Page 24 of Treasured By 3

“Yes, they’re doing some alterations, so it will fit me. I can’t gain any weight before the big day now,” she says, laughing.

Lief hugs her and kisses the top of her head. “I don’t like not coming home to you. It defeats the purpose of being retired.”

“Half retired,” she corrects Lief.

I wrap my arms around Valerie and breathe her in. I don’t enjoy being without her. I don’t want her in another house, let alone another state. I kiss the top of her head, between her eyebrows, then her mouth. I suck her bottom lip and draw out every curl of my tongue until she moans against my lips.

“Baby doll, are you happy with your dress?”

“I’m happy with both of them,” she assures me. “Have any issues come up?”

“One,” Hunter says.

Lief doesn’t like it, I can tell. Hunter shakes his head. “It can wait. Let’s get home and get you fed.”

We do just that, taking her home and putting food in her belly. She tells us about trying on dresses and how exhausted she was doing it, but how much fun she had with everyone. We listen with rapt attention when she says Vanya forced her into a huge skirt that she couldn’t stand.

“You dressed like a princess in some giant skirt is something I’d pay to see,” Hunter teases.

“I could have hidden a sword and an entire armory under it,” she scoffs. “Viking, you would have fit under there with no one noticing.”

“I take it back. I wish you would have gotten it,” he says with a naughty smile.

“Oh yeah, because you three could tolerate being a whole foot away from me thanks to fabric,” she snorts.

I grin. “Absolutely not. That skirt would have been ripped.”

Once she finishes eating, Valerie sits back and looks between the three of us. “I’m missing something.”

“We narrowed down the invite list and decided on security. All we have to do is send invites, do the seating chart, find an officiant, write our vows, and set up the marriage license,” I say.

Hunter nods. “Which has raised more than one question.”

Valerie’s face pales. “You three ... You know I love you all.”

“That doesn’t answer who you’re marrying on paper or if you’re changing your last name, Dr. Sex,” Hunter says.

“It’s expected for me to marry Chase, isn’t it?” She looks at us when we say nothing. She shrinks between her shoulders. “It’s not a choice, is it, baby boy?”

“I don’t care what my father or the rest of the mafia expects. We can keep secret who you marry on paper and you can choose whatever last name you want. You can keep your own last name. All of us are okay with that,” I assure her.

Hunter and Lief nod.

“It’s only a piece of paper. I know I’ll be married to you either way.” Hunter reaches for Valerie’s hand.

She takes it. “Thank you, Krolik. I don’t want anyone jealous or upset. We should only be happy on our wedding day.”

“Throw a real curve ball and refuse to marry any of us on paper,” Lief dares. Hunter and I shoot him glares. He holds up his hand. “It was a joke.”

Valerie squeezes Hunter’s hand and meets my eyes. “I love you Chase. I know everyone wants me to marry you. I know that. But ... the wife of a Mafia Boss puts me and everyone I love in a lot more danger. Even if it’s just on paper, it’s public record, Chase.”

“I know,” I mumble. “I won’t be hurt if it’s not me.”

“If it’s not you,” she keeps my gaze. “It can’t be Hunter either.” Her gaze switches to him. “I love you Krolik. I can’t wait to call you my husband, but I know what I have to do for me and us. We made our engagement somewhat public and I know that anyone with half a brain knows I’m with you both, but a paper trail ...”

“I understand, Dorogaya. I’m your husband either way ... in all ways. We all are.” Hunter takes a slow breath. “And if you’re going to marry Lief on paper, I recommend taking his last name.”

“Prins,” Lief says with pride. “Valerie Prins.”

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