Read Online Shannon's Fairy-Tale Foursome by Mia Ashlinn - Free Book Online

she would be his.
    Once she belongs to me, she’ll pay for all her slutty ways then she’ll bend to my will. Or she’ll live to regret it for the rest of her days—no matter how limited they might be.

Chapter 7
     
    Pulling into the parking space at Dolce Serenità, Shannon had a nagging sensation in the pit of her stomach. She was supposed to meet Jaycee and Katie-Anne for dinner, but she didn’t trust those two as far as she could throw them. Given half the chance, they would fling her ass into the lion’s den. If they believed it was for her own good, she was a goner.
    She had turned around twice since leaving her apartment. After a pep talk and breathing in a paper bag, she managed to get back onto the road. Their promise to meet her and not pull any of their wacky antics enabled her to arrive at the restaurant. Shannon suspected that subconsciously she hoped they would pull something on her and take the decision out of her hands.
    Turning off the engine, she checked her watch. Fifteen minutes until eight. I’m early.
    Exiting the car nervously, she scanned the front parking lot for three work trucks. It was difficult to see in the darkness, but her new contacts aided her search. When she didn’t spot any of the vehicles belonging to the triplets, the tension drained from her shoulders and she sighed. In her opinion, she sounded more forlorn than comforted.
    Fuck a duck.
    Making her way to the front of the upscale restaurant, she gave herself yet another pep talk. Tonight was her big reveal, her coming-out party. She might only be dining with friends, but a large part of Serenity’s population ate here every Saturday night. The whole town would know about her transformation from ugly duckling to majestic swan far before her bottom hit the chair.
    I have to do this because Svetlana’s right. It’s time to move on. I’m over being someone I’m not, and I don’t want to waste anymore of my life. This is a good way to start, if I can just get past the nerves.
    The doorman opened the ornate wooden door when her feet hit the landing.
    “Good evening, Ms. Roberts.” The elderly man greeted her with a warm smile.
    “James,” she exclaimed in delight. “How’s Martha?”
    His eyes glowed with adoration at the mention of his beloved wife. “Same old, same old. She has her good days and her bad.”
    “Please tell her I said hello.”
    “Will do, ma’am.” James placed his wrinkled hand on her back lightly, helping her to the opened door. “She will be thrilled to hear that I saw you.”
    On impulse, Shannon stopped to hug James, and he froze in her arms.
    Everyone knew that she wasn’t an overly affectionate person. Allowing someone into her personal space was a rarity, at best. However, James was different. He always had this soothing quality about him, easing her by his presence alone. And, right now, she needed that.
    She held onto him tightly, letting him hold her longer than necessary. But she couldn’t seem to let go of him.
    When he relaxed, she sighed. “Thank you.”
    “Sure thing.” He patted her back gently. “You take all the time you need.”
    Finally, she stepped back, regretfully releasing him. “I guess I should go on in.”
    “Yes, you should,” he told her with his wise blue eyes shimmering in the moonlight.
    Holding her breath, she crossed the threshold.
    “Oh, dear”—James stopped her—“I almost forgot. You look beautiful tonight.”
    His kind words brought moisture to her eyes. The urge to cry so strong she could barely breathe for it. Since opening the dam of tears in the bathroom of this very restaurant a few days ago, she’d fought more tears than she had in her lifetime put together. Pushing back her emotions grew worse with every passing day. Her Kabuki mask was long gone, and she had no clue how to get it back.
    Only three things had the overwhelming power required to call a halt to the incoming flood—Jared, Drew, and Randy. And they did.
    Their presence in the