Page 268 of Bossy Hero

Grinning, Leo kisses the top of Sue’s head and holds her close.

Sammy’s eyes light up with her familiar shit-disturbing gaze. “Parties, huh?” She does more of that horrid brow waggling. “Last night, there was a party in the guest room. And everybody came.” She thrusts her hips for emphasis.

“Jesus,” Alan mutters, his shoulders shaking with laughter and his gaze falling to the floor.

My cheeks flame. “Samantha,” I scold, struggling to hold back my laughter.

Mortification. Laughter. Same thing.

Everyone doubles over in raucous hysterics, breaking the awkward tension. Even Alan cracks up.

When the hilarity fizzles, Val sighs audibly and pastes an innocent expression on her face. “If only I knew what you were referring to. But alas, I’m an innocent child.” She draws a circle over her head with her index finger like a halo.

Kri nudges her shoulder and rolls her eyes. “Dial it back, kid.”

Alan claps his hands, then rubs them together. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

We break into four vehicles, the men heading in one direction and the ladies in another.

With Junior behind the wheel, I climb into the front seat of his SUV. Val and Sammy sit in the back with the twins. Val’s here to help Sammy look after the babies while we execute our plans. We’ve got a lot to do.

I buckle my seat belt and throw a look at Sammy over my shoulder. “Did you get the stuff?”

Unblinking, she deadpans, “Oh no. I forgot everything we’d need today. Help me. I’m an idiot.”

My lower lip rolls into a pout. “I’m sorry, but I’m a little nervous. Just tell me you have everything so I don’t worry.”

“Yeah, Mom. I got both bags. All the goodies and then some. I had Sawyer put them in the back when he loaded the car seats this morning.”

Val squeezes my shoulders from behind. “You just sit back and relax, Ms. Maddie. We’ve got everything under control. All you need to do is relax and enjoy your special day.”

I reach across my body to tap her hand. “Thank you, darling. I’ll try.” I glance at my daughter. “Are you sure this was the right call? What if he’s upset?”

Sammy pointedly rolls her eyes and huffs. “Mom, there’s nothing to worry about. Trust me. He’s gonna love it. Women have been throwing surprise ceremonies to wed unsuspecting grooms since the Dark Ages. Probably.”

“Wait. What?” Junior ping-pongs his gaze between me and the road no less than twelve times in three seconds. “Did you say unsuspecting groom? As in, you’re springing a wedding on Boss?”

I lower my chin to look at him from under my furrowed brow. “No one told you?”

He shakes his head, eyes in full-blown panic mode.

If this is how Junior reacts, how will Alan take the news? Hopefully better.

Sammy snort-laughs. “What did you think was happening then, Junior?”

“No clue. Shep told me I’d be driving some of the ladies around because he and the other guys had shit to do.”

Sammy’s laughter spikes. In my periphery, I catch her slapping her knee. “And you didn’t ask any follow-up questions? Are you related to Tomer or something?”

Val quips, “Junior doesn’t have the balls to question mypapasan.”

“Mouth, young lady,” Junior chides her.

“Sorry,sir. Allow me to rephrase to avoid offending your delicate sensibilities.” Val pauses, then adjusts her tone to something more proper. “Trevor Donoghue, my bodyguard slash penance for unknown past transgressions, doesn’t have the testicular fortitude required to make inquiries of a real man like my adoptive male parental unit. Additionally, his loins quiver in fear when he’s forced to interact with my female parental unit for the same reason.”

“Very funny,” Junior mutters, white-knuckle gripping the steering wheel. He looks at me out of the side of his eye.

I try to quash my amusement at this young man’s expense. “Do you know where you’re driving us?”

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