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)
Raven was all easy teases.
I glanced to the floor and tried to calm the tumult that pounded through my veins.
I didn’t do this.
I didn’t go to clubs or parties or have celebrations.
The last rager I’d been to was Finn’s second birthday where we’d celebrated with a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake at a park somewhere in Iowa.
But I also didn’t show up at work at nine in the morning the way I did today. A day that had been invigorating and challenging and full of all the joy that Emery exuded.
How could I not show up here to celebrate her?
But oh, how I was currently questioning that decision.
Mayhem whipped around me as I stared into the murky depths behind the ropes that sectioned off the private party.
A mountain of a man who had to be Otto stood wrapped around Raven from behind, edged in casualness, though I could feel the undertow of ferocity that radiated from him.
Another man had his arm slung over the shoulders of a pretty blond woman who I quickly came to the conclusion had to be Charleigh.
River, I was sure, Raven’s older brother.
Muscles bulged under his black tee, and every exposed inch of his skin was covered in ink, the designs riding up his throat, and he had five little stars that danced on his forehead at his hairline.
Right behind them was another guy who was dressed in worn jeans and a white tee with a cap on his head.
Cash, I surmised.
Another of their family that Emery had filled me in on today.
But it was the energy crashing into me from the shadows to the side of him that had my throat closing off and sent hot blood sloshing through my veins.
The outline of his silhouette was barely visible where he stood outside the reach of the lights that flashed and glinted, though I knew he was there.
I felt him like a reckless embrace.
It wasn’t like I was surprised he was there since Emery and Kane had claimed him as family, but no matter how much I tried to convince myself it was fine—that he was just an acquaintance—I wasn’t prepared to find those penetrating eyes staring back at me through the duskiness.
Glinting daggers of moonlight that speared right through the middle of me.
“Hurry!” Raven rushed, giggling as she snatched me by the hand and hauled me through, knocking me out of the stupor. I fumbled forward as she basically tossed me into the mix. I landed in front of the woman I’d assumed was Charleigh.
She confirmed it with a soft, “Hi, Piper, I’m Charleigh.”
She cast me a warm smile as she stepped forward and took me by the hands. “Raven told me all about you.”
I tried not to freak out. To remember this was the whole point—putting down roots. I exhaled some of the strain. “She told me all about you, too.”
Tenderness wafted around her, her blond hair curled in soft waves that brushed her shoulders. “I’m really glad you’re here. I think you’re going to like it. This town is so incredibly special.”
It felt as if she gave me the greatest encouragement in those few simple lines, my chest achy and heavy as I nodded at her.
“This is my fiancé, River, Raven’s older brother.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I had to force it out around the ball in my throat.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Dark, dark eyes appraised. A shiver rolled through me.
Bodies suddenly shuffled around us, and everyone went silent below the music.
I turned around just as Kane came striding through the crowd with a giant grin on his face.
Childlike excitement billowed from him on waves.
He was clearly hauling Emery along behind him, though he kept directly in front of her to shield her view.
Then he swung her out to the side as everyone behind the rope shouted, “Surprise!”
Shock froze Emery to the spot. It was the kind of shock that took a couple moments to catch up to what was really happening, her eyes darting around in confusion before her expression flashed with dawning.
Then her hands flew to her face, and she barely peeked out at us through her fingers, shaking her head then crying, “You guys, I can’t believe this.”
“Did you really think we were going to let this momentous occasion pass by without celebrating you?” Raven touched her chest as if she were offended by the idea.
Emery laughed as she dropped her hands. “I should have known you were up to something.”
“I’m always up to something.” Raven grinned.
Kane slung an arm over Emery’s shoulders, and the man gazed down at his fiancée with so much adoration I felt the force of it twist through my guts.
“And you,” she accused as she leaned into his side.
Joy pranced all over her face.
“What about me?”
“You’re amazing, and I love you.”
“Well, Little Warrior, I think we already knew that, didn’t we?” The razzing was soft before he dipped down and kissed her hard.