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I smile gratefully, but they’re already trudging away. Their footsteps echo on the wooden floors of the hallway as I survey the piles of cardboard boxes that are gathering in each room.
There’s a lot to unpack in this large house, which is much bigger than anything I expected to purchase. The guys never paid rent at the clubhouse and stashed their money instead, allowing them to buy this place in cash.
There are five bedrooms and a finished basement we’ve fashioned into the perfect space for Gunner’s sisters. There’s still a lot of work to do and I need to unpack some boxes.
I wander into our brand new kitchen and run my fingers along the granite countertops. There’s a small television plugged in and I switch on the power button.
Rex’s top priority is being able to cook in our kitchen, so I just want some background noise while I unpack the boxes of dishes, but the news is on. When I read the ticker scrolling at the bottom of the screen, it stops me in its tracks.
It reads “Disgraced Local Televangelist Sentenced for Federal Charges.” My mouth drops open as my trembling fingers push the button to increase the volume.
Ineedto hear this, but the back door swings open. My guys saunter in, chatting noisily until I lift one hand to silence them. The helmet-haired newscaster begins to speak as Rex shuffles behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder. Zeke takes my hand in his, and I can feel Gunner brush up against my other side. He bristles as soon as he hears the mention of my father’s name.
“Reverend Earl Bennett, a local televangelist, first made headlines several months ago when the live-streamed wedding of his daughter, Marigold Bennet, to his longtime protégé, Thaddeus Fraley, ended in disaster,” The blonde newscaster says, lowering her chin as she stares into the camera.
“The wedding was interrupted by members of the Grim Riders Motorcycle Club, whom Ms. Bennett absconded with, in the fashion of a real-life runaway bride.”
Gunner grunts with satisfaction.
“Reverend Bennett’s troubles didn’t end there. The debacle drew the attention of federal law enforcement agencies, who began investigating the Pastor. He, along with his wife and associate pastor, Thaddeus Fraley, were charged with fraud, conspiracy, and over one dozen illegal weapon violations. His twenty-five-year prison sentence was finally handed down today… ”
I’ve heard enough. My arm stretches for my fingers to swipe the television’s power button and the house is silent for a moment.
“We could still kill him for you,” Zeke says. His blue eyes are glinting and I know he means every word.
My men would do anything for me.
Despite myself, I burst out laughing.
“No, Zeke,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck. “It’s all over.” I peck him on the cheek.
It’s true. It’s all over now.
When I ran away from my own live-streamed wedding, I smashed our perfect image into a million imperfect pieces.
Every member of my father’s congregation witnessed his humiliation. Clips even made their way from our local news to the national circuit, drawing the eye of the authorities.
My father and my stepmother have both fallen so far from grace that they’re going to be locked away for a long time.
Bianca isstillmortified. The publicity made her a laughingstock on social media, which is probably about the worst thing that could ever happen to her. She’s afraid to show her face in public and the rumor is that she’s moving out of the South.
And I’m free.
It’s amazing how quickly your life can change.
“Come on, Goldie,” Gunner grumbles. “We’ve only got an hour until my sisters get home.” He’s looking down at his watch with a frown.
Rex’s hand slithers around my waist and he’s tugging me towards him. His green eyes twinkle mischievously as they crinkle at the corners.
“The moving crew is gone,” Rex says, smiling. “It’s time we took a break.”
I’m giggling, but I let him pull me along. Zeke saddles up to my other side, winding his fingers through mine, and my heart flutters when he flashes his Adonis-like grin.
The guys insist we christen all the bedrooms and it’s about time to get started.
This isn’t the life that I imagined for myself. I used to be Marigold, the preacher’s daughter. I was suffocating under the weight of expectations and I just wanted one wild night. One chance to be free.
Somehow, it led me to all of this.
It might be unconventional, but our home is filled with love.
I’m not Marigold, the preacher’s daughter.
I’m Goldie. And my three sexy bikers are waiting for me.
THE END
