The Billionaire Playboy's Regret (Lark and Max)

Lark was pacing outside the restaurant as her mother and Fallon came tearing out of the elevator with Nana Prue on their heels.

Her mother was pale. "Where's your dad? Is he okay?"

"He hasn't killed Sawyer yet. Sawyer has been on his best behavior. Dad went back to his room to change his shirt. He said he was sweating right through it. Mom, I think he's more worried about you than anything. The closer it got to the chopper arriving the paler he got. He's worried about you."

"I want Charlotte's head on a plate."

"Gracie's mentioned her a couple of times so far. Once to say she was rarely around and another time to say she was really sick due to her addictions. She actually said she doesn't hate her mother because she is grateful, she gave birth to her instead of terminating her pregnancy after the scandal."

Fallon pulled her head back, "what? Really?"

"I'm telling you. I've never met anyone like her." Lark gave a laugh. "She thanked the server in the lounge about ten times. She accidentally elbowed Dad when she was adjusting in her seat, and she was almost in tears. She's really soft hearted, Mom."

"The Villeneuve clan will eat her alive." Nana Prue grimaced. "They were on the plane talking about all the ways they were going to f**k with Sawyer. Olivier almost tossed his own offspring out of the chopper." Lark laughed, "wait until he finds out Ollie's surprise."

"Ollie's surprise?"

"She's bringing a date to dinner."

"A date?" Everly made a face. "Who?"

"A cartel leader who cleans up messes for Gael, Olivier and other rich people," she saw her mother's eyes bug, while Prue gave a loud groan and she nodded vigorously. "Apparently, they had a torrid love affair for over a year, and it ended two years ago, and he's been waiting for her to come to her senses. He told her today they're getting married."

"He told her?" Nana Prue raised her eyebrows with disgust.

"He told her and honestly, he's hot as hell. He could probably tell her he was going to bend her over the dinner table tonight in front of her entire family and she wouldn't say no."

Everly slapped at Lark frantically, her feet hopping "no way."

"Yes. I've been flirting with his brother to make Max nuts. It's working."

Everly looked towards the lounge where Sawyer and Gracie were coming out and she gasped. "Holy s**t. She's the gap between you and Fallon, isn't she?"

"Right?"

"I have another sister," Fallon whispered with tears in her eyes. "Holy f**k this just got real."

"Yeah. Like I said, Fallon, she's really soft. Be careful with her. She's like a baby deer. She might run if you scare her off."

"We should have left the triplets home," Fallon cleared her throat nervously. "I never realized how much we look like Dad until right now." Her eyes were trained on the girl who was being hugged by Sawyer tightly.

"Sawyer said Grady would look good in drag."

Everly snickered. "Your dad hasn't punched him yet?"

"No but I think he's been struggling. Sawyer's been acting like nothing happened between them years ago and Dad is trying to put it aside."

"He's missed out on so much," Everly whispered. "Thirty-two years."

"Yes." Nana Prue nodded, "but we'll make the best of the time we have, right? Hoffman's don't run from a challenge. You pull yourself together and you do right by the girl." She lifted her chin and walked boldly towards Sawyer and Gracie ignoring Everly's hissed commands to wait for Grady to come back downstairs.

"Babe?" Grady's voice called out to Everly and Lark gave a smile as her mother flew into her father's arms and he lifted her clear off her feet to hug her tightly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Lark's eyes watered as she watched her parents embracing and she felt Fallon squeezing her hand.

"I want what they have someday," Fallon whispered.

"Me too." She looked to see Max coming out of the elevator with his father and brothers and her eyes met his. "Maybe I have."

"You and Max a thing now? For real?" Fallon asked.

"Yes. I think so."

"Look at the way he looks at you," Fallon giggled. "He looks like he wants to eat you up."

"Yes please," she whispered wickedly as Fallon gave a loud laugh. "Oh, she has the same laugh as you. Don't freak out." They looked back to where Prue was clearly telling Sawyer off and poor Gracie appeared appalled but unable to get away from the woman who hugged her to her chest.

"Oh f**k, Mom," Grady hissed and dragged Everly towards the woman.

Fallon stumbled as Everly grabbed her on the way by and Lark laughed. She looked up as Max

approached and stepped into his embrace but watching the scene unfolding.

"Your mom is in the restaurant asking them to make sure we aren't interrupted." She leaned against him

as he wrapped his arms around her tightly from behind. She turned her head to look at him. "Did anyone update your Dad on Ollie yet?"

"Nope." His grin was wicked. "Mom was mumbling under her breath about letting Ollie come down on her own and facing the music on her own."

"Oh s**t, Bobbie isn't messing around."

"I think she's hurt Ollie kept it a secret."

"And she only knows a fraction of it."

"Lately Mom has been feeling a failure as a parent and this is only going to make it worse. LJ has a lot of sucking up to do after his bullshit in family therapy last week."

"Did he apologize yet?"

"Profusely but I know she's still hurting. He was out of line."

"Did you apologize for punching him?"

"Nope and I'm not going to. He's a punk. He's nineteen not nine. He knows words hurt and he's a selfish prick. Ollie suggested we should send him to experience life in tough neighborhoods where kids don't have moms at all." He made wide eyes at her, "Oh I bet Ollie's new fiancé knows some really rough neighborhoods the punk can go work in."

"Ollie's new what?" Olivie's voice cut into the conversation. "Where is your mother?"

"Bobbie is in the restaurant talking to the wait staff." Lark made wide eyes at Max who gave an evil smirk back.

"What were you saying about Ollie's new fiancé?"

"Oh, I'm going to let her tell you, Papa." Max gave him an innocent look.

Olivier waved between them, "you hurt her, Max, and Grady will collect on a debt owed to him from

Grandpa Gael. You'll be dropped in an oil well."

Max gave a laugh, "he'll probably hire Heriberto."

Olivier stilted to a full stop, frowning, "how do you know the name?"

"My girlfriend was flirting with him trying to make me jealous. It worked but then Heriberto said he wouldn't mind trying

me on. We could both go live on his ranch, Lark. He could share us."

She elbowed him in the ribs. "No, we can't."

"She's worried I'll like what Heriberto does more than what she does."

"Max," she glowered at his mischief.

"How do you know him?" Olivier demanded his jaw tight.

"Ask Ollie."

"Is she mixed up with him?"

"Nope." Max was really enjoying egging his father on and Lark grimaced at him.

"You're making it worse, Max." Lark hissed.

"What is he making worse?" Ollie asked as she approached from behind them. "Where is Mom?"

"Restaurant. We're supposed to be heading in. Where are the girls?"

"I don't know."

"Where's your fiancé?" Max asked boldly.

Ollie pursed her lips and hissed, "Max!"

"Olivia, is there something we need to talk about?" Olivier faced his daughter.

"Let's go talk to Mom." She pulled him in the direction of the restaurant.

Lark turned in Max's arms, "that wasn't nice."

"It was hilarious. You know what else is funny?"

"What?" She followed his gaze to the direction of where Johan leaned against a wall near the lounge.

"I think he's smitten."

"Smitten? Is it even a word?"

"It is and if you look it up in a dictionary, it's his face. Look at the way he's staring at your newfound sister? He's ready to put a ring on it."

"A c**k ring maybe." Lark snorted and then jumped when Max slapped her behind.

"How do you know what a c**k ring is?"

"I I googled you." She gave him a smirk. "When you put your name in an internet browser everything from dildos to c**k rings come up.'

"My company makes one which vibrates. It's meant to stimulate your partner's clit while prolonging a man's erection. We can try one out if you want."

She was bright red and couldn't help her nervously giggle at his playfulness. "You're being naughty."

"I am. I am very much looking forward to dinner being done and taking you to bed."

She stared into his deep brown eyes and exhaled slowly, "me too, Max. After everything which has gone on lately, I don't want to waste any more time with you. It feels right."

He cupped her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers sweetly and then jumped when Grady swatted him on the back of the head.

"I swear Max, you make her cry again and I'll hire your sister's new fiancé to deal with you."

"Uh, Grady, if she breaks my heart Dad might hire him to take care of Lark," he ducked away as Grady playfully lunged at him and then pulled him into a hug. "Come on, old man. Let's have dinner now all the assholes have assembled."

Lark noted Gracie was planted between her mom and Fallon and Sawyer had his hand tucked into Nana Prue's arm. The mood was light and airy, and she motioned for Johan to take her hand.

"Are you okay?"

"I remember this story where your dad talks about the first time, he met your mom and how he was struck

by lightening and how he kept firing his temps to get her attention." He swallowed audibly as he realized he was babbling and then stepped back nervously. "I should probably go."

"You're not a coward, Johan. You're my family and I need you here." She kissed his cheek. "Also, Max is in a weird mood. I need you to help me reign in him in."

"It's because you agreed to have s*x with him."

Her eyes felt they were going to pop from her head at his words and she smacked at him. "Johan!"

"He sent me a text. He's so excited it's probably going to be over before it starts."

"Oh, my goodness," she blushed and rested her head on Johan's shoulder. "You're the worst."

Gracie looked over her shoulder and for the first time, Lark noted the girl with an expression other than terrified and she frowned. What was her problem?

She looked at Johan and then giggled. She'll have to set her newfound sister straight. It seemed Johan wasn't the only one feeling struck by love.