Christmas with the Kings (The Kings of Guardian) Read online

  “Son of a bitch!” Jacob muttered.

  Joseph gave a low whistle. “Been busy, D.”

  Drake turned and smiled at the group. “May I present Labyrinth Alpha. A series of apartments run down this hallway. That hallway leads to the flight line. We are about halfway done with that. This hallway leads to the Comm facility, gym and chow hall. The stairway you came down, of course, leads to the clinic.”

  “It’s a fucking underground living facility.” That came from Ronan.

  “It is made for our assets that need to remain anonymous.” Jason acknowledged. “The facility above ground that Kaeden and Zane use during normal operations is an entry point to the offices below ground. We have weapons vaults and IT, secure comms.”

  “The air filtration system vents out by the windmills and the ductwork is camouflaged so no one would be able to recognize it for what it is.”

  “What it is, is fucking impressive,” Nic said as he took in the area. The room where they were standing was basic and utilitarian, but it had couches and chairs. A television, movies on DVD, and game consoles lined a built-in shelving unit. Fuck, he could spend some time in this place and never miss the daylight.

  “Well then, let’s get this party started!” Jacob slapped Deacon on the back and stuck his hand out. “Clippers, lighter and pop that rum open, son. We have a bachelor to send off tonight!”

  Nic sent a worried glance at Jared. “What have I gotten myself into?”

  “Fuck if I know. I can’t remember most of the last party we had. Just be prepared to be hungover in the morning.”

  “Dude, I’m getting married at noon. I can’t be hungover.”

  Doc grabbed his tumbler from his hand. “That’s right. Medically speaking it would be wrong of me to recommend you still be drunk when you get married, but as a friend… be drunk. Save the hangover for another day.” The refilled glass was shoved back in his hand along with a cigar.

  “A toast, to Nic, a man with a set of brass balls. He’s marrying Jade, and nobody is putting a shotgun to his head. He is either head-over-heels in love, or he is the stupidest son of a bitch on the planet.”

  A litany of ‘here, here,’ and ‘to Nic’ bounced around the underground room. Nic lifted his glass and took a drink. The rum was smooth and mellow and went down way too easy. He glanced at the men in the room with him. Damn good thing Jade was the understanding type. Yeah… not.

  He closed his eyes and shook his head as another toast rang out. He was so fucked.

  Chapter 14

  Jade supposed she’d been more nervous in her past, like when Nic was in the hospital, but today was running a close second. She glanced at the wall clock in the family room where she’d been waiting for her fiancé. One hour. One hour until “go time” and he still hadn’t made an appearance. She strode into the kitchen. Maybe Nic had stopped for something to eat? Maybe? Fuck, she was out of reasons he was late and out of patience, too. She hit the swinging door to the kitchen and walked into a sorry scene of painfully hungover men… Jacob, Jason, Joseph and Justin… but no Nic. “Where’s Nic? We gotta go.”

  “Hey, Jade.” Jacob croaked then cleared his throat. He scratched his head and turned a deeper shade of puce. “Um… we… ah… yeah… we lost him.”

  She blinked in disbelief. “I’m sorry could you repeat those fucking words? It sounded to me like you lost my fucking fiancé?” She glanced around to make sure her mother wasn’t in the vicinity.

  Jared and Jacob looked like they wanted to barf rather than look at her, so she pinned her gaze on Jason. “What the fuck?”

  “We were all together. Everyone was having a good time. Ronan challenged me to a video game. When we finished—”

  “How long?”

  “Only a couple of hours.”

  Jade stomped her foot. “No, dammit! How long has he been gone?”

  “The last time anyone remembers seeing him was after the last bottle of rum.” Justin mumbled. He was sitting-slash-laying on the kitchen table. From his shoulders forward he sprawled over the flat surface, head down. His eyes were closed, and his mouth squished on one side when he rolled his face toward her to speak.

  “It is fucking freezing outside.” Jade ran her hands through her hair and grabbed it, pulling it hard.

  “Jade, we know he isn’t outside.” Jason’s calm put a match to her fuse.

  “How the fuck do you know that, Jace?” Okay, so that may have been a screech, and from the grimaces of her hungover brothers, it was loud, too.

  “Shhh…”

  “Do not tell me to be quiet. How the fuck do you know he’s not out there frozen?”

  “Because it snowed last night. I watched Gabriel walk over here. By the time he got to the ranch house, his tracks were filled with snow. There wasn't a single new track outside.” Jason’s calm, logical explanation didn’t help in the slightest.

  She squeezed her eyes together and lifted her hands out in front of her, fisting them tightly, trying to contain the emotion that flew through her faster than atoms colliding. “So, you’re telling me you lost Nic in the clinic.” She’d lowered her voice to a whisper, and her eyes opened with deadly intent. She made sure she impaled each of her brothers who weren’t asleep with her lethal stare, not even sparing Joseph, who had yet to speak. “What is this? A fucking joke?”

  “No.” Joseph leaned away from the counter. “We wouldn’t do that, and you know it. Nic is in the labyrinth which has been built under the complex. Drake and Zane are looking for him. We’ll find him. It is just a matter of checking. Jacob, Jason and I have to go to Jasmine’s with Mom to help Chad with the kids. Jared and Justin are going to help Drake and Zane. We've even recruited Adam and Gabriel's sons to help. Everyone else is trying to look normal so Mom won’t find out about your secret.”

  Jade shook her head in utter disbelief. She pointed at Jared and then nudged Justin, waking him up. “You two find him. You get him in his fucking suit, and you get him to the church by eleven. If you don’t, I swear I will make your lives miserable in ways you cannot imagine.” She could hear her mother talking in the great room. “Go!”

  Jared started to stagger out the door. “Take him with you!” she hissed and pointed to Justin who was now drooling, open mouthed, on the table.

  Jared sloshed over to the table, thumped his brother on the forehead with a flick of his fingers and helped the man stand. “Oh, damn… Jared… I don’t feel so good.” Justin leaned against him as they headed out the door.

  “Join the crowd,” Jacob mumbled.

  Jade scrubbed her face. “They’ll find him, right?”

  Jason nodded. “The place isn’t finished. There are a lot of off-shoots and areas where he could have ended up. We didn’t want to worry you, but…”

  Jade nodded. “Yeah, thanks for that. Just, find a way to let me know. Okay?”

  Jason nodded once and turned his head toward the kitchen door. It swung open bringing her mother and Anna, Gabriel’s wife. Two beautiful women trailed behind them, sisters by the look of them.

  “Ah, here is a cluster of my children. Anna, you know Jason, Jacob, and Jade. This is my oldest son, Joseph. Everyone, these are Anna’s daughters, Gabriella and Charlotte.”

  Jade smiled, or at least she thought she did. “It is nice to meet you.”

  The younger women sized up her brothers.

  Jade turned to the men, “Your wives will be looking for you. I’ll help Mom cook breakfast. We are having bacon and eggs. I’m in the mood for some sunny-side-up this morning.” Jacob grimaced and she mentally licked a finger and placed a mark on her new revenge tally board. She was going to get back at her brothers for losing her fiancé. The man had better be at the church by eleven, or hell would have several new inmates.

  Jade bounced on her toes at the end of the aisle and then walked it again. She’d taken off her heels about ten minutes ago.

  “He’ll be here.” Jasmine’s voice carried in the empty sanctuary.

  Jade spun
on the ball of her foot and growled like a mad dog. A rabid bitch. Yup, that was her right now. She’d surpassed pissed and was working on a full-blown, category 5 rage. “Has anyone heard from the men?” She glanced at the wives and fiancée sitting in the front pew. All of them shook their heads. “What time is it?”

  “Three minutes since the last time you asked.” Tori leaned back and leveled a stare at her. “They have time.”

  “Everyone will be starting to arrive in ten minutes. What are we going to do if they don’t get here?” Jade threw up her hands. “Oh, sorry everyone, it was a big joke!”

  Jasmine lifted her hand. “No. We remove the altar flowers and Chad sings Christmas carols. I’ve written down the page numbers in the hymnal for them and Chad has his guitar.”

  Jade glared at her, “When did you come up with that plan?”

  “The minute Jason told me what was up.” Jasmine’s eyes softened, and she smiled. “They will be here. Your brothers and your fiancé will move heaven and earth for you. You know this.”

  Faith’s attention turned toward the back of the church and the narthex. “I heard…”

  The doors opened, and seven men piled through the doors. Jade sprinted down the aisle and slammed into Nic. As soon as his arms enveloped her, she sobbed, “You asshole!”

  He cradled her in his arms holding her tightly. “I’m sorry, babe. I got hungry and went exploring for food. The next thing I know Zane is slapping my face.”

  “He’d fallen asleep behind the stairs. We’d passed by him at least ten times before Zane thought to look back there.” Jason provided the details.

  "What are you wearing?" Jade pulled on the bowtie Nic wore and laughed at the Christmas-colored velvet. Her hand cupped his chin.

  "I wanted to be festive. How did I do?"

  "You look sexy." Jade leaned into him. "You scared the fuck out of me."

  "I know. I'm sorry, babe. It wasn't intentional." His warm lips brushed her forehead.

  She peeked up at him, narrowed her eyes and spoke slowly because she needed him to understand her words. "You don't party with them anymore. You're in adult time out."

  Nic laughed, the vibration of his chest rumbled through her. "Yeah, what does that consist of?"

  "Me and you, alone, for at least a month." Jade lifted onto her toes and whispered in his ear. "I'm going to teach you a lesson about making me worry."

  “Everyone, there are cars pulling up. Jade get back here. You guys, too. We can’t let anyone see you.” At Ember’s excited words, Nic pulled away from her.

  Jade grabbed Nic’s hand, because there was no way she was letting him out of her sight. She did a double take when she saw Gabriel, but headed toward the side rooms. As soon as the door shut behind them, she doubled up her fist and hit Nic on the shoulder. “That is for worrying me half to death.”

  Nic rubbed his arm. “I deserved that.”

  “I slugged Joseph in the chin for messing with my mind. You could do better.” Em’s chiding remark made the entire room erupt with laughter.

  Dani looked around the room. “Ah, Jade? Who’s walking you down the aisle?”

  “Oh, fuck! How could we forget that?” She twisted in Nic’s arms. “I have to find Frank.”

  “I’ll do it.” Jared worked his way through the tight confines of fourteen people gathered into a room made for far less. He opened the door a crack and closed it again—quickly.

  “Is that one of your super-sleuth cop moves?” Christian teased quietly.

  “No. That’s my ‘Mom and Frank are in the narthex six feet away’ move,” Jared whispered and winked at his husband. He opened the door again and then quickly ducked out.

  “I have never had so much fun at a wedding.” Gabriel chuckled. “Thanks for asking me to stand with you, Nic.”

  “I’m honored, sir. You took a chance on a D.C. cop with an attitude.” Nic smiled. “And gave me a family.”

  “We are that.” Gabriel agreed. His eyes traveled over everyone in the room. “I know I don’t say it enough, but you are as much my family as those children sitting in the pews. We’ve been through hell and back together, and it doesn’t look like it will be getting easier. I’m honored to be a part of your lives.”

  “Dammit, now I’m going to cry.” Jade pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and bit it to stop the tears that threatened.

  Jared ducked back in. “Okay. Frank will wait until the music starts and then he’ll excuse himself and come back here. I rushed everyone else into the sanctuary. Everyone is sitting down. Are we ready?”

  Jade stepped back from Nic and looked up into his eyes. “Are you? Ready to be saddled with me for the rest of your life?”

  “Absolutely. I love you.”

  “Awww… isn’t that sweet?” Jacob teased and got an audible smack from Tori for his efforts.

  “There’s the music,” Dani whispered in a rush of excitement. Jade had asked Chad to play Christmas carols on the guitar for the processional. Haunting and beautiful, the soft guitar sounds of ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ filtered into the room.

  “Okay, gentleman, grab a woman. If you’re married to her, by default that is the woman you’re escorting down the aisle. Christian, you’re escorting Dani, Jared you have Ember and Gabriel, I’m with you.” Jasmine spun around and hugged Jade. “See you in a couple of minutes.” She pointed at Nic. “You take the side door and wait until we are all at the altar before you come out. The minister will meet you there.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Nic laughed. “Damn, she’d be a good drill sergeant.”

  “Damn straight!” Jared laughed and opened the door. “Okay, Frank is waiting, and the sanctuary doors are closed.”

  “That’s my cue.” Nic squeezed her arms and dropped a kiss on her lips before he darted out the door and across the small area to the enclosed hall that led to the front of the sanctuary.

  The others filed out and paired up. Jade waited for Frank as close to the side room as she could get, not wanting anyone to be able to see her when they looked back at the other couples walking down the aisle.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t ask you sooner, Frank.” Jade blinked back tears that she was absolutely pissed at. Damn tears.

  “Sweetheart, you’ve had a rough couple weeks. I’m honored you asked me.”

  Confusion swamped her. “Why wouldn’t I ask you? I've considered you my dad since the moment you married Mom.” She saw her stepfather’s eyes mist over and shook her head. “No!” She whispered. “No, dammit, you do not have permission to get emotional, Frank Marshall. If you cry, I’ll cry, and I’m not crying!”

  Frank nodded his chin. “I love you, too.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek as Chad’s guitar music strummed out the bridal march. “Let’s get you married and give your momma a surprise.”

  "You don't think she knows?"

  "Considering our family just marched to the front of the church. Safe bet she's figured out something is happening." Frank nodded toward the sanctuary. "One foot in front of the other, my daughter. One foot in front of the other."

  Okay. She could do that. Jade took a deep breath and wrapped her arm through Frank’s. It was time.

  Chapter 15

  Nic stood quietly in the wings of the old church. He and the minister had exchanged a few words. It was awkward, at least for Nic. They quieted to wait for the music to change. His hands were damp. Fuck, he'd been through one hell of a lot in his life but the big things… losing his mom, his leg… if it hadn't been for Jade, he doubted he'd still be a functioning member of society. The woman had been his touchstone in a miasma of lost perspective, misery, self-doubt and depression so damn strong it almost pulled him into its black depths. Jade's will had prevented it. Her determination had pulled him out of that abyss.

  Nic tensed when the Christmas carols stopped and the guitar music announced the beginning of the ceremony. Nic watched, unseen, as Jade's mom stood with the rest of the church. At the murmured voices, she turned her head. It took s
everal seconds before she realized what was happening. Amanda's hand rose to her mouth as she watched each couple walk in and split at the altar. He could see realization hit her when Dani walked in on Christian’s arm. Amanda turned around and lifted on her tiptoes to see above the people blocking her view.

  Chad smiled and changed music once again. Nic followed the minister out and took his place. Amanda glanced back at him. Tears streamed down her face unabated. The rest of the people, people he knew and some he loved, turned to watch his future wife walk down the aisle. Chad sang while he played. Nic was sure he recognized the song, but the need to identify the title fled his brain when Jade and Frank appeared at the end of that five-mile-long aisle. He locked his knee and forgot to breathe until Jared nudged him. Air burst into his lungs and a smile he couldn't prevent blazed across his face.

  Frank kissed Jade's cheek, and Nic reached out his hand, giving her assistance up the stairs. She joined him on the dais and turned to him. Nic lowered and swept his lips against hers. Laughter rippled through the church.

  "Well, now that we have that out of the way, maybe we should marry these two." The minister's comments registered, and Nic felt Jade's laughter under his kiss. He lifted away but kept his focus on the woman of his dreams.

  The minister spoke about the sanctity of marriage and delivered a message of love and caring, although Nic would never be able to recall the exact words. His mind was fixed firmly on the woman beside him. At his name, he blinked.

  "Nic and Jasmine, no Jewell… I mean Jade... I'm sorry, all these J names give me a fit." The minister's face reddened to rival a beet. He closed the bible in his hands and laughed. "Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom have written their own vows."

  He turned to Nic and nodded. Nic drew a steadying breath and smiled. "Jade, when you seduced me—" Jade's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. Her eyes slid toward her mother without her moving her head. The entire wedding party snickered, and there were several laughs from those in attendance. Nic chuckled along and continued, "You changed me. In an instant, my world was filled with life-sustaining warmth. You are epically outrageous, fantastically uninhibited, and one hundred percent what I need to exist. I know life with you will never be boring, nor will it be easy, but I don't want boring or easy. I want the hair-raising, unbelievable adventure that surrounds you, and I am profoundly grateful to be the recipient of the love you try to hide. You are the love of my life, and I'm honored that you chose me." Nic turned and extended his hand to Jared for the ring.