“Lucy,” he whispers, “Lucy, you look terrific. God, you look just like your mother…” he says, his voice trailing off, and he slides his hands in his pockets and closes his eyes hard for a moment.
My heart has another little flutter. We so rarely get to see the side of him: The gentle, kind, loving father. It's something that I will keep with me forever; this moment here in the room, the way the light shines in on Lucy, who is glowing in her wedding gown. Noah lifts his head, smiling at her, his eyes clouded with emotion. He walks over to her, pulls her in, and kisses her hard on the top of her head.
“Thanks, Dad,” she sighs as she buries her face into his shoulder. “Are you happy for me? Are you really?”
“Of course,” he laughs, pulling away, smiling down, and tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “I'm so happy for you. I think Kenton is the luckiest man in the world. And he better do everything he can to deserve you,” Noah growls, his face serious for a moment.
I wonder what he would do to my dad if he broke Lucy's heart.
“Oh gosh, everything is going to be great. He's going to be so good to me, Dad,” Lucy says, reaching up, dabbing at her eyes.
“Well, all the same. You know where to find me.” He nods, then turns to face me. “Charlie.” He smiles, and his eyes go wide at the sight of me. The blue gown flutters in the soft breeze. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you,” I say, and I can feel the blush coming to my cheeks. It's unbelievable that after months together, Noah still gets to me. It's the slow smile; the twinkle in his eye, the look that says, “Come to bed with me”.
“You look great too,” I say, feeling lame.
“Thanks.” He looks back over at Lucy and Abbie. “God, you're all so beautiful. Oh, my youngest, my baby,” he says, sliding his hands up and cradling Lucy's face. “Getting married. Have I gotten that old?”
“Oh, Dad, you'll never grow old,” Lucy whispers, sliding her hand up and holding his wrists, pressing her face harder into his palms. “You came in just in time. We are trying to figure out if I'm going to make Charlie call me 'mom' or not.”
“Oh, God,” he groans, closing his eyes.
“You good, Dad?” Abbie laughs.
“Nope. Yeah, I'm great. I'm fine. So happy for you and not at all uncomfortable with Kenton being the groom,” he says firmly as if he's telling himself this too. “It's good.” His eyes still closed. He shakes his head and smiles. “He's a good man, Lucy, and I believe you'll be happy together.”
“I know we will,” Lucy says, leaning up and kissing on the cheek.
“Charlie, will you get a picture of us?” she asks, handing me the camera.
“Absolutely.” Raising my arms and pointing them in their directions. I lifted the camera and focused on the lens. What a pretty picture they make: the proud father with his two beautiful daughters. So different, yet, so incredible and unique.
I think of this when I see Dad and Lucy, too; people with such different personalities completing each other, balancing out the extremes of each other's personalities. I wonder if they look at Noah and me and think the same thing.
“1...2...3... Cheese,” I say and grin as they say the words in unison.
Lowering the camera, I can't help but smile at the three of them. Abbie and Lucy are now talking excitedly about the honeymoon, and Noah is rolling his eyes to the ceiling, not wanting to imagine his girls having honeymoons.
“But we were thinking about somewhere exotic like Bali.”
“You mean you were thinking of somewhere exotic like Bali?” Abbie laughs, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, well, obviously, I have all the good ideas,”
“Dad, you okay?” Lucy asks.
“Yeah, I'm alright, not at all uncomfortable discussing―”
“Honeymoons? Your daughter's having sex?” Abbie interjects.
“And that's my cue to go,” he says, letting go of Lucy and walking back over to the door.
He’s reaching for the handle when the door opens on its own.
“Alright, everyone, are we ready?” The Wedding Planner walks in; her black hair clipped into a high bun, creating a severe expression on an otherwise beautiful woman.
“Yep, we're ready,” Lucy smiles, looking back at her dad.
“Noah, where were you going?” The planner asks as he freezes.
“Yeah. Well, nowhere,” he mumbles, placing his hands in his pockets and refocusing himself.
Poor guy. He doesn't quite know how to be an empty nester and father of two married women.
“Everyone in places. Flower girl in the front, bridesmaids middle, maid of honor, bride,” she says, pointing us in order and lining us up at the entrance of a double door that will lead to the ceremony room.
Walking behind a very talkative flower girl, I smile back at my new family. I don't know how this day could be any more perfect. Looking around Abbie and smiling at Noah, I pause as he stares for a moment, not quite smiling. I don't know what this expression is.
Noah lets go of Lucy's arm and walks towards me. Sliding his arm around my waist, he cups the back of my neck and pulls me in to kiss him.
“Wow,” Lucy laughs, clapping her hands as the flower girl makes sounds of disgust.
Despite the audience, his mouth moves slow and sweet; a low burn that leaves me breathless. Pulling away from me, looking down at my lips, he says, “I've been dying to do that all day. You look beautiful, Charlie. I can't wait for it to be our day.”
“Me either,” I sigh, looking up in wonder at the incredible man that I love.
“All right, Mr. Knight, unhand the bridesmaid, please. We need to make sure she can walk down the aisle, not faint from love and desire,” the planner calls.
Noah winks at me, letting go. Oh yeah, I'm done for. Turning back as the procession begins. I smile at the bouncing flower girls, casting petals around in circles and not caring where they fall. Noah will undoubtedly be an incredible husband, and hopefully, someday, a father to our children.
* * *
Jake
Standing with my hands folded neatly in front of me, I smile down at the most interesting couple I have ever seen. Chief Traverse’s hands are clasping Lucy’s, and he smiles bright, staring at the woman who is reflecting his emotions back to him. It's a hell of a sight to see and not one that I pictured happening in my lifetime. Maybe I should have seen it coming, though— the Forbidden attraction between a younger woman and older man, only reinforced by the relationships of the people around them.
The stoic chief of police, who’s arrested her father and me more times than I can count, and the youngest daughter of a renowned drug lord, the greatest man I've ever known: Noah Knight.
She looks wonderful. She's grown up quite a bit in the last ten years that I have known her. It seems like yesterday she was running in on knobby knees— all arms and legs and attitude. Noah couldn't resist her charms then or now, and though he loves both his children, I think Lucy might be his favorite. There's a connection between the two of them, the way she looks at and smiles at her father, as he gives her away.
Noah leans forward, and whispers something in Traverse’s ear that has him frowning for a moment— and then smiling. I wonder what he said to him. It was probably some kind of threat. Maybe, “Take care of her, love her, cherish her, or else,” Noah is that kind of man. He accepts where life has taken his daughter, but she will never stop being his little girl; and if he has to knock that smug cop onto his ass, he will. I will be right beside him to cheer him on, bail him out, or hide the body, whatever he needs. I've got his back. Noah knows this.
Turning his head and looking at me, he smiles, and I understand the silent communication between the two of us. I know what he’s thinking.
“That could have been you.”
I stifle my laughter because this isn’t the time for it. I have tremendous respect and appreciation for Lucy. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and a total badass. Still, she's not the one for me. She h
as never been. Even if I waited until now when she was old enough, it just never would have clicked. Not for me, and I don't think for her either. From the very beginning, she made it clear that I was her annoying uncle. She's right, I don't look at her and see a woman I want to take to bed. I see the 13-year-old girl that I hauled over my shoulder and dropped into her bed after she tried to sneak out to go hang with Charlie. I see the moody teenager rolling her eyes at me when I pulled her over on the side of the road. I had to take her cell phone from her because she was texting and driving. I delivered the phone to Noah and gave a full report.
Maybe it sounds overbearing, silly, pushy, whatever you want to call it. That's my job, though. I keep Noah and his girls safe. I'm not a man built for relationships. It's not how I am made, the ones I formed with Noah and his children are the most important relationships I've ever had in my entire life. This is why I couldn't compromise my relationship with Noah by pursuing any of his daughters.
My longest relationship since high school has been three weeks. Though the average is two, something always happens. One or both of us loses interest. After the sex, the thing just kind of fizzles out, and that's fine. I like it that way. At thirty-two years old, I think I'm allowed to pick and choose however long I want to stick around.
Now, I don't look at a woman and think long term, I think, fun, for now, live in the now. I couldn't do that to Lucy, and I know that Noah would kill me if I tried. I'm not saying I disrespect women. I love women. I think they're incredible. But after the passion of the first couple of days, and the excitement of new sex fades. We're left with a harsh reality that I am, and always will be— a man who lives dangerously.
I can't promise a woman that I won't be behind bars for defending my leader at the end of the day. I can't promise that I will come home in one piece. Without bruises, or broken bones. I can't promise any of those simple things that should just be a given. That's not the lifestyle I have, nor is it the one that I want. I'm not ready to settle down and be serious. I like living on the wild side of things, the unknown.
Looking over at the crowd, I pause. Three rows back sits a smiling blonde with soft brown eyes. Her face is familiar, though I can't say why. She's pretty in her expensive dress that’s tailored perfectly. It clings tastefully to her gentle curves.
She is here alone. All around her are members of the Knights, and while she is polite, she isn’t completely comfortable. She turns her head and locks eyes with me. I see her expression, immediately change, the polite smiles gone, her eyes are wide. I wonder what she's thinking.
I'm a big man, taller than most. Six foot five and a body honed by dedication to my job. A man in my position can't afford to be anything other than menacing. When people look at me, I need them to fear me, to wonder if they walked into the right place. I'd be pretty bad at my job if I wasn't intimidating.
That's not to say that Noah is bad at the job. Sure, he's smaller than me in height and muscle, but he has a natural athleticism to him. He’s lean and fast. Speed is critical for Noah. That and his brain. The man is a mastermind at all things involving the criminal underground. I think that's what got us this far. That and fearlessness.
As for me, I don't have that natural mind for business. And I don't make friends, the way Noah does. He can smooth talk himself in and out of all kinds of situations. He has a natural charisma, and I think that could have taken him anywhere in life.
I like my privacy, my solitude. Lucy once teased me and said I was a man of few words. Well, she was right. I don't say much. And that's fine by me. Most things people say aren't worth hearing. I wonder, though, what the woman before me would say if all these people were gone. Would she run away in fear, or would she approach me? Talk to me, or maybe put her hands on me? I like that thought. She has a look of a woman who's lived life carefully. She doesn't make mistakes, often, and when she does, there's so little that one could hardly call it a mistake.
There's something about her, though. Despite this prim and delicate exterior, she's sad on the inside. I see it behind her doe eyes: there's deep pain.
I know who she is now. She is Diana Marshall, ex-wife of our ex-mayor.
No wonder she’s sad. He was a real bastard who was smooth on the outside, and a wife beater on the inside. Well, his loss, from what I can see, she’s a fine woman.
Turning my head back and looking at Lucy, I smile. As the officiant encourages Kenton to kiss the bride, everyone cheers, and I clap. I look down at Noah and I quickly avert my eyes out of respect. There's a sheen to them, and it gives me some comfort to know the toughest man I've ever known has a softness to him. It’s something he saves for those he loves the most.
For this reason, I know that he will be good to Charlie. Under that hard exterior is a good man. He will do right by her.
Sliding my hand into my chest pocket, I pull out a small tissue and hand it to Noah, pressing it at the back of his hands, wanting to be discreet.
“Thanks,” he mutters. I say nothing, fixing my eyes on the sophisticated blonde as Noah pretends to sneeze. Glancing back over to Noah, who is entirely composed now, I link arms with a bridesmaid and escort her back down the aisle.
She's hot and curvy, with Ebony hair and Spanish eyes. I wonder if I can take her for a tumble later. She seems like the kind of girl who lives in the now, just like me. If not, no hard feelings. I live by the motto: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Life's all about taking chances. I can sit quietly, twiddling my thumbs, hoping for the best. Or I can ask the bold questions, make the hard decisions. And hope the cards fall in my favor.
I smile down at the lovely Latina as she bats dark lashes up at me.
“Well, hey there, handsome,” she purrs, and her voice holds a hint of Mexico.
“Hello,” I say, my voice low and sexy; something I have mastered. It seems to make women weak, and it’s one of my best weapons.
She smiles wider. “You're yummy, aren't you?”
“Your words, not mine.” I grin, slowly walking down the aisle as we follow the bride and groom.
Her head snaps around to the blond and back to me. “Oh my god, did you see that?”
“What?” I ask, glancing back at the woman, grateful for the opportunity to look at her.
“Do you know who that is?”
“Diana Marshall.” I nod.
“Yeah, Diana Marshall, ex-wife of our ex-mayor. That bastard,” she says, shaking her head. “I'm surprised she came.”
“You are?” I frown, still watching the blonde, who's doing her best not to look at me.
“Yeah, of course. All the scandal, everyone talking about her and her family and her daughter. I'd be too embarrassed to come. Why did she come?” she asks, looking up at me, and I shrug.
“I don't know. He's the chief of police. She might be here to represent the mayor.” I don't really care, but I'm hoping that the woman on my arm will say more and give me more insight into Diana. “Do you know anything about her?”
“Other than her connection to the former mayor?” She shrugs. “No, not really. Just what everyone else knows, she's got a teenage daughter. She is polite. I've never known her to be rude. She comes down to the restaurant and tips well.” She shrugs again. “She doesn't say much. She seems kind of shy. I imagine the mayor knocked around quite a bit so she's afraid to make friends or talk to tall, handsome strangers,” she says, smiling up at me, and I feel her change gears.
Oh, yes, this is definitely a woman that I will enjoy spending time with later tonight.
On second thought, maybe I’ll try and take Diana for a tumble. Glancing down to the chattering woman at my arm, I nod, though I am no longer listening. I am going to find Diana, ask her to dance and see where it goes from there.
Looking back over my shoulder, I take a final glance at Diana. I wonder what kind of woman she is. Wouldn’t that be interesting to find out? She’s spent so many years under that loser’s thumb, what would she do if she had the opportunity to let loose, be a little crazy
? I’d love to drive her crazy.
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Also by KELLI CALLAHAN
Cruel Temptation
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Kiss My Boss
Daddy’s Kilted Friend
My Enemy’s Daddy
Fire and Desire
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Hatefully Yours
Her Secret Santa
Devious Intentions
Once Upon A Daddy
Secret Indiscretions
Forbidden Kiss
Obsessed With A Daddy
Indebted To A Daddy
Beast Daddy
My Bully’s Daddy
Interview With A Daddy
Daddy’s Best Friend
Best Friend’s Daddy
Distinguished Daddy
Caged By Them
Ravaged By Them
Broken By Them
Ruined By Them
Taken By Them
Surrender To Them Box Set
Jaxon
Here comes the bride, all dressed in white…
I hummed the catchy, cliché tune as I attempted to make the perfect Windsor knot in my black tie. Black because weddings were just fancy funerals; a ceremony of marrying the wrong person and letting that person constrain the rest of your godforsaken fucking life by only doing what they want, slowly smothering you until you pray to finally be alone in that casket.
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