Joey rolled his eyes and then closed them. "Oh, that hurt, didn't it? Poor baby." Ember cupped his cheek with her hand. "Not quite recovered?"
He opened one eye. "Recovered enough to want to eat you alive."
"There's my big, bad wolf. Go do what you need to do. We can feast later."
“It was a lovely wedding, wasn’t it?” Ember’s head laid against Joey's shoulder as they moved across the dance floor later that night. The tux he wore fit perfectly. She ran her hand down the fine wool fabric. He could have posed for a fashion spread. His dark good looks and the silver at his temples plus the Adonis body. Joey was her first and only true love. The man was fierce and hovered, but there wasn’t a better father or husband on the planet.
“Mmm…” That was Joseph talk for it was okay and not as big of a deal as he made it out to be, but he’d never admit it.
“How do you feel?” Ember leaned away a bit and gazed up at him.
“Perfect when you are in my arms.” He leaned down and kissed her. The possession in his kiss hadn’t changed in the years since they’d married. He made her feel cherished and needed every moment of every day.
Ember smiled up at him when he lifted away. “Did you ever think we’d have a chance at being this happy?”
Joseph shook his head and moved them out of another couple’s way with fluid grace. “Never, that’s why I cherish every minute with you. I can’t wait to have you to myself for the next two weeks.”
“You say the most remarkable things.” She sighed against him. Obviously, he didn’t remember inviting everyone they knew to Aruba. As much as she didn’t want to shatter his illusion for the future, she needed to remind him of what he’d done. Ember stopped moving and stared up at him, her eyes narrowed and searching, just to be positively sure he wasn’t playing with her.
“What? Is something wrong? Do you need a doctor?” He cupped her cheek in his hand and scrutinized her.
“No, I’m not the one who is going to need a doctor. Do you remember what happened last night?”
“Too much bourbon. Thank God everyone I give a fuck about has now done the wedding thing. I’m not doing that again.” He stared down at her. “What?”
“Joey, you invited everyone to Aruba. With us. As in, everyone is planning to fly down after the wedding.”
He stopped. “No, I didn’t.”
“You did. Gabriel and Jason worked all day today to cover responsibilities. From what the Coven told me, everyone is coming. Even Joy and Dixon.”
“I didn’t invite anyone.” He ground the words out through his clenched teeth. There was no way on God’s green earth that he would have… His eyes cut to Dixon and Drake, who were talking with Mike. He searched for Jacob and found him on the dance floor with Tori. “The motherfucking bastards.”
He grabbed Ember’s hand and weaved through the dancing couples. He stood directly behind Jacob and dropped a hand on his brother’s shoulder. The little shit’s smile dropped as soon as he looked around. “Hey, what’s up?”
“What’s up is that I’m going to kill you.” Joseph shoved a finger in his brother’s chest. “You and that dynamic duo of horse shit put this all together. It was your brainchild to have a drinking game. You set me up.”
Jacob’s eyes flared before he smiled. “It only took you twenty hours to figure that out? Damn, old man, you’re slipping.”
“The only thing that will slip is my hands around your throat.” The low threat made his brother’s face pale a bit.
“It was Double D’s idea.” Jacob pointed to his men. “If you kill me, kill them, too.”
“Nobody is getting killed.” Ember grabbed her husband’s arm. “It serves you right for drinking like a teenager.”
“Yeah, what she said.” Jacob smiled and nodded.
“Jacob, please, don’t make this worse.” Tori stood in front of her husband. “You are just as much to blame as he is, Joseph. Imagine what a world this would be if you both grew up.”
“What she said,” Ember agreed with Tori.
Joseph jerked his head toward her. “You’re okay with this?”
Ember nodded. “I don’t have a problem with it at all. We’ll have our evenings together. All alone. All night. Every night. We have more than enough parents to take turns watching our son. Our nights alone. Nonnegotiable.”
Tori agreed. “Right, we already talked about that.”
“We?” Joseph shot a glance between the two women.
“The Coven,” Ember filled him in. “Like I said, they are all coming.”
“We don’t have enough rooms.” Joseph crossed his arms and gave his brother another pointed glare.
“Gabriel rented a villa about a mile away. Frank and Amanda are planning on staying there, and whoever arrives after the house fills up will be welcome, too.” Tori shrugged. “It’s settled. Getting into a pissing contest at Mal and Poet’s wedding will not change anything.”
Ember’s husband’s jaw clenched as he stared at his brother. “Just know that payback is a bitch, little man.”
Jacob smiled. “I can’t wait.” His laughter floated around them.
Ember glanced at Tori, who sighed and shook her head. “For God’s sake, Jacob, stop poking the tiger.” Tori pulled Jacob away as Jason and Faith danced by. The smile on Jason’s face narrowed Joey’s eyes even further. “My entire family was in on it. So be it. They’ll pay for it. Individually or together, I’ll make them pay for this little prank.”
“What are you plotting?”
“Revenge.” He smiled down at her. “Sweet, unadulterated revenge.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “Nobody gets hurt.”
Joseph shrugged. “Not my fault they started it. I’ll finish it.”
“Let me clarify, Joey. Family equals no blood, no loss of limbs, no weapons, no one gets physically hurt or emotionally scarred.”
“Noted.” He stepped back and led her in a waltz. A sneer spread across his face.
Oh, dear, that didn’t bode well for anyone. What had those idiots done?
Chapter 4
Joseph strode down the long hallway to the kitchen. “Consuela.” He enfolded the small, birdlike woman into his arms. She never changed. She was always flitting about with a smile on her face. The woman was a beam of sunshine that had been with him since he bought the residence years ago.
“Oh sir, it is good to see you.” She peeked behind him. “The missus is not here?”
Joseph motioned to the table. “She’s upstairs unpacking and taking a shower. She told me she called about the unexpected guests we’d be having?”
“Oh, yes. I have many hands to help. I stocked the pantry, the linens are fresh, and the rooms have been aired out. I prepare us for your family, sir. I’m happy that the house is filled with laughter again.” Her angelic face beamed up at him.
“Right.” He rubbed his neck. “I wanted to have a private celebration with the missus. We are expecting our second child.”