Page 71 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

TALON

I grind my teeth, staring out the window to the building across the way. Willow and all the women are in there getting ready, and my mom has strict orders to make sure Wills has everything she wants.

Today is all about her.

Nothing is ruining it.

Which is why I’m fucking trying to keep my anger under control.

“You bringing this fucking shit to me now?”

Sterling blows out a breath. “I told you I trusted you. Being the man in her life means you make this decision.”

“You know my goddamned answer.”

He stares for a beat then nods. “Noted.”

A low rumble sounds from my side and I spot the apprehension in my friends’ expressions. Dad remains stoic. Chase is the only one who seems as pissed as me.

“You kidding me?”

“What would Willow want?” Ford tries to be the voice of reason.

“Fuck!” I scrub my hand through my hair. “Willow is who I’m worried about.”

“Seems to me, she’s let the shit go. Think about it. The wedding, the baby, the house, the job… she’s openly said she’s thankful for what happened.”

“Yeah, but having that bitch in the building? Will it set her spiraling?”

“Not a chance,” Ace states sharply.

“Your call, but it seems like sweet, painful Karma to me.” Major shrugs.

“Dad, I can’t believe you even asked this,” Chase snaps.

“Son, you are a dad, so you know the love for your child. Even when they mess up, and disappoint us, that love doesn’t disappear. Rylee lost it all, her job, her inheritance, her fiancé, her reputation. She now has a criminal record.”

“You can’t stand here, today of all days, and defend her.”

“I’m not defending her, Chase. I’m relaying a request. It’s Talon’s choice.”

“Why does she even want to be here? She hates her sister,” I inquire, wondering if I’m even considering this.

The flicker in his eyes gives me my answer. Her fucking therapist.

Willow was on board with her parents’ reconciliation. Chase took a little more convincing, but he eventually relented in his initial anger. Their youngest child, however, has been the hold-out.

True to their word, Sterling and Stacy wouldn’t move forward without all of their kids’ blessings. Rylee had manipulated her mom for so long that she was having a hard time with Sterling’s firm stance.

Using her trust to repay Joseph, instead of the wedding funds, pissed her off. But she lost it when they refused to wade into her legal troubles.

What she didn’t understand is Sterling secured a highly-coveted hotshot lawyer who was doing him a favor.

She should have been charged with a felony.

The man got her down to a misdemeanor, no time, and the agreement to repay all damages.

Her legal fees were on her.

Another hit to her trust.

From what I heard from Chase, Rylee was still a bitter cunt, making her parents lives hell. But they held strong to their positions and Sterling was closer to moving back home.

Willow was thrilled they were working things out, but worried her sister would ruin it.

Therefore, we didn’t discuss it much.

I wanted Rylee out of her head.

Which is why I can’t consider letting her attend the wedding.

What would Willow want?

Ford’s question scrolls through my brain.

The answer is simple. Willow would allow it if it helped massage the path for her parents.

“I want a guy on her. She enters the church after the procession and leaves before we walk down the aisle. She doesn’t step within a hundred feet of the country club. I don’t want to see her face. If I do, she will be removed—by any means necessary.”

Sterling tips his chin.

“I’m doing this because it’s what Willow would want. But I swear if that woman even makes a peep, her life will be hell. She’s not my daughter and there is no allegiance.”

“Understood.”

“I can’t believe this.” Chase eyes me with disgust.

“I love your sister.”

“You’re whipped.”

“You’re one to talk.”

His disgust turns to a wicked gleam. “Fuck me.”

“You’ll get someone on Rylee?” I direct my statement to Major, who pulls out his phone.

I have no idea who he calls but I hear him order, “Incapacitate if needed,” and I grin.

The door swings open, Wyatt flying in, arms flailing. “It’s time! Grandma says if Talon doesn’t get away from the window, she’ll tan his hide.”

I glance down at him in his tux made to match ours. Ember and Cruz can make anything happen.

“Getting away from the window now.” I crouch to him. “You know your role?”

“Sure, I walk in with Dad and stand at the front looking dapper.”

Dapper? Fuck if I don’t dig this kid.

“Sounds right.”

“Uncle Talon?” His face goes serious.

“Yeah, buddy?”

“Aunt Lolo looks… well,” he struggles for the words, and I wait him out with my heart racing. “She looks stunning.”

“Doesn’t she always?”

“Yeah, but they did something to her today. It’s different and it’s…”

“How about you let her surprise me?”

“Good idea, but can you promise me something?”

“I can try.”

“If there’s another wedding, don’t make me hang with the women. They aren’t as fun.”

I glance at Chase, who’s holding back laughter. “I think your dad’s the next up. It’s his promise to make.”

Chase doesn’t even blink, tousling his son’s head. “Let’s get ready.”

Cruz appears at the door, ushering us out with the same instructions he’s been repeating since last night’s rehearsal.

Does he really think I’ll fuck up walking down an aisle and waiting for Willow?

I’d march my ass to the bridal suite and carry her if she’d allow it.

Sterling veers off to meet Willow and Mom joins us, giving me a quick kiss with a teary smile.

“So happy for you.”

“Me too, Mom.”

Dad walks her down first.

Chase follows with Stacy.

One by one, we follow the prompts from Cruz and Alex until I’m in place and the women appear.

Shayla, Jewls, Harley, Rowan, and Bex make their way down, the doors shutting behind them.

When the music begins and everyone stands, I move to the center as the doors open.

Time stands still as I take in the gorgeous vision standing too far away. She takes the first few steps and there’s a commotion. Her eyes go over my shoulder and her body buckles over with a high-pitched squeak.

I twist to find a twin mattress lying on the ground behind me. Robbie and Finn dart back to their seat next to their cackling wives and an overly amused Max. Hugo, Blade, and Rand lift small pillows in the air.

“We didn’t want you to crack your head open if you fainted again,” Ace explains with a shit-eating grin.

The whole church bursts into laughter, but the sound that floats above all is Willow. Her cheeks are pink and I know she had something to do with this.

Fuck it. I take off down the aisle and heave her into my hold, slamming my mouth to hers. Her laughter dies as her tongue curls with mine.

I ignore the throats clearing and whistles from the room, kissing her until her heart is racing against my chest.

When I tear away, she’s dazed, her eyes glossy and lips swollen. I step to her side and escort her the rest of the way to the waiting preacher.

With each word and vow, a new sense of peace settles over me.

When it’s time for the rings, her eyes glitter at the new ink on my finger.

Then it’s finally official.

Man and Wife…

I am a fucking King.

“Please say something,” Willow pleads in a small voice, twisting the rings on her fingers.

I’m too stunned to answer, staring at the clear, sterile wrap on her upper ribcage. Today’s date is scrolled in black ink inside of a compass.

“The dials of the compass are unicorn horns,” she explains quickly.

I take her hand, rolling our fingers over the art. “Who inked you?”

Her hand trembles in mine. “Why?”

“Because if another man touched you, I’m not responsible for what happens to him.”

She grins nervously. “I went to a woman, honey.”

“And it’s safe for the baby?”

“Yes, I checked. I mean, they didn’t recommend making a habit of getting tattoos over the next five months, but this was perfectly fine.”

“Why did you put it here?” I scale over every inch of the design, memorizing it.

“I wanted somewhere close to my heart with less likelihood of stretching out of proportion. My breasts are obviously not an option,” she tries to joke, her voice shaky.

Her eyes are filled with apprehension as she stares at me. “It’s you. The compass, the horns of a mythical creature, the date we married.”

“And this?” My finger trials over the card-like design in the middle of it all.

“It’s a wild card.”

I close my eyes, my heart racing as waves of possession burn through me. “Mine,” I grate out.

She steps over the wedding dress pooled at her feet and presses her body close. “Yours.” Her fingers fumble with my shirt until I can’t take it anymore, splitting it open, buttons flinging everywhere. I crash my mouth to hers, lifting her into my arms and carrying her to the bed.

Her ankles wrap around my waist as I lay her down, flicking her bra off and tossing it to the side. Her tits poke into my bare chest, fueling my need to taste her everywhere.

I tear my mouth away, latching onto a nipple and sucking hard. She cries out, arching into my mouth. My fingers find the straps of silk at her hips and yank, ripping the material from her body.

She moans in pleasure when I slip my finger between her wet folds, taking time to caress her clit softly.

My mouth moves to the other side, nipping on the hardened peak and sucking until she’s clasping my head. “Talon.”

I sink my fingers inside her, scissoring them along her walls and teasing until she is panting.

It doesn’t take long for her to shout my name, her body writhing.

Gently, I unfasten her legs, kiss my way down her body, paying special attention to the delicate area of the wrap, and pull at her navel ring with my teeth before sliding to my knees.

My mouth moves over her hipbone, sucking in small spots, knowing I’m leaving my mark.

When my tongue skims along her slit, she whimpers.