Page 127 of Wicked Lord

I shoved him off and fixed my hair. “Youweredrunk but not hallucinating.”

“You’re not the only one who couldn’t believe what he was seeing.” Killian grabbed a glass of champagne off a tray and sipped it. “Lexi wouldn’t stop gushing over how sweet and romantic you two are. I have to step up my game . Thanks a lot, Ax.” He winked and ruffled my hair, messing it up again.

“Don’t worry, Kill. I’m sure you’ll think of something over-the-top and crazy to cement your place as the most romantic.” I continued to spin the web of lies with every word falling from my mouth.

I felt horrible keeping the truth from my best friends, but they’d understand, especially Killian, since it was only to protect Lorelei.

Slate grabbed two glasses of champagne. “I can be romantic, too.”

“Filling the Zeta’s hot tub with pink bubbles is not romantic.” Gage stole one of Slate’s drinks. “That was a prank.”

Slate shrugged. “Semantics.”

Micah appeared and passed me a glass. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, man.” I ignored the guilt that blossomed in my chest every time he was near, knowing his friend’s death was on my hands.

“You must really love her. The thought of tying the knot right now has me breaking out in hives.” Micah tilted his head towardKillian, pushing his glasses back up his nose. “I figured you and Lexi would be marching down the aisle first.”

Killian narrowed his eyes. “We’ll still beat these two to the altar. Being engaged first doesn’t mean jack.”

“Lore and I will probably finish college first.”Son of a bitch.I sounded way too serious about this. Soon, I’d start picking out wedding cake flavors.

Chocolate, of course.

Gage held his fist out for me to tap as the guys bickered about weddings and bachelor parties. “I’m happy for you, Ax. You and Lorelei are great together—even though it took you a while to figure it out.”

My brow arched as his words sank in. Gage was perceptive, but he couldn’t possibly have known our relationship started out as a total farce.

When a delectable aroma filled the air as food began filling tables around the edges of the meeting room, Slate’s stomach let out an angry growl. Killian laughed and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

“Let’s get something to eat before you pass out.” He angled his head toward Micah. “You coming, Preston?”

His jaw nearly hit the floor, and it took him a moment to respond. “Uh, yeah.”

Gage toyed with the piercing on his bottom lip as he watched Micah, Killian, and Slate vanish through the crowd. “I think hell just froze over.”

“Most definitely.” This was the first time Killian had extended anything other than anger or complete indifference to Micah. “Lexi’s probably getting to him.”

Vaughn sauntered up, one hand clutching a glass of champagne while the other was casually shoved into the pocket of his black slacks. “Mind if I speak to Axel alone, Gage?”

I could see the scathing insult on the tip of my friend’s tongue, but I shook my head. “I’ll meet you guys over there in a minute.”

Gage grumbled an insult under his breath and marched across the room toward the food tables, shooting our Domnus a warning glare over his shoulder.

“What are you playing at, Vaughn?” I didn’t think for one second he really wanted to celebrate my engagement. “You’ve threatened me multiple times to stay away from Lorelei and now this?”

“What kind of leader would I be if I didn’t celebrate this monumental news from one of our members?”

I rolled my eyes. “Save the bullshit for someone else. What’s the deal?”

Vaughn sipped his champagne as he attempted to mask that smarmy smile. “Brock Haversham is not one to take no for an answer.”

“Looks like he’s getting a crash course in that area.” I downed the rest of my drink and set it on a tray as another member passed by. “He lost, and Lorelei’s mine. We’re engaged. There’s nothing he can do.”

Vaughn’s laugh had ice spreading over my flesh. “Don’t think Brock will give up just because you proposed. A ring won’t stop him from getting what he wants. And he wants Lorelei Battenberg.”

CHAPTER 52