by Carnal, MJ
He walked away.
Clearly not noticing that Bee's gaze was on him every movement.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Amy
"You look beautiful." Mil pulled me in for a hug while Trace, Nixon's wife, and Mo, Tex's wife, messed with my train. I didn't have any friends, so they were my bridesmaids.
The wives.
Though after going to the spa with them the day before I had come to realize they were more than just the wives. Somehow I'd pictured them as The Real Housewives mob style — too much money and too much free time on their hands. I was surprised to find out that both Mo and Trace were going back to school to finish their degrees and actually had hobbies that didn't include carting around those flashy black cards with no limit.
"I'd kill for this dress." Trace walked around the train and shook her head, a bright smile in place. "Seriously… it's gorgeous Amy."
The warmth of a strong blush invaded my face. "Mil picked it out."
"Mil." Trace nodded. "Remind me to have you pick out an entire wardrobe for me."
"Done." Mil winked and offered me a bottled water.
"You ready for this?" Mo said from my other side. The girls were all in simple black strapless cocktail dresses and red heels. I'd wanted something elegant. It was my wedding after all and I knew all the girls would look beautiful if we did a black tie wedding.
Luckily, Ax couldn't care less; he just wanted to get married.
It helped that money wasn't really an object so when we needed to throw something together that fast, it wasn't an obstacle trying to find a place and get everything decorated.
The only thing I wasn't able to choose was the location. Nixon wanted to control the atmosphere, so we were getting married at a winery that he owned, outside of the city.
Made sense.
"I'm ready… I think I'm ready." I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. The dress was classy. It fell off the shoulders but still had lace sleeves that went all the way down to my wrists. The bodice was see-through lace except for a small covering that went across my breasts. White satin gathered around my waist, pulling into a knot towards the back of the dress then flared out into a long heavy train that was around seven feet long.
Like Trace said, it was a killer dress. I was going to ask to spend every anniversary in it.
Or maybe every day.
"He's here." Nixon popped his head in the room. "So I need you guys to be ready."
"Now?" I squeaked out. "But the ceremony's about to start, you're going to… to shoot him before I say 'I do'?"
"Course not." Nixon grins was ice cold. "I'm going to shoot him before you walk down the aisle…"
"Comforting." Trace nodded to her husband. "Good job, Nixon."
With an exaggerated eye roll, he closed the door while I tried not to hyperventilate.
The sound of Mil loading her gun wasn't helping.
Or Mo pulling a knife from her bra.
When I turned to Trace for help she was busy loading a pistol.
"You guys are all insane," I breathed.
"I prefer prepared." Mil grinned, then stuffed the gun back in her small clutch. "No worries, we just want to make sure you're protected. I'd like to think both me and Trace are amazing shots, and Mo can take a guy down with a single blade. Don't worry, we won't let anyone ruin your day."
"Right." I suddenly felt like I needed some sort of weapon, but just the idea of it made me feel a bit lightheaded.
Another knock sounded at the door. "Ready?" Tex poked his head in.
"But—"
"No worries." Tex opened the door wider and offered his arm. "I've got it covered."
"Covered?" I looked around. "You mean my father?"
"Oh, he had to go… um… he just had to go."
"Who got the shot in?" Mo crossed her arms.
"Stupid Chase," Tex grumbled. "I almost had him too and then Chase goes and decides to be a hero."
"So damn sexy." Mil laughed.
Tex narrowed his eyes. "He didn't want me getting blood on my suit on account that I'm important."
"Just keep telling yourself that, big guy." Mo handed Mil a twenty.
"Wait." Tex pointed. "What's that? Why's money exchanging hands?"
"Oh crap, sorry." Trace reached into her clutch and pulled out a twenty and handed it to Mil.
Tex looked ready to kill. "Explain."
"We made a simple wager to see which one of you would get the bad guy first." Mil shrugged innocently. "I win."
Mo covered her mouth with her hands and hid her laughter then stepped up to her husband and kissed him on the cheek. "You tried really hard though, and that's all that matters, sweetheart."
Tex grumbled something under his breath but seemed momentarily pleased at the fact that Mo was praising him like he'd just conquered the world. His chest puffed up a bit, and then he softened when she whispered something in his ear. His hand tightened on her waist.
"Wedding." Mil clapped. "You guys can play later."
"Right." Tex reluctantly let his wife go and offered me his arm.
I stared at it.
He kept his arm out.
I stared some more.
"Okay then." Tex chuckled. "I'm walking you down the aisle, thought Ax told you."
"You?" I blurted.
The girls laughed. Tex frowned. "Why not me?"
"You're the Cappo."
"Say it again." He winked.
"Down boy." Mo thumped him in the chest.
"I mean…" Heat flooded my cheeks. "I'm just a De Lange, you shouldn't be walking me down the aisle… wouldn't it be… wrong?"
Tex reached for my hand and squeezed it. "You're not just a De Lange, you're family and nothing would make me more proud then to walk you down that aisle in front of the most powerful families known to our kind. So, will you take it?"
Not trusting my voice, I nodded, and took his arm, shaking as the sound of classical music invaded my ears. The girls rushed past me and then slowly made their way outside and down the aisle. It was lined with white candles of all shapes and sizes.
The sun was setting, casting a rosy glow on the white chairs and the people sitting in them.
The wedding march began.
I clenched Tex's arm tighter, but he didn't move. Curious, I looked up at him, thinking maybe he'd changed his mind. Instead, he turned to me and whispered in my ear. "Your own father's a bastard. I'm not saying I'm anything but ugly… what I do is ugly… but it's moments like this that make life beautiful. I promise to protect you until my dying day. I promise our families will do everything in their power to make what was done to you right… So when you walk down this aisle and accept that man's hand, know that we take those vows right along with you guys. And if Ax ever hurts you, mentally, physically, hell if he forgets your anniversary, you just let me know."
With a watery smile I launched myself into his arms and hugged him. "Thank you."
"Of course," he said gruffly. "Now let's get you married."
****
Ax's eyes never left mine. He was beautiful. I'd always wanted to be with him, and now I was marrying him. It was weird, how I'd always been afraid of the very type of people who were now offering me love, life, and happiness. I fought a smile as Nixon elbowed Chase and then pointed at his shirt. Naturally a spot of blood was poking out on the white. Chase rolled his eyes and shrugged as if to say, what can a guy do?
I didn't want to know what happened to my dad or my brother. I knew Ax would tell me when the time was right, but I also knew that I needed to let my past stay there — in my past. Whatever my father had planned for me would have led to my torture, and probable death. I could only hope that in the end, my brother didn't meet the same fate.
Ax reached for my hand just as the priest said, "Who gives this woman?"
Nixon, Frank, Mil, and Phoenix all took decisive steps towards Tex and in unison they said. "We do."
It wasn't just the Cappo who gave me away.
The heads of the five Families, each boss, gave me away. Gave me their approval, in front of everyone. I almost lost it. And then Ax nodded slightly to the left, I turned.
My brother was sitting in the front row.
With my father.
Both of them were bleeding. My father looked irritated. My brother had a smile on his face and I could almost imagine, my mother in heaven finally being at peace.
I was a part of a family.
I was theirs.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Axton
"Think you could at least try to hide the blood stains, Chase?" I took a sip of wine and grimaced as the dry liquid damn near choked me to death.
Chase looked down at his shirt and shrugged. "Makes mortal men tremble in fear."
Nixon smacked Chase on the back of the head and whispered, "See me tremble, oh badass one."
Chase rolled his eyes. "Hilarious."
Tex snickered. "I thought so."
"What's taking them so damn long?" The wine glass almost shattered in my hand. Chase, clearly sensing the harm I was about to invoke on the stem, pulled the glass from my hand and set it on the table. The girls had wanted to fix Amy's makeup after the ceremony. She'd been out of my sight for around five minutes, and I was going stir crazy. I just… wanted to touch her, my wife, kiss her.
"Calm yourself, young grasshopper." Tex's hands moved to my shoulders. "She'll be out soon."
"Not soon enough," I muttered.
The guys all shared a look and busted up laughing. Sergio had been strangely quiet, standing in the corner. Then again, he was always quiet. Had a tendency to freak a guy out if you didn't actually know that was just how he was. Speculative… tentative, thoughtful. Scary as hell when he needed to be.
"Sorry!" Trace rushed into the room. "Okay, she's ready!"
"Ready?" I repeated, and then almost swallowed my tongue as Amy appeared in a totally different dress than before. A short white lacy cocktail dress with a completely open back. Long lace sleeves hugged her arms tightly. The rest of the dress was so tight I was afraid that if I touched her, the fabric would rip; then again, that was probably a really good idea. Best idea I'd had all day. I made a move to grab her but got slapped by Trace.
"What the hell?"
"Let her twirl," Trace commanded.
Blushing, Amy did a little twirl then paused, her back facing me. I'd already seen that the back didn't exist, but what I hadn't seen was the small tattoo on her lower back.
The writing was in black cursive script. I walked closer putting my hands on her hips as I pulled her towards me.
"Mi Familia… Axton."
"Baby…" I shook my head turning her in my arms. "When did you do this?"
"A few days ago," she whispered. "Surprised you didn't notice it yesterday with the whole towel incident."
I smirked, my eyes trained on her mouth. "I was a bit distracted by things… up top."
She laughed. "I bet you were."
"It's beautiful…" My voice was hoarse. "You're beautiful."
"I just want you to know…" Her fingers fumbled with the buttons on my shirt. "That… I'm yours. Forever. I'm not leaving. You're right, you're my family — my home."
I crushed my mouth to hers.
"Ahem," Tex said gruffly. "Get a room."
"Like you should talk," Chase said with a sarcastic tone.
"Wow, Chase…" Phoenix said darkly. "Coming from you…"
I pulled back from Amy and stared deep into her eyes. I wanted her — now. Damn the reception. I wasn't going. Neither was she, she just didn't know it yet.
"My, um…" Her eyebrows knit together. "My father and brother?"
"Your wedding present." I tucked a piece of her dark hair behind her ear. "I didn't think you'd want a lot of blood spilled on such a special day… it would be wrong for their deaths to take our glory."
She swallowed, averting her eyes.
"And…" I pulled her roughly against me. "I'm going to go let the boys do what they do best. Tex and Chase are going to threaten them within an inch of their lives, and then…" I shifted my weight between my feet. "They'll most likely meet their maker sooner rather than later, considering they have a tendency not to listen to our rules and all."
"Most likely—"
"It's done," Tex interrupted. "We'll keep an eye on them… they were only too happy to agree to our terms after our initial conversation."
"Huh." Chase laughed. "That what we calling it now? A conversation?"
"Ass kicking sounds so country." Tex laughed.
"What did I have?" Amy asked. "That he wanted? That you guys wanted? I guess I'm still confused?"
Tex and I shared a look before Tex finally stepped forward and held out the stuffed lamb I'd given her when she was six.
"A stuffed animal?" Amy stared down at the pitiful creature. "I had a stuffed animal?"
"Look." Tex turned it over and pulled out a knife, he gently ripped part of the foot and then pulled out a folded piece of paper.
Amy gasped. "What is that?"
"Your mother, before she died, hid a very important piece of information… the location of a few of our… less than stellar associates along with their addresses. Your father was going to use it as leverage to finally gain a position within the family. Only, she hid it before he could get his hands on it. She knew the minute it was out in the open, too many people would die."
"Well that—" I cut in. "—and she kind of hated your father."
"She died because of it."
"Yes," Tex said slowly, his eyes meeting mine before he put a hand on Amy's shoulder. "But her sacrifice is our gain. These men, we'll find them… and hopefully fix any loose ends."
"So you'll kill them?" she asked.
Tex laughed and waved her off, tucking the piece of paper into his pocket. "Did I say kill?"
"No, but—"
"Wedding day, happiest day of your life… Why don't you guys go dance or something? There's been too much talk of death today and frankly, I've already hit my quota for the month."
I rolled my eyes while Amy asked, "How many?"
"Thirty-seven," Tex said without blinking. "Then again around eighteen of them were my own family… had to cut out the bad to make way for the new and all."
"He's kidding," I lied, while Amy shivered in my arms.
"Yes, kidder's my middle name." Tex winked and wandered off from us, while I continued raining kisses on her cheek.
"Hey." I kissed Amy again, tugging her chin away from Tex's retreating form. "Let's get out of here."
"But the reception and—"
"Leave it." I tasted her mouth again. "Come with me." My tongue lined her lower lip. "Now."
"'Kay."
Gripping her hand I tugged her towards the door.
"But the cake!" Trace yelled after us.
"I'll give you cake," Nixon commented.
"How cute, Nixon made a joke!" Chase's loud laughter was the last thing I heard as I tugged Amy towards my Mercedes. I pushed her against the door then slid my hand up her naked thigh. With a shudder I swore. "You're not wearing anything underneath this are you?"
"Couldn't." She smiled against my mouth. "It's too tight."
"Damn it." I pressed my body against hers, loving the softness. "I'm not going to make it to the hotel."
"You will." Amy pushed me away and winked, then the little tease opened her own door, freaking bent over to take off her tall shoes, giving me an almost perfect view of her ass, and slid into the car.
In too much shock to do anything I simply stared in fascination while she buckled the seatbelt. To pull a knife out and rip the seatbelt in half or act like a sane human and get in the car?
Decisions, decisions.
"Ax?" Her eyebrows lifted.
"Yeah?" I croaked.
"We staying or going?"
"Going, damn it." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Sorry was distracted… saw skin and…" I shook my head and mumbled to myself. Yeah it was going to
be long ass ride to the hotel.
I aged ten years during that car ride, one for each mile. I'd always been the guy that could hide his feelings. It made me a good asset to the family — at least I liked to think so. I didn't allow things to distract me. I didn't allow things to affect me. I was stone.
But every man had his kryptonite.
And during the next ten miles to the hotel I found mine. At first I thought it was skin, maybe skin was my thing? After all her skin was really soft, so touchable, the perfect color. I wanted to lick all the way from her ankle to her hip bone and then repeat the process until the other leg moaned in protest.
But then her hand moved across her thigh and I got distracted by her fingers. Right, her fingers. They were long, feminine; her nails were even pretty.
When I stopped at the light I opened my mouth to say something, her eyes were on me.
And words died in my throat.
So it wasn't her skin after all or fingers. It was her eyes; it had to be her deep brown eyes. They saw all, they looked at me and didn't judge, didn't see a killer or a monster. They just saw me. Her mouth curved into a smile.
Damn it!
I hit the accelerator as the light turned green and tried to snap out of it.
By the time we made it to the hotel I'd officially lost the war in my head. It wasn't a part of her that provoked me, made me want to lose myself in her, it was just simply… her.
All of her.
Every single part that made Amy who she was.
I wanted it all.
And I was going to take it all and give everything I could in return. My heart, my soul, everything. It was hers — hell it had always been hers. From the very beginning she was the one I wanted, the one I'd die for, the one I would do anything to protect, to save.
"Axe." Her hand rested against my forearm. "Are you okay?"
"Never been better." I smiled and pulled up to the hotel valet. "You?"
Her smile hit me like an arrow in the chest. "I'll be better… in a few minutes."
"Sir?" A knock sounded on my window. With a curse I turned and opened the door giving the guy a scowl for interrupting me while I was lusting after my wife, and tossed him the keys.
He caught them mid air. I glared even harder. He held up his hands as if to say, I just work here.