Page 43 of Luck Be Mine (The Defenders #3)

? Wedding: Take Two ?

The six-story headquarters of QM International stood out in the industrial corridor, a sleek concrete-and-glass structure crowned by a discreet mirrored-black logo on the top floor.

By late afternoon on December fourteenth, the usual flow of personnel and company vehicles had given way to a lantern-lined drive and crisp floral accents, welcoming formally attired wedding guests.

When SEAL Team Three arrived in dress whites, traffic stopped.

Inside, the space had undergone a breathtaking transformation.

With Elizabeth and Niles working their magic, could it be any different?

While the third, fourth, and fifth floors bustled with friends and family getting polished and pressed, the sixth floor was complete.

What began as an empty cavern with an annoying echo now shimmered as a winter fairyland with twinkling lights, white lilies, and a “we still do” spirit.

Though the rest of the building stood austere and unassuming, the wedding areas glowed with candles, lights, and greenery.

Tall windows framed the horizon, the coming sunset spilling color into the room.

Sheer fabric draped from the beams and veiled the steel and candlelit altar in a hush of quiet elegance.

White chairs waited in precise rows, while tall glass cylinders traced the path ahead, ready to scatter light across the polished floor.

On the opposite side of the room, round, white-clothed tables circled a gleaming dance floor. A s’more station with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers promised indulgence, and long banquet tables waited for the sumptuous Italian feast Niles had organized.

Outside, the rooftop glimmered in simple greenery and candlelight. String lights twined along the railings, their glow mirrored into the building’s glassy facade and blended with city lights beyond. There was not a detail Elizabeth had left unaddressed.

Cait stood transfixed inside the sixth-floor landing. Her pulse thudded. It was time for her to dress, but she stood a minute in the glow of the twinkling lights. Tonight, they’d do what they hadn’t been able to do the first time.

They’d marry with the ones they loved most watching.

The elevator hum announced the arrival of their first guests. She went to the stairs, ready to retreat to her office, step into her dress, and let Adele, Jackie, and Bets fuss before meeting Hunt.

Tonight wasn’t only a wedding. It was a promise kept.

§§§§§§§§§§

? Brotherhood ?

Hunt stood in Mackey’s office with his brothers – military and civilian alike. The small conference area held enough chairs for all six of his teammates and Harrison.

Mackey had yet to don his black suit jacket, and he leaned back in his office chair with a tumbler of whiskey.

Quaid’s black tuxedo sat squared perfectly on his shoulders and offset the team’s whites. The man stood with his back to the room and stared out the window.

“What’s her name?” Mackey’s innocent drawl caused a ripple of laughs.

Quaid’s jaw tightened, and he glared at his partner. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re distracted. That usually means a woman.”

“Not this time. My grandfather had planned to be here, but he’s delayed.”

Hunt declined Harrison’s offer of a drink, sticking to water. “We have yet to meet him, Quaid. He’s done so much for us. Cait wants to thank him personally.”

“I’m aware, but I ceased trying to keep him on a schedule a long time ago. The only one who can do it is Elizabeth, and she has more important things to do today.”

Hunt looked from one man to the other. “I’d like to say something to both of you.”

“Are you going to get sappy?” Mackey’s face soured, and he took another sip of his drink.

“Yes, I am. Therapy works wonders.”

Brennan snorted, but kept a straight face.

Hunt eyed him but continued. “When Quaid came and asked Cait to be a part of this, I was against it. She wasn’t strong enough yet, and I was worried about a relapse. But she proved me wrong, and you two have kept her close every step of the way.”

Mackey grinned, a gleam in his eyes. “You’re welcome.”

Hunt pointed a finger at him. “I will not thank you for teaching Cait to punch people, but everything else, you’ve carried her when I couldn’t. You carried me, too.”

Mackey stayed silent but tipped his glass Hunt’s direction.

Quaid shifted to face the room and leaned against the windowsill. “She’s our friend, our family. It’s been an honor to back you and to have her in our midst.”

“Dang, y’all gonna make me cry,” Tommy whined. “I remember the first time I saw you, Daniels. I thought you looked like a tadpole failing in BUD/S and hadn’t mucked up your uniform.”

A burst of laughter from the others acknowledged the memory.

Quaid chuckled. “I recall that, too. I got handed the fucking uniform thirty minutes before I met you.”

Tommy winked at him. “Glad to say I was wrong.”

Senior Chief rose. “We’re going to get out of here and find our seats. See you out there?”

“Yeah.” Hunt shook his offered hand.

“I’m going to see if Elizabeth needs any final help.” Harrison rose and nodded at Hunt. “This was a great idea. Nice to be included again.”

“One of us. Always.” He couldn’t have done his job without Harrison’s mentorship or been there for Cait after her injury.

Someone clapped him on the back. Hunt didn’t need to look to know the brotherhood was whole.

Left with Mackey, Quaid, and Doogie, Hunt inhaled and let his nerves show. “I must have been out of my mind. Christ!”

He ran a finger around his collar, then patted his pocket for the twelfth time. Marnie had taken on the search for a special gift for Cait, and he did not want to lose the engraved gold locket necklace – something Cait would carry close to her heart.

Doogie laughed. “Especially when you asked me to get my license to marry you. I can hardly wait.” He rubbed his hands together in glee. “Have we got surprises? Why yes, we do.”

Hunt groaned. Having been party to a few of Doogie’s plans , he didn’t even want to imagine where the reception could go.

Quaid tugged on the sleeves of his jacket, placing his gold cuff links just so. “It’s a pleasure to be your best man again, Hunt. Thanks for asking.”

“No problem. We’ll see if Doogie has a chance at a new career.”

“Hey, this was not my idea, but I’m gonna make it work.” Doogie squared his shoulders. His dress whites only made the man appear stronger, bigger, and more of a presence. “Turn around here. Let me do a final check of your uniform.”

Hunt held in place. “Like I can’t do my own?”

“You’re getting married again, brother. It’s got to be perfect.” Doogie fussed, straightened a few things, moved them back, patted his shoulders, and stepped back. “There. Done.”

“Thanks, my friend.”

“You take care of her, you hear me? Because today, I get to hand her to you not just as your brother, but as the man marrying you both.”

“I promise.”

Mackey shrugged into his suit jacket. The casual man transformed into lethal elegance. “Let’s get you upstairs, LC. It’s time to get this celebration started.”

§§§§§§§§§§

?The Right Man ?

Adele fussed. Bets grinned. Jackie cried. Cait tried not to.

“Shopping on the phone with you did not do this dress justice.” Jackie carefully wiped her eyes so not to smudge her makeup.

Bets had been her partner in crime as Cait searched for the dress. Adele and Jackie participated by Skype.

“Told ya.” Bets lifted the dress over her head and the satin settled around her curves in a quiet whoosh.

Cait had searched until this simple sheath caught her eye.

The column of soft white whispered rather than shouted.

Sleeveless with delicate straps and a low, scooped back baring her shoulders, the dress made her skin shimmer.

There were no embellishments, no lace, no sparkle, no veil. Only her.

Adele smoothed her hair, checking and fussing over the pinned-backed, curly waves. “Gonna knock this man’s socks off.”

Cait laughed. “Oh yes, lets. It’s gorgeous. Thank you, Adele.”

Adele stepped back and studied the full picture. “You look beautiful.” She sniffed. Her own ivory dress had a matching long jacket and was adorned with simple gold jewelry.

Cait hugged her, holding for a long moment. “Thank you for flying all this way again to be here. It’s getting to be a habit.”

“For my family, anything.” Adele kissed her cheek then bustled through putting away her combs and sprays, finished with the hair tasks. She settled into Cait’s office chair with a sweet, contented expression and sipped her tea.

Cait drew in a calming breath. Deep scars were visible from her shoulder and collarbone, marks from a war she’d survived. The dress didn’t cover them. She would not hide reality or try to rewrite her story. She’d walked through fire and still stood. The scars were hers. So was the joy.

“Here’s your sapphire earrings.” Bets handed the delicate gems to her.

She fastened the sapphire studs into her ears, lingering on the silver backs.

They felt right, her link between the Cait from before to the Cait now.

She glanced at the mirror mounted on the inside closet door of her office and checked their placement.

The gem caught the light and made her sigh. Gorgeous.

Hunt asked her to keep her wedding ring off, totally giving away he’d bought a new one.

“I was there when he bought those earrings for you.” Jackie leaned to give her a hug. “He was and still is besotted. I’m so jealous.”

Cait smiled but didn’t reply. Jackie had her own man problem she’d have to solve herself. Bets handed her the white flats they found. No heels for her.

Bets recited the tradition. “Something new is dress and shoes. Old is earrings. Borrowed is?”

“Oh.” Jackie rushed to her bag. Her ice blue bridesmaid’s dress design was a copy of Cait’s. “I brought my grandma’s silver bracelets. There’s two she always wore together. I hoped you could wear one, and I’ll wear one.”