Chapter 58
“These are for when we go dancing. We try to drag them out at least once a month. They resist but Sean has a spectacular pout and where Armand goes, the others follow.” Kane poked Sean in the ribs.
Donal laughed.
* * * *
Julio hung back a little, but Kane draped his arm around Julio’s shoulders and pulled him toward the buffet. “You’ve never seen this bunch eat. You have to get yours before it’s all gone.” Kane followed protocol and he, Gabriel, and Julio were among the last to go through the line followed by Alexei and Donal. The Betas and Enforcers followed.
The Mates and Julio sat on two comfortable couches in the corner of the great room. Julio spoke, “Donal, once your engagement goes into the paper and your folks see who your fiancé is, they’re going to suddenly develop a conscience and come to see you.”
Alexei walked up behind Donal and started to rub his shoulders. “We’re counting on that. I intend to ruin Arthur McConnell so that his next residence will be a homeless shelter.”
Julio turned to Alexei and smiled. “I’m beginning to like the way you think.”
“We’re leaving on Tuesday afternoon for Colorado. We should be back here by Friday evening. I expect to see them on Saturday afternoon because by Friday, Mr. Arthur McConnell will face ruin unless he has a huge cash infusion. Who better to give it to him then his new son-in-law? You can spend the night, be here for the show, and attend the party the next day.”
“I must confess, I rather like the idea. I’ll be here. If it wasn’t for that bastard, Donal would be at Juilliard.”
“Oh, Donal will still go to Juilliard, a bit late, but he’ll go, I promise you that,” Alexei said.
“I believe you.” Julio nodded decisively.
* * * *
The party was almost over when Alexei called for everyone’s attention. “Now it’s time for me to give Donal his gift. Come here, Donal.”
Donal walked into Alexei’s arms, and Alexei moved his hand to pull out a package and a card from the inside pocket of his suit. “Happy twenty-first birthday, little mouse.” He handed the square package and a card to Donal. Donal opened the card. A birthday cake with a single candle was on the front. The inside read, written in bold strokes, You are the light of my life. Before you, there was only darkness. You are my sun. I’ll love you always. In this life and in all others, I promise I’ll find you, and we’ll be together for all time.
Tears fell from Donal’s eyes. He handed the square package back to Alexei. “I need no other gift than your love, Alexei.”
Alexei kissed Donal gently on the lips. “But, you will take my gift nevertheless.”
The package was heavy. Donal carefully opened the paper. As he took off the ribbon, Trouble jumped up and grabbed it, taking it under the sofa.
“Your cat likes my gift, little mouse. Perhaps you should open the box and see if you do.”
Donal took the lid off the box and looked inside. Resting on a bed of cotton was an eighteen-carat gold chain-link bracelet that was heavy in his hand. “I took this idea from Gabriel. When you put this on, it will weigh on your wrist and serve to remind you that my love and protection are always with you.”
Alexei took the bracelet from Donal’s hand and fastened the clasp over his wrist. “Once I put this on you, it will not come off even in death. It will remain to remind your spirit to find mine.”
“I won’t need a reminder.” Donal pulled Alexei’s hand to his lips and kissed the ring he had put on it just three days ago. “However, I will happily wear this bracelet so you will always know I’m yours.”
Katya brought up the cake, beautifully decorated with raspberries and red sugar flowers with spun sugar white ribbons. Twenty-one candles decorated the top.
“Time for you to blow out candles,” Katya said.
Donal took a deep breath and managed to extinguish every candle on the cake.
The room broke out in applause. Katya cut the three cakes she made, and no one was surprised to see there was nothing left after everyone hit the table.
After that, the party began to break up. Julio was among the last to leave. “I’ll look forward to seeing the show on Saturday and to be able to celebrate that bastard’s downfall on Sunday. Apuso got his, now Arthur McConnell will get what he’s earned. Goodnight, Alexei, Donal. Enjoy the wedding. I’ll see you when you come back to New York.”
Alexei closed the door behind him and grabbed Donal hand. “Let’s go upstairs.”
“We can’t leave Katya to clean this mess.”
“We won’t. I hired a cleaning service to come in tomorrow morning. After that, we relax and then pack for Colorado on Monday.”
* * * *
“Come to bed, my little mouse. Let me love you.” They got undressed side by side and Alexei climbed into the bed, bringing Donal down to the mattress with him. He covered Donal’s face with hot kisses, tracing Donal’s brow and eyelids with his tongue. Alexei stroked his fingers through Donal’s hair. “Your hair feels like silk running through my fingers. It’s the color of a Russian fox and just as thick and lush.”
Alexei ran his tongue across the seam of Donal’s lips, and Alexei smiled as Donal sucked it into his mouth. He kissed Donal with an intensity of purpose. Alexei wanted Donal to be as hot for him as he was for Donal. His mouse made little groans that came from the back of his throat. As Alexei moved his hands down the back and sides of Donal’s body, the noises grew louder.