Page 131 of Beautifully Reckless

Behind me, Jols mutters a curse under her breath, but none of the men move a muscle.

Hell, even Smitty is too preoccupied picking something out of his teeth as he pats his dog.

“Cameron!” I snap, the name coming out louder than I meant it to, but it does the trick, and Ringo’s wild gaze whips to me. “She’s not worth it.”

“You don’t think she should die for feeding you those lies?” he growls, and I shake my head.

“She’s jealous. And pathetic. But my guess is she’s hurt because she’s had her eye on you for so long and you haven’t given her the time of day. So she may be a liar, but she doesn’t deserve to die for it.”

Taking a step closer, I reach out and snake my fingers around his wrist, tugging gently, urging him to release Wendy’s neck, and he does.

She gasps, her face flushed, eyes leaking tears, and even though she’s been nothing but a bitch to me, I feel a flicker of pity for her.

She just wants to be loved.

I know what that’s like.

“I want her gone,” Ringo snaps, turning to his President, who shrugs, like he doesn’t care either way, before addressing Spud.

“You can take the bitch with you up north. See if you can find her an old man so she stops being a cunt.”

Spud chuckles. “Sure thing, Prez.”

“Does that appease my Sergeant-at-Arms?” Smitty asks, smug as hell, and I have the urge to slap him.

“As long as I don’t have to see the bitch again, then yes,” Ringo glares at his President, his fists balled in anger.

“Then consider it done. Now stop fucking whining and let’s celebrate your nuptials. Let’s get fucked up!”

The crowd erupts in cheers.

Everyone but me and Ringo.

And I guess Wendy too, but as far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t exist.

As the tension eases, I realise my heart is still thrashing in my chest, each beat sharp and uneven, leaving me short of breath.

“You okay?” Lani’s voice cuts through the haze, her concerned eyes suddenly in front of me, blocking my view of my husband.

I nod, pressing a shaky hand to my chest.

“I kind of wish I could drink wine right now. I need something to calm me down.”

“I know theperfectthing to calm you down.” Lani waggles her brows just as Millie steps up beside us.

“What are you cooking up, Lans?”

“All this drama has Abbey on edge, so I think it’s time for the first dance.”

“Uh… how isthatgoing to calm me down?” I ask, my gaze darting across the crowd of leather-clad bikers filling the room and spilling out the open barn doors.

“His neck,” Alana states flatly, and at Millie’s cringe, I can’t help but giggle. “I know. I know. It’s kinda gross, but apparently, you two have something going on. And before you say it’s just about my brother protecting you, save your breath. Cam hasneverlooked at anyone the way he looks at you.”

“Unfortunately, I have to agree,” Millie admits, catching me off guard.

Wait. What? I thought she hated me.

“Never thought I’d see the day Cam would fallhopelesslyin love, but here we are.” Millie shrugs and it takes me a second to catch up.

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