Ice felt the little shiver go through Soleil’s body and he tightened his hold on her hand, wishing he was holding her in his arms. “No worries, Soleil. You’re safe here.”
“This is so wrong, putting it off on you,” she said. There were so many emotions crowding into her voice. He could tell she was close to tears and he didn’t want that, not in front of his brothers and sisters. He’d act like a pussy for certain. Her tears could bring him to his knees.
“We’ve got this now,” Czar decreed. “I don’t want you to think about it anymore. Alena put together lunch for everyone since we’re celebrating. Blythe was upset that she wasn’t around to witness the wedding, Ice, and you’re going to have to explain to her what the hurry was. I want to be there when you mention you plied her with alcoholic beverages until she said yes.”
Laughter swept through the common room at his expense. Ice didn’t care. Soleil was laughing too. That was all that mattered.
Soleil opened her mouth to protest Ice’s innocence, but he just brushed a kiss over her lips to silence her and happily took all the blame. “I thought I’d skip that part.”
“Are you afraid of my wife?” Czar asked.
“Damn straight, I am,” Ice admitted instantly. “Anyone with a brain would be. Am I right?” He looked around the room for confirmation.
The others nodded soberly. Czar gave a little snort of derision and whispered, “Pussies,” under his breath.
“Nice try, Czar,” Reaper said from the shadows. “You forget who’s on you day and night watching you with her.” Reaper was the president’s guard. “That woman looks like something’s wrong and you crawl over hot coal to make it all better.”
“You’ve got a woman,” Czar pointed out when the others finished laughing.
“Yeah, but no one’s watching me,” Reaper said.
Another eruption of laughter. Ice wanted that for Soleil. She wanted a family. This was his. Now it would be hers. They were coarse and crude. They made rude finger gestures to one another and they wore their scars like badges. They were a family, unbreakable, loyal and absolutely powerful when they stood together.
“Just so we’re very clear,” Soleil said, and the room went silent.
Ice waited, thinking she was being very brave, but not knowing what she planned on telling the others.
“Ice didn’t get me drunk. I wasn’t drunk. He was. I was the one making certain he was drinking. I seduced him. If your wife or anyone else is upset with him because they think he did that, please tell them it isn’t true. It was all me. Maestro knows it’s the truth.” She held up her head; color had swept into her face. “He was kind enough to take the blame and keeps insisting, but it isn’t the truth.”
It was all Ice could do not to fall to his knees and worship at her feet. She was wonderful standing up for him. He could barely comprehend that she was trying to take the blame and get him off the hook with his club.
Czar studied her straight-faced. “Let me get this straight, Soleil. You got Ice drunk and seduced him into marrying you? Why would you do that?”
Ice glared at his president.
She nodded. “He’s so amazing. I tried very hard to resist, but he’s—”
Ice caught her by the nape of her neck, desperate to stop her before she said anything he’d never live down, planted his mouth on hers and kissed her until she melted into him and kissed him back.
The others erupted into laughter, roaring at his expense. When he finally let his woman come up for air, he looked at his sister, and as always, she came through for him.
“Need someone to help carry trays,” Alena called out. “I have four trays.”
Storm stood up immediately. Ink did as well. Keys and Player followed suit. Ice leaned down to whisper in Soleil’s ear, although he made his voice loud enough that the others could hear his mock whisper.
“They’re volunteering, making themselves look good, but they’re really doing it in the hopes of getting in Alena’s good graces. She’s made several berry pies for dessert. No one makes them quite like Alena.”
“Well, I’d give them extra helpings for volunteering,” Soleil said staunchly, raising laughing eyes to Storm.
Storm gave her the thumbs-up. “Hope you’re listening to the voice of reason, Alena.”
Ice tugged on Soleil’s hand. “Stand up, baby. Come sit with me. I’m lonely.”
She didn’t hesitate or look embarrassed. She got up immediately and turned to sit on his lap. He pulled up the back of her dress at the last moment, so when she sank down on him, her bare cheeks were on his denim-clad groin. When she sat, she wiggled a little to get comfortable. The sexy movement went straight to his dick. He loved the way she made him feel. After nothing for so long, after feeling dead, as if that part of his anatomy wasn’t working, to come alive felt even better than it should have.