Page 75 of Hartley

“Tan isn’t my power color.”

He patted my chest with a smile. “Sure, it isn’t.”

A knock on the doorframe pulled our attention toward it. Ava stood in the doorway in a lilac gown that flowed to her feet. It was made specially for her by a designer Hartley knew. It was light and airy. She looked like a princess in it. “Are you ready?” The smile she wore could light up a thousand suns. After all she’d been through, she nestled into our lives and stole all our hearts.

“Are you?” Vail asked.

“Yes.”

We weren’t having a traditional ceremony in some respects. In others, we wanted those who mattered up there with us.

My son would stand there for me. Ava would for Vail sinceCat was officiating. Forest would for Hartley. Even Tahoe had a part. Vail thought it would be adorable if he and Latte carried our rings down the aisle. I thought it was a recipe for disaster. When the two dogs got together, it was mayhem, like they hadn’t seen each other in years and were being reunited. That was why we got them together this morning so they could work out some of their energy. Plus, Romeo got excited when I mentioned it after Vail suggested having them in the wedding. After all, Latte was here the first night I met Vail and heard his laughter echo throughout my home.

“Let’s go!” Cat called. I should have figured she’d want everything to go right.

Cat was still healing from being kidnapped along with her children, but she was making big strides. Having her help with our ceremony gave her new purpose and lightened her greatly, or so Dana said. All I saw was a woman who liked ordering me around, even though I growled at her whenever she did it. She’d laugh or tell me to knock it the hell off, which only made me growl at her more.

The three of us descended the stairs with Ava and made our way to the roof of the building, where the sun was still shining, though it was later in the day and not as hot as earlier. The moment Hartley hit the open air; he started laughing.

“I should have known better. I was up here earlier and thought how beautiful it was. Now, it’s like you’re waiting for an all-out assault on us.”

“Did you think I’d have you both out here, as well as my son, Romeo, and Ava, for an extended period of time without ensuring your safety?”

“No, but shit, Jordan, this is a lot.”

I scanned the area, noting the white-and-gray swatches offabric decorating the white chairs and the arbor that was set up at the end of the aisle. There were flowers in shades of white, gray, and a very soft pink because Hartley and Vail said we needed some color. I disagreed but then again, this wasn’t my specialty. My area of expertise was the security.

My men were armed and on every part of the roof’s border, looking outward, waiting for someone to come for us. We didn’t tell anyone outside of those we invited about our plans, but we weren’t naïve enough to think it wouldn’t accidentally be leaked. So far so good.

The people of my city had more reason to celebrate due to the hefty donation I’d made thanks to Lane. He’d come through as did I. Many would benefit from it. I’d also gotten Hartley to agree to pay off the balance of his grandfather’s home with it. This was a way to make things right all around.

Dash appeared out of nowhere and slapped me on the back. “Way to go, Jordy. Nice ambience you have here. Very mafia boss wedding chic.” He laughed before Romeo pulled him away. Romeo didn’t bother apologizing for his partner. What would be the point? I was glad to have Romeo here. He meant a great deal to me. I didn’t miss the way he stayed close to his men. Romeo wanted to be here for me. Being around so many people was difficult for him.

The entire Ruined & Relinquished crew was here and their partners. They were performing for the party after, which would be inside in one of the large, open rooms in the building. It was enough to house everyone here and then some. I didn’t want the band playing on the roof and people on the ground wondering what was going on when they heard the music. This was a private affair.

Vail scanned those in attendance, a somber look in his eyes.

I turned his chin gently toward me. “It’s their loss.”

“I was hoping they’d come.”

Vail had sent an invitation to his parents. We didn’t worry about them telling anyone. They didn’t want Vail with me to begin with. They also didn’t RSVP or even call. I hated that they put their son through this. All he asked for was one evening and they couldn’t even do that.

“Fuck them,” Forest said, stepping up alongside Vail. “Don’t let them bring you down, V. We’re all the family you need.”

“You’re right,” Vail replied. “Wishful thinking is all.”

“Think about my dick buried inside you later,” Hartley whispered, but it was loud enough for Forest to turn and scrunch up his nose before leaving the conversation. We’d learned it was easy to get rid of people when we talked about sex, although that wasn’t Hartley’s goal this time. He wanted Vail to smile, which he did.

Cat stopped in front of us and planted her hands on her hips. Her pink hair was swept up and she wore a fitted black dress that went to her knees. “You couldn’t even come out separately and walk down the aisle one at a time, could you?”

“Nope,” Vail said, popping the p.

She groaned. Everything she tried to get us to do in a traditional sense failed. “Whatever, just get the hell up there.” Cat briskly walked up the aisle, smiling at the guests who were seated.

No music played as we made our way toward the front of the group, but I heard the distinctive sound of one of my guards checking to make sure there was a bullet in the chamber of his gun. It was like music to my fucking ears.

Cat started the ceremony, talking about how much she loved her brother and how she remembered Hartley when hewas younger. She brought up the first time she met me. I drowned her out while I reveled in the feel of Vail’s and Hartley’s hands in mine and the sweet expressions on their faces. I had one too. I not only felt it but could see their joy at me expressing my emotions this way.

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