Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Not that Otto was any better, the brute all up on Raven as she resituated some bottles on a makeshift mini bar that was set up on another table next to the food. The man pressed against her from behind with his giant paws gripping at her baby belly as he nuzzled his face into the side of her neck.
Two months ago, the two of them had gotten married at just before dawn under a waning crescent moon.
Just the handful of us were there to witness it.
It was fucking beautiful, getting to watch two people who adored each other the way they did permanently pledging their lives to each other.
Cash was at the booth, too, sitting alone and aloof on the far-left side while sipping at a glittering tumbler of whiskey.
There were a few other women and a couple men around the high-top tables. Acquaintances from town, though they would never be privy to what we did. Couldn’t help it that it always made me fuckin’ nervous when other people started loitering around.
River noticed me first, and he lifted his beer. “Yo, Theo. What’s up, brother?”
Raven whirled at her brother’s voice, and she squealed when she saw me. “Theo, thank God.”
She untangled herself from Otto and hurried my way.
Raven was dressed in this long, tight black lace dress and sky-high boots.
Swore, she gave a whole new name to maternity attire.
She lifted a section of the rope to usher me in. “I thought you were going to miss the big surprise. Kane’s going to tell Emery he needs to grab something out of his office but is going to convince her to come in with him, so we need to be ready!”
She looked at her phone, both flustered and excited, lifting her voice so everyone around her could hear. “They should be here in about ten minutes, so grab drinks and get ready.”
In thought, she chewed at the tip of a long, pointy black nail, her brow pinching in worry. “Maybe I should have gotten a drape or something so we could all jump out from behind it?”
Charleigh slipped out of the booth. The sweet as hell woman giggled under her breath as she moved to take Raven’s hand.
When Charleigh came into town, the two had become fast friends, and it was no surprise with how good these two were that they welcomed Emery right into the fold.
“It’s perfect as it is. Emery is going to love it,” Charleigh promised.
Raven pouted a little. “I hope so.”
“You couldn’t mess this up if you tried,” Otto grumbled as he sauntered up behind her, slipping his arms back around her waist.
He sent me a grin. “Hey, man.”
“Good to see you,” I returned.
River came up, giving an easy clap to my back, though I could see the flash of worry that swam in his eyes. “All good?”
I let my attention drift to Cash who’d also stood, though he hung back the way he always did.
The rest of the crew had been filled in that I made the call to Cash about the SUV.
Cash had dug deeper, but he hadn’t found any red flags.
“It’s been quiet,” I told him.
“That’s what I want to hear,” River said, just as Raven gasped and clutched her phone to her chest.
“I just got a text from Kane, and they are pulling into the lot. Prepare yourselves! Remember, the second you see Emery, shout surprise as loud as your beautiful voices will carry.”
I shifted around so I could get into place, readying myself for Emery’s big surprise.
But it was me who was getting slammed with shock.
A fucking electric prod to the chest that knocked the breath from my lungs.
Air whirring in disorder as a figure broke through the crowd.
Wearing a long-sleeved, white sweater dress that hugged every curve of her delectable body.
Short as fuck with the same boots she had on yesterday that’d nearly had me on my knees.
The way I’d wanted to crawl for her like a needy, pathetic puppy when I’d seen her standing outside The Sanctuary’s lobby.
A rain of soft, white waves flowed around her, the neckline of her dress a deep V.
Tits nothing but a tease where they pressed against the soft fabric of her dress.
A snow goddess come to life.
Fuck me.
Piper Whittman.
What the hell was she doing here?
SIXTEEN
PIPER
“Oh my gosh, Piper! You made it just in time! Emery is going to be right behind you.”
Raven frantically waved me over as she unlatched a section of rope.
“I’m so sorry I’m late. We cleaned up after closing, then I had to rush to change.” I could barely get the words out with the frenzy that whirled through my insides.
“It’s totally fine. The only thing that matters is you’re here. That and I don’t have to leave this party to hunt you down. That would have been embarrassing if you got dragged here by a seven-month-pregnant lady.”