Page 48 of Black Mark's Heart

Chapter Nine

"Okay, that wasn't awkward," Cassandra smirked as we left the church after the christening.

Darius and I had stood at the baptism bowl side by side as godparents for Ashelynn. Cassandra, Sophie, Zander, and Alex all stood as godparents for Jacob, who was christened at the same time. It meant the area around the bowl had been rather crowded, but more so, it meant Darius was front and center while his son was christened in front of him, even if he didn't know it.

"Awkward would be an understatement," I sighed.

"I especially loved the part when the priest asked you if the father was present," Cassandra chuckled. "Dare was too busy watching who you looked at to see everyone looking at him."

I hadn't looked. I'd kept my eyes and false smile on the priest, because what everyone failed to see when the priest took Jacob in his arms was Darius taking my hand in his.

"Although, when Sophie answered on your behalf..." Cassandra smiled and mimicked Sophie perfectly. "The jackass was never worthy of her or his son," she chuckled. "I thought the uniform groan around the baptism font was the topper."

"Yeah, I'm not quite sure how she's going to take the news about number two," I grimaced.

Cassandra huffed, "Can you please stop calling it that. Number two in parents’ language is a poo, not a baby."

"Much the same when you're pushing them out," I teased.

"I still hate that you pushed a baby that big out with only one stitch," Cassandra grumbled. "Although knowing the size of the father, I get why."

I started laughing.

"I meant his height and build, not his junk," Cassandra went bright red. "But yeah, you must have been used to the stretch down there. God, I wish I could have just one ride on that."

I raised an eyebrow. "Can't you? I mean you get to choose where it goes, don't you?"

Cassandra pouted, "Yes, but Dare refuses to screw any of the wives, and now he's refusing to do anything with any of them." Cassandra looked at me. "I think he's finally staging a silent protest to what happened last year."

I shrugged, "Too late now. What's done is done."

Cassandra took my hand. "If that were true, you wouldn't be two months pregnant with number two," she reminded me. Her face screwed up in disgust. "Definitely need to find a different nickname for that one."

"Mora!" Sophie called as we reached the cars. "We're going to head off now so we aren't on the road late."

Zander, Warren, and herself were due back in London for Zander's girlfriend's birthday party tonight.

"Okay, well, drive safe," I kissed her cheek.

"Are you sure you want to stay? Sally invited you too." Sophie looked at me, concerned. "You haven't really taken the time to get to know her, and that's not like you."

I tried not to wiggle my nose, but Sophie saw it.

"You don't like her, do you?" Sophie asked, understanding that telltale sign.

"Not really. She's a bit..." I couldn't find the right word.

"Fake, bitchy, possessive?" Cassandra offered. She didn't really like Zander's new girlfriend either.

"You forgot neurotic and high maintenance," Sophie whispered. "But, since she may be my future sister-in-law one day, I need to make the effort to be nice."

"Have fun with that," I teased.

"Sure." Sophie rolled her eyes.

"There you are," Warren said as he and Zander approached and kissed my cheek. "Sure you don't want to ride back with us?"

"I'm good. I prefer the party here," I smiled.

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