Surviving His Scars (Angels Halo MC Next Gen Book 4)

by Terri Anne Browning

  I watched his throat work, and then he blinked and a single tear spilled over his lashes. “Precious,” he choked out, his arms wrapping around my middle as he buried his face in my abdomen.

  We got lost in the moment, both of us so happy, we completely forgot we weren’t alone in our bedroom.

  Until Maverick cleared his throat sheepishly and pushed a phone into my hands. “Dad,” he mouthed with a grimace.

  I swallowed a groan and lifted the phone to my ear. “You are not getting married without me and your mother!” he roared when I said a hesitant hello. “Bring your ass back home, and you and Mila can have a double wedding.”

  “Maybe I want to get married here,” I argued.

  I heard him inhale sharply. “Do you?” he asked after a few seconds had passed.

  “No,” I said after thinking it over for a moment. “I kind of always saw myself getting married at the compound and then having the reception at Hannigans’.” I looked at Gian, asking with my eyes if that would be okay.

  “Whatever you want, precious,” he said without hesitation.

  “Okay, Daddy,” I said into the phone. “But Mila and I have to make a stop on the way back.”

  My sister met my gaze and grinned. “Hey, we’re already on this side of the globe,” she said and turned to Lyric. “Babe, could we stop in Paris?”

  He blew out a mock sigh. “I’m still spanking that ass when we get home,” he warned. “But yeah, sure. A few days in Paris sounds like fun, baby.”

  Chapter 22

  Gian

  While Monroe and her sister went dress shopping in Paris, I made a few phone calls. It didn’t take long before I was looking at the DNA test results on my phone.

  After thinking Enzo Fontana was my father my entire life, it was hard to comprehend that he wasn’t. I had so many more questions than answers, but more than anything, the relief I felt at knowing I didn’t share a single gene with the bastard who was responsible for so much evil in the world was hard to grasp.

  I didn’t share DNA with the man who’d killed my mother. I wasn’t related in any way, shape, or form to the man who’d had hurt my precious Monroe’s beloved cousin.

  Monroe had already spoken to Lexa on the phone. A tear-filled conversation that had me tugging on my hair because I couldn’t stand to see my precious girl crying for any reason, even if they were happy tears. But Lexa had apologized for making Monroe choose between me and their relationship, and then told my precious girl to bring me home so she could meet me.

  That her family seemed to be welcoming me, instead of pushing me out of her life—that I could have her and give her the family she loved so much—was enough to make me not give a fuck who my real father was. I didn’t need to know, didn’t want to know, if I was being honest with myself.

  All that I needed was already mine. Monroe and our babies were everything I had ever wanted, and she was going to marry me.

  Lyric and Maverick stayed behind with Mila when the others left, and we stopped over in Paris for a few days on our way back to the States. Dr. Khan, of course, came with us, because if I was paying the man a total of six million dollars, he was fucking going to accompany us everywhere.

  Maverick went with Ugo to watch over his sisters while they tried on wedding dresses. I wanted to go with them, but Monroe said there was no way I was seeing her in her dress until she was walking down the aisle. As always, I gave my precious girl what she wanted, even if it did drive me crazy the few hours she was out of my sight.

  A few alterations had to be made to each dress once they picked the ones they wanted, which took a few extra days.

  Once we got to Creswell Springs, the preparations for the double wedding were heavily underway. I didn’t know a wedding could be planned or put into action in just over a week, yet by the time we walked into the Masterson house, all that was left to do was actually have a wedding.

  “Mom.” Monroe stood beside me, holding on to my arm as she looked up at me with her entire heart in her eyes. My breath caught in my chest at the love I saw reflected in those gray depths, and I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her. When I lifted my head, she sighed happily and looked back at her mother. “Mom, this is Gian.”

  I held out my hand to her, but Willa ignored it and hugged me. “Welcome to the family, honey,” she said with a smile as she stepped back. Then she threw her arms around Monroe and squeezed her so tight, Monroe yelped in complaint, but hugged her back just as tightly. “I’ve missed you so damn much, sweetheart.”

  “I missed you too,” she said softly. “Is Daddy around?”

  “Doc cleared him for light work, so he’s at the shop.” She motioned us farther into the house and then led us into the kitchen.

  Monroe glanced at me over her shoulder as we followed, blowing me a kiss as we walked.

  “Saturday is the big day,” Willa announced as she pulled a pitcher of fruit juice from the fridge. “I honestly don’t think the compound is going to hold all the wedding guests, though.”

  “We’ll find a way,” a little redhead with the biggest green eyes I’d ever seen said as she one-handedly typed on her phone without looking. Those jewel-like eyes were on me, and for some reason, I thought she could see all the way inside of me. All my flaws, all my secrets, even what insecurities I had. After a moment, her gaze turned to Monroe, and I released the breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. “And with this thing so last-minute, that makes keeping the paps out of the loop easier.”

  “Is there even another place in town that is actually bigger than the compound?” Monroe asked her mom as she took one of the glasses of juice Willa had poured. Picking up the second glass, she pushed it into my hands.

  “No. We could have it outside, but the forecast is calling for rain.” Willa grimaced. “But don’t worry, Mon. Emmie appears to be a miracle worker, so between her and Raven, I’m sure we’ll find a solution.”

  “Gian, this is Lyric’s aunt Emmie,” Monroe introduced when she realized I’d never met the redhead. “Aunt Emmie, this is Gian.”

  I offered the woman my hand, and she shook it, surprising me with how strong her grip was considering how small she was. When I looked at her, I got this feeling she was fragile, but not like a flower or glass. More like a bomb that could go off and destroy everything around her, and she would still be left standing.

  After years of watching over Monroe and her family, I’d gotten that same impression of Raven Reid. I’d never thought it would be possible to come across another woman quite like that, yet there she stood in Monroe’s childhood home, typing away one-handed on a phone that seemed to be as much a part of her as her fingers were.

  “Fuck,” she said when she looked at her phone. “Excuse me. I have a billionaire football team owner to bitch out.” Lifting the phone to her ear, she walked out the back door, already giving the poor bastard hell.

  “He better be on that plane tomorrow night—” were the last words I heard her say as she marched down the driveway.

  Willa laughed as she closed the door behind her guest. “I kind of feel bad for the team owner. Apparently the hardest thing to get done this week was making sure Lyric’s brother was able to come for the wedding.”

  “He will, though, right?” Monroe asked with concern. “It would be terrible if Lyric’s twin weren’t here to see him get married.”

  “Don’t worry, Mon. Emmie is a firecracker ready to explode. Luca will be here, even if she has to get on a plane and kick the Tennessee owner in the head herself.”

  For the next hour, Willa told us all about the wedding plans and walked Monroe through the reception details. Aggie’s, the diner in town, was catering the food as well as doing two wedding cakes. All of Monroe’s and Mila’s favorite foods were going to be set out buffet-style at Hannigans’, which was closed for the entire week to decorate.

  Because all of Lyric’s family had to travel here, and Lyric didn’t want the town turning into a three-ring circus with the media taking
over Creswell Springs, they would be flying in, going straight to the wedding, and flying out again right after the reception. I’d already offered both my jets to assist. Apparently Emmie had her own jet, and Lyric’s aunt Lana had one that she offered to help out as well. Those four still weren’t enough to accommodate all the family that was planning to fly in, and at least one jet would have to make a second trip to Southern California.

  Realizing just how many people would be at the wedding was staggering, and the thought of all those strangers being around my precious girl caused me to tense. But Monroe was so damn excited, I would have to deal with it.

  When she yawned, I called an end to our visit, wanting her to rest. But she shook her head. “Not yet. I want to see Daddy before we head home.”

  Even as she said it, I heard the roar of a motorcycle pulling into the driveway. She got slowly to her feet, having learned her lesson already after falling the week before. Her eye was still discolored, but at least it wasn’t swollen shut any longer.

  Monroe practically skipped to the front door, threw it open, and then launched herself at Spider Masterson. “Daddy!” she cried, and he swung her up into his arms.

  “My baby girl!” he said with a happy laugh.

  I tensed when he set her on her feet, ready to reach for her in case she was dizzy. But she only clung to his arm for an extra few seconds before kissing his cheek and tugging him toward me. “Daddy, it’s time you met someone incredibly special to me.”

  Masterson’s dark eyes met mine, and I saw his jaw clench, but as they reached me, I felt Willa come up behind me. His gaze went to her for a moment, and he released a heavy exhale and thrust out his hand. “Welcome to the family, son.”

  I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. A gun shoved in my gut. A punch to the face. A knife blade slicing across my throat. All of those were scenarios I’d envisioned, but Monroe’s father so easily welcoming me to the family with a handshake was not anywhere close to the top of the list.

  Figuring Willa had a lot to do with this cordial greeting, I shook my future father-in-law’s hand. His grip was crushing, but I didn’t even flinch at the pressure. I didn’t want to be his buddy or even his favorite son-in-law. I only wanted us to be respectful of each other because we both loved Monroe more than life.

  Seeing the look on her face when we shook hands was priceless, and I found myself agreeing to stay for dinner when Willa suggested it moments later. Monroe was tired, but she wasn’t ready to leave her parents’ house yet, and as long as she was happy, nothing else mattered.

  Chapter 23

  Monroe

  “No.”

  I was so unused to Gian saying that word to me, I blinked up at him in surprise as I tossed a pair of pajamas into my overnight case.

  All week, we’d stayed at the house he’d called home over the last few years. This was his base when he was protecting me, so he wouldn’t be too far away in case I happened to need him. It was a simple single-story with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a small kitchen. The place was clean and kind of bland, but he said I livened it up the last few days we’d been staying there.

  Ugo stayed in one of the guest rooms, while Dr. Khan took the other, and an entire army of guards watched the house day and night, much as I imagined they had back in Tuscany.

  “I wasn’t asking you,” I told him as I continued to pack my bag. I was going to my parents’ house for the night. Mila and I were both staying there tonight with a few others, having one last slumber party before we both got married the next day.

  “I refuse to spend the night apart,” he said, and I nearly giggled at the pout I heard in his voice.

  “G, it’s bad luck to see me before the wedding.” I walked into his arms and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his chin. “You can even send a handful of guards to watch over the house if it makes you feel better.”

  “It’s not your safety I’m worried about. I know your dad and brother will be there. They will all protect you.” He slid his arms around my waist, and he rested his cheek on top of my head. “I can’t sleep without you, precious.”

  I snuggled closer. “I won’t sleep well without you either,” I admitted. “But I want tomorrow to be special. Won’t it make it more exciting when I finally walk down the aisle to you?”

  “I’ve had enough excitement to last me several lifetimes,” he grumbled unhappily. “I need you beside me.”

  “And I will be. Every day, every night. For the rest of our lives.” I pulled back and smiled up at him. “Starting tomorrow. I’m going to have one last night with my sister and cousins, and come morning, I’m all yours.”

  “You are already all mine,” he growled. “Say it.”

  “Gian,” I chided, but he tightened his arms around me.

  “Say it, precious.”

  “I’m all yours,” I repeated, looking up at him through my lashes. “Forever.”

  He lowered his head and kissed me softly, and I couldn’t help but squirm against him. Dr. Khan had given me the all clear for sex that morning, but I was waiting to tell Gian until after the wedding. Otherwise, as much as I wanted him, I was afraid we would miss our own wedding.

  I let him kiss me one more time, then made myself return to my task. There wasn’t much I needed to pack. Most of my things were still at my parents’ house, but my stomach was already starting to expand and I didn’t fit into many of my old clothes.

  “What am I supposed to do without you all night?” he complained.

  “Lyric is going to Hannigans’ with his brother and my cousins,” I told him. “Tag along.”

  “Maybe I will,” he said after a pause. “Maybe if I get drunk enough, I’ll actually get some sleep tonight.”

  “It’s only one night,” I said with a soft laugh. “Not eternity.”

  “Trust me, precious. It’s going to feel like fucking eternity.”

  My heart melted, but I zipped up my bag and started to pick it up. Gian lifted it before I got the chance. “I’m driving you.”

  “Whatever you want.”

  “Obviously not, or you would be staying home,” he muttered under his breath as he walked out of our room ahead of me.

  Shaking my head at his back, I followed after him.

  Outside, he had my bag already tossed in the trunk and the passenger side door open for me. I bit my lips as I walked toward him. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

  “I’m not mad,” he said, cupping my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “It’s just hard for me to be away from you for long. And to know I won’t see you again until tomorrow…”

  “When I’m walking down the aisle to you,” I reminded him. “I promise, it will make it so much more special. Please don’t be upset about this, G. Please. We’re going back to Tuscany tomorrow night for our honeymoon. Can’t I have one more night with my sister?”

  “Tell me how much you love me, and I’ll stop pouting,” he said, lowering his head to graze his lips over mine.

  “I love you more today than yesterday, and I already love you more tomorrow than today,” I whispered against his lips.

  “Monroe,” he groaned, deepening the kiss.

  When he pulled into my parents’ driveway, Lyric was already doing the same. As Gian came around my side of the SUV to help me out, I got a look at my soon-to-be brother-in-law’s face, and his expression was just as unhappy as Gian’s was.

  Mila hopped out of the SUV with Lyric’s help and smacked a kiss on his lips. “Have fun tonight. Don’t get too wasted. I’d like at least a few good wedding pictures to decorate with, please. And you looking hungover in them isn’t going to fly, mister.”

  “Spend the night with me, and I won’t drink a single drop,” he negotiated.

  “You’re acting like you’re not going to see me for a year, Lyric,” she said with a small laugh. She hugged him quickly then stepped back. “Your brother is waiting to go to Hannigans’.”

  “Fuck my brother,” he grumbled as Mila practically bounced tow
ard me with a grin on her face.

  “Hey, Gian,” my sister greeted before linking her arm through mine and guiding me toward our parents’ front door.

  As we reached the porch, the door swung open, and River and Nova were already there. Since no one was drinking, Nova had been allowed to come to our sleepover. But what had me squealing was when I saw Tavia behind our cousins, already in pajamas.

  Tavia squealed back and bounced out onto the porch to hug both Mila and me. “Surprise!”

  “I’m so glad you could come,” I cried.

  “Where’s Volkov?” Mila asked, looking into the house as if expecting Theo to come out of the shadows at any second.

  “Over at Raven’s,” she said. “Don’t be surprised if there are a half-dozen Russian guards patrolling outside the house later tonight, though.”

  “I think Fontana will have you beat,” my sister said with a sigh as she glanced at Gian.

  “Can I get a kiss before you go in?” Lyric asked, sounding just as pouty as Gian had earlier.

  Mila skipped over to the top step of the porch and jumped into his arms. “Fuck,” he grunted, catching her in his arms and kissing her. When he lifted his head, he glared down at her. “Don’t do that again, woman. You scared five years off my life just now.”

  “I knew you would catch me, babe,” she said with a wink. “Have fun. Love you.” Jumping out of his hold, she climbed the stairs again.

  I watched as Gian slowly made his way up the walkway toward the front porch, my overnight bag in his hand. “Precious?”

  I didn’t dare scare him as my sister had Lyric, and I slowly descended the steps until we were eye level. “I love you,” I told him. “Don’t miss me too much. Just a little.”

  “Not possible,” he breathed as he kissed me. “Text me before you go to sleep. Ugo will be outside with a few men later. Don’t leave the house unless he is with you.”