“Didn’t look too badass hanging from the ceiling,” Bonnie added with a shrug. “Just sayin’.”
“Watch it,” Sid warned, then smacked her hard on the shoulder. “Good job, by the way. You saved a few of us. We don’t forget that shit.”
Steve rushed up with Mira. “Hey, you okay, boss?”
“Stop hovering over me. I’m fucking fine,” Sloan growled, his eyes black as midnight.
“Yep, he’s fine.” Steve glanced down at Mira. “Listen, can we go ahead and take off? I know Drew is okay, but we’d still feel better to get back there. Becky, Angelina, and Caroline have her, but—”
“Go!” Sloan nodded. “We’re about done here, and don’t tell Becky I got shot.”
“Ah, shit, well….” Steve cringed, taking a big step back.
“Dammit, Steve.” Sloan took his phone out and walked away.
“Can you get someone to take the bike back? We’re taking one of the vans,” Mira called out, waving as she and Steve hurried out of the building.
“Bike?” Ronan frowned, then looked her up and down. “You guys rode bikes here?”
“We sure did.” Tessa smiled, before walking up and hugging Kira. “We’ll get him.”
“I know.” Kira nodded. “Thanks for everything, Tessa. You’re going to make a great Warrior.”
“Yes, she is.” Jared had walked up and stood staring at Tessa. “Thank you, babe.”
“For what?” Tessa shifted uncomfortably, and Ronan felt sorry for her. If Jared said one thing wrong, he was going to punch him in the mouth.
“For saving our asses.” Jared pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. He whispered something in her ear, but Ronan turned away, not needing to hear, but he hoped that Jared was coming around. Kira was right, Tessa would make a good Warrior. “Guess you’re right, Ronan. We probably should have waited.”
Ronan nodded but didn’t respond. He glanced down at Kira who was staring at him. “What?”
“What did he mean?” Kira questioned, touching a place on his neck that the silver had burned. He felt it already healing and knew in an hour it would be completely gone.
“I just remember something you said, magic should be fought with magic,” Ronan replied, taking her hand and kissing her palm. “You were right. We should have waited.”
“Actually, I’m the one that said that,” Bonnie said as she passed by. “But no one listens to Bonnie.”
Kira grinned then shook her head. “Let’s get out of here.”
Ronan nodded, but leaned down and kissed her. “I’m proud of you, darlin’.” He glanced down at her body. “And you look damn good in leather, but I’m still partial to skirts.”
They made their way out of the old shoe factory and headed toward the bikes. “Don’t make me drive one of those.”
“I’ll drive, you just hold on.” Ronan kissed the top of her head. “But that is something I would really like to have seen.”
Chapter 29
Kira smiled as she helped clean up after the bachelor/bachelorette party. Steve and Mira wanted to have it together, just one big party, which had been fun. They even showed the tape from the garage of them getting the bikes. It was funny to watch, but also brought back memories she wished she could forget, but forgetting was dangerous.
Sloan had also apologized to her and Bonnie for not listening to them, therefore taking responsibility for the failed mission. Bonnie had been right. She wasn’t ready for what she needed to do. But each day she was getting better at controlling the power Emilia had given her. Viktor and Bishop were also helping her. Viktor knew so much about her cousin and what she was capable of. It was also neat to see Bonnie get to know her mother through Viktor’s eyes.
On top of all that, she had been nonstop with Mira and wedding details. It had been a blessing as it gave her time to break from thinking of Orjyll. Though still, many moments of her day were focused on Orjyll, who now had a very powerful warlock helping him. Bonnie said, and Kira agreed, that once Orjyll was back to full power, he would kill Wyrick. No way was he going to go through with the deal he’d made for half his powers. Hearing this pissed off Sloan since he was hunting Wyrick around the clock. It was almost scary how committed Sloan was in finding him.
Tomorrow was the wedding. Everything was in place and ready to go. She smiled as she looked around. Everyone had gone to where they were spending the rest of the night. Walking outside, she took a deep breath and sighed. Kira looked around, wondering where Ronan disappeared to. Stepping off the porch, she headed toward the barns when she heard a faint whistle. Turning, she spotted him.
The closer she got, the more anxious she became. “Yum.” She sighed, staring at him. He leaned against the fence in only his cowboy hat, jeans, and boots.
His eyes roamed up and down her body. “I could say the same thing.” He pulled her into his arms.
“Where’ve you been, cowboy?” She snuggled against him, loving the feel of his hard body.
“Doing chores.” His hands rubbed her back before moving to her ass, pressing her against the hardness in his lower body.
Kira moved her hand down his stomach to grip his cock between his jeans. “Feels like I’ve got some chores to take care of,” she teased, kissing his chest.
Ronan growled as he lifted her in his arms. “Hold on tight.” He waited until she wrapped her arms around his neck before walking toward the barn and then jumping up to the open loft. Kira gasped. There was wine, a quilt spread out on the hay, and a radio playing a slow country tune softly. “Figured it was pretty crowded in the house.”
“This is perfect.” She kissed him as he removed her shirt and bra, only leaving her skirt in place. He sucked on her breasts as she straddled him. His hands working their way underneath the fabric, running up her bare legs, then stopping on her naked ass with a loud groan. “I’ve been bare all night, hoping you’d flip my skirt up and take me, cowboy.”
With quick, smooth motions, he picked her up and turned her, so she was leaning on her elbows against a bale of hay. Her skirt was flipped up, and she could feel the air on her ass. They had made love throughout the week, but it had been a few nights as they’d been too busy, or he was working. Her pussy tightened as he grabbed her ass and squeezed. She heard his belt buckle clang as the sound of his zipper reached her ears.
She was dripping wet and ready. His fingers entered her, and she gasped in delight. He then tugged her hair gently to pull her head back as his mouth found hers. Then his lips found her ear. “This may not be as gentle as I want it to be. You’ve got me all riled up. If I get too rough, you let me know.”
She turned her head enough to look him in the eye. “Fuck me, cowboy.” She gave him her sexiest smile and loved the response she got from him.
“Jesus.” Ronan hissed as he gently slid into her.
Ronan was right. There was nothing gentle about his lovemaking that night, and she cherished every single moment of it. He couldn’t keep his hands off her, and she was the same. If they weren’t making love, they were kissing or talking.
“Do you think you’ll always be a Warrior?” she asked as they lay quietly listening to the music and other sounds around the ranch.
“I mean, I’ve never really thought about it,” Ronan said, then became quiet. “Then again, I guess I have thought about just doing the ranch, but I feel I’ve been called to help people. Why?”
“No reason,” Kira replied, her fingertips tracing the muscles in his stomach. “Just wondering.”
“There has to be a reason or you wouldn’t have asked.” Ronan played with her hair, then looked down at her. “Do you not want me to be a Warrior?”
“No,” Kira said, then shook her head. “I mean, I want you to do whatever you’re happy with, and if being a Warrior makes you happy, then I wouldn’t expect you to do anything else.”
“It’s not always easy.” Ronan leaned his head back. “I’ve seen some terrible things, but I’ve also seen good things. Some days I dread it, oth
er days I crave it, and then most days I enjoy what I do. I guess it’s like any other job.”
Kira yawned and nodded. “You’re a good Warrior, Ronan. I can’t see you being bad at anything you do.”
“I can’t make a bed to save my life.” Ronan grinned. “I can’t fold laundry and my eggs are always runny. So there are definitely things I suck at.”
Laughing, Kira patted his cheek. “Okay, so maybe you’re not good at everything, but those are minimal tasks.” She yawned again. “Sorry, but you’ve worn me out, cowboy.”
Ronan pulled her to him, adjusting her so his shoulder was her pillow. “Get some sleep.” Ronan kissed her forehead. “I’ll make sure no coyotes get you.”
“I don’t think coyotes can climb ladders, Ronan,” Kira said sleepily.
“I’m trying to be a hero here, Kira,” Ronan whispered, then grinned when she patted his chest.
“You’re always my hero, cowboy.” Her last word slurred as slumber overtook her.
Ronan had lain in the same position for the past three hours, but he didn’t care. The woman in his arms made every second worth it. He used his other arm to prop his head up so he could watch the sunrise out the loft door.
His mind wandered to thoughts of that bastard Orjyll, and he wished to fuck he would have killed the evil dick when he had the chance. It was a regret he prayed wouldn’t bite him on the ass down the line. He’d also seen Kira staring off one too many times and knew she was thinking about the bastard too.
He pushed his thoughts aside as Kira stirred and stretched. Her naked body against his felt so damn good and so damn right. He remained still so not to wake her, but secretly wished she’d wake up.
“What time is it?” She groaned, then peeked up at him through sleepy eyes.
“About five thirty.” Ronan glanced back out the door. “Sun’s coming up.”
“Oh, I want to see.” Kira slowly sat up, her hair messy yet beautiful. She rubbed her eyes, yawned and stretched again. “Oh, to be a vampire and not need sleep.”
Ronan sat up next to her, then pulled her into his lap and cuddled her close, so she was comfortable. With one hand, he reached for the small box he had placed to the side last night.
The sun rose over the hills, its rays lighting the dew, making everything look magical. He grinned at his thoughts. He never thought of anything as magical until he met Kira.
“It’s so beautiful.” She sighed as she watched the sunrise.
“Yes, you are,” Ronan replied, then grinned when she looked up at him.
“Thank you, but I meant the sunrise.” She kissed his chin.
“Why don’t you put this on and see how beautiful the sunrise looks reflecting off it?” Ronan held the box in the palm of his hand.
Kira sat up, her hand going to her mouth. “Ronan.”
“Open it,” he urged, excited and praying he’d done well. He’d never been jewelry shopping in his life, but when he saw this ring, it reminded him of her.
Opening the box, her hand shook. “Oh, Ronan, it’s perfect.”
Ronan took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. It was simple, nothing fancy. A plain diamond with a twisting band. “I love you, Kira Grail.”
Kira looked up from the ring, tears tipping her lashes. “I love you so much.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed him so tightly she almost choked him. “How did I get so lucky to find someone like you?”
“I ask myself that about you every single day.” He kissed her neck, then groaned when he heard Gary whistling as he always did. “But I think we best get dressed before Gary enters. I’d hate to have to kill him for seeing you naked.”
Laughing, Kira let him help her get dressed, then they became real quiet as Gary rummaged in the barn below them. He sang, talked to himself and farted. Kira laughed so hard Ronan was sure they were going to get caught, but Gary finished what he was doing and left.
“Well, that wasn’t the most romantic moment after giving you a ring.” Ronan grinned with a roll of his eyes.
“It was perfect, and a moment we definitely won’t forget.” Kira giggled again, then hugged him tightly. “Thank you for being persistent with me. I know I was not so pleasant when you first met me.”
“That’s when I fell in love with you, Kira.” Ronan leaned away from her so she could see the truth in his eyes. “Perfect is overrated.”
“Yes, it is,” Kira agreed, then heard Mira calling for her. “Guess our moment’s over.”
“Honey, it was over when Gary farted,” Ronan reminded her, causing her to go into a fit of giggles. This was exactly how he wanted to spend the rest of his life.
Chapter 30
“You got the rings?” Steve asked, shifting and pulling at his tie. He looked at Adam when Adam didn’t answer. Ronan had a feeling he may be pulling the two apart before the wedding even began.
“If you ask me if I have the rings one more time, I’m going to kick your ass,” Adam growled, straightening his tux.
“Dude, chill out before I find another best man.” Steve pulled at his tie again.
“Please do,” Adam hissed, then cursed. “Turn around, dammit. You got your tie all fucked up. Here.”
Adam fixed Steve’s tie. “Thanks.” Steve looked outside the barn where they waited. “Man, there’s a lot of people out there. And the one person I wanted here isn’t. Did you try to call her again?”
“Yeah, and just got her voice mail.” Adam also glanced out, then looked at Ronan. “What time is it?”
“You’ve got about five minutes.” Ronan grinned then glanced at Sid who was rolling his eyes.
“I’ve never heard such whining in my life,” he grumbled, but then grinned when Steve asked Adam again about the rings. “Bet you a hundred Adam punches him.”
Ronan glanced at Adam and shook his head, “Nah, not taking that bet.”
“All right, boys.” Charlie Duke stuck his head in the barn. He was a neighbor to Ronan as well as a minister who’d agreed to officiate Steve and Mira’s ceremony. There were some ministers who refused to marry vampires. But Charlie was a good, fair, and decent man, as well as a good neighbor. “Let’s get the show on the road.”
“Please don’t let me embarrass her,” Steve chanted as he walked out.
“Poor kid.” Jax laughed as he followed Steve.
Ronan followed Blaze out. They stood in the line. Once the music started, all the mates made their way down the makeshift walkway. Behind all the bridesmaids stood Kira. She was beautiful in her dress. Her hair was swept up with wisps of hair dangling around her face. She made eye contact with him, and he tossed her a wink. She blushed but didn’t look away.
The wedding march began. Everyone stood as Mira, with Damon, stepped out to the end of the walkway. She was absolutely gorgeous wearing a beaming smile and holding Drew in her arms. Damon led her carefully toward Steve. He even looked pleasant, not like he wanted to kill someone.
Ronan looked at Steve whose face was in awe staring at Mira. Ronan wondered if he looked like that when he stared at Kira. Probably, he chuckled to himself. He glanced at the Warriors and their beautiful mates. Yeah, they were all fucked.
Ronan really tried to listen to their vows, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Kira. She watched her sister lovingly as she held Drew for Mira. The one thing he regretted was never being able to give her a child of her own. Frowning, he looked away, wondering if she even thought of that. Maybe that would change her mind. He glanced back at her to see her looking at him. Her smile slipped seeing his frown, her eyebrows rose as if asking him what was wrong. He just gave a simple shake of his head and a smile to reassure her.
Before he realized what was happening, Steve had given Mira his vow as a Warrior to always keep her safe. It was the Warriors in attendance turn to do the same. When it was his turn, he knelt at her feet, pledged his loyalty to her and Drew, then walked back to his place.
“You good?” Blaze whispered to him.
“Yeah
, fine.” Ronan frowned. “Why?”
“You just look a little out there,” Blaze replied, then gave a loud whistle as Steve and Mira were announced husband and wife. They kissed, with Steve dipping her low and really giving everyone a show that this woman was his.
Ronan laughed and gave his own loud whistle. Kira handed Drew back to Mira. His mind was not focused at all. He just kept seeing Kira holding Drew, knowing that while he could give her everything she could ever want, a baby was the exception.
He shook hands in the receiving line, had conversations he immediately forgot after they left and were replaced with someone else.
Finally, the line was finished, and everyone had moved on to where the reception was taking place. Ronan followed the crowd.
Jared was there waiting with a beer. “Thanks.” Ronan took it and drank half in one long drink.
“The kid did well. Didn’t fuck up or make a fool of himself.” Jared chuckled as he looked around. “He’s a goofy son of a bitch, but a good man. And this here, what you did for him and Mira was the right thing to do.”
“He is a good kid.” Ronan nodded, his eyes searching for Kira. He spotted her going into the house with Mira. “I knew they were having a hard time finding a place and I’ve got plenty of room here.”
“Hey, guys.” Steve rushed up and shook their hands. “Thanks so much for being here for us. And Ronan, thank you for everything.”
“Don’t mention it,” Ronan replied, then laughed when Steve tugged on his tie. “Take the damn thing off.”
Steve practically ripped it off then sighed with relief. “Thing was choking the hell out of me.”
All the Warriors headed over, but Ronan suddenly wasn’t in the mood to talk. He turned and headed toward the field where Jackson was. He needed to clear his head for a minute.
Kira was finally done with her maid of honor duties. It was starting to get dark. The food had been served, and the dancing, as well as all the fun stuff, was ready to start. She looked around trying to find her cowboy, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Ronan Page 19
