Page 158 of The Assignment: Room 3

“What about my gift for Gracie?”

“It’s in your suit jacket pocket.” I pat my chest, feeling the platinum bangle I picked out for her. I had it engraved with today’s date, her name as of today—Grace Maxwell Navarro—and on the inside, it’s inscribed with something special, just for us.

“What if she doesn’t like it? Or it’s too big. Or too small.”

“It’s fine, Goldilocks. It’ll be just right.”

“Were you this nervous on your wedding day? I don’t remember you being even a little ruffled. My palms are sweating.”

Dalton pulls me into one of our well-known bromance hugs, and it fucking hits me in the feels. “Take a breath, brother. I’m so fucking proud of you, Flex. You’ve overcome so much adversity and come out the other side a stronger, better man. It’s normal to be nervous, but I guarantee you, when you see Helena walking down the aisle, it will all fall into place.”

“She’s not going to get cold feet, right? Can you text Nad and make sure Helena hasn’t gone all runaway bride on me?”

“They are already here. The girls are doing photos. Everyone wants a million pictures of Gracie, who is clearly going to steal the show today, especially when she walks the aisle with Funcle Dally.” It makes me smile every time she calls him that. I swear to God she has every single one of my friends wrapped around her little finger, but she’s a Daddy’s girl all day every day, and I love it.

Both of my girls become official today, and for the first time in decades, I will have a legal family. Venom has given me a family over the years—friends who would walk over hot coals for me, but today is different. Today, Helena and Gracie will be mine to protect,love, and honor with all that I am and ever will be, now and forevermore.

“It’s showtime. Are you ready?”

“Bring it on.”

I watch as Dalton walks down the aisle and slips out the ornate double doors at the back of the church, and Ryder steps up beside me. He’s one of my groomsmen, and until Dalton walks my daughter to me, he’s in charge of calming me the fuck down.

“You okay, bro?”

“If I pass out, just tell everyone I had a heart attack. It’ll make it less embarrassing.”

“You whip out your cock on a regular basis in front of half the people in this room. If there’s something to be embarrassed about, that’s it.”

I stifle a belly laugh at that one. “Jealousy is a terrible thing. One day you’ll hit puberty, and your dick might be half as impressive as mine.”

“You got me. I’m asking Santa for a Navarro penis pump for Christmas this year. That’s what Helena said you use to get it up.”

“I can’t believe we didn’t burst into flames the moment we walked in here today.”

Ryder chuckles under his breath. “If that were the case, your mother-in-law would be the only guest, and every other pew would be piles of ash.” He’s not wrong.

The music commences, heralding the beginning of the rest of my life, and as the doors open, I’m met by the cutest sight I’ve ever seen. Gracie comes running down the aisle with Dalton hot on her heels.

“Daddy!”

“Hey, little bear. You look so pretty. I have a gift for you.”

“You do?” Her little face is beaming.

“Of course. I’m giving Mommy a present today, and I wanted to give you one too.”

“Can I see it?”

I reach into my pocket and pull it out. “Do you like it?”

“I wove it. Is it a bamgle?”

“Yes, little bear, it’s a bangle. Can I help you put it on?”

“Yay!”

I slip it over her little hand. “Do you want to know what it says?”

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