by Brook Wilder
Despite my fatigue, I headed straight to the bridal shop, where I’d promised to meet Liz. When I arrive, she was waiting for me.
“Sorry I’m late. My parents were a bit clingy.”
“Figured,” Liz waved off my concern. “Come on, let’s go find a dress that’ll knock Mr. Bartell’s socks off.”
She looped her arm through mine and I let her drag me along with her into the bridal store.
It was overwhelming. The wedding was being rushed because Mason was set to be busy for the foreseeable future with the remnants of the Cartel.
The gowns all around me were ruffled and showed a level of girly that I didn’t think I was up to. I looked around the bridal shop warily.
“Is there anything that doesn’t have frills?”
“What about that little number?” Liz pointed across the shop.
My eyes followed her finger and landed on a simple, delicate slip of a dress.
My mouth formed an “O” as I walked over to it. The fabric felt silky under my fingers, so light and delicate.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“It sure is,” Liz said in admiration.
A lady came over.
“Can I help you ladies find something?”
I smiled over at Liz, then answered the woman with a shake of my head.
“Nope. I think we just found it.”
Chapter 30
Mason
Cassie’s father had wanted a heart to heart chat, which I reluctantly agreed to. It was probably one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made. And, given some of the decisions I’ve made in the past, that’s saying something
Cassie tried to send me in prepared, but nothing could have prepared me for the barrage of questions the man had.
The day of the wedding found Diesel and myself getting ready in one of the downstairs rooms at the headquarters. The guests had been arriving for some time and there was a low hum of music and conversation coming in from the backyard, where we’d set up for the ceremony earlier in the day. I took a deep breath and eyed myself in the mirror. Cassie had talked me into a suit and tie. I’d have been happy with just my jacket, but it wouldn’t have been worth the battle.
“How’d things go with Cassie’s folks?” Diesel asked as he straightened his bowtie. “I can’t believe I’m wearing a collar!”
I chuckled.
“Her father drives a conversation like the director of the FBI. I think he bought that I work at a mechanic’s shop.”
“Yeah, and it’s kind of true,” Diesel grinned. “You do work on that bike of yours a lot.”
“Well, the motorcycle mechanic scheme was Cassie’s idea. I just wanted to say I ran a club and leave it at that. I guess it would’ve been a bit suspicious to him, in hindsight. The man has clearly watched too many detective shows.”
Diesel was still grinning.
“I imagine the real story of how you met his daughter wouldn’t have gone over so well,” he said.
The guilt nagged at me as I thought of how Cassie had gotten mixed up in all this in the first place.
“I’ll make it up to her,” I said to no one in particular.
“I’m sure you will, Boss.” Diesel looked at himself in the mirror again. “Everyone in the desert and beyond knows that, if there’s one man who takes his role as big ole alpha male seriously, it’s you. One day, Boss, you might have to realize that being the big protector isn’t all a woman wants out of a man.”
I shook my head at the man who stood behind me, adjusting his bowtie with a look of deep concentration.
“Is that why you have all those women lined up?”
“Oh, sure, mock me! But you’ll see… I’m looking for something special in a girl.”
Diesel grinned at himself in the mirror.
“You know, I think bowties suit me. Maybe I should wear one all the time.”
I snorted. “I don’t think it goes with your usual work attire.”
Diesel shrugged.
“So, what sort of special something are you looking for?” I continued. “Does she have to be blind?”
“You’re one to talk,” Diesel joked.
He had a thick skin and that made him useful in tense situations, where a person couldn’t afford to let private differences get in the way. In our line of work that happened often. Right now, though, I saw a wistful light in the man’s eyes as he spoke again.
“I don’t know, Boss. I haven’t found it yet. I’ll know it when I see it though.”
I nodded.
“Almost time,” I motioned to the clock.
Diesel took a deep breath.
“Yep. Look, Boss, I just wanted to say…”
He gave me a serious look as I turned around to look him in the eye.
“I know I wasn’t your first choice of a best man. I just want you to know that it’s an honor to stand in for Noah. He’s a damn good man.”
It was true. Had Noah been out of jail, he would have stood where Diesel was. I put my hand on Diesel’s shoulder and the man shifted uncomfortably. I couldn’t tell if he was nervous or merely chafing under the bow tie.
“That may be. But you’ve been a good friend, Diesel. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have here, not even Noah.”
Diesel’s face lit up with a grin.
“Thanks, Boss.”
“No problem. Now stop grinning at me and get ready.”
Before we had time to do much more, one of the boys popped his head in
“The Justice of the Peace is here,” he announced.
I took a deep breath. It was showtime.
Diesel was out the door before I was. I shook my head at the man as I followed him out the door. I passed several of the boys and a few of their old ladies as well. I got some slaps on the back, which I barely felt. Out in the backyard, the tables and chairs had been set up.
Members of several of the other clubs and groups were gathered. Khloe was engaged in a spirited debate with Cassie’s Mother. I hid a grin at the irony of that.
As I approached Walter, a local Justice of the Peace, he gave me a nod. Diesel took up his position beside me with a grin.
Music began to play, soft and low. Some of the boys ushered the guests to their seats. As friends, family and business associates settled, the music changed and my pulse raced along with it. From the back door of the house stepped Cassie and her father.
Cassie’s hair had been curled in silken ringlets that hung down over the simple white gown she’d picked out with Liz. She’d kept it a heavily guarded secret because of some tradition that I barely understood. But the annoyance had been worth it, to see her finally in that silk gown. I smiled at her. She looked perfect.
My mind snapped to later tonight and removing that dress. A smile spread across my face, which Cassie returned. I gave her a wink. She laughed quietly to herself and blushed. I wondered if she’d read my mind.
She and her father stopped a couple feet from Walter and me. I stepped over. Cassie’s father placed her hand on my arm and gave me a smile. With Cassie on my arm, I stepped back into position. Cassie gave me a smile as Walter began the ceremony.
The odd thing was that the ceremony was over in a blur. It was as if time had sped up, leaving me behind. Before I knew it, Walter was suddenly pronouncing us man and wife, the guests were cheering, and Cassie and I were kissing.
Diesel slapped me on the back.
“Save it for the honeymoon,” he said.
The guests laughed and catcalled at Diesel’s words.
I’m not sure whose idea it was, but soon there were eighties tunes I could barely recall playing over the speakers. It would have been worse had I not had Cassie on my arm. Having her laughing and clinging to me was worth more than any piece of paper Walter gave us. No, the ceremony was for everyone else. I didn’t need it.
Diesel and Pearl were dancing, and I eyed the two suspiciously. Of all of my men, Diesel was the least prolific when it came to women and probably too much of
an idealist for his own good. After recent events, it was apparent that the man was a bit too much of a romantic. How he’d ever tolerated selling women was beyond me.
Mrs. Rogers came up and gave me a hug. A cloud of sweetly perfumed lilacs engulfed me as the woman crushed me to her bosom.
“Welcome to the family, Mason.”
She let me escape her grasp, giving me a smile that reminded me of Cassie’s.
“There’s still a lot we have to learn about each other,” she said. “Don’t let my husband drive you away from us. He’s just a bit over-protective.”
She looked around and I knew at once what she was going to say.
“Are any of your relatives in attendance?”
“Just my crew,” I smiled. “But they’re like my family. My family doesn’t live around here.”
It sounded lame, but I hoped the woman would take the hint and leave it alone. Fortunately for me, her good manners seemed to prevent her from asking all the questions I could see in her eyes. I prayed she wouldn’t mention the family thing to her husband. He’d probably start running me through Interpol next.
Mrs. Rogers moved on to hugging Cassie and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Cassie said between the rounds of congratulations from well-wishers.
“I’d never sell my thoughts for so little,” I scoffed.
“Wow, you must think a lot of yourself, Mr. Bartell.” Cassie jutted her chin up and tutted at me.
I shook my finger at her.
“Mrs. Bartell, I think you are just cheap.”
“Say that again,” Cassie said with a smile.
Confused, I repeated, “You’re cheap?”
Cassie laughed.
“No, the Mrs. Bartell part.” She put her arms around my waist and leaned against me. “That will take some getting used to.”
“Ah,” I said with a chuckle. “Really? I’ve gotten used to it already.”
Cassie shook her head and pushed up on her toes. Her lips brushed mine in a soft kiss. The urge to scoop the girl up and take her upstairs was strong. Before I could act on it though, Diesel cleared his throat. I looked up at him.
“Hey Boss. Do you guys want to cut that damn cake? I want some chocolate.”
“I never knew you had such a sweet tooth,” Cassie said with a grin.
Diesel snorted.
“It’s the only thing that keeps me from being a bitter old bastard like the Boss here.”
“Hey,” I said.
But there was no real malice behind it. I couldn’t muster the required sternness, and Diesel just gave me a smile for trying.
Khloe met us as we made our way over to the cake.
“No wonder you wouldn’t let me buy her,” Khloe said with a grin at Cassie, who just laughed.
Khloe looked around, probably to see where Cassie’s parents were.
“Congrats to both of you.”
“Thanks, Khloe.”
I gave the woman a nod, then picked up the knife that had been laid out for the cake-cutting.
“Come on, Mrs. Bartell.”
Cassie grinned and put her hand over mine on the knife. She looked over at her mother, who was taking a picture, and smiled. There were lots of flashes, and I wondered how many of the boys would be spreading this picture of domestic bliss around. I shook my head. Cassie and I cut the cake and laughed at the cheers the simple act brought from the people surrounding us.
Diesel quickly elbowed up to the cake through the crowd.
“I get the slice after theirs.”
Cassie’s father slapped Diesel on his back.
“I do believe you might have to fight me for that.”
“No offense,” Diesel said with a grin, “But I think I could take you.”
Cassie laughed.
“Everyone’s going to get a piece of cake,” she told them. “Did you people not eat all day?”
I looked around at all the laughing people and realized how odd it was that we were all here like this. How had a community sprung up around us? My eyes slid to Cassie. The clubs had helped each other from time to time, but I was pretty sure that, had Cassie not come on the scene, we wouldn’t all be the community we had become.
Diesel appointed himself official cake cutter and started handing out slices, with Cassie’s father looking over his shoulder to make sure the slices were fair.
I smiled at Cassie and caught the curious look she gave me. I leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Cassie and I stepped back out of the limelight and watched everyone as we ate our cake. We shared a chuckle.
“It’s perfect,” Cassie whispered.
I nodded. “It is.”
As the guests began to leave, one of my men came up and whispered discretely that he needed to speak with me.
“I’ll be right back,” I whispered in Cassie’s ear.
As soon as we were out of earshot, the man said quickly.
“Just got word that some of the Cartel’s men have been spotted in a little motel. The crew that caught sight of them are asking for a bit of back-up.”
“Back-up for a few stragglers?” I rubbed my face and nodded. “Fine. This better be quick, though. Grab Diesel and some of the boys before they run off.”
The man left to do as he was told and I walked back over to Cassie, who was watching me with displeasure.
“You gotta go, don’t you?” she sighed.
“Just a for a bit, I promise.”
I pulled the girl to me. The feeling of the soft dress under my hands left very little to my imagination as to what lay underneath.
“You won’t even have time to miss me.”
Cassie leaned into me and pressed a kiss to my lips.
“I better not,” she said with a smile.
Chapter 31
Cassie
After the reception, Mason had to step out with some of the boys to help another club with some leftover Cartel goons.
As well as the dress, Liz and I had picked out some goodies for the wedding night. I looked at myself in the mirror. The silk nightie hung and clung in all the right places. I smiled and hoped that Mason would like it.
I pulled on a robe and went down to the kitchen to grab the champagne I’d had Diesel pick up for me.
It was odd for the headquarters to be so quiet. Everyone had cleared out for the night, so that Mason and I would have free run of the house. I was looking forward to our wedding night, even though I wouldn’t be the blushing virgin I’d always imagined I’d be..
“Just as well, really,” I laughed to myself. “I’ll probably enjoy it more.”
I heard the sound of a motorcycle and my pulse quickened. Mason was home. I ran over to the kitchen window, which looked out onto the backyard. Sure enough, there was Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.
I smiled and leaned against the kitchen counter. Some women just thought of their husbands as their heroes, but mine had actually put his life on the line to rescue me. True, he wasn’t all goodness and light. But were any of us?
I nervously tucked my robe around myself, patted my hair and smacked my lips together to make sure my lip gloss was still in place. The door opened and Mason gave me a curious look.
“Hi,” I said in a ridiculously nervous voice.
“Hi,” Mason said with a furrowed brow.
He looked behind me at the champagne bottle, then his eyes came back to my robe.
“Are you up to something?”
I nodded.
“Yes,” I said honestly. “I’m glad you’re home.”
Mason smiled.
“Me too. So, what are you up to?”
“Grab the ice and cups,” I said, as I turned and headed toward the stairs with the champagne bottle.
Behind me, Mason chuckled as he gathered up the requested items.
Upstairs, I placed the champagne down on the nightstand. There was part of me that wondered if Mason would laugh at my attempt at romance. He hadn’t struck me
as the romantic sort, but there had been moments that made me hope he did have some romance in him somewhere.
