Whipped (Hitched, #2)

Not any fucking more.

I park and jump out of the car, slamming the doors open as I enter the restaurant. A teenage couple sits in the corner. The place has a foul odor, like week-old meat. "Bill. Where the fuck are you, Bill?"

A man speedwalks out from the back, mustard stains on his red shirt, his eyebrows thick and bushy. "What the hell’s goin—"

I grab his hand, twist it behind his back, and slam him facedown into a table. "What's going on, Bill, is your epiphany. You're about to realize that it's time to start treating your employees with respect. You're about to realize that there's consequences for being a dickwad. You following, Bill?"

Bill’s breath hitches, and I can feel the fight deflate out of him. "Uh-huh."

"Good. So, I'm going to let you go, and you'll rise a changed man. A respectful man. And if you ever revert to your dark ways, I'll be back. And if you ever even think of reporting this…" I squeeze his shoulder until he yelps. "…Just remember how many heath codes this place has violated." I knock his head against the table one more time and let go. I stride out, glowing with pride. Man, today has been productive.

Shit's getting done, bitches.





CHAPTER 27





VI


The fundraiser is being held at a local high school gym. The kids did an amazing job of transforming the space into a very fancy ballroom, and this is a black tie affair. I look around and see Kacie and Tate scrambling to get last-minute decorations in place. They offered Hitched to help Lachlan cater and run the event, and he accepted with a grateful heart. Kacie said they could always write it off as a charity event when I asked if she was sure.

And Sebastian has invited everyone he knows with ties and money.

Tonight, the kids will perform something they'd been working on for a while, and then we'll all hope that the raw talent and enthusiasm will attract donors to make their dreams happen.

Lachlan looks amazing tonight in his tux. He kisses me and squeezes my hand. "I have to go get the kids ready. Thank you, babe, for this. For everything."

I pull him close. "Thank you for staying and still finding a way to make this happen," I whisper. Because I couldn't stand him leaving. I would have supported him in it, if that's what he needed to do. But it would have broken my heart.

Instead, my heart is swelling in my chest, filling me with a glorious happiness I didn’t know existed and never knew could be so strong.

The auditorium is filling with bigwigs from all sectors of life in Vegas. There are doctors, lawyers, investors, performers… I even see the famous magician Kacie's friends with. He helped Kacie win Sebastian back when she almost blew it with Dr. Sexy.

But tonight isn't about us. It's about Lachlan and the kids he's trying to help. Tonight has to be a success. I close my eyes, cross my fingers, and send the kids all the luck I can muster.

As lights flash, Lachlan takes the makeshift stage. His deep accent fills the room. "Good evening, and thank you so much for joining us tonight. These kids have worked hard to put together a show we believe you will really enjoy. It's our hope that when you see what they can do, you'll also see why an after-school program is so important in this community, and how deserving these amazing kids are." He pauses and smiles, his pride in the kids beaming across the room. "So without further ado, I'll hand the floor over to them."

Lights go out and someone taps my shoulder. My parents! I hug them both and whisper, "What are you doing here?"

"We just drove in. We couldn't miss your man's big night. We're here to support," my mom says. "We even got a few donations from some friends in California to help out."

My eyes fill with tears, and I know Lachlan will be deeply touched by their presence. He doesn't talk much about it, but I can tell he misses having a parental unit in his life.

The kids take the stage, and I'm nervous for them. I've never seen them dance and have no idea what to expect. What if they blow it and the crowd leaves disappointed with their wallets intact? All of them would be devastated. Lachlan most of all. I narrow my eyes and personally vow to tackle anyone who tries to leave without contributing.

But my fears are in vain, I realize, as soon as the music starts. Because these kids are seriously amazing. Like, unbelievable. They must have dance in their DNA to pull off some of the moves they do.

After the first song, it's clear the crowd is won over. I spy some people already pulling out checkbooks. A very good sign indeed.

By the end, we are all breathless with the talent that exists in these youths. I can see why Lachlan loves working with them so much.