Page 792 of The Tempted

Chapter Thirty-Nine

I took my place beside the priest, offered him my hand and to my surprise, when he shook it, I didn’t turn to ash. Maybe therewashope for me.

Blackie walks up behind me, pats me on the shoulder before tipping his chin toward Linc who sits on top of the bar strumming a guitar.

“You knew he could play?”

“No idea,” he replies as Linc lifts his head. His eyes remaining closed as he hums along to the familiar tune. Finding the beat, he begins to sing.

If I could then I would.

I’ll go wherever you will go.

Way up high or down low, I’ll go wherever you will go.

Our attention diverted from Linc to the end of the makeshift aisle where Lacey stood smiling from ear to ear. I return her smile as she starts down the aisle to the sound of Linc’s smooth voice surrounding us. Clutching her bouquet, her gaze locks on the man standing to my left and she continues toward us. Pausing in front of me she presses a kiss to my cheek before reaching for Blackie’s hand. Winking at her, he lifts her hand to his lips and places a quick kiss to her knuckles. Lacey winks at him before she turns and takes her spot across from me. I take in a deep breath as I turn, knowing I was about to lay eyes on the light of my life.

To watch you, to guide you through the darkest of your days.

If a great wave you shall fall and fall upon us.

Then I hope there’s someone out there who can bring me back to you.

Even with a mind that fails me, there are moments in my life that have stuck with me. The day my parents died. The day I received my patch. Both days my kids were born. The day I took the gavel as president of the Satan’s Knights. The day I walked into Dee’s Diner and ordered a slice of cherry pie. They all float around in my head.

But this day, this moment, this one will stick with me even after I’m buried. Seeing her at the end of the aisle, smiling at me with love radiating from the depths of her soul and shining through her eyes. This moment will be engrained in my heart. The moment my bride walks to me and offers me a future.

Pairing her wedding gown with a black leather jacket, she was a vision of white silk and worn leather. The dress beneath the leather was simple, fitted across her chest and flowed freely from under her bust, accentuating the swell of her stomach and trailing behind her with every step she took toward me. She lowers the bouquet of sunflowers and places her hand over her stomach as she takes the final steps.

She hands Lacey her bouquet before turning to me and placing her hands in mine.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today on this beautiful day to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony,” the priest begins as I lace our fingers together, squeezing her hands slightly as I swallow the lump in my throat.

“If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace,” the priest continues.

I tear my eyes away from Reina and glance around the room, daring anyone to fuck with me, but all I see are smiling faces. A room full of people near and dear to both me and Reina, people who respect the both of us, all of whom are part of our new family.

I’d remember their faces and this moment too.

And the one that came next.

The door opens, sunlight streams from behind the figure shuffling through the door, blinding the view of the man’s face. When the door finally closes behind him I see Ronan clear as day, gagged with duct tape, arms extended out to his sides mimicking Jesus on the cross and enough explosives strapped to his chest to blow up an entire neighborhood.

Frozen in place, his eyes meet mine and I watch the tears spill down his cheeks.

That was the final moment engrained in my memory.

The moment my eyes met the man the enemy sent to deliver us our fate.

My life and love might still go on.

In your heart, in your mind, I’ll stay with you for all of time.

BOOM.

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