Page 37 of In the Light of Day

But now, as I finish up a proper shower and shave, I try and tamper down the small amount of anxiety that's rearing its head.

Today we see Nova's family.

To be honest they aren't her family, I am.

They’re strangers who share some DNA, but other than Lizzy, I don’t have the time or the energy to interact with them.

Stepping out of the bathroom in only my boxer briefs, I start to prepare myself for the day. This is like any other operation, except now, I’m protecting my wife. Pulling my black socks on, I start strapping my weapons against my skin. I lay a selection of knives and guns on the bistro table and start placing them in their respective holsters. My ankle, my other thigh, shoulder holsters for my two berettas, and I’ll keep my switchblade handy in my pocket.

“Ace, come on now. Surely that’s too many weapons for a family event,” she says, crossing her arms and facing me in the middle of applying her makeup.

We leave in 45 minutes to drive just over an hour to the rehearsal dinner. Lizzy said we could miss it if we wanted to minimise contact with their mother but Nova insisted it was fine and not to worry about it. I, on the other hand, am preparing for the worst.

“You honestly look like a BDSM advert gone wrong with all that rope wrapped around you,” she sasses.

“This is not rope, it's tactical,” I deadpan, trying to hide my smile. “Manly men don't wear rope, we wear tactical strapping down thingamabobs. I need it. Just like I need my pen knife in my pocket and this razor wire string from my watch,” I say, pulling out the long cord from a hidden dial. “It's just for the evening and then tomorrow for the ceremony. We can blend into the background, have a dance and show our love to Lizzy and Phillip.”

Closing the small distance between us she rests her hand against my chest, “Can you put one thing back at least?”

“No,” I growl. Protecting her is not something to be bargained. I'll need everything at my disposal as we head into the lion's den.

“I’ll let you feel me up in the toilets?” she smiles.

“Now why didn't you lead with that? I’ll put the pen knife back but I want at least five minutes with the girls while I kiss you,” I say, tapping the pen knife to each of her breasts, making her laugh as she turns to finish her make-up.

Almost forty minutes later I’m helping her into my truck, resisting every urge I have to cancel and take her back to the room for the night so I can continue to explore her body. It's criminal how good she looks in her silken black dress. The fabric is so light it's almost like water against her skin, running down her body, hugging all of the right places. Grumbling, I round the bonnet and get into my seat, readjusting myself. She smirks at me before bursting out laughing, waving her hand saying sorry and I suddenly understand all of the times I’ve heard Dante and Porter complain when their women wear something beautiful, because right now, with the way my wife is looking, I’m going to have to kill someone if they dare make a move on her.

“That's it, I'm getting the pen knife,” I say, throwing my hands up in the air and stalking back to the room. Her laughter echoes across the small car park and I know she's not really bothered by my outburst.

Over the years there is one thing I have always made clear to her, that I will never apologise for keeping her safe and tonight is one of those nights. I can feel it in the air, something is going to happen. I’ll get another chance with her luscious tits another time, visions of sucking on her pink nipples while I make her come on my fingers fading away. But I'd rather have everything at my disposal if I need to cut someone's eyes out for ogling her.

Chapter 30 - Nova

Am I meant to be this turned on over how much more protective he’s become? Who knew getting married would be the thing that tips him over the edge? I honestly thought he might relax a little knowing that I'm always going to come home to him. And considering we’re about to see my family for the first time in years I’m oddly relaxed. I think it's because I know nothing will happen to me when he's around, well, no one will kidnap me at least. I guess there are still a multitude of other things that are possible.

Pulling into the car park of the venue I look over to Ace and can already see a vein popping out of his forehead.

“Ace? ... James? It's alright. We’ll stick to the perimeter, stay near the exits and I won't go anywhere without you. Even the bathroom.”

“You promise to stay within eyesight at all times?” He says, his brow furrowing as he looks at me.

“Cross my heart and hope to—”

“Don't you dare finish that sentence,” he growls. “I've only just got you, love. I won't hear any talk of you not being here. I would climb through all seven realms of hell if it meant I could be with you at the end.”

Smiling at him, I lean over the centre console and tenderly cup his cheek, rubbing my thumb against the fresh stubble. “You always had me. We just needed to find our way to each other is all.”

A sharp tapping on my window pulls us out of the intimate moment we were sharing, and I'm annoyed that we've barely been here five minutes and already this is going south. Within the blink of an eye, Ace has his arm across me and his beretta pulled, pressed against my door directly pointing it at the person who interrupted us.

Thaddeus.

My cousin.

My Aunt Gemma's son.

His son.

Placing my hand on Ace's extended forearm, which now rests across my lap, I lower the window and prepare for my first conversation with a person who never believed me.

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