Page 109 of Nash

“Well,” Nadine answers, “Nash is like my son, too, so in my heart, there are seven. Seven sons.”

She exchanges a look with Nash. It’s weighted. It’s guarded. “Two of my sons, my youngest, stay hidden. Rarely do they reveal themselves, even to the queens.”

Dammit!Just when I thought I was getting answers, I get more questions.

Why would two of her sons have to hide? And who are they?

She reads my mind. “In due time,” she assures, “you’ll know all. But first, you must convince me you truly want to be a queen, and we must agree that Alena cannot know.”

“All this time?” I ask. “You’ve been protecting, Alena? You’re like her grandmother?”

“Yes,” she smiles warmly. “I never had a daughter, and her mother, Lainey, was like mine.”

Nash clears his throat. I glance at him. It’s not out of discomfort, it’s the grief. I realize now how hard it would have been, how lonely, too if Nash had to raise Alena by himself. But as long as I’ve known Alena, Nadine has always been there.

“That’s a story,” she eases, “I’ll let Nash tell you.”

“Good,” I blurt, “because you all have too many secrets.”

I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I love Alena, too.

“I don’t like lying to her,” I tell Nadine. “Yes, we’ll wait until after the wedding to tell her about me and Nash, but Alena can knoweverything. She’s strong. She’s smart. She can take it.”

Again, Nadine and Nash exchange a look.

“No, she can’t,” Nash insists. “You have to trust us on this.”

I’m about to protest with something snarky, but Nadine asserts, “If you want to be his queen, one ofourqueens, youmusttrust us. We keep some secrets because they keep Alena safe.”

Trust is not an easy emotion for me. Too many times, I’ve been hurt or abandoned. Ironically, it was by men, and maybe that’s why I want this so badly.

I want the man I love and the men he trusts to always be there for me, too. To never hurt me as I have been. I want a big family since I never had one. I want to fit in because I never did. I want to be loved for who I am.

With Nash, I always have been. He’s always loved my gothic style, my stacks of books, my odd cheeseburger obsession, and my love for red tulips.

And now? I can have more.

I get Nadine, who’s like a mother because I miss mine dearly. She always liked Nash. I get men like him fighting for something I believe in, too. They’ll honor and protect me. But mostly, I get the one man I’ve always wanted if I’m willing to trust him, too.

The thought makes my lips tingle. They hitch with a soft smile, remembering…

He killed for my kiss.

“Okay,” I say, meeting his brown eyes claiming mine. “I agree. I’ll be his queen.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

NASH

“I can’t wait.”Vale wiggles in her passenger seat, excited like I’m taking her to Chuck E. Cheese and not preparing for two nights of taboo sex. “Test and initiate me … like tomorrow. Or the next day.”

We just met with Nadine about it, but I have strong doubts I won’t murder anyone who touches Vale. I can’t always control my rage, especially over her.

“I appreciate your enthusiasm,” I pull out of the parking lot of the club, “but can we pace ourselves on the orgy plans?”

“Orgy?” She perks up even more. “It’s not a gangbang or a double peno-anal?”

“No one isgangbangingyou,” I clench my teeth, “and no double … whatever the hell. And yes, technically, it’s an orgy.”

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