My hands are full, but I really need to adjust myself right now. Mentally, I talk myself down and it begins to work, although I’m still a bit uncomfortable. Approaching her, I notice she’s staring off at the happy couple as she takes the last few sips of the champagne she already has. Placing our beverages down on the table behind her, I take a moment to adjust myself before swooping in behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She welcomes my embrace as she squeezes my arms and lets out a hum. Kissing the nape of her neck, I ask, “What’s got you so lost in thought, Trouble?” My lips graze her skin as I speak, and I notice her skin pebble.
“Just thinking about how happy those two are. Isn’t it sweet how instead of traditional rings, they used something sentimental to them? Something that most wouldn’t ever even think about. I would’ve never thought to do something like they did.” I’m listening, but I continue planting kisses up and down her neck. “Instead of rings, they will each wear a tiny bullet necklace engraved with the day he rescued her.”
“That something you want? I can always go out and get myself into some shit and we can have the same,” I taunt her.
Turning around, she bats my arm. “Not funny, and no, I prefer you don’t. Remember your promise?”
“I remember,” I reply, planting a kiss on her forehead as she leans into it.
“By no means am I traditional. But, I would prefer a ring as opposed to a necklace. Not that you’re even thinking along those lines or anything. I’m just answering your question,” she states almost flustered as I can sense her begin to beat and fumble around her words.
I place a finger over her lips. “Hush it. I know what you meant and I can assure that I’ll never do anything I don’t already want to. You should know this already. But I do have a question.”
“Hmm?” she nuzzles her head into my chest.
“Just to be clear, you don’t want anything symbolic? So no skinned bunny necklace?” I tease.
“Really, Edge?” She shoves me, but it barely moves me and I watch a smirk cross her face.
“Get over here.” I pull her back toward me and her back is resting against my chest now with arms firmly around her middle.
I reach back and grab her glass, handing it to her as we look onward at everyone watching as Harmony climbs onto Mercenary’s lap for him to remove the garter. All the single brothers gather behind the chair they’re sitting in and Talia and I watch as he tosses it and every one of them moves out of its way. We all belt out in laughter, including the newly wedded couple.
My eyes bounce between everyone, but stop on Harmony as I watch a suddenly confused look plaster across her face. Looking to Mercenary, I try to gauge what’s got her so concerned but notice him look down in between his legs. His face wears the same look as hers. “No need to mark me, Harmony, fuck. I’m already yours. We’ve got the official paper and bullet to prove it,” he tells her and I feel Talia’s body tense.
“Oh my,” Talia states.
“What? What is it? What’s happening?” I know she can sense the concern in my voice. “Why would she pee on him? What do you know about non-traditional weddings, woman?”
Before Talia can answer, the sight of Harmony jumping out of Mercenary’s lap catches my attention. “I didn’t piss on you, you fool! My fucking water just broke!” She smacks him on the chest before she crouches over and hollers out in pain. “Oh, fuck this. Nobody warned me contractions were gonna feel like this!” She shoots a glare at Talia and it hits me that they’ve probably talked girly shit about babies and birthing. Turning back to Mercenary who looks pale and queasy, she orders him, “Well, don’t just sit there for fuck’s sake! Your spawn is making his or her grand entrance and I need drugs. Lots and lots of drugs!”
Everyone begins to scatter, gathering things as hoots and hollers erupt, but I think I’m almost as shocked as Mercenary. “Do I at least have time to change my pants, babe?” Those words should’ve never left his mouth as the look Harmony gives him is one that sends a shiver down my spine and I’m not even the one in trouble.
She stomps her foot so hard she breaks the heel. “Daddy!”
Rogue quickly finds her side. “Yes, princess.”
“Would you mind taking me to the hospital, please? Somebody here is more concerned about himself and changing his pants than he is making sure that me and his baby are okay,” she says through a sneer before another contraction hits and she doubles over again.
Mercenary stands, looking like he did in fact piss himself, and says, “Fuck that! You’re mine and so is that little one in there.” He scoops her up into his arms. “Someone just bring me some clean pants, huh?” he asks, as he makes his way to one of the SUV’s and sets her inside.
We all scramble to our bikes and Fox hollers out, “I’ll grab him some pants.”
Talia’s in a dress and heels so I grab a set of keys to one of the other vehicles to ensure her safety. I’m not completely sure how this birthing thing goes, but I’m guessing we might just be on a time crunch. “Hurry up,” Talia exclaims, proving me right.
“Okay, okay,” I say to her as I usher her to the passenger side. Fumbling around, I can’t remember what I did with the fucking keys I just had. Patting my pockets, I can’t seem to find them.
Talia grabs me by the shoulders. “Look at me, now! The keys are in your pocket, Edge. You’ve ran your hands over them twenty-seven times by now. Get yourself together.”
Blowing out a deep breath, I reach into my pockets and sigh out in relief that I’ve finally found them. As I pull them out, the ring box falls to the ground. Fuck. Nothing’s going as planned today. I’m hoping Talia hasn’t noticed, but the sound of her gasp instantly tells me otherwise. As I make my way back upward she’s staring directly into my eyes. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
“It is!” she excitedly yells out as she covers her mouth.
“Didn’t really wanna do this at Harmony and Mercenary’s wedding, though,” I tell her.
“Technically, it no longer is,” she reminds me, and I look around the parking lot noticing we’re the only ones still here.
“Well then, fuck it!” I smile, opening the ring box. “Talia, will you do me the honor and make an honest man out of me?”
Jumping up and down, she answers repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes!” I place the ring on her finger and firmly plant a kiss on her lips. Pulling away, she says, “We do need to get to the hospital, though.”
“Right!” I open the passenger door and help her in before making my way to the driver’s side and we head out.
Epilogue
Sandman
As the rest of the crew rushes toward the hospital, Aria and I stay behind. She has a hard time still being surrounded by large crowds. She trusts the men and women of the MC, but I still have a hard time getting her to leave the compound for anything other than her therapy appointments. We’ve done a couple sessions of what is considered couple therapy, but mostly it’s her sharing things that she experienced while under Viper’s thumb.
The day she disappeared, was the day I stopped enjoying life. I had believed wholeheartedly that she’d just up and took off. We had the conversation the previous night about her becoming my old lady. She told me she wanted to think about it and not rush into anything. Since we’d been together for so long at the time, I didn’t think much about it. She has always been one who has to weigh the pros and cons to any situation. Then, the next day I went to see her and she was nowhere to be found. For months I searched high and low for any signs that would lead me to her. Shadow lived on his laptop, searching every site he could think of that would bring me closer to locating her. One day, I gave up and started moving forward, thinking that she was never coming back.
“Hawke?” Aria calls out my given name, breaking me from my wayward thoughts.
“Yeah, babe?” I run my fingers through her tousled hair. Ever since I’ve gotten her back, I rarely let her out of my sight or touch.
“If you want to go be with ev
eryone else, it’s okay. I promise I’ll be fine here by myself for a little while.” She gives me a look of sincerity and I know she feels awful as if she’s holding me back from an important event.
I give her a side-eyed look. “Not happening, my girl. I’m perfectly content right where I’m at.”
“This is nice,” she says as she cuddles further into my arms.
She’s right. It is nice, and we won’t have many more times like this to ourselves, so I’m perfectly content just being in this moment with her. “I’ve been looking for a new place. On the down low, ya know?”
“Oh yeah?” She sits up and looks at me bright-eyed.
“I know it might seem kinda fast, but I was already in the process before we found you. Now, the need for us to have more privacy seems like a priority. I want you to have your own space, too. I know the brothers help make you feel safe and secure, but I want us to have that together. Just you and me,” I tell her as I place a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
She rests back into the safety of my arms where she’s always belonged and I feel myself close my eyes. This can and never will get old. “I think I’d like that.”
* * *
Aria
* * *
Each and every day is a struggle for me. Hawke and his brothers have been my shining light in the darkness of my days. Hawke has found me an exceptional therapist who has done her best to bring me out of the gloominess and depression I had placed myself in. Hawke and Dr. Lee are the only ones who I’ve opened up to and shared my experience with. Most people look at me with pity in their eyes. Harmony, Talia and Harlow have come to the conclusion that I was raped. I wasn’t. This is my own assumption due to the way they tiptoe around their words with me. God forbid I happen to walk in on a conversation they’re having about sex and they clam up quickly.
What I was however, was Viper’s personal slave and punching bag. He was so full of anger over the fact that he literally couldn’t get it up. He was embarrassed and didn’t want his brothers to know, so he took me off the streets and made them believe that he was doing worse to me than he actually was. And since he claimed me as his own, no one would touch me.
The day he died, was the happiest moment of my existence. Being reunited with Hawke is the second highlight of my life. I used to pray for him to come and save me, but when he actually did show, I had a hard time believing I wasn’t imagining it. Some days I still find it hard to believe that I’m back in his arms and while I know that nothing in this lifestyle is ever guaranteed—every risk I’m willing to take I will do so knowing that he’s by my side.
I have a new nickname now since the day I got my revenge on Viper. The brothers all call me Chains. I find it fitting since it was the weapon Viper used to tie me to his wall like a dog. My victory was sweet, and I haven’t lost a wink of sleep over the vengeance I had over him.
* * *
The End
For now
Acknowledgments
There are so many people we would like to acknowledge in this book.
One we’d like to thank our PA’s Nicole Lloyd and Sharon Renee for dealing with our brand of crazy.
Second we need to thank our editor and close friend Darlene Tallman for working so hard to get these edits back to us quickly and efficiently. We love you lady <3.
To our Twisted Groupies ladies, your support and encouragement is what’s kept us going when we were ready to pull our hair out.
Last but not least, to our readers, friends in the indie community, and supporters…thank you so much for loving Twisted Iron the way we do.
To our family… we couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for loving us and believing in us.
About the Author
Liberty has been an avid reader for most of her life. When she was younger she use to sit and fill spiral notebooks full of stories. She loves getting creative and working behind the scenes with her characters and bringing her imagination to life.
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About Kayce Kyle
Kayce lives in Texas where she was born and raised. She has five beautiful children, one grandchild, and four fur babies whom she adores. She’s a huge animal lover and would save (and house) every animal if she could. If she’s not writing, she’s probably listening to music while cooking, cleaning, or doing laundry. The latter of which she would tell you she detests most in life. She loves to read, and hangout with friends and family.
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Walking the Crossroad
Crossroad Soldiers MC
Excerpt
Jasper
When I got out of the military I was at a crossroads in my life. But like any good soldier who longed for brotherhood, I started an MC with one of my closest friends, who’d also been one of my brothers in the special forces. It was hard for us to adapt and we longed for the bonds that we created. That’s when the Crossroad Soldiers was formed. That was twenty-years ago. Yeah, we’re not considered good men because of the dealings we have. But, we do have our boundaries and morals. I also married my high school sweetheart, and together we formed a family that is impenetrable. She is the love of my life, my one weakness in life other than our children.
* * *
Miracle
* * *
When my man Jasper left for the service, I never imagined he’d be changed to the degree he was when he returned. I knew at first glance that he was missing something. When he came to me about the idea of the MC, I knew that I could either stand by him and support him, or lose him forever. That wasn’t something I was willing to do. He was and is the love of my life. With me by his side, we formed a different type of family. One who would take a bullet for you and never ask for an apology for the outcome. As an old lady, we are prepared for the possibility that once our man walks out that door it may be the last time he’s held us in his arms or placed his lips upon ours. Is it a perfect relationship? No, but what fun would that be?
* * *
There is a new enemy in town. Can they come out of this unscathed? Or will their family and MC forever be changed?
One Knight Stand
Blaine
Excerpt
BLAINE
As a bar owner in a small town, I meet a lot of women. I bed most of them. No expectations and no strings attached. Am I ashamed of that? Not even a little. I have my reasons. I consider my life perfect the way things are. Until one stormy night she came barreling through the doors. Our eyes met, and in that moment, I knew the universe was conspiring against me. I harbor a secret that could destroy anything more than a one-time thing between us. Maybe that’s all this is meant to be, and if so, I can handle that. Or can I? Will my family secret have her running back to the life she initially fled?
* * *
TARA
Born with a silver spoon in my mouth? No, more like platinum, adorned with the finest quality diamonds from around the world. Yes, I was born into a wealthy, elite family. Most would say I have it all, but I have nothing. Material things? Sure. That seems to be enough for everyone in my social class, but not for me. I long for something more. Something real. Love. A love so deep that you can’t put a monetary value on it un
like everything else in my life. I’ve been groomed from birth to live and maintain what’s socially accepted in this world of top elitists. Of course, that was before I looked into a pair of baby-blues that immediately set my heart on fire. Will he still accept me once all my deep, dark, secrets are revealed? Or will he break my heart, too?
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