Page 88 of Cage

“They’re so pretty,” she whispers.

“So are you, firefly,” I say gently, stroking her back. “The most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

She gleams up at me. “Will they think I’m weird because I have a bow in my hair? Maybe I should take it out.”

I grab her wrist before she can pull it out, then point toward one of the women. “She has a huge bow in her hair, too. They’re not going to think you’re weird. I promise these women are kind. They don’t play as young as you, but they are still Little.”

Ember raises her eyebrows. “Really?”

“Yeah, baby. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

Cali, Paisley, and the other women are loud and excited as they all meet one another. It takes barely any time before Rowie and Ember are talking and laughing right along with them.

“Let’s go inside and have drinks,” I offer, motioning toward the house.

“Damn, dude, I kind of thought you’d live in an underground bunker or something. It’s beautiful out here,” Kieran says as he walks inside.

I chuckle. I also don’t tell him that I do, in fact, have an underground bunker here. It’s a bit odd having guests here. We’ve just never done it. The Ranch is the one place we’ve always kept sacred because it’s the first place most of us have ever called home. I used to think I’d never trust anyone but my brothers, but I trust Declan and his men. They might be in the mafia, but they are good people.

My hands start to sweat a little as I pass out drinks. Why do I feel like I could vomit? Is this what feeling nervous is like?

As I give drinks out, Jasper comes strolling into the living room. Apparently, he hasn’t visited the bathroom since he woke up.

Almost everyone does a double-take while Rowie and Ember burst out laughing, followed by the rest of the women.

“What the fuck happened to your face?” Declan asks him.

Jasper scowls at him. “What the fuck happened to yours?”

Cali snorts and doubles over; she’s laughing so hard. There are very few men who would ever talk to Declan that way. It’s pretty fucking comical watching his face morph into surprise.

“Nice to see you in a good mood,” Theo says to Jasper. “It’s about time you smiled.”

“Oh my God. This is the best thing ever,” Paisley says breathlessly.

Kieran glares at her. “Don’t get any ideas, brat.”

She sticks her tongue out at him.

“What are you staring at me for?” Jasper demands.

I go to him and slap him on the shoulder. “You should probably go look in a mirror.”

He disappears, and a second later, he storms back into the room, pointing at Rowie. “You brat.”

Rowie grins, not looking the least bit sorry.

“It was actually both of them,” I tell him.

Ember’s jaw drops. “Daddy! Tattletale.”

Jasper glares at them. “You’re both in trouble. I’m taking away Good Girl Points for both of you. Ten points each.”

“They used permanent marker,” I add.

“Daddy!” Ember hisses.

Cage!” Rowie says at the same time.

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