Page 44 of Shine: Sins of the Father (Evil Dead MC: Second Generation #8)
Wolf—
Tapping on the door, I tug at my tie. I’m not used to wearing a suit, but today, for my baby girl, I’ll get through it.
The door swings open, and Crystal stands there in a stunning mother-of-the-bride gown, looking as gorgeous as she did on our own wedding day.
I whistle low. “Damn, woman. You take my breath.”
“Wait until you see Fiona.”
My throat gets tight when my eyes lift to see her turning from a full-length mirror. Her wedding dress has a lace-fitted top with a huge sweeping skirt. Crystal told me it was called a ballgown. To me, she looks like a princess. My princess.
Goddamn, how will I ever stand up today and pass her hand to another man in marriage? How will I ever give my baby away? When all I see when I look at her standing there looking radiant is the three-year-old little girl playing dress up and stomping around in her mother’s shoes.
Her smile tells me everything. She’s happy, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for her.
I walk forward and take her hands in mine. “How did my little girl grow up so fast? You look beautiful, sweetheart. And happy.”
“I am happy, Daddy. So happy.”
“Good. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. You know that, don’t you? Even when I’ve overprotected you and overreacted, it’s because I love you and only want the best for you.”
“I know that, Daddy.”
“Shine better know what a lucky man he is.”
Crystal slips her hand in the crook of my arm. “It’s time.”
Everything inside me screams no, not yet.
It’s too soon. I want every minute of my little girl’s childhood back.
I don’t want it to be over. It went by too quickly, and I’m afraid I missed some of it.
Maybe I was too busy with the club. Maybe I should have appreciated every single minute of my kids growing up.
Did I take it all for granted? I pray Fiona doesn’t think so.
She smiles. “Come on, Daddy. Walk me to my future.” She slips her hand into mine. My little girl, taking control and getting me through this, when I should be doing that for her.
I cover her hand with mine. “Yes, sweetheart. Let’s get you to your future. I hope you know how much I love you.”
“I do. Now stop before you make me ruin my makeup.”
“We can’t have that, can we? Come on.”
A moment later, the two of us are standing at the chapel doors. The wedding coordinator Crystal insisted we hire is straightening Fiona’s gown and making sure her veil is perfect. In a second, she’s going to reach for that door and swing it open, and then there’s no turning back.
I take a deep breath, and Fiona looks up at me, giving my arm a little squeeze.
“I love you, Daddy.”
My heart does a little flip.
“You and your mother and your sister are my world, Fiona. Don’t ever forget that. Even if you are married. You’ll always be my baby girl. And if Shine doesn’t live up to his promises, you can always come home.”
“He’s going to be good to me, Daddy. I love him, and he loves me.”
And then the doors open, and the music starts, and everyone in the chapel comes to their feet.
I glance at Fiona; her smile is radiant, as all eyes are on her. But she has eyes only for one man now. The man standing at the end of the aisle, his own eyes glazing.
As I lead her to him, all our club brothers and mc family in attendance, I know despite all my reservations that he’ll give her a happy life. His love and devotion are plain on his face.
Soon, the minister is asking the question I’ve been dreading.
“Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?”
“Her mother and I do,” I say, my voice clear. And then all too soon, I’m passing her hand into Shine’s and stepping back to join Crystal in the front row.
They exchange vows and rings, and are pronounced husband and wife, and just like that, she’s flown our nest to start her own life. How can I not be sad? It’s like a death inside me. Do all fathers feel like this?
Crystal squeezes my arm and leans her head on my shoulder.
My gaze moves to Ella, standing as maid of honor.
Next to her are Fiona’s best friend, Janey, and Shine’s sister Crissy.
On Shine’s side as his best man is his club brother Reckless, as well as Fiona’s brother’s Rafe and Kyle.
All our children stand up there; only one remains unmarried. How quickly it all goes by.
“Only one more left,” I tell Crystal with a hand squeeze. “Before we know it Ella will be the one leaving us as well.”
“I hope we have a little longer with her.”
The bride and groom lead the procession down the aisle, and the bridal party follows past us. I watch them go.
“There’s never enough time, is there, honey?” I put my arm around my ol’ lady and pull her against my side.
“We’ve had a good life, haven’t we, Wolf?”
“We have, baby. That we have.”
I hope you enjoyed SHINE. Read on for a preview of the next book in my Sins of the Father series, CODY, releasing February 23, 2026
There’s also a preview at the end of my upcoming Evil Dead MC Christmas novel in which you’ll revisit the boys in the Alabama clubhouse.