“Your Uncle James.”
“So you’re the one who set this nightmare in motion?”
“Not exactly. Tracked you down for your mother. My sister.”
“You can’t hold me prisoner.”
Brows furrowed I stare at her in confusion until I take in the collar around her neck. “You collared my niece?” I grit out, debating on killing Holy.
“Putting in my claim.”
“I’m not your property.”
“Baby doll, you can play hard to get all you want, but we both know deep down you enjoy it.” He shoots her a wink then yanks on the chain that is connected from the collar to a leather cuff at his wrist.
“Un-fucking-believable.” I shake my head. “You’re giving me a migraine.”
“She’s a runner. Did what I had to do.”
“You delivered her in one piece. Let her go. That’s an order.”
“Don’t stray too far, pet.”
“I’m going to kill you after you officiate this wedding,” I warn the little smug, kinky prick. “Hazel, we’ll talk later. Was hoping to do things differently, but I’ve been waiting twenty years for today. Make yourself at home. Whatever you need, my good friend Slick over there will take care of you and get you to your mother.”
She lifts her chin and shoots me a dirty look.
“You.” I grab hold of Holy by his cut. “Save your freaky shit for once Lily’s not around to see it.”
He licks his lips. “I’ll try.”
Chapter Twelve
“Admit it. You do like me.” I smirk at Pam as Jules fits my veil over my hair.
“Don’t get all gushy on me. I’d do this for anyone.”
“She’s lying,” Jules says.
“She totally adores you,” Joey, the Old Lady of Axel the VP of the Flagstaff chapter tells me. “Why else would she have gone to the trouble of coordinating this?”
Pam got with the Old Ladies who would be here to give me my something, new, old, and blue. A sweet gesture for someone who once hated me and saw me as an enemy.
“Okay fine you caught me okay. I think of Murder like a blood brother. He gave me one of the greatest gifts. Something I thought I would never have, and he loves you. That man loves you like no other. I guess I was partly jealous. Not that he was with you but of the bond between you. Link and I have always had a love for each other but not the epicenes that is between you and your man. I want that. Anyway, what I’m saying is I’ve never saw that man as happy as when he got rid of Ruthie and you took him back.”
I squeeze her hand. “You and Link are at a crossroad, but if anyone can survive it, I know it will be the two of you.”
Pam nods with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
Wylla Mae pokes her head out the door then back in. “It’s time.”
“That’s our cue to get to our seats ladies,” Jules starts ushering everyone out of the room, leaving only my daughter behind as she’s my maid of honor.
She turns me toward the full-length mirror one of the guys brought in just for today. “You look like a queen.” James would probably have a shit fit if he saw all the makeup and crap all over his desk.
“I feel like one. Thank you for being the best daughter a mom could ever dream of having.”
“I know I haven’t told you it enough, but I love you, Mom. I know you had it rough and did the best you could.”
I fan my face. “Stop. You’re going to make me cry and Pam will kill us both for ruining my face.”
“You’re probably right but I just needed to say that I never appreciated you enough, but I do now.”
“Damn it, sweet pea.” A tear slides down my cheek. I change the subject. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”
“In marrying Dad?”
“All of it. The wedding, the new house, the baby. It’s a lot at once.”
“This was meant to be. You’re finally getting everything you wanted it. Embrace it.”
“Again, when did you get so smart?”
“I learned from you.”
“You’re determined to ruin my makeup, aren’t you?”
“Let’s get out there. Dad is waiting.”
“Okay.” I suck in a breath. I glance at my appearance one more time in the mirror. Jules took a flat iron to my hair and added some extensions in to give me a little more length for the occasion after I got a wild hair up my ass and chopped it off the other day. Smoky eyes and red lipstick. My ivory dress has a shimmery heart-shaped bust. And an A-line skirt that slits up both sides. The heels are diamond studded and kick ass creamy satin. I pick up my bouquet of deep, burgundy-colored roses with touches of baby’s breath in them.
I follow Wylla Mae down the hall. The tables in the bar are set up for the reception after. Black candles and flower arrangements that match my bouquet in the center. Pam and Jules thought of everything. East is waiting for us by the back door. I don’t have anyone to give me away, so he volunteered to escort Wylla Mae and I down the aisle together. I know people probably talk a lot of shit about us, but East is family and always will be one of the best men I’ve ever known.
“Pretty as a picture. Both of you. Glad you’re feeling better.” East gives me a hug, and I know he is genuinely happy for me. “Congrats on the baby, darlin’.”
“You too.” I kiss his cheek and release him.
“Ready to do this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” East hooks one arm with mine and loops the other with Wylla Mae’s. A rock ‘n roll version of the Wedding March filters through the speakers from the tent the wedding is taking place in behind the clubhouse.
Rows of black chairs filled with club member and their old ladies makes up our guests list. Nothing but smiles meet us as we make our way toward James and Holy. Though I only have eyes for my motorcycle man. His dark gaze meets mine and the rest of the world fades away.
Wylla Mae kisses his cheek, stepping off to the side for East to give my hand in marriage to James. Years ago, some thought it’d be East and me tying the knot. However, this is how it was meant to be. I can feel it.
“Who gives this woman in marriage.”
“Her daughter and I do,” East answer’s Holy, placing my hand in James’s.
“Hey,” I whisper.
“Babe.” He grins at me and I already want to cry. This is truly happening. I’m marrying my dream man.
“Let’s get straight to it. These two crazy kids have danced around each other for years,” Holy says. “Marriage is sacred. A bond between souls. Alexa and James knew from the moment they met that there would never be anyone else. No matter what life has thrown at them their love has stood through the test of time. Enemies and grief. Nothing will come between them. Today in front of their Royal Bastard family they pledge their eternal devotion.” He takes a pause. “I’m gonna spare you the bullshit and get right down to it. Prez, Murder, my man. Do you promise to be the man Alexa needs?”
“I do.”
“Fine ass, Alexa. Fucking beautiful, woman. Mean that.” James glares at him. “Do you promise to be a down ass chick who’ll ride or die for Prez here? To love him and be true to him?”