“I really don’t think anyone would care, Madison. They all know you can’t get enough of me.”
He was playing with me; I knew that, but tonight was serious business and I needed him to know that. I moved back closer to him and placed my hand on his chest. “I’ve got plans for tonight,” I said softly. “Plans that require me to be on the ball all night, focused.”
Frowning, he asked, “What plans?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. All you need to do is not distract me, okay?”
Sighing, he said, “My beautiful wife is always trying to save the world.” He bent his face to mine and kissed me. “Just remember, you can’t save people who don’t want to be saved.”
We’d had this discussion a lot. “I know, but sometimes they just need a little push.”
Before he could continue the conversation, Blade and Layla arrived, saving me from hearing more of his thoughts on this matter.
I gave Layla a hug and stood back to admire her dress. “I love this!” I said as I took in the flowing red maxi dress that was strapless and cinched at the waist with a thin belt. It looked so summery and comfortable.
“Thanks,” she replied with a smile and held out a container for me to take. “I made rum balls.”
“You weren’t supposed to make anything. You supplied all that alcohol. But thank you.” I took the container, secretly pleased she’d made them because I’d run out of time to make some.
“I tested them; they’re good,” Blade said, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his lips quirked up a tiny bit in a blink-and-you’d-miss-it smile, and the way his shoulders seemed less tense than they’d been last week when we’d caught up for breakfast. Layla was good for him, and when she looked up at him and smiled, and he returned that smile, happiness settled in my gut. My brother might have been wrestling with his demons still, but at least I knew he had a good woman by his side to help him through it.
I jerked my head towards the kitchen and said to Layla, “Come on, I want to show you something.”
She followed me as I led her through the kitchen and out to the back entertaining area where I’d set up for tonight. When she gasped, I turned around to find her rooted to the spot, staring at everything I’d done. Her eyes finally came to mine. “It looks amazing, Madison. Truly amazing.”
“Well, I can’t take full credit, Velvet helped me,” I admitted as I took it all in again. We’d decorated with white sheets and created a canopy of fairy lights. The lights were also dotted around the garden in the trees. Tables were decorated with white tablecloths, glass lanterns with candles and assorted red and gold decorations. In the corner, I’d set up our old Christmas tree and stacked presents underneath.
“You girls have created magic,” she said softly.
“I feel like we need some magic after the year we’ve had,” I murmured. “Actually, the last two years have been hard for everyone, especially our men. They need some good after all the shit they’ve fought through.” Ever since Dad’s death, the club had been dealing with the threat of Ricky Grecian as well as tension with the Sydney chapter of Storm. Some days, the worry overwhelmed me, so I could only imagine how the club members felt about it all.
Her eyes met mine. Cocking her head, she asked, “How are they coping? I know Blade struggles with it all.”
“It’s not good, Layla. J never relaxes; it’s like he’s on constant twenty-four hour alert, waiting for something to go down. And Scott is even worse, probably because of everything going on with Harlow as well. It’s Griff I worry about the most, though. I can’t figure out what it is, but he seems to be going through something personal as well as having to deal with some of the club members still holding a grudge over his deception with the whole Vice-Presidency thing.” A long sigh escaped my lips. “I just want them to all have one night off. I want tonight to be fun and to give them the opportunity to switch off for a moment.”
She reached for my hand and squeezed it. “We’ll make sure of it.” Her gaze dropped to my dress, and she gushed, “You look beautiful. Where did you get your dress? It’s amazing.”
I smoothed my hands over the rose gold, sequin dress I’d found in one of my favourite boutiques. J’s eyes had bulged when he’d seen it on me. He’d especially loved the plunging neckline and the length of the dress. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? I’ll have to take you to the boutique one day. You’d love the dresses they have.”
“I bet J loves how short and fitted it is,” she said as she checked out the back. “Not to mention the way it reveals your back.”