“That’s the Orion family ring,” he says.
“You’re mine, Gem.”
His sly smile says it all. “Is this your way of asking if I’ll wear it?”
“Fuck.” Dammit. I’ve fucked this all up. I was supposed to tell him how I loved him even when I was a fool. I was gonna tell him I can’t wait to have a starlet with his eyes. How I’m planning on making him an Orion. A whole bunch of romantic shit to make him swoon.
“Our wedding is going to have to wait,” I explain. “The ring will protect you.”
“I could be convinced to wear your ring,” he says.
“Gemini.”
“I want to hear my favorite words.”
I know what those are. “I love you.” I don’t just say them, I make them a prayer. I put his hand over my heart and trap it there with one of mine as I slide the ring onto his finger where it will stay forever. “I’ll love you in every lifetime.”
“I’m holding you to it, Orion.”
Attaching my lips to his, I drag us off the floor and press a firm hand to his lower back, molding him to me.
My brothers hoot and holler, and Dad claps Trinket’s hands together. Father grunts.
“Congratulations. Now let’s get the fuck out of here,” Zhang impatiently corrals us.
I’m telling Treyu that his dirty mouth has already rubbed off on his husband. My hand moves to my new blade again because he’s gonna get a blade to the thigh if he rushes our moment.
Gem’s hand moves over mine to stop me from assaulting his brother. “Zhang, if you don’t relax, I’ll let Atlanta stick you with his blade. We’ll get your husband back.”
Gemini’s eyes shine with strength, all the anxiety from earlier washed away.
“You’ll need some food,” Dad says. “Real food. Not the slop that passes for food when your father takes you on the road.”
“I don’t mean to be rude—” Zhang starts.
“Then don’t be. It won’t take me long,” Dad says. “Here, take Trinket.”
They carry Trinket everywhere even though he’s capable. I’ve never seen a more spoiled Orion and I’ve spent a lot of time with Treyu in the last century. Don’t blame them, though.
Zhang’s stunned eyes take in the babe before he settles him on his hip and Trinket curls in. “Don’t get too comfortable, little one. I’ve got a husband to save.”
“Don’t let Treyu hear you use language like that,” Delph says, shaving a hunk of meat off the bone from the hock Dad places on the table.
About saving Treyu he means. Treyu might gut Zhang for saying he’ll save him.
“Treyu and I have a deal.” Zhang bounces Trin.
It better go without saying that I protect Gem. I grip his face, swallowing it with my hand and squeezing it hard so that I have his undivided attention.
“I fucking protect you, Gem. I’m not negotiating on that one.”
He shivers and his hips press toward me until his hard cock’s digging into me. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, Lanta. But while we’re making rules, if another person serves you—even if that person is your dad—I might slice their fingers off. Understood?”
I swear his teeth glint under the glow of the starlight lighting. Gods I want to fuck him. Soon as we hit the ship. Zhang can fucking wait just a little longer.
Stepping back, I gesture for Gem to proceed toward Dad so that he can put my food together.
CHAPTERTWENTY
