Show Me, Baby:A Masters of the Shadowlands Novella(27)

Over getting married? That didn't seem like Sally. "I'll take her in a Sprite and see if she wants to talk."

But when Rainie reached the kitchen door, waves of animosity seemed to pour forth.

The two voices were unfortunately familiar. Gabi's mother. Galen's  mother-Mrs. Kouros. The Queen of Petrified Nastiness was conversating  with the Empress of Icy Bitchiness.

How had either warmed up enough to procreate? Rainie grinned, imagining  some poor guy trying to fuck one of them. With one thrust, his cock  would ice over … and shatter.

Her smile faded at what Galen's mother was saying. "I don't know where  Galen found her, but he could do so much better. She is quite coarse.  Common."

"It's a shame she didn't stay on the farm where she belongs," Gabi's  mother agreed. "Her graceless presence lowers the entire tone of the  wedding-as do her gauche relatives."

Rainie's teeth ground together. They meant Sally, and Sally's charming brother, wife, and their adorable children.

"It is a shame, but Galen is quite determined to proceed." Mrs. Kouros  gave a chilled sigh. "I fear I will have to endure her when-"

"I daresay that is exactly what Sally is saying to herself right now."  Rainie didn't bother to lower her voice. Miss Lily would have been  horrified at the incivility.

Stepping into the room, Rainie faced the obsessively thin, older version of Cruella de Vil.

Mrs. Kouros stared down her nose at the intruder. "Excuse me?"

"I doubt there is an excuse for you," Rainie said. "Your son managed to  find a beautiful woman who makes him so happy he laughs now-and I'd say  that's a rarity for him, although understandable, considering who he has  for a mother."

Mrs. Kouros drew back as if she'd been slapped, and Gabi's mother's expression turned cold. Colder.

"But, having been raised by you," Rainie continued, "Galen knows exactly  what he does and doesn't want in a wife. He searched for a warm,  spirited woman, one courageous enough to save his life. Or did you  forget you wouldn't have a son at all without Sally?"

When no answer was forthcoming, Rainie tsked-tsked. "You did forget. Oh well, mental deterioration is common at your age."

Gabi's mother stepped forward. "Listen, you-"

"No, you two pay attention now. This is a happy time, and you are  destroying the mood. I want you both to leave this suite right now."

Mrs. Kouros had recovered. "You don't have any say here."

Rainie gave them a threatening smile. "I'm commonly known as a brat. And  I can assure you that if you don't stay away from the entire bridal  party, including the brides, I will make you the center of a scene the  likes of which you've never known. Screaming, hair-pulling, ripped  clothing, scratched faces."

She paused for breath. Fury edged her voice. "Just try me."

They backed away, clear to the other side of the kitchen. Mrs. Kouros opened the kitchen door and …

Dear God of little cats and dogs. Dressed in a black tuxedo, Jake stood  right outside. From his stunned expression, he'd heard every single  word. He stepped aside to let the two Bitches of the Year flee and  turned to watch them scurry down the sidewalk on their high heels. He  pointed his gaze at Rainie and cocked a brow.

Wasn't it just fate that her voice chose that moment to dry up?

His lips quirked. "Z sent a heads-up. Guests will start arriving in a few minutes."

Rainie choked out. "I'll tell everyone."

With a polite tilt to his head, he closed the door. Through the open window, she watched him stride away.

He'd heard. She stood in the empty kitchen and shook. Her face felt hot.  Cold. Hot. The man she … admired … had listened to her ream out two  distinguished women. Like poor white trash. Or a crude, rude, graceless  girl from the slums.

Like her own mother.

She'd ruined the entire wedding with her stupid mouth. Please don't let anyone else have heard her.         

     



 

She straightened her shoulders and walked into a mob. All the bridesmaids and brides were gathered around the door.

No, no, no. God, what had she done? "I thought I'd kept my voice down."

"Actually, you weren't that loud," Uzuri said. "But we heard the squeaks from the road kill and, um, moved closer."

When Gabi met her gaze, Rainie wanted to cry. I attacked my best friend's mother. She bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Gabi. I was-"

"Entirely honest and direct." Gowned in white satin, Gabi hugged her. "I  just wish I had it on tape, dammit. Now I have to remember it all for  Marcus."

"You don't hate me?" Rainie choked out, and then, worse, so, so much worse, she saw Sally. Who was crying.

God, she'd ruined her entire-

"I've never had friends like you," Sally whispered. "Ones that would  stand up against pressure like that." Sally wrapped her arms around  Rainie and hung on tight.

Oh. Breathe. She pulled in a shuddering inhalation, blinked hard, and  hugged Sally back. After the water cleared from her eyes, she managed to  look around. She saw the same approving expression from everyone in the  room-as well as more tears.

"Stop it, all of you." The makeup lady scowled at the bridal party. "I  used waterproof, but there's only so much it can do. No crying until  after the ceremony."

As the room exploded with laughter, there was a sound like a gunshot.

Unfazed by the screams, Jessica stood at the counter pouring frothing  champagne into tall flutes. She lifted one. "Here's to the Battle of the  Bitches where the best maid won."

Next to her, Linda laughed, winked at Rainie, and handed out glasses.







Jesus Christ. Still stunned-and laughing-Jake reached the groomsmen's quarters.

Fucking amazing job. Rainie had taken on those two witches and flattened  them. How many people would have the courage? Those two women were the  human female equivalent of huge, aggressive Brazilian Mastiffs. In  comparison, by fighting weight and disposition, Rainie would be closer  to a sweet fluffy collie. But she'd taken them on, defended her friend,  and conquered.

He'd have to figure a way to reward her tonight. Damn, he was proud of her.

He stepped inside the room set up for the groomsmen. The masculine décor  of dark wood and leather was lightened by a floor-to-ceiling view of  the shore. One mirrored wall had a long counter where Marcus, Dan, and  Nolan were finishing the last touches to bow ties, pocket silks, and  cuff links. Drinks in hand, Vance and Galen relaxed in the leather  chairs in the room's center. Saxon, Raoul, and Cullen stood by the  chest-high bar, conversing. Near a window, Sam sat at a table, reading a  newspaper.

Jake cleared his throat loudly. When he'd gained everyone's attention,  he announced, "Z requests the groomsmen be at the wedding garden in  about five to ten minutes to seat people."

Cullen nodded. "We'll be there."

"You've got time for this, then." Saxon poured and handed Jake a shot of Ketel One.

Jake checked over his friend. "Nice mixture of tux and Viking  barbarian." To do justice to his tux, Saxon had pulled his long hair  into a neat queue. His jacket was open, showing off the silver  waistcoat. "You look good, bro."

"I do," Saxon said smugly. He'd been asked to step in as a groomsman  when Holt had been unexpectedly called out of town. Although the brides  and grooms possessed family and friends who could participate, they'd  kept the wedding party to Shadowlands members.

Surrounded by the relaxed group of friends, Jake had to appreciate the decision.

When Saxon returned to his discussion with Cullen, Jake took an empty  chair next to Galen and asked, "The photographer and her helper passed  me as I left the brides' suite. Wasn't the assistant supposed to be  here?"

Vance grinned. "Yeah. She fled when Cullen started stripping."

Cullen glanced around at the sound of his name.

Jake eyed him. "I thought you finished dressing an hour ago."

"I did." One elbow on the bar, Cullen swirled his drink. "Next time,  she'll ask permission before busting into the men's quarters."

Every guy in the room laughed, even Nolan. Galen lifted his glass, toasting Cullen.

Galen. Hell.

Jake took a hefty swallow of the vodka, let it burn its way down, before  facing a man he considered a friend. Jake judged himself diplomatic,  but this was out of his depth. Yet, if positions were reversed, he'd  want to know-and sooner rather than later. "Listen," he started.         

     



 

Galen straightened at the grim tone. "That doesn't sound good."

"No. When I went to the bridal suite … "

As the retelling of the battle continued, Galen's expression turned dark.

"Galen," Vance said. "We knew this might happen. Your mother is … who she is."

"Ayuh. And she had her chance," Galen said quietly. "I'll ensure she  excuses herself once the wedding is over. She won't attend the  reception."

"Agreed." Vance gave Jake a chin-lift. "We appreciate the info, and we'll thank Rainie when we get a chance."