Page 87 of Unhinged Cravings

As the priest declared them wed again, snow falling against the wall of windows behind them, they sealed their vows with a kiss. They made their way into the small group that included Tony Donelli and his father. Another addition to the extended family I had inherited when Greyson and I had reconciled.

Greyson threw a glance back at me, a look shared between us that affirmed the bond we’d repaired. Giving him a nod, I tucked my hands in my pocket and made my way to Ava. My new reason for living. She had moved to Seagate with me and while I’d offered to buy her a gallery to run, she’d turned me down. Instead, she spent her days working in the women’s shelter I’d built, teaching artclasses for the residents, and drawing in her spare time. There wasn’t a night when I didn’t have her tucked in my hold, nor a night that I didn’t worry about the danger my life held for her. And while she argued that the danger was something we both embraced, I had decided there was one risk I would no longer take: losing her.

Which was why I was unwinding the illegal parts of my business and had found a protégé to eventually take over my territory. I’d wanted to step away for years, and Ava had provided the incentive. Within three years, I would retire, acting as a consultant to my brother and to Mason Brinks, but spending most of my time by Ava’s side as she conquered the world. There was just one last thing I needed to do.

“You must be the sexiest man here,” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“And you are the most beautiful woman here,” I answered, scooping her into my arms.

“I don’t know, Angie’s pretty sexy.” She was taunting me, but I wasn’t about to bite because nothing tempted me like Ava did.

“Not my type anymore, remember? Plus, I’m only into blondes when it’s you.”

She giggled. “I love you, Emerson.”

“I know. That’s why we’re going to return here next summer and you’re going to marry me.”

Her mouth fell open. I walked her into a corner away from the others and took her face in my hands. “I’m serious, Ava. Marry me. Next May to mark our year anniversary. We can elope if you want or have an enormous party. I don’t care, as long as you’re happy. Marry me, Avani Liliya Shelton.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on your knee, Mr. Tides?”

“Is that a yes?” My heart was racing erratically. I had intended to ask her the next morning, but with the snow falling behind her, the blush of excitement on her cheeks, and how ravishing she looked in her bridesmaid’s dress, I couldn’t wait.

“Maybe, but I want to see some dedication to this.”

I couldn't help laughing as I dragged my hands down her body and got to my knee. Pulling the ring from my jacket pocket, I said, “Is this better?”

She fell to her knees and took the ring before tugging me to her. “Yes, and yes. I will marry you Emerson Tides.”

Our lips met, and I pulled her into my arms, standing and picking her up as I continued to kiss her.

“So, was that a yes?” Greyson asked from across the room.

I gave him a thumbs up as Ava giggled.

“Why wait?” she asked.

This time, it was my turn to gape.

“We have a priest. Everyone is here. I don’t want some big fancy wedding and it’s not like we were doing anything now but having dinner.” It was true, there was no party, nothing planned but dinner and drinks.

“We don’t have rings, you don’t have a dress…” A million thoughts were going through my mind.

“I don’t need anything but you, Emerson. We’re risk takers, right?”

My lips twitched as my grin grew. “Yes, we are. Hey Grey, you mind if we squeeze in on your special night?”

“Had a suspicion that would happen with as impulsive as you two are,” he said, coming over to me and holding out two rings. “Riley and Casey are good at reading these things and when I told her what you planned, well, we all figured you’d pop the question today and the two of them took it a step further.”

Ava shot a look around me, giving Riley a huge grin.

Greyson put his hand on my shoulder. “The priest is waiting when you’re ready.”

I watched him take his place where I had stood earlier. Pack took Den’s place. Riley stood across from Greyson, followed by the other two women, and even Mason and Tyson took their places.

“Damn, that is one messed up family I’m marrying into, isn’t it?” Ava said.

“You sure you want to do this?” I asked her.

“Are you?”

I searched her chestnut eyes, looking for any sign of doubt and seeing only what was in my heart. Love, endless and raw. There for me and only me. The piece of myself I had never known I was missing. I scooped her into my arms, loving the cute squeal she made.

“I’ve been sure since the day you walked into my life, wildcat.”

I carried her to the priest, and we took our places where Greyson and Riley had stood. Exchanging our own vows and declaring our love to those we now called family and friends. Greyson handed me the rings and as Ava and I completed our vows, slipping on our rings and sealing our fates with a kiss, I knew there was nothing more I wanted in life. I had everything I needed now. I had my brother back, and I had Ava. There was nothing else that mattered in my life but those two things, and I would spend the rest of my life proving that.