His fingers stroke tenderly through her hair, continuing to calm her as she softly cries into his chest. The tender moment shared between ex-lovers somehow feels like the closure they have both been seeking.
It feels intrusive to watch.
Letting out a long breath, I chance a glance at Haven, who is watching the two of them intently. Honestly, Alpha really lucked out with her. She is incredibly supportive of his relationship withLivvy. It’s refreshing to see a couple who is so trusting of each other that there’s no jealousy between them at all.
They’re just one big happy family.
Livvy finally pulls back from Alpha, wiping the tears from her face. “Thank you… thank you for avenging our baby girl,” she whispers, straightening out her scrubs as if she is trying to make herself appear more presentable.
She glances over her shoulder at Haven, gives her a head nod, and then, without saying anything else, Livvy takes off for the exit like she needs a break from the emotion.
Alpha rolls his shoulders, moving to follow. “Liv, you shouldn’t be alone right now.”
But she doesn’t reply and continues out of the Chapel, down the stairs.
Alpha grumbles under his breath, running his fingers through his hair. “Fuck, I should go. Make sure she isreallyokay.”
Haven steps forward, sliding her arm around his waist. “I love you. I really do, but I think she needs some distance. It’s too raw. This brought up many horrible memories for her, Alpha. Right now, she needs a friend, not her ex-husband. I’ll go. Let me talk to her. Make sure she’s okay.”
Alpha scrubs at his beard but then nods and presses his lips to hers. “Have I told you how much I fucking worship the ground you walk on?”
Haven smirks and leans in kissing his cheek. “Constantly. But keep telling me, it’s a good ego boost.” She turns her attention to me. “I’m sure you guys have shit to discuss, but Loki… keep an eye on him for me, will you? If he starts to derail, come get me?”
Nodding my head, I give her a salute. “You got it, boss.”
Haven gives Alpha another quick kiss, his hand sliding down to her ass and tightening his grip. I chuckle as she whimpers against him, then she pulls back, shaking her head. “I’m gonna take all your stress away tonight. Just you wait and see, big guy,”she chimes, then shimmies her way out of the Chapel and down the stairs.
Grinning, I turn back to face Alpha to see him subtly rearranging his cock in his jeans as he moves back to his position at the head of the table and takes a seat. Alpha slumps down into his seat, his arms back behind his head, letting out a long groan. “Fuck me… I didnotexpect that!”
I lean back in my chair, letting myself get comfortable. “That was a pretty emotional moment for you and Liv, Pres. You doing okay?Honestly?”
Alpha rolls his shoulders, clearing his throat. He hesitates for a moment, like he is thinking through his answer, but then he turns to face me, his expression full of conviction. “Knowing Ricco was still out there, that there was this chance he could come after Poppy again and take her from me, was something that literally kept me up at night. I think for the first time in years, I might get a solid night’s sleep tonight, Loki.”
My chest squeezes, knowing that, as a club, we have helped. That, as a club, we have brought down one of the most notorious cartels in California.
Will there be ramifications?I don’t know.
But for now, we need to celebrate the wins because Alpha, Livvy, Haven, and Poppy now have the freedom to live their lives as a family without this huge threat following them around.
“That’s real fucking good to hear, Pres… real fucking good,” I tell him honestly.
He leans forward, scrubbing his face and letting out a heavy exhale. “You think Haven is okay with everything?”
Raising a brow, I tilt my head. “Brother, you’re one lucky sonofabitch. I can tell you that because I think Haven loves Livvy just as much as you do. To find a woman like Haven, who is remarkably accepting of the kind of relationship you and Livvy still have, is impossible… and yet, you found her. Haven mightbe a tough, kickass woman who knows how to handle anything life throws at her, but she has a human side too. Shereallyis a rare find.”
Alpha sits back, a slow smile crossing his face. “I need to marry that woman.”
My eyes widen. “You said after Livvy you’d never marry again.”
Alpha shrugs with a small laugh. “Everything with Livvy was such shit for so fucking long after we split… I honestlythought getting married again wasneveran option for me. But now, Livvy and I are in a good place, and we’re both here for Poppy. Haven… well, I couldn’t function without her.”
A slow smile crosses his face, and he stands from his chair, beginning to pace the room. “Livvy was like the trial run, to show me what not to do, but it was good because I got Poppy and one of my best friends in Livvy to help me raise our daughter. But with Haven, it’s like she’s the missing piece of my very complicated puzzle. Though, when she’s with me, everything feels… complete.”
His words instantly hit me, and I can’t stop myself from remembering…
Lying in the backyard on the freshly cut grass, the smell of it always made my nose a little itchy, but Bea loved it. She loved being with nature. She said it was good for the soul. So as we lay in my yard, me on my back, her nestled in against my chest, we stared up at the stars. The night sky was a beautiful shade of onyx, not a cloud in the sky, allowing the stars to shine brightly just for her.
“I wish every night could be this magical,” she whispered.