The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(8)

Lucy





Mason Lowell doesn’t know how to do things by halves. We arrived at Landarlin before anyone else and quickly helped him decorate the area he had booked. You’d think the restaurant was fancy enough as it was with the floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views looking over the city. Still, Mase insisted we add a canopy of flowers over the area and then placed candles around the tabletop himself. It’s beautiful, over the top, and Nina will love it. Once upon a time, she would’ve questioned his motives. Or just outright told him it wasn’t what she wanted. She couldn’t help it. Yet I know, without a doubt, that she has worked her butt off for tonight. This dance showcase has been years in the making and something she’s put off time and time again. I know Mase feels pressure to make it perfect for her.

Once everything is done, Elliot slips off to the bar to get us some drinks. I clock Mason standing with his phone clutched in his hand, and with the balls still sitting tight inside me, I consider it the perfect time to slip away.

“We’re here!” Megan sings, entering the restaurant with Charlie and Scarlet following close behind.

“For fuck’s sake.” I just need five minutes.

Mason’s head lifts from his phone, a frown marring his brow. “You alright, Luce?”

I plaster a smile on my face. “Grand.”

“You sure?” he questions, running a hand through his dark waves. The man looks delicious tonight, and I mentally high-five my best friend for her choice of husband.

“What time is Nina getting here?” I ask.

“Vin’s bringing her.” He tips his chin towards the door. “Any minute now.”

“Perfect.” I clasp my hands together and try to act unaffected by my stupidity. Why did I leave the house with these things inside me?

“Hey, babe!” Megan grins as she walks toward me. She looks stunning. Her hair is freshly dyed dark, poker straight, and silky smooth. Her lips are painted her signature red, and her dress matches. “Sorry I didn’t make it back home. You okay?”

“I’m wonderful.” I reach forward and grasp Scarlet’s wrist, pulling her from her conversation with her brother and Charlie and over to us. My eyes drop down her lacy grey wrap dress, and it gives me pause. “Scar, you look hot!”

“Thanks!” she chuckles, seemingly a little tipsy.

I look at Megan, worried. Scarlet has been through a lot. Not just last week, last month, or last year, but a lifetime of pain that she carries with her every day. Still, she smiles through it all.

I check no one is looking or listening, then bring my voice to a hushed whisper. “Sex toys! Really?”

For a split second, they don’t react, but then a knowing look crosses both their faces.

I knew it was them.

“You are so welcome.” Megan winks.

“Let me know how you get on with them, please. I need to add to my collection.” Scarlet chuckles.

I tighten my gaze on her. “You used to be so sweet, Lowell.”

“Hey, that’s my brother’s name, not mine!”

“He’s a filthy animal, too.”

“Whatever,” she muses.

I check around for listening ears. “They’re inside of me.”

Megan snaps her wondering gaze back to me, giving me all her focus. “I’m sorry. What?”

“They are inside of me.” I nod, rolling my lips as I let my panic show. “The balls. I put them in to try them, and then Elliot flipping showed up and needed to come here to help get set up, and I don’t know, I panicked, he was all question, question, question, and I felt like he knew I was being shady. The box was on the bed, and I had to chuck it in my wardrobe. I was worried he would see.”

“Wow.” Megan’s jaw hangs wide open.

“You said the balls?” Scarlet asks to clarify.

“Well, duh. I’m not walking around with a fucking monster cock lodged up in there, am I?”

Megan throws her head back, laughing, drawing eyes our way. “This is gold.”

“How do they feel?” Scarlet asks with intense fascination.

“Stop it, now!” I snap at them both, pulling them closer and lowering my voice. “I need to go to the loo and take them out.”

“Now? Eww, no! Screams UTI to me.” Megan grimaces.

“What choice do I have?”

“Just leave them be. They aren’t hurting, right?” Scarlet tilts her head with a frown. “Do they hurt? How heavy are they?”

“Scar, will you not!” I take a deep breath and try to calm down.

“Will do wonders for your pelvic floors. I’m always working on mine.”

I watch my friend for a moment in pure astonishment. She has, without a doubt, been fully corrupted by the lot of us. There was a time when she would be weirded out over this conversation.

“Okay, don’t get worked up.” Megan flattens her hand and gets to the point. She knows I’m stressing over this. “If they aren’t causing discomfort, I would leave them be for now. No one knows they’re there. I promise. And I mean what I say about taking them out here. You don’t know what the state of the toilets is.”

I look around at the immaculate dining room and then back at her.

“It’s a bit of fun, Luce.” She shrugs.