Page 55 of Deviant

“You will, on our wedding night.”

“That’s still three days away.”

Laughing at her whining tone, I ushered her back to the idling Jeep. She wasn’t the best when it came to patience.

We arrived at Mason Vineyards a few minutes later, and my brother came out of the main house on the grounds before I had a chance to open the driver’s side door.

“I don’t know whether to beat the shit out of you, or hug you.”

I pulled Adam into a bear hug, making the decision for him. “I know. It’s been too fucking long.”

“That’s your fault.” He slapped me on the back. “Where the hell have you been?”

“We went on an extended road trip. Picked up some fights in California and Nevada.” That was the short version. The longer version included how we’d been on the run for weeks, never certain that Shelton wasn’t on our heels seeking retribution for his burned down barn, among other things.

A few months into our vagrant lifestyle, it became clear he’d moved on, and after traveling through a string of towns and cities, I’d taken Alex to the woods to just fuckingbefor a while.

“It’s good to finally have you home.” Adam’s attention veered to where Alex stood on the other side of the Jeep, one hand clutching the door as if she might need to dart back into the safety of the rig. “So you must be the bride,” he said, nodding to Alex.

“It’s nice to meet you.” To someone who didn’t know her the way I did, her voice came out strong and steady, but I heard the underlying quiver in her greeting. “I’m Alex.”

“I know who you are.”

“Adam,” I said with a warning.

“Can you blame me for wondering how all of this happened?” He gestured between Alex and me. “Considering the circumstances?”

Jax had impeccable timing. He pulled into the driveway and killed the engine, also killing the tension in the air.

“There’s a time and place for explanations, but now’s not it.” I reached Alex’s side and slid an arm around her waist. “We came here to get married, not deal with an inquisition.”

“Fair enough.” Adam attempted a welcoming smile and directed his next words at Alex. “It really is good to meet you finally.”

“You too.”

Jax and Angel got out, doors slamming, and after another round of hugs and introductions, the five of us headed toward the wraparound porch of the Victorian style house.

Adam and I had grown up in this place, but a lot had changed since I was a kid. The house had gone through a remodel since the fire, despite escaping serious damage. The ugly tan siding and blue shutters were gone, traded for a tasteful white and dark grey. Adam had also refinished and extended the porch.

Off to the right, the tasting room had been painted to match, and to the left an expanse of well-maintained lawn drew the eye to the view of the Gorge beyond.

Adam had been busy.

“By the way,” he said as he swung the front door open. “A package came here yesterday for your fiancé.”

Alex’s face paled, and I grabbed her hand, lacing our fingers. “A package from who?”

“Her father.”

26. At Last - Alex

I sat alone in the guest room where Rafe and I would stay until our wedding. There would be no bachelor or bachelorette parties. No separate sleeping arrangements the night before we exchanged vows.

We were breaking tradition for the sake of safety.

I fingered the letter from my dad, still hesitant to read it. Rafe had already gone through the letter and package, and since he’d given them to me and told me to take some time alone in our room, I knew the contents couldn’t be too bad.

Or maybe it was bad, but not in a dangerous-way kind of bad.

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