Page 62 of Gilded Desires

“I know three someones willing to lick those seashells to stick them back on.” Her three partners are coming in behind mine looking confident and eyes only for their woman.

“Your daddies are looking for you.” Nyx tracks my gaze to her three fine silver foxes. She hasn’t told me much about them, but I can see well enough they are powerful men with deep pockets. It’s evident in their diamond-studded cufflinks and thousand-dollar suits. I know what it takes to get that kind of money. It takes ruthless power and undeterred focus. They’re slightly older than my guys but hot as hell. When she finds her men coming closer the sultry desire in her eyes glitters.

“So are yours,” she quips back, and I don’t try to hide my silly smile.

“Yeah, and mine,” I agree. She is too occupied to see the heat on my face. It’s been five months since I walked out of my brother’s office as a free mafia princess. No more crown, no more prisons for my own protection.

Aziel leads the pack of alphas through the crowd toward our table. Rush is shoulder to shoulder with Gage who is scanning the crowd for what I assume are possible threats. Ever since he learned I’m underground royalty he sees everyone as a potential threat to our small unit.

The second my gaze connects with theirs, the world no longer exists. Their energy reaches for me and mine for them.

Love. Fuck. It’s beautiful.

To my left Nyx isn’t faring any better. She has the look of a woman torn between loving her men and wanting to run. I wonder if she knows just how hooked on them she really is? There’s no way that woman is running. Not and get far. Those men don’t look the type to let their property get far and make no mistake. They are the possessive type.

The lights dim, signaling us it’s almost time.

Room Two has turned into quite the attraction. It’s been a few months since Aziel, Rush, Gage and I have been on stage, but we’ve promised one last show before we all head to New York. The men have military friends who live on a lake with a cabin rental business. They’re forming a security team for the elite as a way to use their honed skills for good.

All it took was one phone call with my men and they jumped at the idea now that they are all retired.

Woods, beautiful sunsets, and all the space the men and I will need to raise a family. Sign me up. I’m dying to start painting again. I’m a city girl to my core, but home is where they are at. Besides, they’ve promised me regular trips to the city which I will need when it comes time to start showing my art. I already have a few shows lined up next spring. After sending my portfolio to a few galleries it didn’t take long to get callbacks. Now I’m on the road to getting recognized. Fingers crossed. Who knows, but it’s exciting.

What there won’t be in my life is mafia wars, bloodshed, and undertakers. I love my cousin, but her former job is not something I want to raise a family around. That’s right, you don’t know. Yeah, Sapphire is as knocked up as I am and currently living with her Bratva men. But that’s her story to tell. It all started in Room Eight in this very club.

I stand and bump into everything. The booth’s tabletop, the chair behind me, and a woman passing with little butterflies dangling from her bare breasts.

Hands come around me to settle on my round belly.

“You need a license for this,” Rush murmurs in my ear. Warm strokes to my stomach are my current weakness. I melt into his embrace.

I turn in his arm. “You could just carry me for the next four months.”

He sweeps me into his arms. “My pleasure.” He presses his forehead to mine and this small connection is all I need to feel grounded.

“Are you ready for this?”

My head falls to his shoulder. “Nyx just asked me that.”

“And?”

Aziel and Gage leave Nyx with her men to join Rush and me.

“Let’s make something memorable, but first I brought a gift for you. It’s in my changing room.”

All three follow me to where it all started. Stepping through the door to the small room feels like coming full circle. I pull out a large canvas making sure to keep the painted side toward me.

The three of them have given me their full attention, curiosity pulling their brows into arches. God, they are beautiful. Perfect for me. And mine. Chiseled, grooved and deliciously huge. I know what they have hidden behind their black robes, and I can’t wait to have my hands all over them and theirs on me.

But first… I swallow down my nerves.

“For as long as I can remember I’ve loved painting the beauty I’ve seen in this world. With all the destruction my family has caused before my brother stepped into the role as head of the Constantine empire, I felt the need to find beauty. Or create it.”

I pause to force down the tears wanting to ruin my whole speech.

Gage reaches out and trails a finger along my jaw. “It’s ok, sweetheart. Go on. We’re listening.”

“Then I found you. Or you found me, really. Not until you three did I truly learn what beauty really is.”

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