Page 110 of Maximum
Maximum straightened up. “We’re not married yet, but I’m claiming the title as her husband in a few weeks.”
“Oh, congratulations.” Cia smiled at us both and then she turned to Darren. “It turns out that we have friends in common with these people. Nathan’s wife is an actor and she knows Cleo.”
“You do?” Darren looked as if Cia had just told him Nathan was his long-lost brother. “Do you know Liam as well?”
“Who?”
“Liam Ladnier, the actor who played King Solomon.”
“Yes, I’ve met him a few times. He seems nice.”
“Oh, I just swoon every time I talk about him. He and I are very close, and I adore him.”
“Nathan is married to Serena Star,” Cia told Darren.
Sucking in a breath, Darren exclaimed. “TheSerena Star. Is she here?” He craned his head. “Do introduce me please. I love glittery things.”
We laughed at his childish excitement and the way his face fell when Nathan told him Serena had a performance in London and couldn’t come.”
“She’s the star inMadonna – the Musical, isn’t she?”
“Yes, it was only supposed to be for a few months, but she loves playing that role and they kept asking her to come back after we had our little guy.”
“Oh my God, is this handsome boy the son of Serena Star?” Darren’s hand flew to his mouth and then he touched Lucas’ hand with a gentle touch. “I think I’m fainting. I just touched something that came out of Serena Star.”
It was hard not to stop laughing at the big man’s exaggerated excitement.
“Darren, tone it down. They don’t know you yet,” Cia warned her friend with a loving shake of her head.
“Oh, hush, they’re just as eccentric as we are. This one speaks to animals,” he said with a nod to me, “and don’t think I didn’t read the news when the handsome devil over there kidnapped Serena Star and did kinky things to her in a forest.” Before Nathan could protest, Darren added, “Whatever you did, my friend, it worked because she’s yours now and all the men around the world are jealous… well, except for my kind. We were more jealous of her…” He sighed. “Oh, to be chained in a small cabin and sexually seduced by a tall, strong soldier like you.”
Jolene had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard at Nathan’s mouth hanging open. It was clear he had no idea how to respond. I exchanged an amused glance with Maximum, who couldn’t stop laughing either.
“We actually have a psychic friend as well,” Cia told me in what I assumed was her attempt at changing the subject. “I don’t think Violet talks to animals, but she can rid your house of demons and talk to spirits, which is kind of cool too.”
“I’m not psychic. I use telepathy to communicate with animals. It’s more common than you might think.”
“I’m sure you and Violet would get along, though. She’s the sweetest in our group.”
“Really? And what are you?” I asked.
Cia wrinkled her nose. “I’m the troubled one. I used to be a homeless Goth for years because of my messed-up childhood, but now I’m using my art to process my past.”
Jolene angled her head. “I’m impressed at how open you are about it.”
“It is what it is.” Cia stuffed her hands into her pockets and rocked on her feet when River came to join us.
“I see you’ve met our talented artist.”
“Yes.” Jolene pointed to the painting of the skater girl. “Is that one sold, or can I buy it?”
“Someone else just asked the same question, but when I told him the price, he said he’d think about it.”
“His loss! Then I’ll buy it!”
Cia stopped rocking on her feet. “Without asking the price?”
“River and I are family. She won’t screw me over and raise the price,” Jolene said with conviction. “I want that picture in Rose’s room. It has such a happy vibe to it.”
