Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 77961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I get a glimpse of them standing near the bar. There isn’t a tuxedo in sight, but everything leather is polished to a shine and they bought new jeans for the occasion. Wearing their cuts over tuxes would look weird anyway, and there's no way they're taking an old lady without those. But hair is cut, beards are trimmed, and they all look incredibly handsome. They always do, but today, even more so.
I have enough butterflies in my stomach to migrate to South America if they all decide to take off at once. This isn’t a legally binding wedding. Nothing goes on the official books, there's no certificate, there are no tax benefits, but it means everything to us and to the people witnessing it today. In some ways, it makes this stronger, because it's only about us. About Bull, Shrapnel, Diesel… and me. About our devotion to each other, and there's nothing else to get in the way, no other reason to do this than to declare our intention to always be there for each other.
And I think that's perfect.
The door to Eagle-eye's office opens and slams, and then he comes down the stairs with heavy steps, Jupiter on his heels. He sees my dad and sends a scowl his way. He accepted that my Dad could be here, but he doesn't have to be thrilled. I get it. He still sees him as a moderate threat, but so long as he doesn't decide to go punch Dad or something, we should be fine. And he wouldn't do that today.
I think.
When Eagle-eye is down with the boys, it's my cue to enter. A sudden attack of nerves makes me hesitate. It's stupid, since this isn’t going to change anything in our day-to-day lives. We already live together in the mega-apartment the boys made by knocking down the walls between their old ones over the bar, and we screw enough that you'd think we were newlyweds every day of the week. But at the same time, it changes everything.
Opal bumps me in the butt. “We'll do margaritas afterwards, okay? You can do this.”
Mila smiles as she gives my arm a tug. “Definitely. Those guys will set the world on fire for you. Nothing to be afraid of. For you at least.”
And so, with a wobbly smile, I start walking, followed by a little train of sluts and old ladies. You know, just like a regular wedding.
The huge common room looks small with so many people in it. Just about every Screaming Eagle, all of the old ladies, the sluts, lots of kids of all ages and our guests. The guys look up when I enter, and they are literally fucking me with their eyes the whole way there, one pair coal black, one deep ocean blue and one rich chocolate brown, and all of them lust-darkened. Apparently the dress is a hit, even if it's not the actual uniform.
“You look fucking amazing, baby girl.” Diesel takes my hand as soon as I'm within range and pulls me in so I'm surrounded by the three of them. His happy grin is all mischief. “How about we skip this party and just head back to the apartment to fuck?”
I pretend gasp. “Did you forget why we're here?”
“Oh. Right. After, then.” He laughs and spins me around so my back is to him and his arms are around me.
Looking grumpy as always Eagle-eye steps up to begin. Miriam, his old lady, pats him on the shoulder in encouragement, then goes to stand with Emily—her daughter. I'm still figuring out all the relationships around here.
Bull and Shrapnel both take a step closer so we're all together, like the unit we're supposed to be. About to be. Already are.
Eagle-eye clears his throat. “I fucking knew it.” He sighs dramatically. “I fucking knew it. The moment you bastards came into my office to report the plane crash and oh, by the way, there’s a pretty girl involved. I tried to tell myself, no, Eagle-eye, she's just here temporarily. She's going home soon and this isn't going to be yet another one of those things. But I fucking knew it would be. And here you are. I should know better by now.”
A smattering of laughter travels through the crowd watching us. If I've counted the old ladies right, I'm the tenth woman to get lured in by a bunch of bikers in this club, which is wild to me. And apparently to him.
Bull takes my hand and squeezes it. I smile up at him.
“But… as I'm the president, it's my job to do this, so let's just get it over with.” He glances over at King, one of Emily's guys and vice president, and who's standing straight with his hands clasped in front of him but looking like he's struggling to keep a straight face. “Don't fucking laugh. One day it’s gonna be you up here.”