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I took another swig of my drink and glanced over my shoulder. It seemed they’d started talking about what was next. The following report from the patio was that the rain was picking up and turning into a downpour.

“We can expect thunder too,” Lucian said.

Colt and Lucas exchanged a glance.

“Maybe we can wait an hour and see what happens?” Sloan suggested.

That was an option. But if we postponed things, I would rather wait at home.

KC and Lucian closed the sliding doors when the rain came down so hard it reached indoors. Wanting to see for myself, I went over and pulled open the thick curtains.

“We have to wait,” Lucian said firmly. “We’d be drenched in ten seconds out there.”

I finished my drink and left the glass on the bar.

Well, how about that—Ash was finally here with his kinky family. Arrive late, get soaked. Not that Jordan seemed to mind; the boy was grinning ear to ear.

“What’s everyone standing around for?” Ash asked, running a hand through his hair. It was already wet.

“We’re waitin’ for the verdict,” Reese replied.

Lucas peered at Colt. “What do you think, sweetheart?”

“What the fuck?” Ash looked around in half disbelief. “We’re not delaying shit—and we’re not moving sixty chairs inside. This is exactly what I want in the photos, a bunch of brats running around in the rain and no Sadist able to stay pissy. It’ll be fun.”

Aw, man. I used to like Ash a whole lot. I was done with that now.

What was wrong with a Zoom wedding we could all enjoy in the solitude of our homes?

The brats were suddenly buzzing with excitement.

Lucian was not. I’d laugh at his shuttered what-the-fuck look if I weren’t feeling some of that misery myself.

Okay, misery was strong. I just wanted to be…comfortable.

“Ash is right,” Colt stated. “Since when are we afraid of a little water?”

Could I count on Lucas to be the voice of reason? Nope. He chuckled and scrubbed a hand over his face, surrendering too quickly.

“Oh, what the hell,” he said. “Let’s do it. Come on, baby boy. We’re gonna get wet.”

Kit lit up like a Christmas tree. “And then we can all jump in the pool!”

Jesus Christ.

“And get naked!” Noa cried out.

Too many people cracked up at that. Meanwhile, I went behind the bar and aimed for a bottle of decent whiskey. Fuck bubbly and elderflowers. It was time for the heavy artillery. Not the whiskey you sipped and enjoyed, but the one you threw back to survive the day.

“Master Greer should leave the kilt on,” Macklin said frankly.

“Look, y’all’ve driven my brother to drink,” Reese added, pointing at me.

I shot him a scowl. Where was Shay? He was the aloe to Reese’s burn. Oh—our boy was standing somewhere in the middle of the floor with Lane and Nora.

Everyone was talking too loudly and shrugging out of their suit jackets, preparing to head outside, so I threw back two quick shots that left a trail of fire down my throat. Fuck me, I was getting old. I used to be able to do shots like it was nobody’s business. Now I worried about heartburn and alcohol affecting my sleep quality.

“All right, everyone, listen up!” Colt hollered. “Macklin and Tate, can you work your magic and bring down all the towels we’ve got in the supply closet? We’re gonna need to dry off after the ceremony.”