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Adam stepped into the doorway and politely cleared his throat. “The last of your guests have arrived.”
“Thank you,” Liam said, then paused to cup the older man’s shoulder. “For everything.”
The caretaker nodded, obviously pleased, then led everyone back upstairs.
When they emerged into the family room, Buddy and Beck were slapping each other’s backs in greeting. Heavenly was introducing Gloria to Raine, and it was clear Beck’s ex was in mommy mode, both cooing and comforting the younger women.
Then Beck turned to his ex, seeming to Seth as if he breathed easier.
Gloria pasted on a bright smile and hurried his way, then wrapped her arms around him. “Ken, it’s going to be okay. You know that, right?”
“No. I honestly don’t. But I’m fucking glad you and Buddy are here, safe and sound.” He brushed a kiss on her cheek.
“We’re fine. I’m glad the three of you made it here safely, too.” Gloria’s brows knitted in concern. “Don’t frown. Hey, if it will make you feel better, we could play a few rounds of strip poker while we figure out how to deal with these bastards.”
Seth knew the woman was trying to lighten Beck’s mental load and break the thick tension in the air with a little levity.
But Beck simply shook his head. “What the fuck am I going to do?”
“Stop worrying. You’ve got a small army here. Everyone is ready to fight these pricks with you, me included.”
“I know, and I’m humbled. But I can’t stay. I could be putting everyone’s life in jeopardy.”
“No one forced us to come, but we want to fight with you. Because we love you.” She glanced across the room at Heavenly, now deep in conversation with Raine, Liam, River, and Hammer. “Especially your girl. I don’t know what you’ve done since the last time I saw you together, but the way she looks at you now, like you’re her stars, moon, and sun all rolled up… She’s definitely in love.”
“We had a lot of sex,” Beck admitted bluntly.
When Gloria laughed, Seth cut in. “We did our best to give her reassurance and show her a little slice of the world, too. But yeah, a lot of sex.”
“Well, it worked.” The woman winked. “I’m sure you also gave her lots of care and consideration. Believe me when I say I know girls. She’s not the sort to be led around by her pussy.”
Beck closed his eyes. “She’s not. But she’s still never told us she loves us.”
“Give her time. Her daddy died, what? Less than three weeks ago. But, sugar, Heavenly wouldn’t be here risking herself along with everyone if she didn’t love you—both of you—with her whole heart. That much I promise you.”
The surgeon nodded, seeming to inhale her words like much-needed oxygen.
Seth sensed he was on edge and gave him a steadying pat on the back. “I think she’s right, man.”
Ngaire announced dinner before leading everyone into the grand dining room.
“Jesus,” Gloria blurted as her gaze bounced from the heavy wall sconces to the huge antler chandeliers over the massive mahogany table. “You could lay a bear out on this thing and still have room for two more.”
“Easy, baby. There aren’t any bears around here.” Buddy eyed the group. “Right?”
“Yeah, right.” River laughed. “If that makes you feel better, man.”
Laughter lightened the tension a notch as everyone found a seat. Soon, they were passing around bowls of soup, grabbing homemade crusty rolls, and spooning salad onto plates. Jugs of cold beer, wine, and water kept everyone’s whistles wet. Then Ngaire brought out whipped potatoes, fresh steamed vegetables—no doubt from the greenhouse—and steaming portions of venison stew in an oversized tureen. Only Dean and River devoured dessert—thick apple tarts with lashings of homemade custard.
When the meal ended with minimal conversation, Beck stood. Everyone turned expectantly.
“Thank you all for coming, no questions asked. I owe you. If you’ll follow me into the great room, I’ll explain what’s going on, why I’ve turned your lives upside down, and how bad this could be.”
* * *
Heart racing,gut churning, Beck positioned himself in the overstuffed chair near the fireplace. The people who meant everything to him were gathered around, somber faced and waiting. Gloria sent him an encouraging smile. He swallowed his nerves. In case worse came to worst, he owed them an explanation.
“I’ll need to start at the beginning for the rest of this shit to make sense.” Swallowing down the fear and guilt lodged in his throat, Beck drew in a deep breath, then started exhuming the past he’d buried two decades ago. “I was born in a little nowhere town in Arizona, just over the Nevada state line. Maybe you’ve heard of Messiah City?”
