My Liege of Dark Haven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

As laughter and conversation burbled behind her, Abby stood near the pool and looked out at the night. Across the dark water of the bay, San Francisco sparkled like a fairyland.

“Xavier’s home is perfect for parties, isn’t it?” Her mother stopped beside her. “You look happy, sweetie.”

“I am.” Abby turned, smiling at how their guests spilled out of the house and onto the long, wide patio. “You know, I never thought life would take a turn like this. Last spring it seemed as if my path was all laid out, nice and straight.”

“Sometimes the curves lead you to the best places.” Her mother smiled. “To a very nice man and… I forgot to ask. How did the university take your resignation?”

“They weren’t happy with me. Apparently I wasn’t even on the list to be laid off. Go figure.” She smiled, already anticipating the new school year. “I think, for me, smaller will be better. I’ll have time to actually enjoy teaching, and I’m having fun planning my new courses for this spring.”

“You always enjoyed a challenge,” her mother said. “At least intellectual ones.”

Abby grimaced at the qualification. “True. Social challenges? Not so much.”

“I think you sell yourself short, honey. You have quite a crowd here.”

Let’s not talk about where I met them, okay? She glanced around. Not far away, Simon and Rona, Lindsey, deVries, and Dixon were enjoying the view.

At a table with some of the Dark Haven members were the two Hunt brothers, Virgil Masterson, and their wives. They’d driven over from Bear Flat and would stay in the guest rooms tonight. Apparently Xavier had told them of Abby’s explanations and punishment—they’d all given her affectionate hugs. Her teary eyes had set off the other women, making the Doms laugh.

Hopefully they’d stay for a few days. She knew Xavier planned to convince Becca and Logan to remain until after the baby was born. To his mind, a medical clinic wasn’t safe enough for a first birth.

Her mother had followed her gaze. “You have a wonderful group of friends.”

“She does, doesn’t she?” Xavier tucked an arm around Abby, running his palm down the open back of her gown, then taking her gloved hand. “We’ve managed an interesting blend.” He nodded at the knot of professors talking with teachers from the literacy program. The BDSM group knew many of the animal shelter staff, as well as Xavier’s business friends. Their Tiburon neighbors were chatting with counselors from Stella’s Employment Services. “A few drinks and they’ll mix it up even more.”

“I’m afraid there aren’t many youngsters here, though. Good thing Grace brought Matthew.” Abby glanced over at her little sister and saw her glaring at someone inside the house.

Abby turned. Janae. “What’s she doing here? I didn’t invite her.”

Her mother frowned. “Neither did I, but Harold probably told her.”

Yeah, Janae was ballsy enough to show up, just to spoil the night. A chill swept over Abby.

Her stepsister looked spectacular. Men turned their heads, their gazes following her through the room. She stopped and did a slow turn. Her ice-blue gown glittered with rhinestones and showed off her dark hair and tan. Cut extremely low in front and back, her dress revealed every curve.

“I don’t want her here,” Abby said, a sense of hopelessness filling her. “But if I tell her to leave, she’ll cause a scene.”

Xavier’s hand closed on Abby’s nape in a hard grip. His black gaze showed his annoyance, even as his lips curled in an easy smile. “Quite a few of us are used to scenes and screaming and tears, you know.”

In fact, Dark Haven was filled with such things. She choked on a laugh.

“More to the point, I see no reason why we should tolerate her presence. Go get rid of her.”

Her mother gasped. “But… You’ll make Abby do it?”

“Carolyn, normally I would take out the trash, but it’s time for Abby to indulge in…” He ran a finger down Abby’s cheek. “What did you say Lindsey called it? Catfights?”

“That’s what it’ll be.” Her boast to Lindsey and Rona about taking care of Janae seemed foolish now. Dread weighted Abby’s chest as she tried to muster some internal resolve. And oddly enough, found a bit of courage. “Okay. I’m going in. Cover me.”

“Always.”

As Abby crossed the patio into the house, out of the corner of her eye she saw Xavier look around. Just as when he ruled the club, the Dark Haven members were aware of him. He tilted his head toward the living room, and they flowed in that direction.

Wouldn’t help much, though.

A smirk on her glossy red lips, Janae watched her approach. “About time. I could use a drink.”

“I’m sorry, Janae, but you weren’t invited. Please leave.”

“Oh dear.” Janae’s voice rose. “Are you still upset that Xavier took me to Daddy’s party?”

“No.” Abby lifted her chin. “I know what you pulled to get him there.”

“Like I needed to do anything? If you can’t keep a man, it’s hardly my fault.”

That hurt. Abby sucked in a breath, wanting to retreat. Then she caught Xavier’s gaze. He stood a few feet behind Janae, arms crossed over his chest. Participate in life. Tackle it head-on. “Oh, it’s definitely your fault, considering you’ve fucked every guy who was interested in me.” She forced a laugh. “From high school on. Aren’t you getting tired of this?”

Janae’s color rose, turning her tanned face a dark purple. “You bitch. You lie. I’ve never had to offer anything, and I wouldn’t want your disgusting men. I—”

“Is that why you offered to fuck my boyfriend?” Grace pushed through the gathering crowd, Matthew in tow. “Don’t you think a high school junior is a little young for you? Oh, wait—isn’t that called being a pedophile?”

Whoa, talk about getting backup.

Janae made a sound like a boiling teapot and fled.

Abby stared. She ran. She really ran.

“You know, that was icy fun. Thanks!” Grace held her knuckles out for Abby to bump.

As Abby complied, she realized her fingers were numb. “Fun. Right.” She cleared her throat. “You might want to talk with your dad now, though.”

Standing beside their mother, Harold looked as if he’d been run over by a truck. He stared at the door, then Grace and Abby.

Her mother’s face was pale, but she gave Abby and Grace a nod of approval.

“Jeez, Grace,” Matthew muttered. “I didn’t mind the show, but I’m not that young.”

Abby heard Xavier muffle a laugh, and her spirits lifted. Nothing seemed to upset him, and wasn’t that a lovely thing to know? She stepped into his arms, sure of her welcome.

“Very nice job, pet,” he murmured in her ear. “I’m proud of you.”

She grinned up. “You know, so am I.”

“Now that you’ve cleaned out the dregs, we should get the party moving.” Xavier gave her a hard kiss and then stepped to her side, his arm around her. His voice rose. “As long as we have you conveniently gathered in this room…” He waited for the laughter to die down. “We want to share our happiness with you.” After tugging Abby’s glove off, he lifted her left hand so the engagement ring showed. “Abby has consented to be my wife.”

Grace’s scream of delight was almost drowned out by the cheering and whistles filling the room. Abby was smothered in her little sister’s hug, surfacing only long enough to be grabbed by her mother. She looked up for a moment to see Xavier receiving congratulations from those who hadn’t yet heard.

After a few minutes he raised his hand again. “I tried to decide what to get her for an engagement present.”

Abby stiffened. If he brought out a paddle or flogger in front of her mother, she’d deck him.

“I wanted something expensive, of course. And elegant. However, after I decided on the perfect gift, Virgil informed me that he actually started the tradition.” He tilted his head toward the man from Bear Flat.

What tradition? Abby glanced at the women. Summer frowned before delight bloomed on her face.

The front door swung open, and with a wide grin Dixon strutted in, carrying a picnic basket covered with a red-checked cloth.

We’re going on a picnic?

Xavier reached into the basket and pulled out a furry puppy. Totally black. Its ears flopped half over. It stared at her with eyes as dark as Xavier’s.

As she closed her hands around the tiny body, the puppy whined, frantically squirming to get closer. “Blackie. You got me Blackie.” Tears spilled over as happiness welled inside her. She choked, remembering his lead-in. “Expensive and elegant?”

People around them burst out laughing. As Blackie bathed her chin with tiny licks, Abby stared up at the one man who knew exactly what she’d love most. But…what had he done? “He’ll dig up the grass.”

“That’s what a lawn service is for.”

“He’ll chew your boots.”

“That’s what shoe stores are for.”

“He’ll wake you up in the night to go outside.”

His grin flashed. “That’s what a wife is for.”

Laughing, she leaned against him. As the puppy tried to choose which neck to lick first, Xavier’s arms closed around her.

“I continue to have difficulty identifying my emotions, my liege,” she whispered, nestling in.

“Tell me.”

She stood on tiptoe to murmur in his ear. “I’m warm all over like I’m wrapped in a fuzzy quilt. Relaxed and bouncy at the same time. As bubbly as if my heart drank a glass of champagne. What do you think?”

“I think you feel what I do, little Professor.” She felt his lips curve against her hair. “Loved.”