Page 91 of Beautifully Reckless

“Not my girl,” I snap, not wanting that attention.

“Well, if you’re about to feed me some shit about her beingjust a job, then I’m getting in my car now so I can personally deliver you a swift fucking cock punch.”

“Sheisa job. I’m helping her as a favo—”

“Let me stop you there.” Liam cuts me off. “Smitty’s been running his mouth about her being your old lady. That you’ve claimed her or some shit. And as much as Ilovethat for you, my old man doesn’t give a single fuck about your love life. He wants to know why we’re all paying the price because you’ve got a fucking crush on an eighteen-year-old.”

“Be very fucking careful with what you say next,” I warn, my fists balling on the bar top, about ready to start smashing shit.

“Look, you fuckers might do old ladiesplushave a citizen wife, which by the way, why the fuck would you want to juggle that shit? But as far as Ewan Marx is concerned, in the real world, there’s only one fucking relationship that counts. A wife. So to him, all this drama is just you chasing pussy and dragging the rest of us through hell.”

“Fucking come here, Liam! I fucking dare you to say that shit to my face!”

Liam chuckles, and JD smirks, not even pretending to be worried about catching a flying fist.

“You know what you’ve gotta do, man,” Liam says. “Only one thing’s gonna give her proper protection, and repair your club’s reputation.”

“Hate to say it, but Liam’s right.” JD holds up his hands as I step towards him. “Club rules don’t mean shit to the underworld. An old lady is nothing but an inside club title. Outside the MC, the only thing that matters besides money is family.”

“Exactly,” Liam agrees. “So why the fuck haven’t you seen to that?”

With every word Liam spits, my blood fucking boils.

But,fuck. The bastard’s not wrong. Neither is JD. And neither is Smitty.

If I want Abbey safe, like really safe… I have to marry her.

Only then will the club protect her.

Only then will the Marx family stand behind her.

And only then will the rest of our allies back us up.

“Jesus fucking Christ, would you two back off,” I hiss. “Iknowwhat I have to do. It’s happening tomorrow.”

“Well, fuck,” Liam scoffs. “Why didn’t you tell my brothers that?”

“Because Abbey doesn’t even know it’s happening yet,” JD snickers, and this time I grab a handful of peanuts and hurl them at his smug face.

“Uh… not to be the bearer of bad news.” Liam sounds fucking amused as he speaks. “But youdoknow, for it to be legal, she actually has to agree with it.”

“I fucking know that,” I growl, “but how the hell do I ask her to do something that her parents were gonna force on her? She’s fucking traumatised, man. I can’t just drop it on her and expect her to fall in line.”

“Remind her there’s this thing calleddivorce,” Liam says casually. “And once this whole mess is behind you, she can ditch you and live her best life however the fuck she wants.”

“Fuck,” I hiss, raking my hand through my hair again.

I hate the part about divorce, because deep down, I don’t want to let her go, and I still don’t understand why.

“Fuck’s right. She’s really got you twisted in knots. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“It’s a beautiful fucking sight,” JD adds unhelpfully.

“Both of you, shut the fuck up,” I snap, and they just laugh.

“Look. It’s not ideal,” Liam continues, still sounding more amused than serious. “But the people after her aren’t messing around, man. Get hitched. Consummate or don’t. I don’t give a fuck. Just make it official. Then the club’s associates will know she’s important enough to be properlyownedby the Southern Sadists. It’s a win-win. And once everyone’s back on your side, you’ll have all the fucking backup you need to wipe those cunts off the face of the Earth.”

“Will we actually have that help?” I ask, my jaw so fucking tight I’m starting to get a headache. “Because word is your dad has blown a fucking gasket and ordered Riggs to burn down the Western with everyone still inside.”

---