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Three months after escaping Russia, Lake and I exchanged wedding vows in a small ceremony with our closest friends in attendance. Of course, we were surrounded by my family—Fallon, Eden, Sailor, Maddox, Ryan and Colt—and my newer extended family, the Blue Squadron pirates, who have become like brothers to me after all we’ve been through together with Project Phoenix.
Cameron served as Lake’s bridesmaid and gave everyone a pair of socks. I couldn’t stop laughing at the gray seals on the ones she gifted Jack, Dom, Jericho, Max, Cassian, Deacon and Aidan. Not a trident or the Navy emblem or anything to depict the ferocious warriors they are.
Seals with big, dopey smiles and whiskers.
Nik Valentine even flew in for the event and, like me, his bruises have faded. At least, physically. The mental cuts have scarred over, but they’ll always be there. Thank God I now have Lake to lean on. She’s taught me that I don’t have to do everything by myself. That it’s okay to lean on others and give up some of the control that I always try to maintain.
We invited Mila Ward, too, but since returning the Tantium Force to its rightful owner, she’s been busy. Currently, she’s offering the formula to several charitable corporations who promise to use it for good. Maybe she’ll sell it off eventually, but her goal is to make sure it stays in the hands of those who will use her father’s legacy to benefit others and society.
I’m still riding the high from saying “I do” as we all gather together for the reception. My bride looks radiant in a white satin gown that hugs her curves and I can’t keep my eyes off her. She glows, more ethereal than any angel in the heavens above, and I reach for her hand, leading her onto the polished wood floor for our first dance as husband and wife.
I’m still not quite sure how I got so damn lucky. We’re both so similar, more than I ever could have imagined. I can happily say she finally watchedStar Wars. And she’s a fan. I knew she would be. I mean, come on, it’sStar Wars. I’m still a little sad that she lost the sparkly bra top after the limo went over the side of the mountain in Italy. But she promised me a surprise tonight and I kind of have a feeling she may have acquired a new one.
“I’m not the world’s best dancer,” she warns me, brown eyes shining, as Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” fills the air.
I pull her close, wrapping an arm around her waist, feeling the delicate pearl buttons along her back. Knowing I’m going to have to be careful and not tear them off when I strip her out of this dress later. “I beg to differ,” I tell her, leaning closer, breathing in her soft vanilla scent. “Your dancing was quite memorable when we were in Italy.”
Her pretty cheeks flush pink. “You are so bad.”
I give her a wolfish grin. “You just wait until I get you alone. That honeymoon suite isn’t going to know what hit it.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Most assuredly.” I spin her out, loving the way she throws her head back and laughs. Her golden-red curls bounce as I reel her in and dip her backward. Our gazes lock as I slowly lift her up and a love so fierce that it physically aches sweeps through my body.
“Kiss her, Boss Man!” Eden yells and everyone laughs.
I don’t need any encouragement and I lean down to capture her soft, pink lips with mine. Kissing Lake is one of my favorite things in the world to do so I take my time, savoring the taste of her.
All around us, the guests cheer and then join us on the dance floor. Sinatra, who we both love, continues to play and we keep dancing, reluctant to let go of each other. With Lake in my arms, surrounded by our closest friends, my world has never been so perfect.
“Who’s with Finn?” Lake asks a moment later and I have to force myself to look away from my bride.
On the other side of the room, I see Finn and a woman arguing. “That’s Ivy, Kennedy’s sister.”
“Kennedy is Aidan’sfiancée, right?”
I nod and watch them for a moment. I’ve never seen anyone get under Finn’s skin. He’s always so cool and laid back. A charmer who doesn’t ever get involved too deeply with any one woman.
Hmm. Very interesting.Something tells me he may have finally met his match. Watching the former Night Stalker fall is going to be entertaining as hell.
When the next song ends, I guide Lake over to my Slater Security family. Fallon is wearing a shit-eating grin as she hands us each a flute of champagne.
“I can’t believe it,” she says.
I arch a brow, sliding an arm around Lake’s slim waist. “Can’t believe what?”
“That you took the plunge!” Eden exclaims. “Because of us, you met your wife.”
“You’re welcome, by the way,” Sailor adds, blue eyes twinkling.
I suppose they’re right, in a roundabout way. If they had never created a dating profile on that internet site, I wouldn’t have gone out with Cameron and, in turn, met the love of my life.
“Thank you, ladies,” I say and press a kiss to Lake’s lips. Then I glance over at Ryan and nod. He disappears for a moment and returns with three gift bags, handing one to Fallon, Eden and Sailor.
“What’s this?” Sailor asks and looks over at Maddox who shrugs.
“Don’t look at me,” he says.
