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He hadn’t asked a single question. That was the thing about Brooks. He was loyal, discreet, and deadly as fuck. I hadn't called him in for that last quality of his in years.
“And do you, Serenity O'Brien, take Gareth Maxfield to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?”
My heart pounded against my chest as we stood across from each other in the tiny church, the first one we'd been able to find with an opening so quickly. I'd only had time to grab a simple solitary diamond ring from the hotel store to slide on her finger.
“I do,” she said without a hint of hesitation in her voice. I’d grabbed a platinum band for me, and now we’d both said our I dos and were wearing rings to prove it.
“By the power vested in me, by the great state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the officiate said, smiling at us both.
Serenity was the first to move closer, and I dipped my head, planting the barest of kisses over her soft, silky lips.
Jesus fucking Christ, I wanted more. I wanted to slide my hands around her waist and haul her to me, to steal her breath and kiss her so intensely her lips would swell with proof that she was mine.
I pulled back quickly, just barely registering the hurt in Serenity’s eyes at the move.
But this wasn't a normal wedding. This was about protecting her, which I would do at all costs. And part of that protection meant keeping her safe from me, too.
Brooks clapped and grinned at me as the officiate motioned for us to be on our way, the next couple waiting to get married already lined up in the hallway outside the main room.
I took Serenity's hand in mine, not wanting her to try to run off after the official words had been said. She didn't seem skittish, not like I expected her to be. There was a calm sense of acceptance washing over her, her eyes going distant as we stood outside the chapel while we waited for my driver to pick us up.
“I can’t wait to see what Dante says about this,” Brooks said after I had successfully put Serenity in the back of the car.
“I’ll deal with Dante,” I grumbled.
Brooks laughed. “Famous last words of countless men.”
“I’m not afraid of him.”
“I am,” Brooks said, feigning a shudder.
I rolled my eyes. “Bullshit,” I said. “Your fearlessness is one of the reasons you’re so terrifying to everyone but me.”
“Don’t lie to yourself, you know you’re a tiny bit scared of me.”
I shook my head. I’d never admit it. But I knew better than anyone how lethally quiet, determined, and skilled Brooks really was. Truth was, I’d rather face Dante’s wrath than Brooks’s any day, and that was saying something.
“I can’t believe you’re actually married,” he said when I didn’t respond. “She’s really a lovely woman. Too good for you, but lovely,” he teased.
“Don’t I know it.”
“You need me to fly back to Tahoe with you?”
“I could use the extra hands,” I answered, knowing Doyle would be out for blood the second he realized Serenity wasn’t safely tucked away in her room. We’d already been gone longer than I’d planned, but I hoped Doyle was too busy getting trashed and celebrating his potential sale to notice.
“I’m there.” Brooks grinned, always the one to find excitement in even the most chaotic of situations. “Happy fucking new year, am I right?”
I huffed out a dark laugh, wondering what the fuck I was going to do next. “Happy fucking new year.”
CHAPTER 2
Serenity
Afurious pounding jerked me from a deep sleep.
I bolted upright in bed, my head spinning as it took a few seconds for my mind to catch up with the present. The bed I was in wasn’t familiar, and it was drenched in a delightfully heavy scent of patchouli and black pepper.
Flashes of the night before snapped into my waking mind.
