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21
Hustler
Eight weeks ago, we thought we’d killed the leader of Faceless Frats and the man who’d attacked Hope.
We were gravely wrong.
We were at war.
Regardless of the mayhem surrounding us, today was Cobra and Karma’s wedding. The backyard was decorated in white. Storm and his crew stood guard as the small wedding party waited for the first snowflake to fall from the gray sky.
The weatherman better not be wrong, or my brother would lose it.
I held Hope tucked into my side, my eyes darting around. I didn’t let her go outside very much. Her safety and the baby were all I could think about. She was five months now, round and plump, so freaking adorable and mine.
She was giving me a daughter and we were ecstatic.
“It’s starting,” she whispered.
I lifted my face to the sky and felt the first flurries hit my nose. Music started, and everyone came to attention when the bride appeared.
Cobra’s eyes shimmered as he watched Nova drop red petals on the white runner. He was finally getting everything he ever wanted. A wife and daughter and a baby on the way. I was happy for him.
“She’s stunning, isn’t she?”
I lowered my gaze to Hope. Her eyes were locked on Karma, who was, in fact, stunning, but she didn’t hold a candle to my Hope. I lifted my girl’s left hand and kissed her engagement ring. We hadn’t set a date. Hope needed us to take things slowly, but I was a persistent bastard. If I couldn’t put my mark on her, I’d put a ring on her finger.
She accepted my marriage proposal last month, but I had to agree to wait until after the baby was born to tie the knot. Maybe not until after our daughter turned one. I didn’t like it, but I agreed. I’d agree to just about anything Hope said.
“Oh my gosh.” She took my hand and placed it on her stomach. “Do you feel that?”
I felt a faint jiggle. “Is that the baby moving?”
Hope nodded. “Mhm. There it is again.”
“That is incredible.” I couldn’t pay attention to the ceremony with my daughter moving inside her momma.
An hour later, I was dancing with my woman under strings of twinkling lights in the barn. I didn’t know the song, but it was romantic and perfect for swaying to with my best girl in my arms.
The wedding went off without a hitch. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t holding my breath and keeping an eye out for any disturbances. Until we found the gang leader, I would be sleeping with one eye open and my woman in my arms.
“It was a beautiful wedding with the snow falling,” she said dreamily. “Cobra and Karma looked so happy and in love. I know I’ve said it dozens of times, but I love your family.”
“And they love you.”
“And I love you.” She peered up at me, her eyes sparkling with emotion. “I love you.”
It was the first time she had given me the words I longed to hear.
“You just made my year, baby.” I kissed her softly. “I love you too.”
Epilogue
Hustler
Five years later…
My favorite day of the year arrived when I took Hope to our private room at Aeros Casino for a night of naughtiness. We’d been together five spectacular years. Four of those were as husband and wife.
