Page 25 of Under Their Protection

“Legally they can’t do anything once you are married,” Emma says.

“Marry me, Anika. Let me do this for you,” Rowan says.

Rowan is kind and respectful. He cares about me. This is the solution, and he wants to do this.

“Okay,” I say.

“Yeah?” Rowan asks with a smile.

“Yeah,” I return his smile. Rowan pulls my lips to his and kisses me. I melt into him, and he leaves me breathless when he pulls away.

Chapter Four

Anika

“I now pronounce youhusband and wife,” the man says with a smile. “You may now kiss your bride.

Rowan cups my face and kisses me deeply as Max, Mia, and Emma cheer loudly, making me smile. We went to a touristy 24/7 wedding chapel that Emma talked into dropping the paperwork off tonight in exchange for the owner to access the VIP lounge at no cost to him or his guests.

“Alright,” the man says. “I just need you guys to sign and the rest of you to sign as witnesses. I will take it and drop it in the drop box tonight. My wife works in records so I will have her file it first thing Monday morning. Are you changing your last name?”

“Uh… I don’t know?” I say.

“God, yes. Get rid of that fucking name” Mia says.

“Uh, then sure,” I say looking at Rowan.

“Anika Noelle Garcia,” Rowan says with a sweet smile. “Sounds perfect.” He softly pecks a kiss on my lips and I blush.

“Fuck, you two are adorable,” Mia says. I smile and shake my head at her. The man hands me a pen and I sign my name and then handthe pen to Rowan. He smiles at me and then signs his name as well. The rest sign as witnesses and I feel relieved as he makes copies.

“Congratulations,” he says with a smile. “Anika, you will get your new social security card in the next two weeks. The official marriage certificate will come in the next week, but here is your copy of the paperwork in case anyone gives you any trouble.” He hands me a copy of the paper we all just signed, and I can’t help my smile when I see it. He hands Emma her own copy before we all go to the parking lot.

“I’m still fucking your wife tonight,” Max says to Rowan as he picks me up and sits me on the hood of the truck.

“I’ll help, don’t worry,” Rowan says as he leans against the truck next to me.

“Well, while you three have fun, I’m going to be with Emma. Definitely watching the first part of the scene though,” Mia says.

“Are you going to fuck my sister?” Max asks Mia.

“Yeah. You are going to fuck mine,” she shrugs. She has called me her sister so many times before but this time it hit me just how much she means that. I hop down from the hood of the truck and hug her tightly. “I love you, Anika. You don’t need them. We have and always will be your family.”

“Thank you,” I say as I sniff back tears.

“No tears,” she says as she cups my face and wipes them away. “Go celebrate being married to the man I think you would have ended up marrying anyway. Have fun and get fucked.” I laugh and hug her again.

“So, this solves my problem?” I ask Emma.

“Yes,” she smiles. “There is a small chance they will say that Rowan is in charge of your care and will have to sign shit for you, but he can drop it after ninety days.”

“I’m not concerned about that. I trust him,” I say.

“You are safe. No one can make you have this surgery,” Emma says with a smile.

“Thank you, Emma,” I say, hugging her.

“You are very welcome, sweetie. Let me know if you have any other issues,” she says. “I’m stealing Mia now. We will see you there.”

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