Promises (The Kings of Guardian #14) - Kris Michaels Page 0,34

to be shoehorned into a small room with too many people. The manager turned to them and smiled. “Now, what can we help you with?” She sized them up the way a tailor sized up a suit.

“We each need to buy a ring,” Jason explained.

“But of course. I will be glad to help. Who is first?”

Mike spoke. “Platinum band, oval stone, baguettes on either side in the first display case on the right. Sized to a size five, please.”

The manager’s eyes widened. “You’ve been looking at our collection. An excellent choice. One minute.”

“How the fuck?” Jacob looked at Mike.

He shrugged. “It was the ring the woman was looking at. I liked it and I think Taty would, too.”

Seven hours later, Jacob was over the entire concept. Adam was the last to choose his ring, and it was being sized.

He motioned over the manager. “We need a way through the throng of people and back to where our cars are going to pick us up.” He’d just called Tori and asked her to have the cars pick them up where they’d dropped them off.

She smiled at him. “Sir, there is hardly anyone out there. Three of the ships have already set sail, and the last is waiting on a tour that has obviously been delayed, or they’d be gone, too.”

She opened the door of the room where they’d waited. “We’ll close after we’ve finished sizing your friend’s purchase.” The employees in the outer area smiled. “But if I may, would Mr. Nelson be able to sign a few autographs and pose for pictures with my staff?”

“Absolutely.” Chad gave one of his smiles and Jacob watched the woman melt. He went out into the store and did the whole meet-and-greet thing.

Jason moved over beside him. “I couldn’t live that way. I had no idea it was so bad.”

Jacob nodded. “He doesn’t have much freedom. I think that’s why he likes the family events. He can just be himself; he doesn’t have to be ‘on’.”

Adam pocketed his ring, and they all meandered out to the front of the store. It took another ten minutes for Chad to satisfy all the selfie requests, and Christian took several group photos for people.

“I need a drink,” Mike grumped from beside him.

“We all need a drink,” Jason agreed. Jacob snapped his head around to his brother. Jason chuckled and shook his head. “Ginger ale. I’m fucking thirsty.”

Jacob’s heart slowed a bit. His brother was a rock for the organization and under a lot of stress, but he’d made a meeting every day while on the island.

“Let’s go.” Chad rubbed his hands together and headed to the door. Zane caught up with him and dropped a hand on his shoulder. “Whoa there, partner, let me make sure we are clear.”

Chad stopped and motioned to the door that the manager had unlocked and opened for them. Zane walked out, looked right and left, and then turned back to the crowd. “We are home-free.”

“Thank God.” Jacob breathed the words as they left the store. They’d been treated very well by the attentive staff, but damn it, Joseph was going to pay for that shit.

“You know,” Jacob said loud enough so that the entire group could hear him. “He’s going to have to pay for this.”

“No.” Adam shook his head. “I will not be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life.”

“No shit,” Chad agreed. “Today was okay because the staff was amazing, but it could have gotten really ugly.”

“I say let him have his revenge and leave it alone,” Nic gave his two cents.

“I’d love to punch him in the face, but the smart play is to let it go,” Zane concurred.

He glanced over at Dixon and Drake. They smiled and winked at him in complete unison. Fuck, that was weird as shit. Well, at least he could count on the Wonder Twins.

“I’m going to stay out of it. The vacation idea was great, but I’m not getting into a feud with Joseph. We will not win,” Jason added.

“Not worth it,” Chief interjected his opinion into the conversation.

“What he said.” Jared pointed at Mike.

Christian nodded. “I’m with him.” He pointed at his husband.

Jacob walked up to the waiting cars and opened the door. “I am very disappointed in all of you.”

Jason chuckled. “Don’t be stupid, Jacob. Your kids need a father.”

Dixon and Drake shot each other a look. Dixon shot him a look. “Hey, Skipper?”

“Yeah?”

Drake shrugged, “We’re out.”

Jacob groaned. He got in the car and stared out the