Page 46 of Reaper Released

“Yeah, I’m good, thanks, Bernie.” He grabs the phone off me and, standing up, walks over to the other side of the room. “Guys, while we’ve got you all together, firstly, it’s a pleasure to meet you all, I hope we can all meet in person soon, and secondly, I want to ask your permission to marry your daughter?”

“Fuck, Steel!” I breathe out from the bed.

“Marry?” Cade barks out, “Ray?” He laughs. “Yeah, sure, kid, if you can get her to say yes, that I would like to fucking see it. Maybe you can get her in a fucking dress while you’re at it!” he barks out another laugh. “Married? As fucking if!”

Then Bernie chimes in, “Married, you two? Seriously!” He huffs out a laugh too.

Steven turns to JJ. “Is this one of those meme things or something? I don’t get it.”

“No, a meme is a picture with a phrase or writing or something, fuck, I don’t know what it is,” JJ spits out.

“Is it a TikTok or something?” Steven asks, and then everyone’s staring at Steel.

“No, gentlemen, I’m deadly serious. I want to ask for Ray's hand in marriage, and I hope to see you all at the wedding if you agree, if possible… Ray?”

Sighing, I step up, and Steel pulls me in front of him and holds the phone at arm's length so they can all see us both. Then there’s a squeal from the background.

Bernie whips around. “Fuck, Marie, you scared the shit out of me!”

She rushes in and grabs the phone. “Hi Ray, baby. It’s a yes from us. We love you together. I can’t wait. Let me know what you need, a dress, flowers, anything. I can’t wait. I’m so excited. I need a dress, something fancy!”

“Something… mother of the bride-y!” I smile at her, and then she screams and bursts into tears.

“Really? Do you really want that? Me, mother of the bride, oh my god. I would be honoured! Oh my god, Bernie, did you hear that? I'm the mother of the bride. Ray, call me, and I will do whatever you need. Let me know your desired colour scheme, and I will match my outfit. Bernie, I’m going to have a look for a new outfit!” And then she’s gone. I’m grinning at her reaction.

“Cheap shot, Squirt!” Bernie says, shaking his head.

“Hey, she’s been the only mum I’ve ever known, so no, not a cheap shot. She deserves to be there as my mother.”

“Yeah, but now you know we can’t say no, as Marie will throw a fit. Well played, Sunshine!” Cade barks out.

“Hey, watch it!” I grimace at him! Then he just laughs. Fucker.

“Right, I’m going now. You lot can talk amongst yourselves, I will speak to you tomorrow, and you can let me know what you think!”

“When’s the wedding?” John asks before I can hang up.

“Erm… we haven’t set a date yet. I just wanted to run it by you guys—”

“Four weeks on Saturday,” Steel interrupts. “Let us know. Thanks, guys. See you soon!” Steel says, then hangs up.

“Four weeks?” I gasp.

“On Saturday,” he retorts.

“What the fuck, Steel? We can’t sort it that fast!”

“I just wanna marry you, baby. The sooner, the better!”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, I wanna do that too, and I can’t wait much longer, so four weeks on Saturday, okay?”

My skin tingles, my breaths come in short, and my eyes well with emotion as I try to contemplate what the actual fuck is happening.

“Four weeks?” I sigh.

“On Saturday!” He smiles back.

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