Page 27

Six Months Later

Havoc

I woke up the morning of my wedding choked with emotion to the point that I almost couldn’t breathe properly. It was really happening. I was getting married to the best woman in the world, the one who respected me and looked at me like I hung the moon. Riley was always so sweet and loving. I never thought I’d find a woman who would wreck my world to the point that I couldn’t live without her.

I’d faced down gang members, rival bikers, and even dirty cops. In the military, I even took a bullet and kept right on moving. But this—making life’s biggest commitment and knowing my son or daughter would soon be crying to be in my arms—was a lot of responsibility. It had me pacing the floor, worrying my fucking head off. My cut hung on the back of a chair, and my tie was halfway around my neck. I’d already popped the collar button twice just trying to calm my hands long enough to get dressed.

Someone cleared their throat from the doorway. I glanced over to find Storm leaning against the door jamb. His arms were crossed, and he looked at me like maybe this wasn’t the first case of cold feet he’d run across.

“You gotta take some deep breaths and get oxygen to your brain. Otherwise, all those crazy thoughts running around in your head are gonna get the better of you,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring.

I stopped pacing and asked, “What am I going to do if she changes her mind? What if she looks at herself in that beautiful wedding gown she bought and realizes she can use it to get married to a lawyer or a banker? Someone who doesn’t try to hide his scars with cool tattoos?”

Storm gave me an earnest look. “Women are stubborn creatures. They want what they want, and she apparently wants you.”

“I told you a long time ago that she’s fuckin’ perfect. She deserves someone who can give her the world.”

Storm’s expression turned annoyed. “You should know Riley well enough to realize she’s not fuckin’ interested in having every luxury imaginable served to her on a silver platter. She’s a real down-to-earth lady who just wants a normal life with a guy she can depend on.”

“Well, I’m the fuckin’ guy who will take a bullet for her. That’s for damn sure.”

Relaxing a bit, he gave me a firm nod. “There you go. Riley’s had plenty of chances to go after doctors and lawyers. She’s not the type to be happy with pansy-ass doctors and such. She’s already survived the likes of shady cops, and their father’s cronies coming after her. She stood firm at your side all that time, and she’s carrying your baby. She’s smart and loyal and tough enough to fit right in with the old ladies in this club. So don’t sell her short by thinking she’s gonna regret getting hitched to a brother.”

“Yeah, I know all that, but this just feels more important and permanent than anything I’ve done before.”

He pushed off the doorframe, strolled forward, and clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Of course it does, because it is one of the most important decisions the two of you will ever make. It’s not just getting married. It’s building a life together. You’re scared because deep down inside you know how life-changing this moment is for you and Riley. It means you’re smart and plan to stand by the vows you make today.”

I felt some of the weight easing off my chest. “You’re really good at calming the wedding jitters. Do you do this often?”

He smiled indulgently, “Only when my club brothers start looking like they’re about to pass out before the drinking even starts. Now finish getting ready, we’re burnin’ daylight here.”

Storm stayed as the groomsmen showed up and made sure we were all presentable before we stood in front of our club brothers and assembled guests.

We had decided to have our wedding ceremony at our home. I thought having the home court advantage would ensure things went smoothly. We had everything set up in the backyard. The old ladies had outdone themselves, decorating the canopies I rented, creating flower arrangements, and even helped supervise the caterers. The guest list included my club brothers and their old ladies and Riley’s friends. Neither of us had much in the way of family, so that was enough for us to be happy.

When the time came, I took my place at the front. Storm, Celt, and Breaker were my groomsmen. When the wedding march started and Riley came walking down the aisle, my heart started hammering in my chest like it was trying to escape my rib cage.

Everything around me—my whole damn world—narrowed to the woman I loved with every fiber of my being coming to marry me. Her dress was elegant and hugged every curve, especially the bold, obvious swell of her belly. The thought of our baby growing, happy and safe, inside the one woman I couldn’t live without made my chest swell with pride and genuine happiness. Riley chose to be with me, even when she had every reason not to.

Her red hair was pinned up in an elegant updo that looked sleek and fancy. It framed her face perfectly. Her beautiful green eyes found mine and then lowered demurely. This is what Riley flirting with me looked like, and it made my cock twitch at the most inopportune time imaginable.

All the emotions multiplying in my chest were love. There was nothing else that even came close to explaining the pull I felt towards her. I couldn’t wait to see what the future held for us.

Riley stopped beside me. We turned and took each other’s hands. Hers were smooth and soft. Mine were rough and calloused. I wanted to tell her how beautiful she was and take her into my arms. I couldn’t because we’d practiced the whole ceremony, and it wasn’t yet time for that to happen.

The pastor was an older man with gray hair, glasses, and a pot belly. He was nice, though. I waited patiently while he welcomed everyone and began talking about the sanctity of marriage. I was far too focused on Riley to take in much of what he was saying. All I could think about was how her fingers curled around mine. How soft and kissable her red lips were today. And how everyone gazed at the one family heirloom I inherited along with the house. It sparkled when the sunlight hit the diamonds on her finger. I had given this woman all that I had to give and felt it wasn’t nearly enough.

The pastor raised his voice, probably because I wasn’t paying attention. “You may now recite your vows to one another.”

Not wanting to seem like I was dragging my feet, I immediately launched into my vows. When I spoke, my voice trembled with emotion that I didn’t try to hide. “Riley, before you, I didn’t know what love meant, much less what it meant to have a home and family. Before you, there was only my life in the military, brothers, the club, and the road. You’re the one who made me long for more. I fell hard for you without meaning to. And I’ll love you when we’re old and gray and yelling at our grandkids. You’re my ride or die, and I promise to protect you and our family with everything I’ve got.”

Riley’s expression was adoring. Tears were glistening in her eyes. They were tears of happiness, I’d wager. She gave my hand a little squeeze before speaking her own vows.

“Havoc, you came barreling into my very disciplined life, changing everything I thought I knew about the world, and men in particular. Before meeting you, my life was neat, predictable, and controlled. You were a storm of chaos and excitement, the likes of which I had never known. You were handsome, protective, loyal, and impossible to ignore. I’m so thankful that you pulled me out of my utterly boring, humdrum existence and gave me the excitement I didn’t even realize my life was missing. You gave me love, and a real future, one I plan to work hard to make good for you and our kids. I promise to stand at your side through thick and thin. To be a source of strength when your well runs dry and your softness when the world gets too hard.”

I slid her wedding ring onto her finger and admired the way it looked locking her engagement ring into place. She slid mine on my finger as well, sealing her promise to me, just as mine had done for her.

The pastor announced, “By the power vested in me, by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Havoc, you may kiss your bride.”

I pulled her close and let my lips ghost over hers. She returned my kiss, all soft and eager. My unspoken goal was to kiss her soundly enough to erase every doubt and fear she’d ever had.

Applause broke out, alerting me that we had been kissing for way too long. I reluctantly pulled back and gazed into her very flushed and aroused face. When we turned to face the guests, we were met with cheering, clapping, and wolf whistles from the unmarried club brothers.

This felt right. Riley was now officially mine, and I was hers. Forever, linked together by love and marriage. This was the life I was never smart enough to even dream of having. Glancing back over at Riley, I made a silent vow to give her every ounce of myself, all the time. I’d never take her for granted.

THE END