Page 45 of Crowned Queen (Blood Empire 2)

“Why would we do that? We could just go to yours.” The first‘Karen’looks at Harlow in confusion.

“You see that's where you're wrong.” Harlow gives them a sweet smile. “You see, cunty bitches and their bratty crotch goblins aren't invited.”

“How dare you!” one gasps, but takes a step back, eyes filled with fear when Harlow's eyes go dark, her friendly smile morphing into a sneer.

“Watch your tone with me, bitch,” Harlow spits. “Your little shitstains have been harassing my daughter, calling her names, and making fun of her family because we're different from the rest of you. Sorry, we can't all be condescending, self-righteous assholes. Some of us actually give a shit about our families. So, no, none of you or your kids are invited. Maybe they will think twice about who they fuck with.” She steps closer to the one woman who seems to have appointed herself their little leader. “You better remember who runs this place. I might not go to flashy events and flaunt my money around for everyone to see, but you’d best remember that I’m richer, bigger, and badder than all of you combined. Don't test me, because I will crush each and every one of you like the little bugs you are and bury you back in the dirt where you fucking belong.”

Fuck, there goes my dick again. Turning around, I head for the car. Kids are starting to come out of the building and I don't need anyone giving me questioning looks.

I wait in the car, trying to think about something unpleasant so I can get this raging hard-on to go away.Damn it, why does she have to be so sexy?That woman could sneeze and I'd be rock-solid. She owns my heart, mind, and body now. Some things never change.

“Daddy!” Rosie yells excitedly as she gets into the back seat. Harlow buckles her up as she tells me about her day. “And Mama said we are having a carnival for my birthday! This is so awesome! You guys are the best.” Harlow smiles over at me like she's telling me she told me so. Yeah, alright, her plan is a good idea. Seeing the pure joy on Rosie’s face makes it all worth it.

ALL ROSIE COULD TALKabout the next few days was how amazing her birthday is going to be, how much she loved us, and how we were the best. I could see it in Harlow’s eyes how much it meant to her that Rosie was over the moon, and every time Rosie talked about it, Harlow would melt.

Neo is just as stoked as Rosie. I have no idea how Harlow managed to rig this whole setup in under a week. From what she was saying, something like this would normally take months to plan. But this is Harlow we're talking about, so no doubt Queenie pulled a ton of strings, and used this one time to throw her money around. Or maybe she just had to be herself and scare people into doing what she wants.Probably both.

Since it's Rosie’s birthday today, and the party is tonight, we decided to let her have the day off school.

“Shhh,” Harlow hushes Neo. We’re all outside Rosie’s room ready to wake her up with a breakfast surprise. We snuck into her room last night and filled it with balloons of all different shades of pink.

“It’s not me! It’s Mr. Bacon.” The pig snorts as if to prove Neo’s point.

“You should’ve put the damn thing outside,” Axel mutters. “Better yet, on my plate.”

Neo turns around to face Axel with murder in his eyes. “You will NOT hurt Mr. Bacon. If you do, I will hurt YOU!” he growls in my brother's face. Axel seems unfazed as he rolls his eyes. Normally Neo isn't someone we have to worry about when it comes to us, but he is very protective of his animals. And that damn pig has become his whole life! Hell, it has its own section dedicated to him in Neo’s room.

“Why wait?” Harlow grins, taking a step into Axel’s personal space. I can see the heat in his eyes mixing with anger from how close she is to him. He wants her... bad. He doesn't care who she is now, despite all of his bitchy, rude comments. No, he’s holding something against her, and I hope he gets the fuck over it soon because he’s the only one causing issues in this new group dynamic we have going.

“Guys, come on, it’s that sweet, little girl's birthday today. Let’s not fight,” Dean says.

“He started it,” Neo grumbles.

Just as I open the door, a loud quack has me jumping back, knocking the door wide open. Daisy runs into the room quacking up a storm as she starts to peck at all the balloons on the ground, making them pop loudly. Rosie jumps up out of bed with a scream, scaring Dean who has her cupcake in his hand. It falls to the floor with a splat. At the same time, the pig starts freaking out, letting out high-pitched squeals. Neo puts him down, unable to hold him still without hurting him. Mr. Bacon and Daisy beeline for the cupcake, devouring it with grunts of approval.

“This house has gone to the dogs,” Axel growls, stepping over the animals to go over to the bed and scoop up a now giggling Rosie.

“Well, at least someone's enjoying it,” Harlow laughs. We tried some of the cupcakes. They weren’t the best tasting, but at least he tried.

“Look, I said I would bake her some cupcakes. I didn't say I was any good at it.” Dean smiles and looks at Harlow with love in his eyes.

“It’s the thought that counts,” Harlow says, leaning up onto her tippy-toes to place a soft kiss on his lips before turning around to head over to Rosie. Dean watches her with a look of longing while licking the taste of her lips off his.

“Soon, man, just give it time.” I pat him on the back.

“I know. I’m the one who has to earn it the most,” he sighs. “I’m just thankful she's willing to at least give me a chance to prove it to her.”

“Actually, you're not the last one in the running. That big idiot is,” I say, nodding to Axel who is arguing with Harlow about God-knows-what while Rosie and Neo jump on the bed, their pets bouncing in between them in protest.

“Crazy how just a few months ago our lives were a consistent routine. She really did come in here and shake everything up.” Dean laughs at the craziness that is now our lives.

“And I wouldn't change it for the world.”

“WOW!” ROSIE BREATHES, her eyes lighting up as she takes in her party setup. There’s a massive circus tent in the middle of an empty pasture and a variety of booths around the outside perimeter.

“What do you think?” Harlow asks, setting Rosie down.

“It’s amazing. I love it!”

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