Page 26 of Gargoyle Sentinel

“Try to look a little rougher,” Danny whispered. “Like you’ve spent the day under a car, wielding a greasy wrench.”

Malachi ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, mussing it slightly, and hunched his shoulders in a way that diminished his regal bearing. Danny bit back a laugh—it was like watching a lion try to impersonate a house cat.

The drawing room doors were already open, revealing his parents seated like royalty receiving their subjects. His father, Richard Rutherford, occupied his usual leather wingback chair, newspaper folded precisely in his lap. His mother, Victoria, perched on the edge of an antique settee, her posture as rigid as her smile. Both wore expressions of barely concealed displeasure.

“Daniel.” His mother’s icy tone was as abrasive as ever. Victoria's gaze slid from Danny to Malachi, her lips twisting as if she’d just sniffed a piece of shit. “I see you've brought a... friend.”

“Dearest Mother, Father.” Danny grinned, clutching Malachi’s arm as he pressed himself against his mate’s side. “This is Malachi, my fiancé. We’re getting married tomorrow.”

His father’s newspaper crumpled in his grip. “I beg your pardon?”

“Fiancé,” Danny corrected. “We’re madly in love. It was love at first sight, wasn’t it, honey bunny?”

Malachi cleared his throat, adopting a rougher accent than his usual cultured tone. “Sure was, babe. Knew the moment I saw him standin’ there at the garage that he was the one.”

Victoria’s perfectly plucked eyebrows arched toward her hairline. “Garage?” She practically spat the word. “Daniel, surely this is one of your tasteless jokes.”

“No joke, Mother." Danny beamed, sliding his arm around Malachi’s waist. “Mal here is the best mechanic in Aspen. You should see what he can do with his hands.”

Richard slapped his newspaper down on the side table. “That’s quite enough. I won’t tolerate this vulgar display in my home.”

“Whatever.” Danny waved his hand dismissively. “We just stopped by to share our wonderful news. Oh! And to ask for a teensy wedding present.” He batted his eyelashes. “I found the most divine designer gown. It’s absolutely me. And the veil?” He pressed a hand to his chest. “It dusts the floor, cascading from a rhinestone, seed pearl crown.”

His father’s face turned an alarming shade of purple, his knuckles white as he gripped the armrests of his chair.

“Have you completely lost your mind?” Richard shot to his feet. “This goes beyond your usual rebellious nonsense, Daniel. This is—”

“Fabulous?" Danny fought to keep a straight face. “Romantic? The happiest day of my life?”

Victoria dabbed at the corner of her eye with a monogrammed handkerchief. “Richard, I told you that allowing him to attend a public university would end in disaster. All those horrible influences.” She looked Malachi up and down like he was something she’d found stuck to her designer heel. Her gaze sliced toward Malachi. “Andyou. I don’t know what my son has promised you, but there will be no money forthcoming.”

“That’s correct.” His father sneered at him. “If you don’t abandon this revolting plan right now, you’ll be disinherited immediately.” He shook a finger at him as if he were reprimanding a naughty puppy who had just peed on the rug. “Tell this beast to leavethis instance, or get out of my house forever and never come back!”

“Father, be careful you don’t hurt yourself.”

Danny was growing tired of his charade. As far as he was concerned, he’d achieved his goal, and it was time to get the fuck out of there. Right as he was about to give them his final goodbye, Emma came rushing into the room.

“Oh my god!” she squealed. “Is my baby brother getting married?” She gasped as her gaze roamed Malachi’s frame before she elbowed Danny. “You lucky bastard.” Emma turned to Malachi, using her kissy lips to speak to him. “I don’t suppose you have a straight brother looking for a good time?”

Victoria gasped. “Emma Josephine Rutherford, bite your tongue! This…personis a car mechanic. I’m sure his siblings indulge in equally repulsive professions.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Oh, mother. Don’t bust your girdle. I wouldn’t marry anyone likethat.” She nibbled the end of her finger as she regarded Malachi with hooded eyes. “But a rough fuck or two isn’t off the table.”

Their mother let out an even more dramatic gasp and fell to the sofa as if she’d fainted. It was one of her signature moves. Danny had never had to question where his flair for theatrics came from.

Malachi leaned down and whispered. “Too bad I can’t release my gargoyle.”

Danny snorted. “Yeah, no kidding.”

Emma hooked her arm through his, tugging him away from Malachi. “Can I be your maid of honor?”

“Err…” He hadn’t expected Emma to be home, or for that matter, to give a shit. “Actually, we’re eloping. Mal is a big Elvis fan, and we want to seal the deal with an Elvis impersonator presiding over the nuptials.”

“Aww…” She made a pouty face. “Can I at least give you a wedding present?”

“Uh…”

He’d never been at such a loss for words before. He glanced up at Malachi, who shrugged. He glanced in the direction of his parents, noting that his father was shaking his mother, trying to get her to stop putting on a show.

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