Page 78 of Protected Hearts

“Messages still get through the channels at times. Did you think I was going to let my brother get married without me?” He looked like he was at the pinnacle of fitness. Strong and tough in a way that they all were, but somehow different. It made the rest of them look like a bunch of pansies.

He hooked a hand around Denver’s nape. “You and I are going to be having a serious talk later.” He turned his head to include Gray and Colt. “We all are.”

The low strains of the opening music floated on the air, interrupting them. Oaks’s chest was tight with emotion. Knowing that all of his siblings were here except their youngest brother Theo made his eyes sting. That they’d all come for one of the most important days of his life meant the world to him.

Gray gave him a nod of understanding and held out a fist. Oaks tapped his knuckles with his own and did the same to Denver. Just then, Carson rounded the corner.

A huge grin plastered over his face. “I see our brothers found you.”

“Damn, man. You knew they were coming.”

Carson nodded and shook hands with each of them as if he didn’t want a moment to pass where they didn’t know the brotherhood of family first.

“Did Willow see them yet? She’s going to lose her mind, and I didn’t hear any screaming.” Oaks glanced in the direction of the wedding venue. All of a sudden, he realized how close he was to stepping out and meeting his bride.

“Willow hasn’t seen anybody yet. She’s been too busy supporting Shiloh while she gets ready. And Layne is doting on her too.”

Oaks shook his head. “I don’t know how we all managed to become a whole family unit considering the way we were brought up. But I want you all to know I appreciate each and every one of you more than I can ever express.”

Silence followed his emotional words.

Then Carson let out a snort of amusement. “You’re getting too sappy on us, man.”

“Yeah, we didn’t fly across continents to hear this crap.” Denver shot him a grin to soften his harsh jab.

“We’re going to find Willow.” Gray latched on to Colt’s shoulder and took him with them, leaving only Carson and Oaks.

He met Carson’s gaze. “You know why I asked Colt to be my best man, right?”

Carson didn’t skip a beat. “He wouldn’t even show up if he didn’t have a role he couldn’t get out of.”

He ducked his head in a nod. “He worries me with some of the darkness still inside him. He needs to spend more time in the vet program.”

“Maybe. He could also be working things out on his own. You know Colt.”

He did. But it still worried him. He never wanted someone else he cared about feeling lost and hopeless.

“I’ll talk to him while you’re honeymooning in a bungalow over the water in the Caribbean. You’re making me look like a slacker with Layne, by the way. Now I’m going to have to take her someplace nice.”

“You should, man. You should marry her too. She deserves it for sticking by your dumb ass.”

They shared a grin, then another song began. A few notes in, a loud squeal pierced the air.

Oaks chuckled. “Willow knows our brothers are home.”

* * * * *

Layne fiddled with the skirt of Shiloh’s gown. The silky-smooth fabric swirled around her rhinestone heels.

“Thank you so much for being here for me, Layne.” Tears threatened at the backs of her eyes, but she forced them back. Her makeup was not going to last a bout of tears.

Her new dear friend gave her an appreciative look. “Ofcourse. I’m so happy I could be here to support you.”

Suddenly, Willow appeared, looking like a model in a shade of jewel blue that made her glow, while Layne wore a paler blue gown that complemented her fairer coloring.

Overcome by love, Shiloh threw out her arms and hugged both ladies to her. “You’re both my sisters now.”

“Don’t make us cry. We’ll all smear our mascara.” Willow sounded choked up.

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