Russell

The crush of bodies is near suffocating as I try and fail to avoid the press of suspiciously placed breasts and the gleam in mother’s eye as a swarm of society females swarm me.

I hate these things. I’ve had to deal with a lot of shit today, least of it being Blay, Gray and Ty giving me shit all day while I tried and failed to get anything done with Marks and the encroaching need to either sell part of the company to yet another investor or convince my father to put more cash into it.

At this point his own personal cheque is on the four digit scale and his VP is pulling easily what I myself make in two months. And that’s without considering the money we spend on his benefits though god knows why my father would even put some of those into his contract is beyond me.

And then we shouldn’t forget the fact that I just had to watch my nanna sell all her personal possessions in a collection that has taken her decades to build up and my day has pretty much been hell.

And now this. I was fully prepared to schmooze the board and convince them not to sell us off. At least I was willing to grit my teeth and just endure it, what I am not willing to do is stand around while my parents throw any and all available females my way.

Not yet. I’m still pretty fucking gutted and raw about the shit I said to Ingram and so ashamed of myself for taking advantage of her even knowing what I planned.

I was desperate by that stage though because I didn’t know what else to do at that point. I knew she was up there, planning a romantic evening, probably getting ready to do something stupid like forgive me fully, and yet…

I stood outside my building like an ass after using the emergency exit to fool the doorman because…I couldn’t go up there and see her and not want her.

I want her with every single breath in my body. To the exclusion of anything and everything else. So much that when I finally forced myself to go in there and break things off I felt like my heart was being ripped apart.

I have no excuse for what happened when I walked in there and saw her in all her beauty, waiting for me. I could say she took my breath away and that would be true. I could say that I lost control when she touched me and that would also be completely true.

What I can’t say is that I couldn’t have stopped her. I could have. I should have pulled away and done the decent thing with Ingram because she didn’t deserve to have me take yet more from her.

I know what I’ve been doing since I looked at her and decided to make her mine. I grew up in this prison, learned to play the game and make people move where I want them to move and do what I want them to do. I am a master at manipulation and the truth is that I used some of those tactics on Ingram.

I made her run, right where I wanted her to run. I moved her around on the board, lulled her into a sense of safety and security and then moved in on her with every piece I had left in play.

I made her like me. Slowly. Using my charm and the fact that I was just a little shy. Always have been. Then I became a challenge for her. First to see how much she could mess with me, then to see if she could get me thrown behind bars for stalking. It was all in good fun on her part while I, I was deadly serious .

I didn’t lie when I told her I always get what I want. I had to become this man, this ruthless shark a long time ago and I used every single advantage and all the knowledge I have to get her to not only want me, but need me.

I succeeded. Well. Without a shred of guilt or doubt because in the end I knew I would have her and that I would never allow anyone or anything to hurt her.

I thought…I would be with her so no harm, right?

Wrong! I’ve done the one thing I swore I wouldn’t ever do and chosen another over the woman I love.

I feel guilt. For the things I said to her last night and making her feel like a cheap, easy lay instead of the centre of my world. And for what. To keep the company. A company I don’t even fucking want!

Most of all I feel shame. I’m ashamed of the man that I am because the choices I make are what define me and instead of choosing love, I choose to honour my grandpa and the memory I want nanna to have when she goes to her grave.

Some may think that’s a good choice, even applaud me for it but I won’t lie to myself about what I’m doing. The fact still remains that I watched Ingram skip into my building, happy and ready to give me everything I’ve pushed and cheated to get, and then I crushed her.

I spent hours last night drinking and patting myself on the back for not making love to her. At least I didn’t go that far, right? At least I didn’t take it all and then kick her in the teeth.

They’re empty excuses though because whether I’d touched her or not, the end is still the same. And Jesus, the look in her eye when I said those things. I will never forget what Ingram looks like when the fight leaves her. It’s hopelessness and disillusionment and this acceptance as if she’s not even surprised that things turned out that way. It gutted me and that’s before she laughed and just walked out, in her underwear because I don’t think she could stand to be in my apartment long enough to get dressed.

I assumed she’d go to Ty and Rox’s place to get some clothes but after Lonny’s son Donny spotted me this morning and socked me a good one, I know she didn’t even do that. Just got Lonny to get her a cab and left.

One good thing came from all this though. When that old neighbour of hers set her apartment on fire, Ing wasn’t there so I guess I have to be thankful for small mercies after all.

“Oh, your mother is right Russell, you are quite the silent type aren’t you? And so strong.”

My irritation skyrockets when that voice is followed by a cloud of perfume and a hand that glides up my arm in a leisurely stroke meant to incite my lust.

All it does is make me long for the smell of my woman and that softener she dilutes and sprays all over herself. Ing has this weird theory that fabric softener is the best scent in the world and she’s way too cheap to buy perfume. I’m so used to the smell of clean linen and her natural scent that everything else smells like skunk piss to me.

Looking down, I see the same chick from the dinner I went to that first night and shudder for her when I see that her lips have increased in size and look ready to burst with every word she breathes.

The sight reminds me of Blay’s phobia for breast implants and I now see why because I am actually terrified to let her speak in case her mouth explodes. And not to be un-gentlemanly but her tits don’t look in any better shape.

I don’t even remember her name, something that I am not proud of at all because just because I don’t want her, doesn’t mean I have the right to completely dismiss her existence.

“Hello.” I say, removing her hand with no doubt that I don’t want to be touched and watch as her icy eyes go hard.

“Your parents inform me that you are stepping up and taking your place in the company. My father is very pleased Russell and foresees many more mergers in the future.”

What? Wait, just who the heck is the woman and why is she looking at me like she just bought me at auction?

“Uh, look I’m sorry to be rude but who are you?” I ask, somewhat perplexed at her confidence since I hardly spoke two words to her over dinner the first time besides saying hello and good bye.

She laughs, her lips puffing out dangerously and purses them in a way that makes me take a step back as red flags start blaring all over the place.

“Oh Russell, it’s me, Valerie. Don’t you remember, I’m Jackson’s daughter. Jackson Smythe-Burrows, the vice President of your company.” She asks, getting annoyed the longer I just stare at her.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

I get it now and as it all just sinks in, I feel my temper spike so hard my molars crack when I grind my jaw to keep from cursing. Huh. So this is why they’ve been pestering me. They think I’ll take over for father, marry this plastic surgery nightmare and then let them all pull the strings while I dance like a puppet.

All while enjoying nanna’s house and eating off her china. I don’t know if I’m more disgusted with them for thinking I’ve gotten this far without being somewhat intelligent or for the fact that they think for even a second that I’d want this, this fake person standing beside me.

I’m more than pissed at this point because not only am I giving up working with my best friends every day, something that made my life good and happy, but I’ve sacrificed my love. And this is what I get? Two assholes standing across the room smiling smugly while this woman smiles at me as if I’m already in the bag.

Not Goddamn likely.

 

“Hey blowfish, where’s your Hooty! Move it along asshole, move it along and go check your tire pressure, I think they got it wrong and you look like you’re about to blow.”

Valerie stiffens and sniffs in disdain but I find myself grinning and fighting a laugh as a fetchingly pregnant Mari hip checks her and clamps onto my elbow with a bruising grip.

“How dare you!”

Rox, who’s sidled over and is smiling so wide I see her dimples pop out, growls at her and snaps her teeth.

“Move it along and go blow the Michelin man with those things. Jeeesus Russell, aren’t you afraid to speak to her in case she takes an eye out with those things? What did they put in there lady, half your fat ass?” Rox crows, her volume carrying across the room.

People start tittering and it’s as I’m watching Valerie scream and stomp away without another word that I spot every single person in Blay, Ty and Gray’s families and extended family.

“Golly! Wouldcha lookit all this food Abe! It’s a reg’lur feast for the dying over here. Maaaa! Ma come over here and look. They’re serving meat and everything. You bring the Tupperware? Cause I’m gonna need a little something later after we get home.”

I can’t help the chuckle or the absolute glee that hits me when my mother hears this and lets off an audible gasp of horror. Father isn’t too far behind her in shock as the room goes eerily silent and watches as the entire clan troops in, including nanna.

“Well hello there dear, thank you so much for inviting me along to this hallowed occasion. I hope you don’t mind but I brought a few friends along to keep me company. Oh Roberta dearest, you simply must try the spinach dip, it’s to die for.” Nana trills, putting on an accent that sounds suspiciously like Lizzie when she starts putting on airs and graces.

My parents, for what it’s worth are completely at a loss and I feel Mari shake beside me as the queen herself sails in, arms held open as she floats in like a movie star in a red gown that nanna must have supplied.

It clashes with her coifed hair so perfectly I feel my eye twitch right before the real show starts.

“Oh heeeeellooo Mary dear, so good to see you again.” She breathes at the top of her lungs in an accent that puts nanna’s to shame. “Well don’t be shy, we’re all family aren’t we. And you…well don’t you look dapper in that suit. I hope you don’t mind the extra company but we just couldn’t resist the chance to rub elbows with all you fancy folk. Ian! Ian come on over here and say hello. Ian? Oh well, he’s around here somewhere, my little love machine.”

And then she proceeds to grab my mother and smooch the hell out of both cheeks, leaving two bright red smears of her favorite whore lipstick behind. Father fares even worse and gets a full smooch to the mouth, my father’s struggles no match for her strength or the absolutely wicked gleam in her eye.

“What, what is the meaning…”

Lizzie doesn’t bother to wait for her to finish before she sails away, floating around with a vacant smile that looks so put on even Mari can’t stop from clapping and giggling in glee.

“I do so love a good party.”

And then shit gets real because in walk the men, Ian, Mitch, Mr. Crocker and last but not least, Ingram’s dad who we all call Pop for God alone knows what reason.

And they’re all decked out as is to be expected in shorts, their good shirts and those socks and boots that seem to be standard issue in this family.

I’m a little horrified myself when I look around to see people’s expressions because true to form, not a one of them has a tan on those snow white pins an Mitch has gone the extra mile and slicked his hair back in a middle part that makes him look like that crazy dude from Charlie’s Angels.

They don’t say a word, they really don’t have to because everyone is so spellbound, and snowblind, all they really need to do is just exist. Until Ian spots father’s red lips and gets an eye tic that does not bode well for the man. I especially appreciate the cracking of his skinny knuckles and the way he hikes his pants up so high I hear the woman gasp when his dick is outlined in all its glory, right down to the absolutely huge balls on the man.

I’d do something as he tilts his chin to his buddies but frankly, when they start marching over there all I can do is hope they only break a few bones and leave him with signing power.

“Wait! There’s more!” Mari cackles, squeezing my arm hard enough to bruise as she starts tapping her feet impatiently.

You’d think this is the worst it could get. You’d be wrong because I forgot for a second that Ingram has ten brothers, all gingers and all just as fashion savvy as their fathers.

They walk in in slow motion. The eerily tall one with the chipped front tooth and wild red mane down to his shoulders, shaking it out as he struts in and purses his lips sexily, throwing a kiss in the general direction of any female. He reminds me of Owen Wilson, if the man had orange hair and a penchant for rubbing his nipples every five seconds.

Obin, the only one I can actually remember-and only because he wears his pants so low you can see orange curls creeping out-looks sporting in a baby blue suit with pants that reach just shy of his ankles, a pair of mud brown socks meeting the hem and leading down to a pair of scuffed farmer boots.

That’s not the best part though. Not even the fact that his jacket falls short of his wrists or that his yellow shirt is too tight and can’t be buttoned passed the halfway point on his chest. No, the absolutely amazing part of looking at him is understanding that he tucks left. We all know this because his pants are so tight I can clearly see the split between his balls. Which hang low. While his dick is pointed up and slightly left just to add that extra touch.

“Well damn, ain’t this a fancy get together. Hell’s bells Obin, would ya get a load of all this prime tail.” One breathes loudly, looking at the women like a dog starved of protein. “I bet these women shave above the knee and don’t recycle their undies. We’re dining high tonight.”

“Killian Egan, behave yourself!” Roberta mock whispers, her smile seeming sheepish, but I know for a fact the woman is acting for all she’s worth.

“I’m not Killian, I’m Nate mama! God, you gotta learn our names one of these days or I’m likely to have the wrong name on my head stone.” He grumbles, getting a few titters from the guests when Roberta slaps his head and bares her teeth.

“You want me to put you there, boyo? I didn’t think so, now hush and go eat before I tell your daddy what you’ve been doing with the Fritz girl down the road.”

The man grins immediately and I see his blue eyes twinkle merrily before he shrugs and licks his lips.

“I’m Killian.”

I hear people gasp when that deep voice echoes around the room and a giant of a man walks in, his body stretching no less than six seven, I shit you not.

The man is so huge Roberta doesn’t even reach his nipples. And he’s seriously handsome. I’m a guy and I do not ever check out other men, but I have got to give the big bastard a shout out because for a man as big as he is, with hair the colour of a sunset and eyes that are bluer than blue, Killian Egan is a looker, no doubt about it.

I hear female sighs and men groan when he looks the room over with a narrowed eye and then smiles with so much mischief I pity the woman he just set his sights on.

“That’s the one ma.” He rumbles before smoothing his hair down and making straight for a dark haired little woman who seems as spell bound as he is.

She’s tiny. I mean so freaking tiny I hear Rox groan and see Roberta make the sign of the cross before he stalks over and just stands looking down at her.

“I work for the fire department darling. Want to see how hot we can burn before I put out your fire?” he drawls, making Mari groan and shake her head with disgust.

“God that bastard is smooth,” Rox grunts.

Mari snorts and curls her lip as the woman narrows her eyes at him and huffs out a glib retort, which makes him grin and bend down to whisper into her ear.

Whatever he says seems to do the trick because as unbelievable as I find it, she all but swoons into him and doesn’t say a word as he takes her hand and drags her from the room.

“Fifty says they end up in the emergency room in the next hour. I took swimming lessons with Killian. The guy will rip her in two.” Rox chuckles darkly, giving Ty a lazy look.

Mari just snorts and shakes on a hundred, convinced the little fire cracker has more under her hood than she’s showing.

I want to say things calm down. I’m pretty sure I’d willingly pay for things to calm down as I look across the room to see my mother go weak at the knees and fall into my father. But they don’t and I find it so funny I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing.

These boys, they’re not people to miss an opportunity and I see them rock paper scissors the shit out of each other after their brother leaves before they break away and split up in pairs to hunt and corner any lone single women in the room.

“Like lambs to the slaughter.” Blay mutters when the cheeky bastards just dive right in and come out swinging.

The best behaved of the bunch are Rox’s brothers, well the ones with wives or girlfriends. Justin though, I see him take one look at Valerie, eye her boobs and that trout pout, look down at his crotch and smile with a predatory gleam in his eye.

“Let’s talk logistics sweetheart!” he barks, just slipping right in there with nary a hesitation.

Whatever these men take for confidence, I need some, along with every other man in existence because damn, for gingers, they got a ton of game.

“What the hell is happening?” I manage to breathe finally, looking down at Rox and Mari with my lips twitching precariously. “How did that little woman birth all that, that…” words fail me.

Rox just grins and gives me a shrug as if it’s all good, all normal that my mother is having a stroke because her party is being crashed by the single most interesting and unique bunch of people I have ever met.

“Where’s Ing?” I ask then, feeling hope and a million different emotions course through me at the thought of seeing her here.

For me.

Because it’s not lost on me that they’re all here to save my ass from getting stuck in the crap situation I’ve put myself in.

“Around. I think. We kinda had to drug her so she didn’t lose her shit and just drive the car into the side of the house. She’s scary pissed at you man. Like so bad even Mari steered clear of her.” Rox says matter of factly, her smile all kinds of mean as she looks me up and down and sniffs.

Um. Okay. I am officially a little frightened, I think as I crane my neck to peer over heads, praying to spot one of my friends before one of the women beat me to death.

“I get that since it’s exactly what I intended.” I mutter, groaning and pulling away when Rox leans in and nut taps me.

“Well good for you Russell. I hope you weren’t planning to have any kids because from the things Ingram was muttering before we left the house…man am I glad I am not your sac.”

“Yeah! And she took her baseball bat. You remember how aunt Ro couldn’t let her play on the little league team because the nuns refused to ‘weaponise’ Ing?” Mari chortles. “Aaaah, good times. In her defence that coach displayed gender bias when picking the team.”

“Yeah, but the man is a priest so it’s not like he needs functioning balls, right?”

Oh God.

I peer around, now a bit more than terrified as their words sink in. I’m more terrified at this moment than I was when I was driving in my car and Ing called to ask if I was sure my lug nuts were tight enough.

Not just for my safety. I am concerned about my safety. But, right now, I am more concerned about the fact that for all intents and purposes I can have Ingram now. Her family is here, torturing and possibly plotting against my family and the people around me.

There’s absolutely nothing standing in the way of me being with her because not only is it proven that she’d kick ass and take names without breaking a sweat, but strangely, as I look around at some of the guests, they seem to be enjoying these bastards more than I ever thought possible.

God, the irony of saying all that stuff to Ing and now knowing that I was wrong is so fierce all I can do is groan with regret and the possibility that I’m destined to spend my life alone. No way will she forgive me.

I wouldn’t forgive me. In fact I don’t think I can be down with her forgiving me. Because I love her and I know I don’t deserve her one bit. The woman is way too good for my stupid, stubborn ass.

Well too damn bad because I love her and she needs to have the babies her mother has undoubtedly already named.

I tune back in and find myself laughing as Marveline makes her debut.

“Lizzie! Lizzie would you come on over here and tell this woman my tonic is a miracle cure for the cramps.”

Oh Jesus, not Marveline, I beg, gulping when she pulls a little phial of brown liquid out of her bag and hands it to a woman with a frantic nodding of her head.

“Oh man, I’d prepare for the nuclear boil explosion.” Mari mutters, her delight clear when Marveline somehow convinces the woman to ‘have a taste’.

The shudder that rolls through her is beaten only by our own horror when she cackles and pushes the phial between her cleavage and struts over to join Lizzie, her blue dress two sizes too long for her stumpy frame and dragging on the floor.

I’m so rapt and honestly stupefied that I only see the boys when they’re on top of us and grinning at me.

“Is this great or what! Did you see Rowena yet?” Ty asks excitedly, his glee so profound his wife is forced to slap him to keep him from hopping around.

God. No. Please, I beg silently, willing the earth to open up and swallow that woman. I adore her and usually I would love it if she met my folks, just for the chance to see and hear the mortified whimpers, but not tonight. The investors and the board…

“Do something.” I beg Mari, my palms sweating when that red haired demon strolls in wearing a green muumuu and a head so teased it looks like she’s wearing a bike helmet.

Mari, she just smiles slowly and gives me a sloe eyed stare, daring me to say a thing about her evil mother.

I do love these people and I have absolutely no qualms about letting everyone know that they’re my family, but Rowena Byrd scares me spitless and I am not afraid to admit it. She’s not as silently malicious as Marveline, doesn’t have the histrionics of Roberta and isn’t as in your face over the top frightening as Lizzie.

She’s got her own super power in the form of eyes that blaze with something Ingram likes to call ‘the many dead serial killers’ and doesn’t tolerate people well. I mean, Mari is the perfect example of one who you do not even breathe on, and she was raised by this red rooster.

Ro practically glides over to us, if you can call that adorable little foot shuffle anything but a waddle, looks me up and down with a hard sniff and nods once to Lizzie.

“What do you have to say for yourself, boyo?” she barks, making me freeze like a deer in the headlights and just pray for absolution.

“I am an idiot.”

I wing it and hope to God nanna was right, that apologies go a long way because this woman, as I look into her eyes and feel frost coat my nads, I have absolutely no doubt she knows what to do with a body. And she enjoys it.

“Right you are! But I appreciate your candour. Now then, you have a lot to make up for boy and less time than you imagine to do so. Nanna! We ready?” she barks, completely dismissing me to sail over to where my nanna is holding court with the other redheads, the sheer expectation pumping out of them as they preen and sneer at the guests making me want to laugh.

Blay’s shoulders are shaking so hard I think I hear him choke and Gray is in fine form as Char and Cece sail over, with…oh my sweet Jesus, they brought Fiona and Fayette!

Please God, I pray, eyeing her bustline as the sheer orange material screams out for mercy.

“Russell! What is going on here boy? Did you invite these, these people?” my mother spits, finally free of her stupor to come storming over to me, her face pinched and pale with anger.

That has the clan pausing and turning to me and I think I see Mari and Rox’s eyes twitch when they reach their mothers and turn, watching me with narrowed eyes.

Mari actually curls a fist and uses her thumb to slash across her throat in a gesture that has her husband choking and fighting to hold in his amusement.

And Rox, she just goes old school and slams her fist into the other palm.

“I’d think real hard about the way you answer this.” Gray chirps from the corner of his mouth, his muffled words a warning, or favour, whatever you want to call it because I see not only the old broads turning to look at me while I answer, but every Egan, Byrd and Crocker as well as my father stomps over and glares at me, so angry I see spittle pool at the corners of his mouth.

Okay. So I have two choices here. Deny mine people and make a good impression with the big wigs I came here to calm down and reassure, or claim them and possibly lose the company when things just implode. Honestly, the way some of the board is glaring at them all, I am positive they’re about to walk.

But here’s the thing. I love Ingram and all of her people. Okay, maybe not her brothers, but I’ve smelled, witnessed and heaved over the stuff that issues forth from that lot. Ingram is of the opinion they smell so bad because they’re half demon and have to eat the rotting flesh of the dead to stay on earth-

Focus Russell!

I feel like a bug under a microscope as I look around and see all eyes on me, the red hot laser beams belonging to Lizzie burning into me with enough heat to make sweat pool on my brow.

The answer is easy though. I love Ingram and I love her family. Mostly. I’m sure I’ll just give up and love all of them eventually. But my answer isn’t just about her and wanting her back, or about looking at my parents and knowing that I’m about to blow their shit all to hell and back-as satisfying as it is.

No, see, I may have been an idiot about things, may have tried to martyr myself and convince myself it was what I wanted, but the truth is…

I want to live!

And from the teeth baring all around me, I have only one shot at it.

“Course I did. It wouldn’t be a party without family now would it?” I drawl, chuckling when Gray mock faints and Ty lets off a thank you Jesus, he was so on his own if he didn’t answer right.

Blay just seems proud and smiles at me as the hoard from hell throw me chin nods and Mari kisses the air in my direction before pumping her fist to her chest and throwing me the peace sign.

“This is preposterous and disgraceful, Russell. These people are, they are…”

“My family mother and as such you can either accept them and try to be civil, or you can piss me off and trust me, from the way these assholes are looking at you, that’s not something you want.”

“We had an agreement.” Father sputters, turning a mottled shade of red while Gray, Blay and Ty just smile and look him over with disgust,

“He hasn’t signed his life away to you yet old man and it’s a good thing too since we found some very interesting things in your personal accounts. You know, I always wondered why men with everything they could possibly want aren’t satisfied with what they have.” Blay says softly, looking over at Tink with so much love I see her blink before smiling. “Then again. I just met your wife man and I am sorry to say, I get why you’d need to drain money out of your business to keep her ass quiet and off your back.”

“You-”

“Me. I built my company from the ground up with these men and then found something that made all that work worthwhile. So did they. So did Russell. He doesn’t want to run Marks, he never has, and I can’t blame him, not after seeing what a mess you made of it. He doesn’t want to spend his life dancing for you assholes while being married to some big lipped bimbo. He doesn’t want to have to give up the life he made to save a legacy his grandfather left him. And I don’t blame him.”

Gray chuckles and squeezes my shoulder, his eyes alight with mischief as I just stand silently and listen to my best friend completely own the moment.

“Lucky for him, and us, I know a good thing when I see it, ain’t that right Gray?”

“Yeah man, mom always said you had the golden eye. And it’s been trained on you.” Gray crows, wiggling his fingers at father.

He does, it’s something I’ve always envied about Blay, he can take one look at something and just know whether it’ll be a good deal or not. And then things just start clicking into place and I find myself smiling at nanna, my heart pounding in my chest.

“See, I’ve been looking into you ever since nanna called me and let me know what you’re doing to my buddy. I don’t like people fucking with my family. I really don’t like people thinking they can ruin the life of a man I consider my brother. And I really, really take exception to you thinking you can screw my nanna over and stick her into some old age home.”

“You stop this immediately. I-”

Ty just waves my mother off as if she’s a nonety and shakes his head with disdain.

“What you don’t know, and maybe failed to even consider is that my mommy loves me and she hates seeing me sad.” Blay says with a mock pout, catching the kiss Cece blows his way with a giggle. “She’s really obscenely rich, and business savvy you know and you know what my mommy advised me to do?”

“Diversify!” Lizzie yells, chortling when Char, Cece and Misty Fox step up, their hard smiles so cold I see my father shiver and take a step back.

“When my son told me what you were doing and how you wanted to mess with my Russie, I just couldn’t abide it. He’s like a son to us all and we’re savages when it comes to our babies. I hope you enjoyed your little power play Marks because as of.” Cece checks her watch and grins brilliantly. “Twenty minutes ago, Marks Enterprises in no longer yours. Oh my Char! Are you excited about our company?”

Char smiles and I see Misty lick her lips and bump knuckles with the two women she’s obviously partnered with.

“Ecstatic, especially with the workforce we have at hand.”

And then we’re all laughing as Mari and Rox step forward while Tink skips over to Blay and lays a wet, passionate kiss to his lips.

“I always wanted to boss people around Blay. My dreams just came true.”

Mari just chortles and I see her male cousins swallow fearfully, their excitement at whatever jobs Cece has in mind for them dimming at the prospect of Mari ruling them all.

Poor bastards.

“You can’t-”

“It’s done.” I say loudly, laughing at this turn of events as people all around us get the gist and start looking panicked.

And it is. I don’t know how or why this happened, how my family pulled this off, but I’m feeling pretty damn happy right now.

There’s only one thing missing though.