Their outbursts made me smile. “I see that those concerns upset you all as much as they upset me.” I clapped my hands together. “Please do make sure your wives respond to my calls and messages accordingly. Thank you all for entrusting me with your future happiness. I am honored. I do hope all of you find peace in your new lives. If there are no further questions, you may all go. Be well and be happy.”
Sutton was the first to rise. Dakota swayed before looping an arm around his waist to keep upright.
“That last part was fucked up,” he grumbled. “I’d never do sick and twisted shit to my wife. Let’s get out of here, baby.”
“Don’t call me baby!” She fought back, but took his hand when he reached for hers.
I watched and waved as first Sutton then Erik led their brides out. Ruby broke away, as I expected. When she was close, I pulled her into my arms. She pressed her face to my neck and hugged me tightly.
“I’ll call,” she whispered. “And I’ll be fine.”
“Of course, you will. I have no doubt.” I pushed her silky blonde hair behind one ear. The woman was so pretty. I wished she realized her own beauty and worth. I had a feeling she would soon enough.
After her, Faith and Joel came over. I shook Joel’s hand, then hugged Faith. I looked into her eyes. “Everything’s going to be okay. ”
“For the first time in a long time, I think so too.” She smiled softly and took Joel’s outstretched hand.
When they all left, I pressed my hands to the conference table and leaned over it, allowing the sorrow to fill my body to bursting. Then I sobbed into my fist.
“I couldn’t save you, Celine, but I’ll be damned if anything happens to these girls,” I whispered to the empty conference room.
As the tears fell, I heard the door to the room open.
My salvation stood in the doorway.
Christophe.
I ran into his arms and finally smiled.
Episode 28
Islands in the Stream
SUTTON
“Can you believe that crap she was spoutin’ in there about caging and sex trafficking women?” I looped my arm around Dakota’s shoulders as we stood in the back of the elevator, while her sister Savannah and her intended, Erik, entered.
She shrugged off my arm, twisted out of my hold, and turned to the side. “Yeah, I can. The last number I heard statistically was one out of four to five women have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. This crap, as you say, has been happening for eons. It’s far time you and the rest of the opposite sex were enlightened.”
I rubbed at my sore jaw. “And how many men have to put up with their woman’s right hook?”
Dakota glared until her eyes were tiny little slits. “Watch it, husband.”
“Oh, I’m watching, wife. Can’t take my eyes off it.” I grinned.
God, I loved getting under her skin. And on top of it. Tasting it. Biting it. Pretty much everything that had to do with my new wife was delicious. Even her ire made me hot around the collar. I adjusted my swelling cock behind my Wranglers and watched with pride as her gaze flicked to my hand. She bit into her plump bottom lip as if remembering exactly what I could do to her with said package. I groaned and clenched my teeth. Wanting to push her sexy little body up against the wall of this elevator and remind her just how much she liked my touch.
“Um, so…” Savannah cleared her throat. “What’s the plan for you guys?”
Dakota blinked dazedly a couple times, her heated gaze cooling, and then spun around to face her sister.
“We’re headed home to Montana. Got a first class flight leaving…” I lifted up my wrist and checked the time on my watch. “Three hours from now.”
“What? We are? Already?” Dakota’s voice trembled, belying the fact that she might actually have been afraid of something.
That being going home.
I frowned, and curled my arm around her waist, bringing her up against my side. She huffed but didn’t push me away. A small win.
“And you folks?” I asked.
Savannah licked her lips and glanced at Erik. The Viking seemed rather quiet, assessing. He only spoke when prompted.
“I plan to take Savannah to my home in Norway,” he offered.
Dakota lurched in my hold. “Savvy, you’re leaving the country?” she croaked.
Savannah glanced down and away, then nodded. “I need to get away, Kota. Erik and I want to spend the time before the wedding getting to know one another. And, I…well I can’t do that in Montana.”