Promises (The Kings of Guardian #14) - Kris Michaels Page 0,4

with Frank and Amanda while they were this close.” Faith shrugged. “Are we going to Aruba?”

Jade dropped her head back. “Fuck, I wish. It’s freaking cold as a witch’s tit in a brass bra out there.”

Jewell added a yawned, “In December.”

“Anyone home?” Keelee and Tori strolled into the suite. Ember waved at Keelee and patted the chair cushion next to her. Keelee dropped into the seat with her and Tori took a seat across from them. “Coffee?” Tori glanced around.

“Here.” Joy carried an oval busboy’s tray with all the coffees balanced on it. Dani and Jillian trailed her. “There is one normal-ass coffee on that tray. Anyone touches it and they die.” Joy’s words stopped everyone’s dive to the tray.

“You should work on your manners, yes?” Taty came into the room and laughed at everyone’s expression. “See? They are like scared rabbits. She probably wouldn’t kill you.”

“Yes, I would.” Joy grabbed a cup and moved to the far corner of the seating area and sat down on the floor.

Ember watched as Jade and Jewell dove into the tray, looking for their drinks. “Who the fuck ordered orange herbal tea?” All eyes lifted at Jade’s question.

“That would be me,” Ember answered.

A squeal that could have awakened the dead reverberated through the room. They mauled her with hugs and congratulations. “When are you due?”

“Six months.” Ember pushed her hair away from her face. “But look, this weekend isn’t about me, it’s about Poet and Mal.”

“More like Poet and Mal’s moms, from what Jason told me.” Faith snorted and then looked up, her eyes wide. “Oh, poo, I said that in my big person voice, didn’t I?”

“Oh, my god, that was awesome!” Jillian laughed. “I didn’t know you had any snark in you!”

Faith’s face flushed. “I have plenty of snark, I just rarely say what I’m thinking.”

“Quiet ones.” Joy nudged Taty, who’d sat down beside her. “Dangerous.”

“Pot, meet kettle,” Taty threw back at her.

Joy rolled her eyes and took a long drink of her coffee. She snapped her fingers after she finished. “Aruba. Speak.”

Jillian jerked her attention to Joy. “Rude much? We’ve talked about this, Joy. People don’t respond well to commands.”

Joy sighed. She put her coffee down and jumped up to her knees, putting her hands together in supplication. “Please, Jillian, tell us what you know about Aruba. Like, that would totally be awesome!” The valley girl accent was dead on and sent everyone into fits of laughter.

“Fine, since you asked so nicely, Drake––”

“Wait, where’s the food?” Jade interrupted.

Ember tossed a pillow at her. “Room service takes a while, now hush.”

“Bossy. Just like Joseph,” Jade muttered and leaned back. “Please, by all means, gossip is so much more important than my stomach.”

“Agreed,” Taty snarked.

Jade rolled her eyes and muttered something about being hungry. Jillian disregarded Jade and continued, “Anyway, Drake and Dixon hatched a plan with Jacob last night.”

“Oh, shit. How much is this going to cost me?” Tori hung her head. Her long blonde ponytail swished over her shoulder.

“I’m not sure, but they got Joseph drunk enough that he invited everyone to Aruba for two weeks. The bosses are meeting today to clear everyone’s schedules. I think Gabriel is renting out a house just down from Joseph’s so there is room for everyone.”

Joy snorted. “That explains it.”

“Say what?” Jasmine asked.

Joy shrugged. “Text last night at about one-thirty. Dixon asked if he had a swimming suit.”

“Does he?” Jade leaned forward so she could see Joy.

“Beats the fuck out of me.” Joy sighed. “I’m not into this shit.”

“Yeah, but you and Dixon could do other things and not spend too much time with the family.” Jillian leaned back and kicked her legs out. “I’m going. I’m tired of being frozen.”

“What about Ember?” Tori pointed at her.

Ember blinked and looked from woman to woman. “What about me?”

“Isn’t this your vacation we’re piling on top of?” Tori cocked an eyebrow.

“Yeah, but I don’t care. We’ll have a great time. Seriously, ten bedrooms. Everyone can do what they want during the day and we’ll have a big dinner together. Not a problem.” Actually, she kind of loved the idea. Dealing with Joey when he figured out his two weeks of alone time would not happen, on the other hand… “I really hope he remembers inviting everyone.” She said the words more to herself than anyone else.

A snort came from the corner of the room. “Holy shit. Okay, I’m in.”

Dani leaned over to see Joy. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

Joy shrugged. “I want to see him