Page 90 of Their Promise

We stood like that for several minutes before releasing each other and getting in the car and heading home.

Chapter

Twenty-Two

“What a scumbag!” Maya shouted as we drank our first drinks in a VIP section of a different club. I didn’t want to go to Great Uncle Gavin’s club again and risk the trio showing up. She’d insisted on going out after I had told her what happened with Liam and I had agreed as long as we brought two guards for protection. The last thing I wanted was Liam to find us and start drama.

The trio had tried to join us, but I’d convinced Riddick and Triston to be our guards instead after explaining I wasn’t coming to find anyone to dance with, but to just enjoy myself and dance with Maya.

“Yeah, I’m glad he showed what he was really like early, though.” I couldn’t imagine what could have happened if I had turned down the trio, accepted Liam, and found out what a complete douche he was.

“Let’s go dance. I need to burn off this rage,” Maya growled and stomped towards the rope to enter the dance area.

With my dads nearby, people thankfully steered clear of us, allowing us to enjoy our time without interruption. We returnedto our booth and caught our breath while also enjoying more drinks.

“This was just what I needed, thanks, girl.” I said and clinked my glass against hers.

She smiled wide. “That’s what besties are for! So, as your bestie, can I just say that I don’t understand your hesitation. Like … at all.”

“Hesitation for what?” I asked, frowning.

“To finalize your promise, to take the guys as your mates. You and the trio have been ideal partners since they were born. Seriously, it was like Ezio had a child to fulfill a prophecy of being your mate or something. It’s just meant to be. Why the hesitation?”

“It’s not that simple,” I whispered.

She arched a brow. “It is. They’ve been in love with you for decades. And you’ve been in love with them for decades.”

“That power I shared with them could have been altering their true feelings,” I said.

“And yet, even with the power back inside of you, and them still obviously all about you, you’re hesitating. Kayden punched a prince for you and then rode rollercoasters to ensure you had a good day. Mason helped you send a demon back through a portal because you asked him to. Trey snuffs any female who so much as looks at him. He also monitors social media and destroys anyone who talks negatively about you.”

“I’m sorry, he does what?” This was the first I’d heard of it.

She nodded. “He made me swear not to tell you, but I think you need to know. They do all kinds of things behind the scenes.” She giggled. “That rhymed!”

“So, what you’re telling me, is that even while I had blocked them, they were still protecting me and doing things to help me?”

She nodded again. “Yep.” She made the p sound pop extra loud.

“What if the power?—”

Groaning, she flopped backwards in the booth and flailed around on the couch. “Stop it! You’re a freaking goddess and deserve loyal men who can protect you. Those men are undoubtedly loyal and of the men our age, the most likely capable of protecting you. They know the drawbacks and issues of being with a royal and a hybrid and they don’t care. Stop being a pain and accept it already!”

I blinked at her for a few seconds before bursting into laughter, tears trickling down my face. “I … never thought … you would be … telling me … to accept them as mates.”

“Me neither! Yet, here we are!” Her cheeks puffed and were pink in her exasperation.

Hugging her, I said, “You’re the bestest best friend ever.”

“Duh,” she replied in a super sarcastic tone.

“Instead of dancing more, why don’t we head home for ice cream and comedy shows? I saw a new comedy special available.”

Her eyes brightened, she leapt to her feet, and said, “You had me at ice cream.”

Raising my hand, I waved for my dads even though I couldn’t see exactly where they were. I could find them by their auras if I wanted to, but I just waited instead. Triston and Riddick stepped out of the shadows behind our booth.

“Ready to go home?” Triston asked with a wide smile. He was always smiling and happy. Like I tried to be.

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