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Argoss turns to Lucy. “To get what you want from humans, you need to show them what you can give them,” he tells her. “And as my heir, you should know this. All you need is the right key, and you can open any door. And then you’ll crush your enemies like insects beneath your feet.”
I clear my throat, shooting Argoss a disapproving look. I’m so glad that he’s embracing Lucy as his own and not just on paper, but goodness, the lessons he’s going to teach this child. “But you should still be kind and treat others the way you want to be treated, even if you get nothing out of it.”
Lucy giggles and takes a bite of the vanilla cake. “You’re silly, Argoss.” She offers it to me. “It’s good, but not as good as the chocolate.”
I like it, but I see her point. “How about this one?” It’s a half-joke. I love carrot cake, but I know how Lucy will react before she does it.
She wrinkles her nose. “Carrot does not belong in cake.”
“Lucy, do you wanna know a secret?” Lawrence says.
She nods eagerly. “Yes!”
“I use tomato soup as my special ingredient in my chocolate cakes.”
She stares at the cake with a new awe and possibly a grudging respect. “Okay, I take back what I said.Thatis an abomination.”
“But a delicious abomination,” Lawrence adds, and she nods forlornly.
We taste-test the rest of the cakes, eventually settling on a three-tiered Neapolitan cake. One tier would be chocolate, another vanilla, and the top would be strawberry.
“So here’s the address to the venue,” Argoss says.
“Call if you need anything more. I’ll be happy to help in any way I can,” Lawrence says.
“Funny you should say that,” Argoss replies and gestures for Lucy to approach. “The wedding isn’t the only thing we’re celebrating. Have you got anything special for an adoption?”
“Hmm.” Lawrence scratches his chin. “How about this?” He disappears behind the counter and returns with a half-dozen cupcakes. “On the house.”
“Oh, you don’t have to –” I begin, but then I see the look on Lucy’s face. She deserves to be celebrated as much as this wedding. “Thank you,” I say instead and gratefully take the package from him.
On our way out, I squeeze her arm. “Okay, you can haveoneafter dinner, but you’ll have to eat all your veggies first. Deal?”
She frowns. “Fine.”
“It’s good advice,” Argoss adds. “One should eat well and be in their prime at all times, ready for any battle that could occur.”
“Well, sometimes eating my vegetables feels like a battle,” she mutters. “Have you tried brussels sprouts?”
Argoss throws his head back and laughs, and I feel my chest warm. Maybe this will all work out. It’s not exactly a normal arrangement, but what is normal anyway?
We may not be a traditional family, but we can be a loving one. I know I’m going to do everything I can for her to grow up happy and healthy, and it’s obvious that Argoss will do the same. In his own way.
11
ARGOSS
My party planner is definitely getting a healthy bonus for this because this wedding is just the right balance of lavish and tasteful. I sit back with Greiko, watching as Lucy tears up the dance floor with her orphan friends and Felicity makes the rounds with the other guests.
She’s a vision in white. Her raven hair cascades from intricate braids, forming a stark contrast with the red flowers woven into her hair. I experience an odd fluttering sensation in my chest when she looks over her shoulder to see me staring. She smiles, and I do the same right back.
I’ll be out there soon, too, but for now, I’m content to people-watch, which is rare for me. But people have been very interesting tonight.
All my business associates have been treating me with a new kind of respect. Or is it envy? I like to think it’s both. Usually, I’d bristle at someone else hogging all the attention and praise, but tonight is Felicity and Lucy’s night.
Yet another guest comes up, congratulates me, shakes my hand, and leaves. Beside me, Greiko pats my shoulder. He’s all better now, and thankfully, Cyella is away on assignment, so Idon’t have to deal with her. She must have gotten my pictures and my threat, though. Otherwise, she’d be all over me and Greiko would not be here.
“I’m so happy for you, Argoss,” he says. “If you told me a month ago that you’d settle down and become a family man, I’d have called you crazy, but I gotta say, you’re the happiest I’ve ever seen you.”
