The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(9)

I puff out my cheeks and take the drink Elliot slips into my hand. He’s slid up beside me, but I already know he didn’t hear our conversation.

“Fine,” I tell Megan. “Thank you, Ell,” I add.

“How are we, ladies? Megan and Scar, looking beautiful tonight.”

“Thanks!” They both lean in to kiss his cheek, then Charlie and Mason join, stepping up behind the girls.

“Where’s Nina?” I ask impatiently as if it’s all I can think to say.

“She just texted; she’s on the way. Made Vin stop off at George and Liam’s place to say good night to the kids.”

I smile at that.

Nina is a wonderful mum.

George is Mason and Elliot’s floor manager. He’s worked for them for years now and has become a massive part of all our lives. George and his boyfriend Liam have a little boy of their own called Oliver and tend to offer up babysitting duty for the Lowells when they have no one else. It doesn’t happen often, but when nights like tonight roll around and we’re all together, it’s peace of mind for us to know they are safe with George.

I spot my parents walking into the restaurant and smile. “Mum and Dad are here.” I step around everyone and move towards the door. “Hey! You guys made it!”

“Wouldn’t miss tonight for the world!” my dad murmurs into the top of my head. I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him close. I knew they wouldn’t miss it, but I did worry when Dad was caught up at work this afternoon. Growing up, my family was Nina’s. My parents practically raised her.

“Hello, darling.” My mum gives me a warm smile and pulls me into an embrace. “You look just perfect!” she says, holding me at arm’s length.

I slide a strand of blonde hair back behind my ear. “Thank you, Mum.”

“We beat Nina here, I hope?” my dad asks, looking over my head and waving to the others.

“Only just, old man!”

He whips around at the sound of Nina’s voice. She’s standing in the doorway looking phenomenal in a white pantsuit.

I don’t know why I do, but I turn to look at Mason, melting a little when his face transforms into the most wholesome smile. I couldn’t ask for a man to love her better than he does.

My eyes flick past him to Elliot, whose eyes are stuck on me. I give him a little wink to break his trance, then smile when his face softens.

Mason comes to Nina, and says hello to Mum and Dad, then we all get seated at the table.

It’s rounded, and Megan sits on my left, Scarlet on my right and Nina next to her. Mum and Dad are next to Mason, and then Elliot and Charlie sit opposite us alongside Vinny, who is next to Megan, forming the full circle.

The minute we’re sitting down and the girls feel it’s loud enough, they fill Nina in on the situation between my legs.

“You’re wearing them now?!” she hisses.

“Yes.” I nod, taking a swig of my drink.

“You! This isn’t very you, Luce!” Nina flashes her teeth at me as her smile stretches her face. I watch as Mason catches her glee, and his hand instinctively settles on her thigh. “I’m… proud, maybe. I don’t know.” She laughs.

“I’m glad we’re finding it funny, that’s for sure.” I huff, and Megan waves me off.

“Oh, chill, will you? It’s not like you have razor blades shoved up there. I’m sure it’s satisfying needs.”

“Umm, no, actually it isn’t. The remote control wasn’t in the box.”

Megan frowns, tipping her head to the side. “Huh? No, couldn’t be. I put the batteries in it for you. Left it in the package.”

“Well, it wasn’t there. I looked.”

“You’ll have to find it when you get home.” Scar waggles her brows at me suggestively.

“I plan to!” I lift my bum from the seat, and my stomach coils tight. My wince has the girls snickering. “I’ll be using the monster cock at this rate.”

“I said it was huge!” Nina blurts.

“Excuse me?” Mason questions, leaning over her shoulder.

“Nothing, bossman.”

“Doesn’t sound like nothing.”

“Luce has a giant spot on her ass. She didn’t believe me when we went dress shopping the other day.”

The frown that pulls at Mason’s brow is as deep as mine, although mine is real. “I don’t believe that for a second, and you know it, Pix.”

“I’ll tell you later,” she promises, slapping a kiss on his cheek.

“No, you will not,” I hiss.

Mason regards me for a moment and senses my distress. He retreats back to his spot next to Nina, and I give her an evil stare.

“That’s it. I’m going to go take them out.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” she groans.

“I’m not being dramatic. This is like… fucking wonderful fucked-up torture. It’s like almost great. Almost.”

“We need to find that remote when we get home. I’ll play with you if you want.”

“Megs, I will take this knife and play with you, if you want.” I stab the air with the knife.

The girls all chuckle, and I can’t help but laugh with them.

“Seriously though, Luce, are you okay? I’ve been so busy with the showcase I feel like I’ve been a shitty friend,” Nina asks.