Clean Hack (The Tainted Saints Book 1)
Page 24
So, for now, we decided that we were good with just the two of us. Besides, we hadn’t even been together that long. We were still learning things about one another. Which, I loved. But I knew I’d also love the day when I had him all figured out. There would always be new adventures to keep us fresh. New memories to be made just around the corner.
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. That’s why I sent you to the store,” I said with a playful giggle.
I wasn’t an idiot, I knew it was fucking cold out there. And I sure as hell didn’t want to go outside.
“You know I don’t mind,” he replied in his smooth sweet tone just before he set the bag on the counter and kissed me. “You cook, I’ll get a fire going.”
Since it was so cold, I had wanted to make soup. I got to work and so did he.
A couple of hours later, we were full and cuddled up in front of the fire. The only sound around us was the crackling and poping coming from the fireplace.
“Oh, I made you something,” he said out of the blue as he reached into his pocket.
I sat up because I loved that he still loved to carve things out of wood and I was excited to see what it was. He’d gotten a lot better but it was still a work in progress. Not that I didn’t love my platypus. I took that thing with me everywhere.
“I love you, Luce,” he said as he lightly placed the carved masterpiece into the palm of my raised and waiting hand.
I held it up to my face and tears stung my eyes. It was a lopsided platypus, slightly bigger than the one I already had. Mine now had a mate, just like I did.
“Derrick,” I whispered because I didn’t have the words.
I went to pick it up with my free hand to inspect every part of it closely. Only, when I pinched the top and lifted, the thing broke in half. I gasped and started to freak out until I noticed that it was purposely made that way. It was like a little box. And inside that box…
“Make this life with me, forever,” he said.
As I looked up from the sparkling ring, I found him down on one knee. He looked up at me and there was a nervousness that danced behind his eyes.
“Yes,” I said and it came out strained and weak because I currently had a boulder in my throat. I cleared it away and shouted at the top of my lungs as I tackled him. “Yes!”
Clean
She said yes. To a life with me. To a life where I got to walk by her side.
To me.
That was only a couple of months ago.
And here I was standing in a new button-up shirt that was identical to the ones I wore to a job. And new black slacks as well.
She was there, somewhere, hiding from me until the right moment.
Oh, and I was ready for that moment, that was for sure.
We didn’t want to wait. It might have been fast. The whole us thing might have been insane, but I knew in my heart and in my soul that it was right. She was made for me. I think I pretty much knew from the first time I laid eyes on her that she would be the one to make me stronger, better, and more alive.
The wedding was small. Not only because we both preferred it that way, but because we didn’t have that many people we considered close enough to invite.
That didn’t mean that we were doing this alone.
“Ready?” Diesel asked as his heavy hand descended onto my shoulder.
Hell, yes, I was.
“Definitely,” I said with a smile.
Allison walked down the aisle and took her spot across from Diesel. She smiled at me and I knew that moment that I had her approval. That meant a lot to me.
Looking on, were the people we held close. The people we let in when we took a moment away from our work-driven lives. It seemed that we would rather spend our free time wrapped in one another than being social. That wasn’t to say that we kept ourselves closed off.
Allison’s mother was there, already wiping at her eyes even though we’d just barely started. She was a wonderful woman and I was glad she had returned into Lucy’s life along with Allison. Lucy’s parents were right there too, her mother holding hands with Allison’s while they both tried to hold back the tears.
Lucy’s dad hadn’t been exactly thrilled when she brought me home, but that was overshadowed by the fact that she had come home. It had been a long time since the Callahan’s had seen their daughter. By the third visit home in such a short amount of time, Mr. Callahan was shaking my hand and telling me thank you with his eyes. They were good people and I was glad to be there as Lucy regained that part of her life.
Ellie was there holding a princessesed-up Fate. Axe was standing there a little off to the side, his eyes on Allison and I had a feeling they wouldn’t move away from her the entire ceremony. Which made me smile. Neiryn was dressed up in a cute little tux and his little head rested on Axe’s shoulder like he was ready to take a nap. I liked the guy even if he wasn’t the easiest person to talk to most of the time. He made Allison happy, which made my woman happy and relaxed, and that was what mattered to me. Bocca was also there. And I didn’t mind at all. He and Lucy had that nerd-computer thing in common and I knew they helped each other out from time to time.
My eyes were locked on the end of the aisle. My lungs refused to pull in air as I waited to see her. Then she was there, smile so wide that it lit up the entire room. And my heart, of course. I knew I was smiling just as wide.
“Hi,” she whispered as she reached me and I took her hands in mine automatically. She was nervous, but not because she was unsure about this.
“Hi, sweetness,” I whispered back and gave her hands a little squeeze. “You are…”
My words trailed off because there wasn’t one perfect enough to describe her.
Her eyes twinkled up at me and I knew she got it.
We exchanged vows and promised to love one another until the end of time. That was a promise I didn’t have a problem making. I knew I’d keep it.
“I love you,” I said right before I kissed her in front of everyone.
“I love you, too,” she managed to get out after I broke away. She swayed in my arms and a low chuckle vibrated through my chest.
So damn adorable.
There was no fancy reception. Honestly, there wasn’t really enough people for there to be one. Plus I knew it would have been too much for Lucy. Instead, we chose to take the party to one of our favorite restaurants. Where, of course, Mr. Corsetti pulled out all the stops and piled the table with all of our favorites.
“Congratulations. I’m so happy for you two,” he said as he pulled Lucy in for a hug.
Later that night, I took her to bed and showed her how happy she made me. Over and over again. We spent the next day in bed and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
“I can’t wait for the honeymoon,” she said, her fingers drawing circles over my heart.
“Me either,” I said. “Have you decided where you want to go?”
We hadn’t planned that far just yet. The right place would come to us eventually, so I wasn’t worried about it. We wanted to go somewhere different, maybe even out of the States. Wherever we ended up, we both had agreed to leave this life behind for the honeymoon. As in, we wouldn’t be taking our phones and she would leave her laptop behind. I couldn’t wait but I wanted it to be just right at the same time.
“How about Greece?” she asked with a hopeful smile.
I pretended to think about it for a few long seconds. But the truth was, I didn’t care as long as we were together.
“I think all we need to do is pick a date now.”
Her smile grew and then her lips were on mine. I held her tightly like I couldn’t get close enough to her.
Everything was just the way it should be.
Life was bright. Beautiful. And full of so many promises for the future. I didn’t know what they were yet, but it didn’t matter as long as I was with her.
—The End—
Acknowledgements
HeyChloe Designs for this AMAZING cover. Thank you for
everything. For listening and for making this image I had in my mind come alive. It was so hard for me to let go and let someone else handle what I knew I couldn’t. You were so amazing! I can’t wait to do the next one with ya!
Jordan—Dude, cannot say how much you keep me going. Like for real. A million thanks for being there and cheering me on and getting excited about everything. Thanks for taking my little hints and teasing about the book like a champ. You friggin’ rock!
Janie—Life would suck without you. No lie. Thanks for supporting me and telling me that you are proud of me, I don’t think you realize how much it means to me.
Chloé—I can’t even begin to say all the things I need to say. Nearly a year ago I was a timid, shy person that was shaking in her boots as she asked you to read her book and give an honest opinion. You have helped me out more than I think you realize. I am thankful for your honest input, help, and amazing book recommendations. I can’t thank you enough or tell you how much it means to me. Glad we are fart friends now. Haha!
Jon—I honestly don’t know what I would do without you. You make each day amazing. You make me laugh all the time. You keep me going and you make me want to be better. I love you on so many levels and thank you for pushing me along each day. You are my heart and my soul.
Karen—Seriously, the best mother-in-law someone could have. Thank you for everything. The blind support early on because I was nervous about you reading these books. And now(even though we won’t talk about it) the time you take to read them.
About the Author
Eve R. Hart does her best writing while downing coffee and munching on chips and salsa. Her days are filled with lightsaber fights, saving the Lego city, and tea parties with her kids. By night, she switches out her cape for heels and writes steamy love scenes.
She lives on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and three children. When she needs a break from everything she loves nothing more than to sit down and play video games with her husband. She also enjoys cooking, baking, and singing Disney songs while driving.
Find Her
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EveRHartAuthor/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/EveRHartAuthor
Email: eve.r.hartauthor@gmail.com
Other Works
SPMC Moon Hill
Loch
Diesel
Tank
Axe
Bocca
SPMC The Coast
Knight
Brand
Ky