Page 24 of Monstrosity (Raiders of Valhalla MC: New Blood #5)

"Where's it going to be?" Florencia asks. "Church? Beach? Here?"

"We haven't decided yet," Dasha tells them. "Where would you like it?"

"Somewhere pretty," Cali says. "With room for dancing. And cake. Lots of cake."

"Multiple cakes," Florencia agrees. "Different flavors so everyone's happy."

"You two have thought about this a lot," Dasha observes.

"We've been waiting for Daddy to ask you forever ," Florencia says matter-of-factly. "We had time to plan."

"Forever?" I raise an eyebrow.

"At least a whole year," Cali confirms. "Maybe even two years."

"Or since always," Florencia adds.

The ride to the club passes by in a blur, and man is it busy for a weekday afternoon.

Several brothers are working on bikes in the garage, others lounging at the bar.

The energy shifts when we walk in—something about the way we're all grinning probably gives it away.

"Family meeting in five," I called out. "Someone get the women."

"What's going on?" Tor asks, abandoning his bike.

"You'll see," I say, trying to keep the smile off my face.

People gather quickly, curious about the impromptu meeting.

Meghan appears with flour in her hair—she must have been doing something in the kitchen.

Starla comes from the office. Others drift in from various corners of the compound.

"What's this about?" Runes asks once everyone's assembled.

I stand, pulling Dasha up with me. The girls flank us, practically bouncing.

"We have an announcement," I start.

Cali explodes, unable to contain herself one second longer. "Daddy and Dasha are getting married!"

The eruption is immediate.

Meghan screams so loud I think glasses might break.

Women swarm Dasha to see the ring.

Brothers pound my back hard enough to bruise.

The girls are swept up in hugs, basking in the attention.

"About fucking time!" someone shouts.

"Finally!" This from multiple sources.

"Let me see that ring!" Meghan demands, grabbing Dasha's hand. "Oh my God, it's perfect!"

"The girls helped pick it," Dasha tells her, pulling our daughters close.

"Of course they did," Starla says warmly. "This is a family affair."

"When's the wedding?" someone calls out.

"Soon as possible," I answer, pulling Dasha close. "Don't want to give her time to change her mind."

"Like that would happen," she says, kissing me to hoots and hollers.

"Bachelor party!" Tor announces. "I'm planning it. It's going to be epic."

"Strippers?" someone suggests.

"Kids present!" multiple women scold.

"What's a stripper?" Cali asks innocently.

"Someone who takes paint off furniture," I say quickly. "Very boring job."

"Oh." She loses interest immediately.

The party continues for another hour, everyone offering congratulations and already making plans.

The women corner Dasha to discuss wedding details while the men start planning what sounds like an increasingly elaborate bachelor party that I'm already dreading.

"Rio." Runes motions me over to a quieter corner. "Walk with me."

I follow him outside to the picnic area, curious about the serious tone.

"You've come a long way," he says once we're alone. "I'm proud of you, brother."

"Thank you," I say, meaning it. His approval matters.

"Flora would be happy for you," he continues. "She'd want you to find love again. To give those girls a mother."

"I know." And I do. It took years to accept, but Flora wouldn't want us frozen in grief. "Dasha... she doesn't try to replace her. She honors her memory while building something new."

"That's a rare woman." He pulls something from his cut—a small velvet box. "This was a gift from an old friend during a time of need. Got me through some serious shit, and I want you to have it."

I open it to find a simple gold compass, worn from age. "Runes, I can't?—"

"You can and you will. It's got good luck in it." He clasps my shoulder. "You've earned your second chance, Rio. Don't waste it."

"I won't," I promise, pocketing the compass. "Thank you. For everything."

"That's what family does."

We head back inside, where the party is still going strong.

By the time we extract ourselves, a few hours have gone by.

The girls are starting to fade, overwhelmed by excitement and attention.

Dasha looks happy but tired, her ring catching the light every time she moves her hand.

"Home?" I ask.

"Home," she agrees.

The girls chatter all the way back, making increasingly elaborate wedding plans.

By the time we pull in the driveway, they've decided on a menu, color scheme, and guest list that includes "everyone we've ever met."

"Bath and early bed," Dasha decrees, herding them inside. "You can plan more tomorrow."

"But we're not tired!" Cali protests, yawning hugely.

"Uh-huh. March, little wedding planner."

I handle bedtime while Dasha cleans up from our abandoned breakfast.

The girls are asleep almost instantly, worn out from the day's excitement.

I find Dasha on our porch, two beers waiting.

Our spot.

The place where I proposed, where we've had our most important conversations.

"Hell of a day," she says as I settle beside her.

"Good day though."

"The best." She holds up her hand, admiring the ring in the fading light. "I still can't believe it's real."

"Believe it. You're stuck with me now. Officially stuck."

"My favorite kind of stuck." She curls into my side. "The girls were amazing today. They're so happy."

"They've been waiting for this," I admit. "Florencia asked me months ago when I was going to marry you."

"What did you tell her?"

"That things like that take time." I laugh. "She said I was being too slow."

"Smart girl."

"Gets it from her mom." I kiss the top of her head. "Both of them."

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sun set.

This is what I never thought I'd have again—peace, happiness, a future to look forward to instead of just surviving.

"What kind of wedding do you want?" I ask eventually.

"Nothing huge. Just family, the club. Maybe in the backyard? The girls would love that."

"Whatever you want. Long as you're there and you say 'I do,' I'm happy."

"That's all?" she teases.

"Maybe a cake. Cali was pretty insistent about cake."

"Multiple cakes," she corrects. "Can't disappoint our wedding planners."

"God forbid."

"Rio?" Her voice goes serious. "I want to do something for Flora. In the ceremony, I mean. Honor her somehow. She's part of our story."

This woman. This amazing, perfect woman who understands that loving me means loving all of me, including my past.

"She'd like that," I manage past the lump in my throat. "Maybe... maybe the girls could do something? Light a candle for her or something?"

"That's perfect." She tilts her face up for a kiss. "I love you."

"Love you too. Future Mrs. Rojas."

"Mm, I like the sound of that."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." She stands, pulling me up. "Come on. Let's go celebrate our engagement properly. Again."

"Insatiable," I tease, but I'm already following her inside.

"You love it."

"I love you," I correct, pulling her close as soon as we're in our room. "Everything about you. Your heart, your strength, the way you love our girls."

"Our girls," she repeats softly. "Our family. Our life."

"Forever," I promise, sliding the ring off to kiss her finger before putting it back. "This ring is just the beginning."

"Then let's make it a good beginning," she says, pulling me down for a kiss that promises everything.

And as I lose myself in the woman who'll soon be my wife, I send up a silent thank you to whatever force brought her into our lives.

Second chances don't come often. But when they do, you hold on tight and never let go.

Which is exactly what I plan to do.