Page 105 of Ravaged By Lust

The storms may come

And batter our roof

We may try and we may fail

Life might throw nightmares at us

But if I’ve got you next to me

Then this life will be the greatest

Yeah, the greatest life I could live

48

BISHOP

I just know I have to marry Chloe Stoll, so why bother taking the time? Tonight is as good a night as any.

I’m afraid my sudden, impulsive decision to drop everything and wed the girl of my life would make the others feel like I’m overshadowing Maddie and Axel’s night, but Astrid’s reaction to the news only makes me understand what I’m doing is the right thing.

“Of course,” she says when we tell her the plan. “You two are meant to be together. Gosh, this is so exciting.”

“So, you’re not mad?” I ask her.

“Mad? Why would I be mad? Tonight, my little family has suddenly doubled, no mother would be mad at that.”

Instead of going out with the party, we all change course.

We call Lucas. The manager who can fix any problem.

Axel rings him, tells him that he and Maddie are engaged, and then hands the phone to me.

“One more thing…” I tell Lucas about my proposal to Chloe and how it has to be tonight.

“Vegas?” he asks, already guessing our plans.

“Yep. Vegas.”

“You want me to get the private jet fired up?”

I check the time. “It’s still early in the night,” I reply, turning to the rest of the group. All the boys of Ravaged are around me, waiting for my next move. Astrid and Maddie are standing side by side. Tonight has been a good night so far. The best night. How about I keep things going? I look at my bride-to-be. She’s smiling. Her shocked - but elated - face when I told her that I want to marry her is the highlight of everything so far. I want to make tonight special. For her. “How about you get the tour bus and swing it by here,” I suggest to Lucas. “I’m up for a little road trip.”

Soon enough, Lucas turns up outside of Axel and Maddie’s with Ravaged’s tour bus. The name of our band is printed in bright colors along the side of it. He parks it on our driveway and welcomes us all in.

“You are crazy, Bishop, you know that?” Lucas greets me as I board the bus. He slaps me on the shoulder.

“Yeah, but that’s why you love me, right?”

“You’ve got me there.”

Chloe follows behind.

“And you’re crazy for marrying this asshole,” Lucas tells her.

My girl beams back at him. “Maybe I am, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Lucas laughs.