Page 22 of Swamp Kings 2

Everybody chuckled when Bishop started pretending to wash and Hurricane ran back a few steps, pretending to stand outside the house.

“Now, first,” he informed the class. “I’ve got to get past the gators,thenknock on the gate.” Hurricane opened the pretend door and called, “Hey baby, I’m home.”

“Well, hello, honey,” Bishop called in a crackly feminine voice, filling the room with guffaws.

“How was your day, momma?” Hurricane said, creeping up behind her. “Lie and pretend it was amazing,” he instructed.

“Oh, I had the best damn day, my category five snuggle bug,” he squeaked while the entire room laughed their asses off.

Hurricane slowly opened his arms while making his way toward her. “So happy to hear that, momma.” He glanced at the class. “Now I gotta sell something she can’t resist,” he explained. “How about a big hug?” he asked loudly before telling Bishop, “You’ll let me but you don’t like it, but you’re pretending you do.”

Hurricane grabbed Bishop from behind in a big bear hug.

“Oh yay, a hug,” Bishop yodeled while standing there like a dead person. “I love hugging so much.” Everybody cracked up when he let his head fall back in boredom. “Are we done? I think the phone is ringing.”

“No!” Hurricane laughed. “Let the phone ring. I’m not done.”

“I think I smell a fire.”

“There’s no fire! Just the fire of mypassion!”

“But I need to pee!” he sang, laughing too now.

“I got you! You’re safe to let go!” Hurricane yelled. “Don’t fuckin’ piss on me, bruh!”

Bishop dragged them both to the floor and before Hurricane could recover, he turned him into the huggee. “Oh my Hurricane,” he yelled, only in a demonic voice now, putting him in a full body lock. “Let me love you to death!”

Hurricane grappled with him then gave up when laughing made it too hard. Bishop suddenly let go and hopped to his feet, holding his hand out. Hurricane took it and got yanked up then manhandled in another rough hug before getting shoved off.

Hurricane held both hands out to Bishop while looking at the audience betweenlaughing breaths. “Ladies and gentlemen. Our Eveque. The Cuddle Kingpin!”

He gave a grand bow as everybody clapped while all the brothers still howled and laughed their asses off. “Now listen up,” Bishop yelled at the class with a clap. “I want everybody to get their asses home and hug the fuck out of their spouses.” He pointed at all of them. “Or you’ll report to me forhuggingtherapy.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Beth’s tears refused to stop as Bishop kissed her for the tenth time. He was leaving to get the stupid bite and refused to let her be with him for it. It didn’t help that he’d just told her all the details and the risks. Of course he waited till the last second, he knew how she’d take it.

“This is not fair,” she barely whispered, letting her tears flow, not caring what she looked or sounded like anymore. “I’m your wife and if…” She removed the risks of what he was doing from her tongue. “I should be there.”

“You have too much power over me,” Bishop pled softly, stroking her face. “Seer will be there.”

“But he’s not me!” she yelled, hitting his chest with her fists. “Oh God, I’m sorry!” she gasped, throwing her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell.”

“I love you more than a million fucking lifetimes,” he heaved, his arms so tight around her. “And that is why I will not jeopardize my life because I have to protect you and take care of you, our child, and the rest of our family. Listen to me.” He forced her to look at him. “I will call you the second it’s done. You can stay on the line with me while I’m under observation. And when they’re sure I’m fine, you’ll be by my side. And then we’re going on that fucking trip. You’ll be with Maggie till we leave, she needs you too.”

Oh God. She’d forgotten… “About that,” she whispered, swallowing.

He searched her face, panic edging his dark gaze. “What?”

“She didn’t tell Spook. She… decided it was better to wait, because… because of the reasons you said, that it would drive him crazy.”

She watched his eyes roll shut and his head drop.

“I think she’s right not to tell him,” Beth assured.

He pressed his forehead to hers, petting her face again. “I’ll talk to Seer. He’ll know what we need to do.”

She nodded, wiping her face, his torment reminding her of her position as his wife andas the Belle Eveque. This was one of those decisions they’d once talked about her having to make. “I’m ready to follow you however you say. Wherever you say.” She locked eyes with him, adding several firm nods. “I trust you with all that I am.”

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