I won’t be claiming that man as my father anymore, and even knowing I have the freedom to make that call makes my soul feel lighter.
Hawk watches me tie the bow on the lingerie that I chose for the ceremony. It’s a black slip dress with a white bow over the tits. When the sides of the bow are opened, my breasts are held up only with an underwire and no material for the cups. When it is tied, it’s actually a pretty mild piece. It flares out a little after my waist and falls a few inches down my thigh.
“You good?” he asks, crossing his arms over his massive chest.
“I’m good,” I assure him. “How about you? You okay with the ceremony?”
He nods. “I’ve always known it was coming. Better to get it out of the way so we don’t have to worry about any of the other families trying to fuck with you.”
“Yeah,” I agree, crossing the room. “Knowing you’ll be keeping an eye out for us makes me feel safe.” If I said that to anyone else, it would come off like a line or I’m trying to inflate their ego.
I just really fucking trust Hawk.
I push that through the bond to him, and he growls, dipping his mouth to mine. The way his beard pushes against my skin makes me smile.
Who knew mountain man was exactly my style?
He slides his hands up the back of my lingerie, cupping my ass. The panties that came with the set are essentially useless. They’re fully see-through, and the sides can be opened if someone pulls the strings that tie into little white bows.
Hawk isn’t fucking around. He shoves his knee between my thighs and uses his hold on my ass to push me to grind over it as he devours me in tantalizing kisses.
Either he really wants to make a point before I go out on stage, or he’s doing his part to get me turned on. Whichever it is, I’m not complaining.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Vanessa
The way the warehouse is set up, when you come through the front doors, you go through security and spill into the ballroom. Just past the ballroom is a smaller room where meetings are held, but during parties, it’s turned into a dining room with tables and chairs.
On the wall straight ahead from where you enter is a stage. Sometimes family heads give speeches here or make announcements. Other times they use the indoor balcony back in the ballroom.
Moretti went the standard route, having the stage set up for our ceremony. That means about six feet down and a few feet away, there will be people sitting at the tables watching the show we put on.
My hands shake as I make my way to the edge of the stage from the rear entrance that connects to the hallway with the dressing rooms.
Magnum is at my side, but Hawk left to watch the crowd. The third-party security at the entry doors to the warehouse are only responsible for patting everyone down upon entry and removing any weapons. Since this is Moretti’s gathering, his security is incharge of keeping everyone in line and making sure no one does anything disgusting, like trying to record us.
“You’re going to do great,” Magnum says, leaning around my back. “Now get your sexy little ass out there before you change your mind.”
He gives me a gentle shove with his good hand, and I stumble out onto the stage.
It’s the first time I’m getting a look at its setup as the doors to the dining area were closed prior to everyone else leaving. I purposely keep my eyes off the audience. Even if the masses left, there are still others out there. I just have no idea how many.
I’ve only seen the stage set up with a bed during previous ceremonies, but currently there’s a single extra-wide club chair. A red carpet runs from the side of the stage where I am now over until it disappears under the chair.
Moretti has been lingering near the front of the stage, but he claps. “The ceremony is about to begin.”
I’m still frozen in place as he saunters across the stage, taking a seat in the chair and stretching back. He has his button-down open and hanging at his sides, and he lost his tie and jacket since I saw him last. He also rolled up the cuffs on his shirt, showing off his sexy forearms.
“On your knees, Vanessa,” he growls. “Crawl to me.”
My eyes narrow, but goose bumps also pebble on my skin.
I’m confused, okay?
Do I like that order or hate it?
It might be both, but I have to behave.
