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“But…”
Before Hades could shut her down, Gunner stepped forward, cupped his hands around his mouth, and shouted, “East!” When the brothers and their women looked over, Gunner lifted his arm and pointed to the opposite side of the aisle. Vada’s side. It was done.
“Motherfuckers are gonna get a better seat than me,” Grain shouted.
Hades turned to see Grain, Regina, Ryder, and Sydney walking up from the lot a few feet away. Grain ignored him and the brothers and peered over the yard.
“Just please don’t sit in the two seats up front. Those are reserved for her parents.” Jill smiled and rushed away.
Hades could feel everyone’s eyes on him. It was a well-known fact that Vada’s parents were the reason for the wedding date change both times. He had no doubt the latest incident had gotten back to East through Trini or Roan. If anything, they’d want to protect her and prevent anyone from asking questions about their absence.
“Her parents are coming?” Blade asked.
This was where it got tricky. Only Gage, Dobbs, and most recently, Saint knew of his conversation with her mother. He refused to mention the possibility of Vada’s mother attending to anyone else. He wouldn’t risk it getting back to Vada.
He shrugged, playing off the question. “Probably not, but she wanted them left open, just in case.”
“Fucking assholes, that family of hers,” Grain snapped. “Now, she’s gotta be up there with those seats empty as a fucking reminder of what fucking assholes they are?”
Regina grabbed his hand, pulling him away. “Let’s go.”
Hades smirked. Watching Regina reel in Grain was quite the sight and one he thoroughly enjoyed. As they started to their seats, Hades zoned in on the two empty chairs, front and center. He wasn’t sure if Vada had overlooked the detail and forgot to mention it to Jill or if she was still holding out hope.
“We’re gonna take our seats. You need anything?” Gunner asked.
“Yeah, to get outta this fucking suit and a flask.”
Gunner laughed and dug into his vest pocket, pulled out a flask, and handed it to him. “Congratulations, brother.”
Gunner and Blade walked over to where Sloane and Lil were seated. Hades unscrewed the cap to the flask and took a long swig. Whiskey. He could always count on Gunner for the good stuff. He offered it to Saint, who took a sip. They waited in silence, passing the flask back and forth. Bailey was going to give the cue when it was time for them to go to the altar. Hurry the fuck up. Hades rolled his shoulders and drew in a breath.
“Slow down!”
Hades slowly turned, eyeing the two older women walking up about twenty feet away. The graveled lot was no match for their heels. While the first woman seemed to be struggling a little less, her counterpart was seconds away from face-planting.
“Would you please slow down?” the second woman pleaded.
“Oh hell no, you wanted to take your sweet time getting ready. Well, this is your payback. Now, hurry your ass up.”
Hades pressed his lips together, watching the two strangers struggle on the gravel. He was about to turn away when his eyes caught a clear view of the second woman trailing behind. Well, I’ll be fucking damned. Hades had never met or seen Vada’s mother in person, but Vada had a small, framed photo on a shelf in their bedroom. It was Vada at her college graduation. She was standing between her father and this woman.
He shifted his gaze between the women. The process of elimination meant the first woman was Vada’s Aunt Gloria. The cock pop maker.
The women were a few feet away. As Gloria rounded the clubhouse, Vada’s mom wobbled and got her heel caught in the stone. She waved her hands over her head, trying to find her balance, to no avail. She was seconds from landing on her ass. It would’ve been the sweetest revenge. And deserved. Karma at its finest.
“Fuck,” Hades muttered and quickly stalked forward, reaching out, grasping her elbow in a tight hold. She gasped and turned. He assumed she was going to push him away. Instead, she grabbed onto his forearm and stilled. Her breath was heavy.
She slowly looked up. She wore too much makeup and most likely had her face tweaked by a professional. But she had Vada’s eyes. Carolyn’s were dimmed slightly, but there was no missing the resemblance.
“Thank you.”
Hades nodded and walked her a few more steps until the ground leveled, and she let go of his arm. She was still trying to catch her breath when Gloria walked over.
“Great news. There are two seats up front reserved for family.”
Hades watched Carolyn’s throat bob, and she jerked her head, gesturing to the end of the back row. “Those will be fine.”
“But the front ones.” Gloria pointed.
