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“Go easy on him, babe.” Kat put one hand on Terry’s chest and used the other to slide the leather flask from his hand. “Virgil isn’t used to smiling so much.”
“I can hear you, Kitty Kat.”
Kat turned with a look of absolute innocence on her face and grinned. “Was I whispering?” She threw her head back and laughed. “Just kidding. You look really happy, Virg, and we’re all happy for you. But if you could smile a little brighter, we could all get to the reception before we melt.”
Ten minutes later, and we were all pressed together for a few candid photos. “Hang on. I have one more thing and then we can get the hell out of here,” Virgil growled and motioned for Jasper and Terry to join him. They returned quickly, each man carrying two wooden crates with a stamp on the side that read, VELVET FIRE.
“What’s this?” Maisie motioned to the crates; her blue eyes narrowed in confusion.
“This, my smokin’ hot wife, is one of your wedding presents. I had this whiskey made just for you and imported from Ireland. It’s called Velvet Fire.”
Her eyes widened in surprise before they filled with tears. “Velvet Fire? That’s what you call me.” He nodded and Maisie jumped in his arms, kissing him like they were the only two people in the park.
“Seriously melting here, guys.” Kat, the brave one, interrupted with a thought we were all having. Desert heat and formal wear did not mix.
“Right. Of course.” Maisie pulled back, breathless and smiling. “What now?”
“Now we take a few photos of all of us, with my wife sitting on the crates while we all sample her very own whiskey.”
A bright red smile, which could be seen from across the park, bloomed on her face. She turned to the photographer and shrugged. “You heard the man.”
These photos were more laid back, with everyone laughing and drinking and hugging one another. And finally, the photographer said the words we were all waiting to hear. “That’s a wrap!”
“Thank fuck,” Jasper groaned and made a beeline toward the limo. “I need another drink, this time with air conditioning.”
“Amen, brother.” Emmett clapped him on the back and smiled over his shoulder at his woman, Vanessa.
The reception hall was full when the wedding party finally arrived, and I was surprised to see just how over the top Maisie had gone for her wedding.
The place was decorated all high class like, despite the fact that many of the guests wore leather and denim, with a variety of formalwear touches, like bow ties, cummerbunds and coats with tails, but very few tuxedoes or suits, at least from our side of the family.
“Now this is more my speed,” Madison said with a wide smile as she dropped my hand as soon as they announced the arrival of the happy couple and the party officially began.
“Catch ya later, Charlie. Unless you want to introduce me to that hot brother of yours?”
I rolled my eyes and waved my brother over. “Yo, Jameson!”
He smiled as he strolled toward me, worn jeans on with a white t-shirt and coattails that had Madison growling with feminine appreciation. “What’s up? Nice suit.”
“Jealous?”
“Nah, I’m uncomfortable and hot.” Jameson smoothed the lapels of his formal jacket and flashed a teasing grin. “Who’s this spitfire?”
“Jameson, this is Madison, professional smart ass. Madison, this is my brother, Jameson. Have fun. I’m outta here.”
“Thanks, Pretty Boy,” she called after me.
“Anytime, smartass.” The party was in full swing and after the first dance for the couple and then the dance with the parents, the dance floor filled up as a mixture of rock music and hip hop played loud enough to shake the walls.
Maisie took a turn around the floor with every member of the Reckless Bastards from Nevada to Texas, new and old alike, smiling like a happy fool the whole damn time.
“She looks so damn happy I almost feel bad for being glad this wedding shit is just about over.” Jasper stood beside me and handed me a glass of whiskey.
“Thanks. Cheers.” I knew what Jasper meant. This whole event, happy occasion though it was, had me on edge the entire time. “You can’t even tell who’s security and who’s part of the wedding, so you can relax a little.”
“Yeah, but after that dumbass shit Brendan pulled at the bachelor party, anything is fucking possible.”
“Thanks to a damned impressive shot, he’s no longer a problem.” But neither of us was naïve enough to think that meant the problem with The Crusaders or the Black Jacks was over.
Jasper nodded. “You know how it is. One problem eliminated and two more fucking problems crop up. It never ends.” Jasper patted his pockets in search of a cigarette and growled. “The longer you keep the Rhymer chick, the more problems you’ll have.”
