Sweet Pain (Amatucci Family #3) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,108
three hundred richest friends. Why can’t we invite the media to broadcast their atrocities to the world?”
Nik blew out a soundless whistle. “You play for keeps.”
I turned, smiled. “Girl, you say the sweetest things. What a doll.”
She snickered. “I like the media idea. But I don’t know any of that species.”
“I do. Brad Dodge with Channel 5. He’s done some pieces for the Amatucci Foundation. He can keep his mouth shut.” She smiled.
I snorted. If the man wasn’t dead yet, I had to assume he was very good at keeping secrets.
The brothers narrowed their eyes at her.
She smiled.
“Okay, assuming Brad can be our media guy, what else do we need?” Ryker asked.
“All the exits blocked and police waiting. I think that’s really everything we need to worry about,” Nico said. “If Wright can verify, and we get the green light, then it’s literally going to be a shitshow. We’ll have to make sure everyone stays in the main ballroom until the end of the presentation, but outside of that, we’re golden.”
Mas shook his head. “Not quite.” He looked at me. “You’re going to need to go see them before the party. At least appear to make amends. Introduce them to your fiancé.”
“Your what?!” Nik and Tali shouted.
“Oops?” I looked at them. “We got engaged last night. The ring is beyond gorgeous.” I pulled it from my robe pocket again. Every time I saw it, I fell in love with it more and more.
A knock sounded. “Ryker?” a soft feminine voice filtered through the door. “Are you in there?”
I looked at my fiancé.
His smile glowed. He slapped his hand to the security plate. Ripped the door open. He had his arms around the woman before I got a good chance to look at her.
The bottom dropped out of my belly. I did some deep breathing exercises. Tried to steady myself. I felt for the gun in my pocket.
Ryker turned around. “Everyone, I’d like you to formally meet my little sister, Corrine Amaryllis Sheridan.”
I deflated against the desk for a moment. His little sister. I’d almost pulled a gun on him and his sister. Gathering myself, I walked over to meet her. “Hi, I’m Willow.”
“She’s my fiancée,” Ryker said. His chest was so puffed up, I was sure he was sucking some of the air out of the room.
Corrine was small. Delicately small. Her porcelain skin was a beautiful contrast to her dark hair. Her large blue eyes dominated her elfin face. But her smile…her smile was big and loud.
“You’re Willow?” She lurched forward, grabbed me into her surprisingly strong arms. “Mom’s told me so much about you,” she whispered in my ear. Her breath began panting.
I grabbed her up. “Hey, take it easy. I plan to be here for a while. You okay?” I looked at Ryker. “She’s panting,” I said softly. I didn’t want to embarrass her in front of a room full of strangers.
Someone nudged me aside as Ryker steadied her. “Here, sit down, please,” Mas said.
Corrie stilled as her eyes widened. “You’re real.”
Mas looked at me. Looked at Ryker. He finally looked at Corrie again. “Yes.”
She shook her head as she tumbled into the seat. Tears gathered on her lashes. “You saved me. You charged in, silent as smoke. Whatever you threw, it hit the second syringe one of them was holding.”
Mas knelt at her feet. His fists were clenched so tight his knuckles were bleached of color. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”
Her laugh was wet. “Gosh, no. I was so thankful. I thought you were an angel. A dark angel come to rescue me.”
Mas blinked rapidly. “Angel I am not.” He winced, swallowed.
Corrie leaned forward, brushed her lips against his cheek. She leaned back, roses in her cheeks. “To me, you’ll always be one.”
“Ryker, where’s Corrie? Have you seen Corrie?” Daphne practically screamed from down the hall. “CORRIE!”
“She’s in here, mom. She’s sitting down,” Ryker said as he moved out of the way.
Daphne rushed forward until she saw her daughter. “Oh thank the gods.” She stilled just inside the door when she saw Mas was kneeling at her daughter’s feet. A brilliant smile lit up her face. “I was hoping they’d get to meet. I had no idea it would be this soon though.” She lowered her voice. “She’s been talking about her super hot dark angel savior.” She turned to me. “Hello, Willow. How are you doing?”
I nodded. “I’m good, Daphne. You? Now that your heart is back inside your chest.”