by Jayne Blue
This was a happy day. A perfect day. Filled with love and hope. Tears filled my eyes as the string quartet began to play. Dex and Ava’s four-year-old son Declan served as ring bearer. He was a mini version of his father with a shock of black hair and a mischievous smile.
Ava and Scarlett’s cousins wore simple, yellow, strapless dresses. As the quartet picked up the wedding march, Scarlett came into view.
Mo was sobbing by the time she got down the aisle. Scarlett chose a stunning, off-the-shoulder white gown with a jeweled belt. Sly teared up when he saw her. He could barely contain himself as she got to him and they said their vows.
Gunn caught my eye through it all. My heart tripped. He stood so tall and handsome. They all did. A part of me felt a little pang of sadness. Scotty should have been there too. I felt him though. This was the place Gunn told me he thought he’d end up. I knew Gunn must have thought it too. I smiled back at him and my heart filled with love.
Their vows were perfect. The day was glorious as the president of the Great Wolves M.C., Green Bluff took his bride.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gunn
The fifth champagne cork in about the same span of minutes popped off next to my ear. Bubbly sprayed my back as I tried to shield Brenna from it. She was laughing and more than a little drunk.
“Come on,” I said, sliding my arms around her. “Let’s find some cover.”
She was a little unsteady on her feet but beaming up at me as she followed me to the other side of the tent. Sly had rented a huge white party tent for the festivities. He had it set up on Wolf Den property, about a hundred yards away from the main bar.
I caught Angel’s eye from across the room. He lifted the champagne bottle and I raised my glass in a toast. He had his arm wrapped around Scarlett’s cousin Emily. She was a pretty redheaded flight attendant.
“Hope she knows what she’s in for,” Brenna said. Emily had locked eyes with Angel during the ceremony and that was all she wrote.
“Oh, I think she’s got a pretty good clue. Angel’s all right. He’ll treat her well.”
I found us an empty table a little away from the band. They were in the middle of a rousing rendition of a Celtic folk song. Sly was doing his level best to keep up. Scarlett could dance circles around him. Dex’s boy Declan was off to the side of the dance bar doing some sort of toddler break dance with his parents snorting with laughter as they recorded it from Ava’s phone.
Brenna linked her hand with mine as we watched the crowd. In another minute or two, I knew she’d want to get back up and dance. She crossed her legs and I spotted the sparkly flip-flops on her feet.
“Best wedding swag ever,” Brenna said, wiggling her toes. Scarlett had given the shoes to all the women so they could get out of their killer heels. She’d been thoughtful enough to match them to their dresses. Brenna’s were black with little fake diamonds glued all over them.
“Gimme,” I said. I took her ankles and draped her legs over my lap. I slid the flip-flops off and massaged her arches. Brenna’s eyes rolled back into her head.
“Oh my God, Gunn Thompson. You have any idea how good you are with your hands?”
I answered with a little growl. My woman looked fine tonight. Scarlett was a gorgeous bride, but I think I had the most beautiful date in the place. I told her so.
“You look happy,” I said. “Are you?”
Brenna’s eyes danced from the champagne, but her words were clear. “I’m so happy, Gunn. Tonight’s been magic. I’ve never been to a wedding like this. The ones in my family have always ended in some kind of drama. I know that’s a shock.”
I didn’t want to bring the mood down, but I had to know. “Have you talked to yours?”
She sipped the last of her champagne. “No. She’s blocked me on her phone. Or he has for her. I don’t know.”
I wanted her to say she didn’t care, but I knew better. I also knew Tim was still living at her mother’s house. I couldn’t stop that. Her neighbors knew to call me if they heard or saw anything disturbing. So far, Tim was on his best behavior. I’d gotten my point across to him that I had eyes everywhere.
“I’m sorry, baby. I wish I could fix all of that for you.”
She leaned over and kissed me, letting her fingers linger over my jaw. “Enough,” she said. “I don’t want to dwell on my sad stories tonight. Or ever again. Fresh start. Remember?”
“It’s a good night for it. Yes.”
The alcohol made my baby a little bold. She leaned over and slid her hands up my knee. I was still wearing the kilt Sly insisted on. I had to admit, the thing was damn comfortable. Didn’t hurt that it seemed to turn Brenna on to boot.
“Fuck,” I whispered, glancing around the room. We sat in the corner, away from the biggest part of the crowd. No one was watching.
“Fuck this,” I said, nipping her ear. “I’ve been waiting to do this all night. Come on. Take a walk with me.”
I didn’t wait for Brenna to answer. I took her hand and led her out of the tent. There were a few guests outside catching a smoke, talking, enjoying the night sky. With the lights at the Wolf Den dim, the stars were everywhere. Millions of them. Brenna gasped as she looked up.
“That’s amazing!” she whispered.
“No light pollution,” I said. “Come on. I know the perfect spot.”
We camped out in the woods behind the Den sometimes. It was a good place to clear your head and just get away every once in a while. I took Brenna to a clearing. A fallen log served as a bench for us. I put my hands to my lip and made a bird call. It was a signal the guys and I developed over the years. It didn’t seem wise to tell her, but this wasn’t the first time I’d ever brought a woman out here. I planned for it to be the best, though.
When no one answered back, I knew we were alone. “Come here,” I said. “I can’t keep my hands off you for another second.”
“Gunn!” Brenna squealed as I twirled and lifted her. I set her on the log and went to my knees in front of her.
“You’ll get my dress dirty!”
“It’s black,” I teased. “The dirt won’t show. And if you’re that worried about it, take it off.”
“You’re the worst,” she said, smiling.
“Tell me you haven’t been waiting to do the same thing.”
She bit her lip and scanned the trees.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “If anyone comes out here, I’ll know.”
I slid my hands up her thighs beneath her silk dress. I let my thumb graze the little cleft between her legs and found her ready for me just like I knew I would. And she wasn’t wearing any damn underwear either.
“Fuck,” I whispered. “You should have warned me.”
“Why spoil the surprise?” she said, sliding her arms around my shoulders. She lifted her ass as I hiked her dress up over her hips.
“Agh!” she cried out. “That wood’s a little rougher than I can take.”
“Turn around,” I said. She knew what I wanted without me having to say it.
Brenna gathered her dress and held it around her waist with one hand while she braced herself against the log with the other. From this angle, even in the shadows, I could see every inch of her.
“You have the most gorgeous ass in the universe, baby. I could stare at it all night.”
She looked over her shoulder. “You just planning on staring?”
I gave her a little smack that made her squeal with delight. I loved getting her going like that. I gave her another one. Brenna let out a little sigh and sank lower, angling her ass even higher for me.
“Damn, woman,” I whispered. I was kidding us both to think I was the one in control. She had me. From the moment I laid eyes on her. From the instant I stole that first kiss. Brenna was mine, but she was the one who claimed me.
“Gunn, please,” she said. “I need you.”
I stroked my dick, positioning it at her slick opening. She rocked back on her heels. God, I loved to tease her. I loved e
very inch of her. I felt her heat, inviting me in.
Engines revved up near the clubhouse. I knew we didn’t have much time. At the stroke of midnight, we were sending Sly and Scarlett off with a surprise round of fireworks. They were catching a red-eye to paradise.
“Baby!” Brenna cried. God. She was so hot, so ready. So was I.
I plunged into her deep, curving my body over hers. As I buried myself in her, I reached around and stroked her swollen little clit. I could make her come so fast.
“Gunn!” somebody shouted from the other end of the trail. It was probably Switch. It was almost midnight.
“Shit.” Brenna laughed. “Baby ... I can’t …”
“Shhh. He won’t come down here. He knows better.” I picked up my rhythm, driving myself home. Brenna got even hotter, even wetter. I think the fear of discovery only heightened her arousal. I’d have to keep that in mind. Fuck, she never stopped surprising me.
I stroked her harder, she coated my fingers and my balls as I kept up the pace. She dug her fingers into the rough bark as she came around me. Her walls clenched and sent me over the edge. I knew she wanted to scream. She balled her fist and pressed it against her mouth. Her orgasm was deep and hard. She shuddered through it.
“Oh God. Oh God!” she whispered. “I can’t ... I want …”
Laughing, I nipped her ear. “Shhh. They’ll hear you.”
She crested down as I revved up. In another second, Switch would figure things out and send somebody for me. Brenna pressed back harder against me and it was just the edge I needed. I exploded inside of her. My knees buckled. We nearly tumbled to the ground. But Brenna stayed in position. She reached between her legs and massaged my balls, guiding me all the way across.
God. She was so damn good. We fit.
“Gunn! Get your ass back here if you can hear me,” Switch yelled. “It’s time!”
Laughing, we fumbled to straighten our clothes. It was easy for me, the kilt just fell into place. Brenna had it worse. Her dress was creased beyond repair. With the dark color and the night sky, I doubted anyone would notice. She gave me a hopeless look and shrugged her shoulders.
“Come on,” I said, kissing her. “We don’t wanna miss this or there’ll be hell to pay.”
I heard Sly rev his engine. The noise from the crowd rose as I grabbed Brenna’s hand and we ran back down the trail. As we broke through the trees, no one paid any attention. Brenna worked to straighten her hair, but it was no use. Wild locks fell out of it. It was classic, just-fucked hair. The hell with it all. This was a night to celebrate.
Scarlett came out of the tent holding her bouquet. She tossed it behind her as the crowd threw rice. Her cousin Emily caught it and foisted it high in victory. Everyone started busting Angel’s balls. They’d only just met, but I was pretty sure he’d had her up against the same log about an hour ago. Brenna would probably kill me if she knew.
Scarlett had changed into a pair of white jeans and a halter top. Sly was already back in his cut and jeans. He revved his engine again and Scarlett climbed on behind him. That was Tiny and Charlie’s cue on the other side of the Den. The first round of fireworks exploded above us, lighting the bride and groom’s faces in silver.
Scarlett laughed and kissed Sly. Cameras flashed all around. Sly peeled away from the crowd as colorful starbursts lit the sky. It wasn’t quite riding off into the sunset, but it was a hell of a lot better.
Brenna leaned against me and pointed skyward as the next burst went off. I kissed her ear. She was still glowing from our little detour in the woods and I couldn’t wait to get her back upstairs and take that damn dress off her for good. I whispered my plans with my face pressed against her cheek.
“I was just thinking the same thing,” she said. “Do you think they’ll notice if we leave right now? Sly’s gone.”
“Nope,” I said. Tiny was just gearing up for the firework finale. It was the perfect time to slip away.
The crowd oohed and aahed as the light show went on. The next round was a little louder. One of the women screamed. I heard another engine rev. It came from the opposite direction from where Sly rode away.
The next fireburst lasted longer. The crowd moved and spread out.
“Shots fired!”
I don’t know who said it. My blood turned to ice. Fireworks echoed in my ears. Beneath that, I heard the gunfire.
I threw Brenna to the ground and drew my Nine. But I didn’t know where to aim. Angel’s face was covered in blood. He’d thrown Emily to the ground. As chaos erupted all around, one vision burned into my mind over all the rest. Angel rolled. He had Emily in his arms. Blood spread and stained the front of her yellow bridesmaid dress. Scarlett’s flowers rolled out of her lifeless hand.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Brenna
Gunn had a vice grip around my waist. My ears rang as he lifted me off the ground and threw me bodily toward the front door of the Wolf Den.
“Stay down!” he yelled. “Stay away from the windows.”
I stumbled into the bar. Gunn shouted something else to two of the probies, Teague and Judd. Judd pushed me forward, putting his body between me and the door. Mo stood in the middle of the bar, paralyzed from shock. Glass shattered as the window behind us exploded. I dove for her, dragging her with me behind the bar.
“Stay there!” Judd shouted. He went back to the front of the bar, gun drawn. More gunfire exploded outside. My heart burst from my chest as I held Mo against me.
“No,” she sobbed. “No more. I’ve got to see. I have to get to them.”
“Not yet!” I yelled. “Mo, just stay out of sight. You won’t do them any good if you’re out there getting shot at too.”
It was good advice for both of us; my insides churned. Gunn was out there. They all were. I tried to push thoughts of Scotty out of my mind but it was so hard. Had it been like this for him? Chaos and noise. I knew someone was hurt. Angel had Emily, one of Scarlett’s bridesmaids, in his arms as I ran through the front door. There was blood everywhere. I didn’t know if it was his or hers. I said a quick prayer for both of them. For all of us.
“Mo!” Charlie’s gruff voice cut through the noise. Mo let out a choked sob.
“Over here!” I shouted. Charlie moved fast, diving behind the bar beside us. I just prayed he hadn’t broken a hip. Ava told me he’d already had them replaced once. Mo fell into his arms, crying against his shoulder. Charlie dripped with sweat.
“You okay, kid?” he asked me.
“I think so.” I checked my arms, my legs, my stomach. I knew people could go into a shock and not realize they’d been badly hurt until later. But there was no blood anywhere. Other than my racing heart, I was okay. I was whole.
“Switch’s hit!” someone shouted. I pressed my head against the bar. Oh God. No. Not this. Not now.
“Fuckers,” Charlie said. “They knew. Somehow, they fucking knew we’d all be here tonight.”
“Charlie, how?” Mo cried. “You promised me this was all over. No more club wars. No more.”
“Shhh.” He kissed her forehead and smoothed her hair away from her face. There was something wrong with Mo more than just the shock of the trauma. It was like she was seeing something different behind her eyes. Some past nightmare played in her mind. Charlie whispered soothing words and kept her close. He shot me a look over her head and mouthed the words, “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
Engines revved and I realized with horror what was happening. The club was mounting up. They’d taken to their bikes and were riding toward the source of the gunfire.
“Charlie!” I tried to leap up but Judd was there. He grabbed my shoulder and shoved me back down.
“Stay put,” he said. “We don’t know if there’s anyone still out there.”
“Who was that?” I asked. “Judd, what’s happening?”
He shot a grim look to Charlie. Club business. I wanted to start screaming again. Gunn was gone. The man I loved was still out there. I couldn’t lose hi
m. He couldn’t be like Scotty. I couldn’t go through this all over again.
“Just sit tight,” Judd said. “You’re safe enough right here. Plus, they’ll kill me if I let anything happen to you.”
“To me? Judd, what about Gunn? Did you see? Is he okay? Is anyone else hurt?”
“I think so,” he answered. “About Gunn, I mean. He was on his feet heading toward his Harley the last I saw. I don’t know about anyone else yet. Ava’s trying to …”
Ava. Of course she’d stay out there no matter what Dex or the others tried to tell her. She was a nurse. Her instinct and training would kick in.
“She needs help, Judd,” I said. “If anyone’s badly hurt, she’s going to need at least a second pair of hands until we can get an ambulance out here. I’m not a nurse, but I’ve taken enough first aid courses in my life to maybe be of some use. Listen, the shots have stopped.”
“Brenna, Gunn wants you to stay put. He sent me in here to make sure.”
“Well, you said yourself, Gunn’s gone. If there’s anyone dying out there, we might still be able to do something about it. Come on.”
He was going to argue with me. But no sooner had I said it than Ava shouted through the barroom door.
“I need more help out here. Now!” I didn’t wait for permission. I vaulted back over the bar. Judd shouted after me, but he was on his feet too.
“Goddamit,” he shouted. “At least stay behind me.”
I ran to the door and froze as I got there. Ava was bent over Emily. Both of their yellow dresses were stained almost completely red.
“Ava,” I said. “You’re hurt.”
She was out of breath and doing chest compressions on Emily. Oh God. Emily’s skin. It was a pale gray. The blood covering them both was hers.
“Do you know CPR?” She looked at Judd and me. I gave her an open-mouthed nod.
“Good,” she said, out of breath. “You two take over with Emily. There’s an ambulance on the way. Judd, while she tries to breathe for her, you keep pressure on this wound. She’s been hit in the side. It’s her spleen probably. That’s why there’s so much blood. God knows what else. You doing okay over there, Switch? Talk to me. We made a deal, remember?”
