I turn to the idiot who owns the place. He looks nervous—not that I blame him. There’re probably a hundred plus Disciples roaming his property. I had no idea all my brothers and their old ladies would want to come.
“I know you mentioned something about talking to the justice of the peace. He’s arrived too. Should I have your bride brought to our waiting room?”
“Yes, although I want to start the ceremony right after I talk to the justice of the peace.”
“Not a problem.” His eyes dart around the room, and he motions for a staffer to set some flowers in a certain spot.
“You can discuss everything in my office,” he announces like he’s a butler rather than an idiot who owns a chapel in Vegas.
“Axel, it’s time.”
He slowly looks over at me. Pointing at the glass ceiling with flowers hanging from it, he says, “This place is so tacky, it’s almost perfect.” He inhales again, the pungent smell of his weed following us.
“Man, don’t be a dick.” I motion to the owner’s back. It’s so stiff you could bounce a ball off it.
“Christ,” he mumbles as he takes another drag then releases it up to the ceiling. “I like your place.”
I turn to glare at him and he busts out in a laugh as we enter the small, cramped office. A faint mildew smell clings to the yellow carpet, which has patches of dark gray where people have stood before.
A man dressed in a cheap navy suit looks up from his phone as we enter. His brown hair is gelled back, and his dark eyes roam from me to Axel.
“Can I help you?” He straightens yet still comes up to my chin.
“Yeah, I’m the groom.”
He pockets his phone and crosses his arms. “Okay… requests?”
“Paul recommended you.”
Again, his eyes dart back and forth from me to Axel. “Yeah, I know Paul. How can I help?”
“I need this to be legal, but I need it dated two weeks ago. How much do you need to make this happen?”
He looks down at his black shoes and then over at Axel who is still smoking that crazy shit he grows.
“Hold on.” He pulls out his phone and starts to text. “What’s your name?”
“Edge.” I don’t bother with my last name. It’s not needed. Paul, a brother who grew up with us and fought his way to the top of the arms dealer world knows who I am. He nods at the phone, his whole attitude changing by whatever he’s reading on the text. Because he goes from distrust to fear to a forced smile as he types something back then pockets his phone again.
“I need five thousand. It will be notarized and completely legal. My sister works in the county clerk’s office.”
I pull out my cash and count it out for him. Not smiling, he stuffs the wad into his suit pocket and starts for the door.
“I know you are very aware of what Paul does.” My voice stops him as both Axel and I walk past him to block the door.
He looks up almost startled. “I’m a professional. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I always worry. I need you to be clear before you take the Disciples’ money.”
Silence fills the small room as he nods looking me in the eyes.
“I always feel I need to explain this before I ever give anyone money because that seals the deal. And trust me, you don’t want us coming back.”
Axel shuts the door and my mouth twitches with his dramatic flair.
“Yes. We won’t be looking for you. I’ll be looking for your family.” Axel’s hand rests on the door handle.
“I understand.” Again, he looks me in the eyes. “Are we ready to proceed?”
My heart does a painful thud. “Yeah, I’m ready.” I run my hands through my hair and turn to look at Axel as if he can magically make this go smoothly.
He exhales but stands up straight. “You want the short and basic right?” He walks over to the small mirror hanging on the wall.
“I want it legal.”
He nods. “It will be. Do you want a best man? And does your fiancée have a maid of honor?”
Before it even computes, I say, “Yes. Axel is my best man.”
Axel’s blue eyes dart to mine, a shit-eating grin on his face. I’m closer to Blade and David, but for this… Axel is the right choice.
“You sure? You won’t offend me if you want Blade, man.”
“No. You’re my best man.”
He looks at me, then the justice of the peace. “I guess I’m the best man. Let’s get this drama over.” He swings open the door and holds out his hands for us to pass as if he owns the place.
“This is it, man. Edge and Dolly forever.” He rubs my shoulders, his excitement making me pause and turn to him.
“Do you believe in soul mates?” As soon as it’s out of my mouth, I regret it. I’m not talking to David. This is Axel. He’s never been with a woman longer than a week and that might be pushing it.
“Just take it easy. Do you need some water? How about some of my latest blend. Trust me, it will calm you right down.”
“I’m fine.” I shrug until he removes his hands from my shoulder.
We turn the corner and enter the large room. He walks past me and finally answers, “For you… yes. I do.” My head swings toward him and I almost question if he actually said that. But he’s already walking toward David and Charlie and the chance is gone.
I take a breath, somewhat surprised that I’m having any of these nerves. Maybe it’s because this is really happening. All day, I’ve been getting shit done: flowers, rings, finding Paul, and arranging a spot.
And now… now’s our moment.
I scan the room. The sound system is playing some crappy elevator music. The owner walks by looking like a scared puppy that someone kicked.
“Hey listen, can you get this shit off?” I say to the owner. “Like is this what’s gonna be playing?” I point to the speakers surrounding us in the corners of the ceiling.
He wipes his brow with the sleeve of his suit. “Um… do you have something in mind? This is a lot of… people.” His eyes dart around at all the Disciples filing in. Chairs scrape against the floor and everyone sits, their wallet chains banging on the chairs.
Only Axel, David, Blade, and I are in suits. Well I’m in a suit; they all wear starched white shirts and black suit pants but still have on our black leather Disciples cuts. All the other brothers look the same as always except their hair is wet and beards are combed.
Blade walks up with Eve. She clings to his arm as the poor owner turns bright red looking at her.
“Everything okay?” Blade’s eyes bore into the man. It’s good that the owner is looking at everything other than the exquisite creature standing in front of him. I don’t want to have to postpone the ceremony simply because Blade is Blade.
“Yeah, I’m trying to change the music.”
“Good.” Eve smiles and the poor owner shifts back a tad. “It needs to be romantic, Edge. Wait until you see her.” She puts her hand on her chest causing the owner to excuse himself rather than have to stare at Eve anymore.
Maybe he’s not as dumb as I thought.
“How about AC/DC’s ‘Hells Bells’?” She blinks at me as if I’ve grown horns. Blade throws back his head to laugh.
“I take that as a no. Why don’t you help poor Edge out, Angel, and pick something appropriate.”
“Um, yes.” She shoots me one last glare as she shimmies against Blade and whispers in his ear.
He pulls back and I feel like I should excuse myself, but there’s nowhere for me to go. So, I look up at the ceiling allowing them to do their thing.
“Okay.” Doug claps, causing all of us to look at him. He’s dressed like a fucking fashion model or some shit. “She’s ready.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Blade snarls at him, taking in his outfit.
“No, I’m not part of the club, remember?” Doug winks at him. Blade stares for a moment and turns back to Eve.
“What are you wearing?” I look at him.
<
br /> “A tuxedo.” His eyes scan my body. I roll my neck not giving him the satisfaction of knowing that I’m worried I should have rented a tux rather than an Armani suit.
“Christ,” I mumble.
Eve pats my arm. “You look so handsome, Edge.” She cocks her head making her long blond hair cascade over her shoulders. “I want you to know that I’m happy for you. And at the end of the day, things that seem impossible somehow work out if they’re meant to be.” Her blue eyes get teary as she nods at me.
“She loves you.” She reaches to squeeze my hand. Blade rubs her back, his hand sliding down to pat her ass.
“Angel, how much have you had to drink?” His voice is warm, almost growly, and again a pang hits my chest. I have never been one to want things that I have thought unobtainable. It’s black or white for me. Either it’s in the cards or not. So, watching Blade with Eve, even David with Charlie has been a rude awakening that things can change. People can change and it’s okay.
“Go tell the poor man the music you want, Angel, and try not to make me have to kill him.” Blade swats her on the ass.
Eve laughs and walks over to the man. Although he’s standing at a distance, I can still hear her yell, “‘At Last,’ Etta James.”
“You look good,” Doug says after giving me a once-over. “I would have put you in a tuxedo, but it’s all about Dolly, so you’re fine.” He straightens his sleeve.
“Is she… is she okay?” And I want to take my knife and stab my other thigh for being such a pussy.
Blade, who’s been watching Eve, turns to look at me with a frown.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine. Why are you guys looking at me?” I crack my neck.
He grins. “Let’s get this going. I think Edge wants his bride.” He pats Doug on the back then turns to go get Eve. She’s happily chatting with some old ladies in the corner.
I turn toward Doug who is staring at me with a look of calm. “What?” I growl.
“I want you to know that I have not always agreed with you and your fucking crazy obsession with Dolly. But”—he picks some lint off my jacket—“she loves you more than she loves herself.” He turns and leaves me with those words ringing in my ears.
I call out to him, “Tell Dolly she can have a maid of honor.” He holds up his hand and keeps walking.
Axel passes him, shaking his head as he walks the small pathway that I guess is going to be the aisle until he’s standing next to me.
My eyes scan the room. Everyone has taken a seat except for the people who want to smoke. They’re hanging out in the back.
Good thing I ordered a shitload of flowers. They asked me if I had a preference. I said red roses since that always reminds me of Dolly’s love of red lipstick.
They must have run out because there are a ton of lilies also.
Coughs can be heard along with shuffling of feet as we all turn to see David walk Charlie down the aisle. She looks like she might be getting ready to give birth any day. Jesus, she’s huge. Closing my eyes, I envision Dolly with my baby growing inside her.
“Why not?” I whisper, not even realizing that I said it out loud.
“Why not what?” Axel leans forward.
Charlie sits in a chair followed by David. “I want kids.”
He starts to laugh. “Hey man, the world is your oyster. If you can keep your mean Smurfette from killing you, I say go for it. Look at Blade.” He nods toward where Blade sits with Eve on his lap.
Etta James starts playing from the loud sound system. It doesn’t matter though. Nothing matters as I hold my breath and slowly let it go.
The doors open. It’s almost like we’re in church. The sky is darkening and only the remaining tips of orange and red seep down into the desert skies. And there she is. She stands in front of the doorway, her arm hooked in her old man’s arm. A loud wail comes from her mom, Misty, as she walks behind them, eventually sitting in a chair that someone has set up for her.
“Fuck brother.” Axel’s eyes are shiny as he nods at her.
She stands still for a moment as though letting everyone know that she has arrived. My mind feels almost like I did smoke some of Axel’s shit. It’s numb and a slight sense of peace and rightness settles over my family. Etta’s voice fills the room as everyone looks. I hear a few more people start to cry and a lot of “goddamns.”
None of it matters. Nothing but this very second in my universe is important.
She didn’t wear black.
Instead, my eyes feast on her as she walks with Shark toward me. Her dress is pearl white. The material is plain, no ruffles, no lace. The low-cut neck pushes her magnificent breasts up so much they almost spill out.
I swallow as my eyes trail to her tiny waist, and then I take in the rest of her: it’s like she was dipped into a Disney movie. Her dress looks like something out of the animated version of Sleeping Beauty. The train is still trailing out the door.
“Take it easy.” Axel puts his hand on my shoulder, causing me to take in more air as she comes closer.
I can smell her. Even with all the flowers, I smell her addictive scent. Vanilla candy, and I want to get down on one knee and propose. I want to sweep her off her feet and never let her go.
I want…
I want her.
Dolly turns to smile at Charlie who holds out her hand to her as she passes. And still, I barely breathe as she stops in front of me. Shark lets go of her and gives me her small, delicate hand. It fits like it always has in my tan rough one: it fits just right.
The shock of her true beauty, a beauty that is inside and out, has me in awe as we stand in front of everyone.
I’ve waited my whole life for this. As I gaze at her, I see her at so many stages of our lives. I see her hanging with all of us rough boys, trying to keep up. I see her trying on lipsticks for the first time and telling me that she’ll only wear red.
I see her.
Her hair is down and flowing, her makeup is light, and I grin as she nervously blinks her eyes.
This is one of our moments. We’ve had so many, but staring at her and knowing that in moments she will be mine until death has kind of made me undone.
My heart is racing. I wonder if hers is too. She blinks up at me, her lips slightly open as her long black eyelashes tease me into wanting to spend hours kissing them.
I want to worship her tonight, make her mine in ways that were never possible before. She’s given me her body. Her friendship. Her support for as long as I can remember. And now it’s time we take this to the next level. Kids, houses, BBQs, I want it all.
“Take good care of my Dolly.” Shark looks into my eyes.
“She’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
A couple of Disciples old-timers cough but Etta is singing about finding love at last and I see Dolly’s eyes fill with tears.
“That’s quite a dress.” I pull her into my arms, holding her close as the justice of the peace starts to talk. I don’t hear him. All I hear is her heart beating strong, exactly like mine.
“Do you like it?” Her voice is raspy, almost out of breath.
“It’s not black.” I raise an eyebrow at her and her whole face lights up with a smile that I will hold with me, tucking it into my heart.
“No. No black. I wanted to be your princess.” Her breath smells like champagne and candy and I don’t care that the justice of the peace hasn’t gotten to the “kiss the bride” part. I reach down and capture her lips.
My brothers cheer and some whistle until I hear Axel and Doug say we have to stop and focus.
Lifting my head, it’s the first time I realize that Doug’s been standing next to Dolly. I smile as I whisper into her parted lips, “I like your bridesmaid.”
“He’s the best.” She smiles again.
This time, I do back up and turn to the justice of the peace who asks me if I take her as my wife. I grin, all my worries gone, and say, “I do.”
He asks her the same. “I do.”
&nbs
p; “Do we have rings to seal your love?” She stiffens. Axel hands me our rings. I went overboard with hers. Stopping at Tiffany’s on the way here, I got her a three-carat princess-cut solitary diamond in a platinum band along with a plain platinum band for me.
“Edge…” She laughs then starts to cry as I put the rock on her finger. She turns to show Doug who takes her hand and inspects it.
“Christ, you two,” Axel snarls, dumping my band into her hand.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Before I can kiss her again, the room explodes with cheers. Blade walks up and has a “Property of Edge” cut that makes Doug gasp and Dolly laugh.
“Oh please, can we take pictures first?” Doug takes the vest from Blade who must be feeling happy because he doesn’t say anything and signals for the photographer and his son to come over.
“Edge and Dolly forever,” people chant as we make our way toward the door, trying to navigate the crowd and talk to well-wishers. Yet all I can focus on is my woman. My life. She’s mine.
Mine.
The owner brings out the numerous bottles of booze that I had dropped off, and the party begins. Pictures, cameras, all nonsense in my opinion, but Dolly is happy, laughing and hugging everyone. She’s even wearing her new cut and I have never felt closer to her or more relieved in my life.
“We did it, baby,” I whisper in her ear. She shivers and leans her head back.
“We did. You made this… like a real wedding.” She twirls toward me, her hands landing on my chest. “No more bad luck.”
“Thank fuck.” I look down at her as she snakes her hands up my chest.
“I promise never to stab you again.”
I laugh.
“What do you promise?” She blinks up at me and I know what she wants me to say. She wants me to tell her I’ll never cheat on her.
But I’m not going to. She needs to work it out for herself. She doesn’t believe me anyway if my throbbing wound means anything.
“I promise to care for you. Love you until you hold my hand and I wait for you on the other side.”
Her breathing is a little labored as tears spill down her cheeks. “You know that’s not possible. I’ll die first.”
Repent (The Disciples Book 3) Page 21
