Page 49 of At Their Mercy: Part I

Add lit candles everywhere—which didn’t freak me out, because Reese made sure none of them was close to walls or curtains—great food, music in the background, and good friends giving toasts and sharing memories of the Carters.

It was a giant slumber party.

We’d also experienced a change in the moods of River and Reese. Master was so much happier now—because he was working on his second shrimp cocktail—he had his feet across my lap, he didn’t have to talk to anyone, he didn’t have to wear uncomfortable clothes, and I’d packed his plate with all kinds of foods he loved. It was just the three of us on our couch, but mentally, that was his whole world right now.

Daddy, on the other hand…

Both he and Master Greer were bitching about being sore. Their elbows hurt, their knees protested, their hips ached, and they clearly thought we didn’t have enough sympathy for them.

Daddy had even given up his mission to be the best toastmaster that ever toastmastered. From introducing friends and their speeches on the little stage, he was now doing it from our couch.

He had a list.

“…and as easily as Colt joined our Mclean family ten years ago, Kit fit in perfectly right away,” Macklin was saying onstage. “I guess what I really want to say is, Mr. West…awesome recruiting. Congratulations, you three.”

Guests chuckled, and Mr. West held up his wineglass and inclined his head, accepting all the credit.

I grinned and tossed another cube of cheddar into my mouth. I’d raided the cheese station. I kind of wanted to go grocery shopping with Macklin sometime. He knew the best cheeses, the best crackers, the best breads, et cetera. And, like, the super-super-thin cold cuts? Fucking amazing.

“Macklin, everybody!” Daddy announced. “Now it’s River’s turn. Take the mic, brother.”

I pinched Master’s toe, getting his attention.

“It’s time for your speech, Sir,” I supplied.

“Oh.” He crammed one more giant shrimp into his mouth and withdrew his feet. “All right. Might as well get it over with.”

He rose to his feet and refastened the towel around his hips.

He was so insanely hot. If I were Daddy, I’d be envious. ’Cause Daddy worked out way more, every single day, and he wasn’t that much more cut. He had more definition, for sure, but it was mainly visible when their clothes came off.

Owner stepped up on the stage and grabbed the microphone.

“Thank you very much for this great opportunity of givin’ a speech,” he said. “Reese made me do it.”

I grinned and snuggled up against Daddy, and he hugged me to him.

“We already knew that!” KC called out.

“All right, well, he didn’t make the rest of you give speeches that were so similar that I almost fell asleep, but whatever.”

“What on earth?” Lucian protested.

Ash wasn’t thrilled either. “I worked on mine for two hours.”

“Not a bragging point, bro,” Owner replied.

Yikes!

“Burn!” Jordan laughed.

“Here we go.” Owner cleared his throat and held one hand behind his back. “Colt, West, Kit…I reckon one of the finest things about your relationship is how protective you are of one another. Never lose that. And may you live happily ever after.” He leaned closer to the mic. “I believe that was thirty-one words, you dicks. Thanks.”

I laughed and applauded. “Well played, Owner!”

“Maybe we don’t tell him about the bet next time,” Greer chuckled.

Lucian huffed. “Are we going to pretend his speech was in any way unique? Walker and Tate gave speeches on the same topic.”