Page 154 of Wild Card

He brought Wolf to me, and then he and Ford left to do whatever avenging badasses do when there’s a lunatic raising havoc.

I didn’t think I could concentrate, but Bex and Lucas were the best remedy for my funk. They didn’t tiptoe around the incident.

Talon, my dad, Chase, and almost everyone else treated me delicately.

Not my best friends. They pried and prodded until I had talked myself through the weight crushing me.

I got it all out and we went to work. By the time we finished, my brain hurt for a different reason. I wasn’t exactly in a party mood, but there was no backing out. Talon dropped me at Jewls and Major’s house to get ready with the girls.

Jewls didn’t prepare me for what I was facing. Everyone was waiting.

Since I missed spa day, they brought it to me. Jewls shoved a drink in my hand. Rowan sprang into action, styling my hair while Shayla did my make-up. Their friend, Ginger, did my nails, all the while gabbing about how amazing the night will be.

When they finished, I was refreshed and excited.

The dress samples Shayla brought each had a tag on them. Ember had chosen which she thought would be best for each woman.

All were black to keep with the ‘Black Bash’ party theme Raven chose, but that’s about all that was similar.

Even Harley had a maternity dress that was striking with her curves.

“Are you having a nice time?” Ember replaces my empty flute with a full one from a passing waiter.

“This group knows how to celebrate birthdays.”

“It’s usually not this fancy. Most of the time, the kids outnumber the adults and it’s an all-day affair. This year, Raven wanted something different. Lucky for us, we all have babysitters on call. It was easier for her to plan it here than go out.”

Different is an understatement. I thought Ford’s parents’ home was massive, but Raven and Declan’s home is truly a mansion. It’s also a perfect party place.

When we arrived, I was once again struck by the one-eighty my life has taken.

“Who would have thought I’d be at a joint birthday celebration for a military hero and a world-famous rock star?”

“We are an eclectic crew.”

“Eclectic is a good description. Musicians, security experts, law officers, business owners—I think we cover almost everyone.”

“Pretty soon, we’ll add a few doctors to our family.”

I find Bex and Lucas in the crowd talking to Shayla and Collin. “Lucas is typically unshakable, but I thought he was going to faint when I introduced him to Declan and Raven.”

“It’s definitely surreal. Declan is my brother-in-law, and it’s easy to forget who he is, but the reality slams in full force whenhe goes on tour. Robbi hires extra security for Declan’s sisters and dad.”

I glance at Declan’s sisters, Abby and Ella, who are wearing light-up tiaras and dancing on the pool deck.

“I bet it gets crazy when Sayge is on tour.”

“It’s crazy.” She pauses, gazing at the group of men surrounding the firepit. “Speaking of security, you met Max?”

Max Roberts. The undeniably gorgeous man standing with Robbie, Finn, and Talon, deep in conversation. Most likely about my sitch—or situation, in Max-speak. Turns out he was en route to Nashville when Finn called him last night. His purpose was to surprise Finn, but his trip took a turn because of my craziness.

I knew who he was before we were introduced, and it wasn’t because of his reception. It was his presence. Sharp, threatening, serious… exactly what I expected.

He caught me staring, his face softening with a jerk of his chin.

If I wasn’t head over heels in love with Talon, I’d have dissolved on the spot.

“I’m convinced there is a super-secret breeding facility that created these men. It’s not normal to have this much hotness in one group of men. There is no ugly duckling.”

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