love we one day leave behind.

“Come here, baby girl,” my three godfathers growl possessively. They lift me from the bench and turn me around. My skirts are around my waist and I’m suddenly very exposed. Luckily, the garden walls are high, but poor Magnolia.

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