Page 85 of Toxic Vengeance

“Okay then, pin it on me so we can get this show on the road. Sooner it’s done, sooner I can get you all to myself again.”

She couldn’t help the stupid, sappy smile on her face as she pinned it to his lapel. “I’m going to plant a lot of this in my garden.” She had big plans for it. Oleander, foxgloves and wisteria were a necessity to honor her grandma.

Only she wasn’t sure if she and the others would still be here in spring. So much could happen between now and then. As soon as they got a solid lock on Rahman and an ID on the Architect, they could start planning an end game.

“Hey.” He cupped her cheek in his hand, brought her gaze up to his. “Whether we’re still here in the spring or not, it doesn’t matter. I’ll help you plant a poison garden wherever we wind up.”

That probably wasn’t romantic to most people, but to her it was, and underscored just why she’d fallen in love with him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He leaned in for another kiss, then swatted her butt. “Let’s get in there before all the good seats are gone.”

She laced her fingers through his, filled with joy and excitement about the event she was about to witness. As incredible as it seemed, she was finally part of a family, unconventional though it may be.

Chloe came rushing in, her hair swept up in a sophisticated twist, wearing a skin-tight purple dress that made Heath’s eyes pop out. “You like?” she asked him with a smile, twirling so he could see everything.

“Hell yeah, I like, firecracker,” he growled, and Eden shared a secret smile with Zack.

Jesse arrived. Trinity came in next, leading Karas. The dog had a big bow made of the same lavender ribbon Eden had used on the bouquets tied around her neck. “Ring bearer’s here,” Trinity said, giving Karas a pat.

The minister stepped inside a moment later, ushered to the arbor at the front by Trinity. “I think we’re ready.”

Music started playing from speakers around the conservatory, a classical piece Eden couldn’t name but recognized. Jesse pulled out his phone to start recording just as Ty appeared in the doorway in his tux, the lavender rose in his boutonnière symbolizing love and adoration. He smiled at them all as he walked up to meet the minister, followed by Heath, who was acting as best man.

Amber came next, dressed in a lavender gown, her long brown hair swept up and Eden’s bouquet in her hands. She came down the aisle slowly, matching her pace to the music. She aimed a wink at Jesse on the way by, and stopped opposite Heath at the arbor.

The music paused and everyone turned as the bride stepped inside. Eden put a hand to her chest, overwhelmed by the sight of her fellow Valkyrie standing beside Marcus, handsome as hell in his tux, his cane in his right hand.

A different piece of music began. Smiling down at Megan, Marcus offered her his arm.

“Aww,” Eden and Kiyomi whispered together.

Eden leaned closer to Zack, a lump in her throat. “I didn’t know he was giving her away. Aww.”

Zack grinned and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Such a romantic under that tough exterior. You’re not gonna cry, right?”

“Not unless you want me to punch you in front of everyone.”

Marcus gave Karas a quiet command. The dog immediately jumped up and padded down the aisle, mouth open in a doggy grin. Marcus escorted Megan up the aisle, stopping in front of Ty. After lifting Megan’s veil he turned to shake Ty’s hand, a solemn, unspoken vow passing between the two of them.

Hurt her and you’ll deal with me, Marcus’s expression said, and no one in their right mind would take on the former SAS member.

The lump in Eden’s throat grew bigger, threatened to choke her when Ty took Megan’s hand, the smile on their faces so beautiful it almost hurt to look at them.

The minster began the ceremony and said a prayer. Megan and Ty exchanged vows next, then Heath bent and untied the rings from Karas’s ribbon collar.

The bride and groom exchanged rings. Eden’s heart beat faster, squeezing Zack’s fingers tighter and tighter without realizing it.

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the minister declared. “You may kiss the bride.”

Eden sucked in a shaky breath as Ty took Megan’s face in his hands and bent to kiss her. Zack squeezed her tighter to his side and suddenly a tissue was thrust in front of her face.

“Thank you,” she choked out to Kiyomi, dabbing at her eyes and sniffing.

The moment Ty and Megan broke apart and turned to face them, everyone shot to their feet. Applause and cheers filled the conservatory, amplified in the small space. Hugs and handshakes were doled out, then Chloe grabbed all the women and dragged them into a knot in the center of the room.

“Bitchilantes ride or die!” she cried.

“Ride or die!” they all chorused back, and Eden found herself laughing.

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