Cerberus’s side piece. The idea made me ill. I’d take the guards Maxim or any of the guys decided to assign me. I was fine with being safe. If the guards were hot and could fuck me against a wall or on any horizontal surface in the palace while watching over me, I’d be totally satisfied.
Oh yes, I would, and I was sure more than once.
Caroline, Rezzer, and little CJ and RJ arrived on the transport platform we’d just vacated, and I waved to the twins. It was still weird to have them magically appear from one second to the next. They came down off the platform, and the twins clapped with excitement, then wiggled to be free. At not yet two years old, they were eager to explore. Younger than Tanner and Emma, they weren’t quite ready to be separated from their parents. Or their parents weren’t quite ready to be separated from them. They’d spent many hours at playdates with Tanner and Emma, as had all the children. They all called me Aunt Woocy, too. It was too damn adorable. They loved me, and I loved them back.
It should be enough. So why did I feel empty?
“Why is everyone staring at Lucy?” Rezzer asked, leaning to let CJ down. She ran off like a streak and right for the transport controls. Rezzer dashed after and scooped her right back up. She fussed but he gave her a zerbert and she giggled. “Can we get to the palace before this one sets the controls and sends us all to Sector Zero?”
With Maxim in the lead, we exited the transport room. The ladies hung back with me, but the guys looked over their shoulders to make sure we followed.
“This is going to be the best time ever,” Lindsey said. “But we need to hurry. The surprise party is supposed to start in three hours. That’s not very much time to get ready.”
Caroline nodded and I saw that little RJ’s eyes were drooping, his head on her shoulder. Transport was exhausting, and his small body was probably ready for nap time. His sister—she was a pistol and would probably run until she tipped over—was climbing over Rezzer’s shoulders so she could see better. “I’m so glad you organized babysitters. A party with fancy dresses and Lucy’s gorgeous makeup work…”
“Yeah, I’m going to feel like a princess,” Rachel added. “You really need to set up a spa, Lucy.”
I laughed. “On The Colony? All the guys are grumps, and there aren’t enough ladies.”
“Maybe a retreat like the Trixon Resort,” Rachel countered, wiggling her eyebrows. “Whitney told me they even have sexual instructors there in case you want to try some new things and aren’t sure how to—you know—get started.” Her guilty giggle was contagious, and soon every one of us ladies was grinning.
“You’re obsessed, mate,” Maxim replied. “We didn’t satisfy you enough this morning?”
Rachel flushed. “I’m thinking of a business for Lucy,” she countered. “It would be a hit.”
“Lucy’s right. Not on The Colony. Maybe Prillon Prime,” Maxim said, making me wonder what the planet was like. “The females here enjoy pampering.”
“I think you’d be surprised what a nice massage could do for a grumpy warrior,” Rachel insisted.
“We are willing to allow you to demonstrate, mate.” Ryston’s suggestion was filled with heat. She laughed.
“We’d never get that far.”
Maxim leaned in and lifted Rachel’s face to his for a kiss. “As for feeling like a princess, mate, Jessica is an actual royal, and you are the wonderful Lady Rone of The Colony.” Maxim gave her a very heated look, and I had to wonder who hadn’t gotten enough this morning.
I was just Lucy Vandermark. Mateless but with sexy underwear.
Lindsey smiled. “I for one am looking forward to dressing up and having some adult time. Tonight we have the big surprise party, brunch with the ladies tomorrow, a full day of lounging around and relaxing, and then, day three, an actual royal ball. Huge dresses. Music from home. Dancing. Earth food for days. Girlfriends to talk to. We might never want to leave.”
Kiel scowled and Maxim growled. “You will return with us to The Colony,” Maxim commanded Rachel.
“She’s teasing you boys.” After Rachel gave Maxim an air-kiss, she flung her arm around my shoulder. “Let’s get the party started. Because… what happens on Prillon Prime…”
“Stays on Prillon Prime!” All of us finished the sentence together, giving me hope that I might find a hot guy willing to spend this weekend peeling off my undies with