Page 75 of King's Reckoning
"Let them try," she said calmly, watching system after system fail. "Every attempt just makes the legal momentum stronger. Makes it better at protecting what matters."
And that, she realized, was Elena's true legacy. Not just the power to destroy dangerous corporate overreach, but the ability to safeguard something better in its place.
The dress gleamed softly in her peripheral vision as alliance members coordinated their assault. In two days, she would wear it to formalize a different kind of bond—one based on choice rather than careful legal calculation.
Some connections, after all, ran deeper than authenticated documents or land claim markers. Some bonds were simply meant to be.
"Facility secured," Cole reported with satisfaction. "No salvageable equipment remaining."
Rowan smiled as Reed's arms tightened around her. Another victory for the alliance. Another step toward making sure Blackwood's legacy stayed buried in ash and broken dreams.
And in two days, they would celebrate a very different kind of legacy. One built on trust and love rather than careful legal precision.
That was worth any number of demolished facilities.
Dawn painted the chapel in shades of amber and gold as Rowan studied Barbara's latest security scans. The professor had outdone herself integrating surveillance systems into the wedding decorations—each flower arrangement and fabric drape concealed sophisticated monitoring equipment. From her position in the makeshift bridal suite, Rowan could track every approach to the building while pretending to focus on final dress adjustments.
"Seven Satan's Riders members just passed the outer checkpoint," Cole reported through her earpiece, his voice barely audible over Tiffany's excited chatter about hair and makeup. "All verified clean. No weapons beyond standard carry, no suspicious gear."
"King's Chosen escort team confirms clear routes to all fallback positions," Reed added, and just the sound of his voice sent electricity dancing along her nerves. "Iron Fists have air surveillance locked down. Nothing's getting within five miles of this chapel withoutus knowing."
Rowan smiled slightly as she watched more guests arrive through the security feeds. The gathering looked exactly like a traditional MC wedding on the surface—leather cuts mixing with formal wear, bikes lined up in precise formation outside. But beneath the expected chaos lay carefully planned defensive positions and overlapping fields of fire.
"Security systems running smoothly," Barbara noted from her mobile command center, disguised as a wedding planner's station. "No sign of suspicious activity or unauthorized vehicles. Though..." She paused significantly. "There is an interesting atmosphere developing in the main sanctuary."
"What kind of atmosphere?" Rowan asked, suddenly more focused on the professor's screens than her reflection in the full-length mirror.
"Almost like the gathered members of all these chapters are creating something new," Barbara replied. "The alliance seems to be...solidifying somehow with everyone together in one place."
Before Rowan could pursue that intriguing development, Tiffany swooped in with the veil. "Enough monitoring screens. You're getting married in an hour, and I won't let security protocols ruin your perfect day."
"The security protocols are what's making this day possible," Rowan pointed out, but allowed herself to be turned away from the displays. Through her earpiece, she heard King coordinatingfinal defensive positions with a mixture of Satan's Riders and King's Chosen teams.
"Your father figure has security handled," Tiffany insisted, making minute adjustments to the elaborate lace. "Reed's got tactical oversight locked down. Let them do their jobs while you focus on being a bride."
As if summoned by her words, King appeared in the doorway. The sight of him in a crisp black suit and tie was almost as surprising as Rowan in her wedding dress. His weathered features were framed by neatly trimmed hair and a freshly shaved face—a stark contrast to his usual leather-clad, rugged appearance. The King's Chosen president patch was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a subtle silver tie clip and matching cufflinks.
Despite the formal attire, his commanding presence remained unmistakable, though softened now by the emotion that flickered across his face as he took in the sight of Rowan in full bridal attire.
He stopped short at the threshold, momentarily speechless—a rare state for the normally decisive newly minted MC president. The man who could command a room full of outlaw bikers with just a glance now seemed humbled by the significance of the moment.
"Elena would..." He had to clear his throat before continuing. "She would be so proud. Not just of what you've accomplished with the alliance, but of who you've become. Who you've chosen to be."
Rowan felt tears threatening as she met his eyes in the mirror. "She planned so much of this. Gathered so much evidence to protect these lands. But she couldn't have predicted Reed. Couldn't have calculated what choosing love over careful strategy would create."
"No," King agreed softly. "Some variables even Elena couldn't factor into her plans." He moved to stand behind her, his presence steady and sure. "Though I suspect she'd approve of how you've adapted her carefully documented evidence. Turned tools for legal battles into foundations for protecting what matters."
"Speaking of protection," Barbara interrupted through their comms. "That feeling of unity is intensifying in the sanctuary. The combined presence of so many chapter members seems to be strengthening the alliance somehow."
Rowan turned back to the monitoring screens despite Tiffany's protests. The security displays showed the chapel filling with members from different clubs, all mingling in ways that would have been unthinkable months ago. "What kind of strengthening are we talking about?"
"It's like..." Barbara paused, clearly choosing her words carefully. "It's like the common purpose between clubs is creating a kind of harmony, like they were meant to work together rather than fight."
"Elena's final gift to the alliance," King said thoughtfully. "Using the same documentation thatstops corporate land grabs to strengthen bonds between chapters instead."
Fresh alerts flashed across the security feeds. "Multiple vehicles approaching from the north," Cole reported. "Professional driving patterns, blacked-out windows. Not on the guest list."
"Satan's Riders intercept team moving to engage," Reed added immediately. Rowan could hear engines roaring through his comm link. "King's Chosen providing backup. We've got it handled, baby. Focus on getting ready."
