by A. M. Myers
“Okay… but wouldn’t he know to ditch her phone in the first place?”
I glance in my rearview mirror as I merge lanes. “What’s your point?”
“Do you think he’s leading us on a wild goose chase?”
“I don’t know, Streak!” I scream, slamming my fist into the steering wheel as my stomach clenches.
Oh, god.
This can’t be happening again.
My mind races and fear pulses through my bloodstream as I race to the cabin, driving as fast as my old beat up truck will let me and praying that I find her there, safe and sound. All the stories she’s told me about her time there flick through my head and it gets harder and harder to breathe as each second passes. I can’t lose her… I just can’t.
“Where is Storm’s phone, Streak?” I ask, needing something to distract me from the fact that my heart feels like it’s exploding in my chest.
“Um…” he murmurs. “Still at the cabin.”
Fuck.
If Biche came for her, Storm wouldn’t have gone down without a fight and he’s got a wife and kid to think about now.
“Send someone to the cabin, too. If Storm is there, he might be hurt.”
“Yeah, you got it, Henn,” he answers and I release a breath when I see the road to the cabin up ahead.
I’m almost there.
My heart stalls and time seems to stretch as I turn down the dirt road and race toward the cabin. I pull into the driveway and scan the area.
“Storm’s bike isn’t here,” I tell him. This doesn’t make any sense. Why is Storm’s bike gone if his phone is still here and where the hell is Kady? I run toward the cabin, trying to listen for any sounds that will alert me to danger but my heart is pounding too hard to focus on anything else as I crash through the front door. Stumbling at the sight before me, I suck in a breath.
“Noah,” Kady says, looking up at me from where she’s standing in the middle of the living room. She’s dressed in a gorgeous white dress that I’ve never seen before. It brushes against the floor as she shifts back and forth on her feet and her blonde hair is curled in big waves that frame her face and make me imagine gripping a chunk of it as I fuck her all night long.
“Kady, what the hell is all this?”
The room is full of hundreds of candles, all of them different sizes and colors, that cast a warm, inviting glow over the whole room and the fireplace is lit, the wood crackling as she smiles at me.
“You should hang up the phone, Noah,” she whispers and I glance down at the phone in my hand. The screen is blank and I glance up at her again, blinking.
“I think he already did.”
She nods, holding her hand out to me. “Come here.”
“What is going on?” I ask again as I walk through the path of candles laid out in front of me to where she is. Like a beacon, she draws me in as my mind struggles to switch from fear to figuring out what the hell she has up her sleeve right now. She smiles up at me as I reach her and she takes my hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Noah Thomas LeBlanc,” she breathes and I cock my head to the side as I watch her. “A little over sixteen years ago, you walked into my life and claimed me as yours… no matter what I or anyone else had to say about it.”
I smile and reach up with my free hand, brushing my thumb over her cheek as she starts to get choked up.
“It was the greatest moment of my life because without that single moment, everything else would have been so different. My life would have been empty if it hadn’t been for you and that moment. You complete me in a way that I struggle to understand or explain but I feel it in every touch, every kiss, and every moment that we’re together. And after losing it for seven long years, I can safely say that I’ll never ever take it for granted again.”
“Me either, baby,” I whisper, cupping her cheek as I lean in and kiss her. Our lips meet in a soft kiss and she sighs into me before a tear trickles down her cheek and she pushes me back.
“Let me get through this.”
I nod.
“You are my best friend and there isn’t anyone else on this earth that I want to face forever with. You asked me once to be your wife but now I’m asking you… Will you take me as I am, love me through all the bad times, and spend every minute of the rest of our lives by my side? Will you marry me?”
“Kady,” I breathe, my throat tightening as my heart swells. Leaning in, I cup her face in both hands and pull her to me, sealing my lips over hers as she whimpers. Her arms snake up between us and latch onto my jacket as I reach down with one arm and lift her into my arms. She runs her fingers through my hair and I shudder. Almost everything I’ve ever wanted is in my grasp in this very moment and I couldn’t be fucking happier. We pull away, gasping for air, and she looks down at me as her teeth sink into her bottom lip.
“Is that a yes?”
I arch a brow. “Did you even need to ask, sweetheart? You are my whole fucking heart and you own me completely. There was never a scenario where I didn’t spend the rest of my days with you so, of course I’ll marry you.”
Loud cheering rings out around us and I turn around as I set Kady back on her feet and laugh as the entire club steps out of hiding outside the open door. Blaze beams up at us as everyone claps and the old ladies wipe a few tears from their eyes as my eyes lock on Streak.
Son of a bitch.
They were all in on it.
“You fuckers.”
They all start laughing again as they move closer to the cabin and Kady laughs.
“So, I may have had a little help setting this all up.”
“You nearly gave me a heart attack,” I growl, placing my hand over my chest and she shrugs before cuddling into my side.
“You had it comin’, LeBlanc.”
I gasp. “What? How in the hell did I have it comin’? I thought I’d lost you again.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t and now you get me forever. Seems like an even trade-off if you ask me.”
I remember the ring box in my pocket. “Oh, wait. I have something for you.”
She turns to me as I dig the box out and pop it open for her. With a gasp, her hazel eyes meet mine as they fill with tears. “How did you get this?”
“I had a replica made.”
“Noah,” she whispers, pressing her fingers to her lips before she launches herself into my arms again. I laugh and press my lips to her neck before pulling away and taking the ring out of the box. I turn it so she can see the inscription on the inside. A sob spills out of her as she looks up at me.
“Thomas?”
“I had his name written here so you can always carry him with you, no matter what happens with the Olsens.”
She wipes the tears from her face before she holds her shaky hand out to me and I slip the ring on her finger, exactly where it’s going to stay for the rest of forever. Looking up at me, she takes a step toward me and I fold her in my arms.
“I love you.”
I grin. “I love you, too. But we also have something really important to talk about.”
“What?” she asks as I wrap my arm around her shoulders and lead her out to the front porch where the club is gathered.
“Please, for the love of god, tell me you’re not going to make me wait to marry you.”
She laughs. “No, Noah. I think you’ve waited long enough.”
“You know…” Blaze muses. “I bet we could get something thrown together in about a week if y’all really don’t want to wait.”
“Perfect,” I say, turning to look at Kady, who nods as she smiles up at me.
“Sounds good to me.”
Only a week until I finally get to marry the girl of my dreams?
Hell fucking yes.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kady
“Hello,” the saleswoman calls, approaching us as I walk into the shop with Hannah next to me and Ali, Carly, Tate, and Quinn behind us. “I’m Megan. How can I help you today?”
“She’s loo
king for her wedding dress,” Hannah says, grinning as she gives me a little shove and I shoot her a glare before I turn to Megan.
“Hi. I’m Kady and yes, I am looking for a wedding dress.”
She shakes my hand as she flashes me a warm smile. “Perfect! I can help you with that. When is your wedding?”
“In six days,” I squeak, wincing as her eyes widen. When Noah and I decided to throw this thing together in six days, I knew it might be difficult but I never realized how long it took to order a wedding dress until I told Hannah and she started freaking out.
“Oh, I see. In a rush, are we?”
Ali laughs as she steps up next to me and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “Well, he’s only been waiting to marry her for sixteen years so yeah, you could say that.”
“Sixteen years… wow.”
I nod. “We met when we were eleven.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet. All right, then.” She claps her hands together as she turns to the shop. “We’re going to have to focus on something you can leave with today but we might be able to squeeze you in for alterations so that does open up our options a little bit. What’s your style?”
I look around the shop and stop on a dress on one of the mannequins - a gorgeous ivory lace appliqué dress with an illusion halter, an open back, and a natural tulle skirt.
“What about that one?”
Megan follows my gaze before turning back to me with a grin. “It is your lucky day. That dress was being retired to the back today to make room for next season so if you love it, you’ll get it for a steal.”
“Try it on,” Hannah urges. “I’m dying to see how it looks on you.”
I purse my lips as I stare at it, wondering how much it costs. Noah told me not to worry about money but I can’t help it. I’ve been pretty damn frugal for the past six years and it feels weird to splurge.
“Let me go take it off the mannequin,” Megan says, pointing off to a set of couches in front of floor-to-ceiling mirrors. “Y’all can have a seat over there and I’ll come get you when I’m ready.”
I nod and follow the girls as they lead me over to the couches. Carly, Ali, and Tate sit on one couch while Hannah, Quinn, and I sit down on the other. I sigh as I look around the room, a little overwhelmed by all the white tulle.
“So…” Carly prompts and I turn to her as she studies me. “Excited? Nervous?”
“Um, yes?” I answer and she smiles. “Actually, I’m excited to be married but I can’t say I’m looking forward to the actual wedding. I don’t really like being the center of attention.”
Tate shakes her head. “Well, who could blame you after the shit you’ve been through? But the club won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to see that.” I remember how eager they all were to help me plan my proposal to Noah and smile.
“So, how did all of you meet your guys?” Hannah asks, leaning back into the couch and Ali laughs.
“Well, Logan was my neighbor and his dog got out of his yard and tackled me.”
I wince. “Ouch.”
“Worked out okay for me,” she answers with a shrug before turning to Carly. “She also met Chance because of it.”
“Yep,” Carly says, smiling at Ali. “Kind of the best thing that ever happened to me. Just don’t tell him that.”
“Well, Lincoln was stalking me… just a little bit,” Tate replies, pinching her fingers together as I laugh.
“All’s fair in love and war, right?”
She grins. “Exactly.”
“What she means by exactly is that she shot him in the leg and tased him,” Ali cuts in and Tate shrugs, not the least bit bothered.
“He deserved it. Besides, the make-up sex was…fire.” She winks and I giggle as Hannah joins me, shaking her head.
“I think I’m going to like this group,” Hannah whispers to me and I nod. From what I’ve seen so far, the boys and their ladies are all the kind of people you want to have in your life - loyal, kind, fun.
“Me, too.”
“Ma’am,” Megan says, stopping by our group with my dress in her hand. “I’m ready for you.” She turns to the rest of the group. “My associate, Riley, is bringing y’all some champagne.”
I stand up and follow her as they all shout out their thanks. She laughs and leads me back down a long hallway into the dressing room before hanging my dress on the hook. I run my hands over the fabric, admiring it and secretly looking for the price tag, and Megan laughs.
“Looking for a price tag?” she asks and I blush as I nod.
“Yeah.”
“It’s two thousand dollars.”
I nearly choke on my own tongue and blood rushes to my cheeks as I turn back to her. “Uh, maybe we should look at something a little cheaper.”
“No, you will not!” Hannah yells from the hallway and I yank the dressing room door open. She barges in and crosses her arms over her chest. “Noah told me you might try this and he ordered me to make sure you get the dress you love and nothing less - no matter how much it costs.”
“Hannah,” I protest but she holds her hand up as she unlocks her phone with the other.
“Don’t make me call him. I know he gave you at least five grand, and he instructed you to call if you needed more. Now, are you gonna put the damn dress on or not?”
I narrow my eyes as I see Megan’s eyes widen out of the corner of my eye and I nod. “Fine.”
“Excellent.” She grins. “I’ll be back out with the girls then and hurry up, ‘cause I’m dying to see it on you.”
Megan watches us with a raised brow as Hannah leaves the room and I sigh. Damn, now that she knows how much money I have with me, she’s probably seeing dollar signs.
“Been friends for long?” she quips and I roll my eyes, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
“Only our entire lives.”
She nods. “It shows. Okay, so go ahead and get undressed. When you’re ready, I’ll step back in and help you into the dress.”
Stepping out of the room, she closes the door behind her and I quickly get undressed before knocking on the door to let her know I’m ready. She walks back in and grabs the dress off the rack before holding it over my head and helping me slip into it. As she adjusts it, I turn to look in the mirror and suck in a breath.
“Oh my god.”
“You just fell in love with it, didn’t you?” she asks and I nod, laying my hands on the fabric covering my belly. It’s everything I never even knew I wanted and in the blink of an eye, I can’t imagine walking down the aisle in anything else. Plus, Noah will love it.
“It’s perfect.”
She stands back and inspects it before shaking her head. “Well, it fits you like a glove so I think it’s a match made in heaven. Shall we show the others?”
“Yes, please.”
There isn’t much of a train on the dress so she opens the door for me and basically guides me out of the dressing room to where the girls are waiting.
“All right, ladies. Close your eyes,” Megan instructs. They all whisper excitedly as they close their eyes and I walk out onto the platform in front of the mirrors and turn to face them. Megan looks to me and I nod.
“Go ahead,” she calls.
“Kady,” Hannah whispers, tears welling up in her eyes as she stares up at me and I look away from her to fight off my own tears. I’ve cried enough in the past month. I don’t need to be doing it here.
“That dress was made for you,” Quinn says and I nod as I turn to look at myself in the mirror. She’s right. The dress hugs me in all the right places and the way it flows just a little bit on the bottom makes me feel like a princess without being over the top. The illusion halter neckline gives a hint of sexy but it’s not so much that Noah is going to lose his mind and the lace looks incredible against my skin.
“I think this is the one,” I say, turning back to Megan and she nods. Yeah, it’s way more money than I ever planned on spending but I can’t imagine get
ting married in anything else. Besides, Noah told Hannah that he wanted me to be happy.
“Wait,” Carly interjects. “Don’t you think you should try a couple more first?”
I turn back to the mirror and shake my head. “No. This is the one. I know it.”
“Look at who she’s marrying,” Hannah adds, smiling. “When Kady knows, she knows.”
I close my eyes as a smile stretches across my face, remembering the first time I ever saw Noah. God, I can’t believe it’s been sixteen years.
“Do we want to try any veils?” Megan asks and I tilt my head to the side as I study myself in the mirror.
“What do you guys think?”
Carly stands and studies my reflection. “I don’t know…”
“It would have to be the same lace, I think,” Quinn adds and I nod as I turn to Megan.
“Do you have anything with the same lace?”
She purses her lips. “I can check but I don’t think so.”
“I think you could get away with no veil in this dress,” Ali says and I turn back to the mirror and try to picture my hair all done up as I walk down the aisle. Hmmm… that may work.
“Yeah, I think you’re right.” I turn to Megan. “We’ll just get the dress.”
“Okay. Why don’t you come back with me?” Megan says. “You can get changed and then we’ll get you rung up, okay?”
I nod, leaving the girls with their champagne as I follow her back to the dressing room. She quickly gets me out of the dress and takes it with her as I pull my clothes back on and check the time on my phone. Noah wanted to go out tonight but the girls and I have a few more stops to make before we’re done. When I’m dressed, I turn to check the room one last time so I don’t forget anything when the doorknob rattles.
“Han?” I ask, opening it. A man charges into the room, slamming me back into the mirror. Pain lances through me as he clamps his hand over my mouth. My eyes widen and my heart jumps into my throat.
“Keep your mouth shut, slut,” he hisses, turning me so my back is pressed to his front as he wraps his other arm around my body, trapping both of my arms in his grip. I struggle against his hold, my chest tight as fear consumes me.
