Roman-2(Lane Brothers, Book 5)(32)

Yeah, but I don’t know if I wanna jump off that cliff just to get him there, and I say so. What happens if I say it and things get awkward? That would mean I’ll spend the next fifty years walking around on freaking eggshells around the man.

Oh, where has all my mean-spirited fire gone? I wonder, feeling my confidence take another dip at the thought of being married to an ice cube for the next five decades. Usually I’d be over the hurt by now. That’s just who I am. When people hurt me I thumb my nose at them and walk on by, giving them the finger for good measure.

Now I can’t seem to have two rational thoughts without thinking about the repercussions of my words and actions. I think sex and this love stuff have definitely ruined me.

“I don’t want to shove him into anything. Geez, I have some pride, you know,” I grouch, swallowing another gulp of alcohol in the hopes it’ll overcome the Sulky Susie mood I’m in.

Cammy gives me a brilliant smile, one I’ve come to recognize as her plotting look, and raises a regal brow.

“I’m going to introduce you to the Goldens. They’re just what you need to get your arse into gear.”

“The Goldens?”

God, please, whatever she’s talking about, let it be something a sane, rational woman would be into. I have no way to shake the little minx loose once she gets an idea in her head, and I really don’t need to be getting my ass in trouble.

Lucian would kill me if I so much as broke a nail right now, never mind getting myself into trouble with his maniac of a sister.

“Don’t piss yourself yet, Ash. The Goldens are my friends, a motley crew of women who know what they want and go after it. If anyone knows how you should deal with Luc it would be those bloodthirsty skirts. Now cheer up, you’re about to meet Chicago’s legends in male takedowns,” she trills happily, tapping at her phone so excitedly I feel sorry for the glass.

“There, now go get your face on and tell the security guys and that old ratchet-faced housekeeper to keep an eye on Benny. We’re going out.”

“Who exactly are The Goldens?” I ask, knowing that I really don’t want to know but have absolutely no choice when all the little devil does is smile and bite her lips.

“They’re the ones who taught me to go after what I want. Believe me, Ash, by the time we’re done you’ll have Lucian eating from the palm of your hand.”

Holy shit, what have I done?





Chapter Nineteen




Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

I want to run screaming and hide behind the ten foot walls surrounding the house when Cammy shoves me none too gently and urges me to enter the private dining room of Madge’s Tea Room, an exclusive little eatery that boasts some of the finest desserts ever created.

“They look crazy,” I hiss, digging my heels in when one of the women looks up and breaks out in a smile that’s bright enough to singe my eyeballs.

“Oh, there they are! Come on over, bitches, we just ordered the éclairs and some of Madge’s margaritas!”

“I don’t think this is a good idea, Cam, they look—”

“Yeah, yeah, put on your big girl panties and move, Ashley, you big old ninny. I already outlined your problem, and they’re ready to get the ball rolling on your ‘bag Lucian’ campaign. Now move, before I tell them you don’t want to be friends. That makes them right vicious, it does.”

Oh, crap.

I move, but only because one of them, a statuesque blonde that makes my heterosexual self rethink my sexuality, comes stalking toward us, her face a mask of determination and glee.

“There you are! Come on, girl, we have everything ready. Come tell the bitches what your man did to make you look so down-hearted.”

I swallow my trepidation and allow myself to be led to a table overlooking a garden that’s obviously lovingly tended. Three other women sit staring at me, their mouths tilted in what can only be described as grins of pure, evil glee.

“That bitch over there with the green eyes is Lola. The one to her right is Brit, and the mouthy piece with the baby blues is Nat. I’m Vivi, by the way. Welcome to The Goldens. We look forward to a long and eventful membership.”

“Huh?”

Membership? These woman all look like society misses, rich and so golden—every single one of them is some variation of blonde—and beautiful I feel like a freaking troll just sitting here.

“Well, duh. You didn’t think we’d withhold membership after hearing that you’ve bagged the great Lucian Jasper, did you! Good God, woman, we’ve been harassing Cam to bring you along for weeks. Now, sit down and tell your sisters what that big mean lump of testosterone did to make you so sad.”