We bypassed the play area and the bar and headed back to the meeting room so I knew shit was about to get serious. As soon as we were seated Law threw what looked like a photo album across the table at me.
I looked around the room at his men who for some fucked up reason were lined up against the wall, and Max who was standing like a sentinel behind my chair.
“What the fuck is this a hit?” I grinned to lighten the mood and the feeling of dread that was beginning to grow in my gut. I flipped open the lid of the book and didn’t know what the fuck.
“What’s this?” It looked like a photo album filled with girls, young girls. I started to relax a little, thinking that the shit had to do with my cause, which was rescuing young kids from fucked up situations and the twisted adults that were supposed to care for them, and nothing at all to do with my babygirl, until I saw her face looking back at me.
“What the fuck is this?” There was nothing written there, no explanation. Only her age, height, weight, hair and eye color. I looked at Law for answers because I didn’t like where my mind was going. For someone who’d dealt with and seen some of the shit I’d seen stateside, there weren’t that many reasons for something like this and it wasn’t a school yearbook.
My head was buzzing an alarm. The shit was already hot and I still didn’t have a fucking clue. But I knew whatever this was it wasn’t good. I saw another now familiar face in there, and my gut started to burn.
I pushed my chair back and stood when I got to the back of the fucking book and saw what was written there. “Who the fuck put her in there?” I pointed to it accusingly as I tried to keep ahold of my building rage.
Law motioned to his guys and mine and that’s when I figured out what was going on with them. He was trying to cut me off, good luck with that shit.
Law stood too and came around the table. “My guess is the aunt or her guy, we’re still trying to figure this shit out.” He was watching me like a powder keg about to blow or a snake about to strike, I felt like a little bit of both.
When I thought of what could’ve happened if I hadn’t gotten that call a few nights ago, if I’d left her in their clutches… “What the fuck is this sick shit?” Not her; I broke out in a cold sweat and rage fought with nausea as I thought of the implications in front of me.
“Exactly what you think it is. Ironic isn’t it? You’ve been fighting this shit for years and these dumb fucks thought they could bring it to your door…where are you going?”
“I need eyes on her, need to make sure she’s fucking okay and Law, get the priest.” She was probably gonna have a fit when I told her she was getting hitched in Law’s backyard, after all she’d told me about her dream wedding a million times since I put my ring on her finger. Too fucking bad.
We’ll have to do that shit another time, right now it was more important that I tie her to me completely. The need was almost overwhelming as I headed out the room and across the yard to where I’d seen her disappear with the other women not too long ago
There was only one thing on my mind; getting to her, looking at her, feeling her, reassuring myself that she was here safe with me, not in the clutches of some fucked up pervert.
Chapter 18
Creed
She was in Law’s house with his woman and her friends. I released the tortured breath I’d been holding until I got her in my sights. She was fine, still whole and smiling, no lingering sadness. Oh babygirl. I composed myself before stepping into the room.
I figured the one she was sitting next to was the one she’d known from before. They all piped down when I came inside looking guilty as hell and babygirl had a red fucking face. Uh-huh, up to no good no doubt.
I figured I owed her friend at least a thank you for what she’d done, and since my heart was beating normal again at the sight of my woman, I figured now was as good a time as any.
“You the one who gave Law the heads-up?” I stood in front of the amazingly beautiful woman who had a hold of my girl’s hand. “Yes, I’m Illyana, I can’t thank you enough for rescuing her.”
“She’s mine, thanks for looking out. Come here babygirl. If you ladies will excuse us.” I took her just outside the door, not even wondering what all the giggles and whispers behind me were about. “Did you bring a fancy dress with you by any chance?” She looked at me like I’d lost my fucking mind.
“No, I didn’t know I was gonna need one. Are we going somewhere special?” She looked a little crestfallen that she wouldn’t have anything to wear so I could imagine how she was going to feel about what I had to say next.
“No, you’re getting married today.” Her eyes all but popped out of her head and she screamed loud enough to wake the dead before turning to rush back inside in her excitement.
“Jessica.” She stopped and turned back to me, her face bright and happy, just the way I always want her to be. “Get back here.” I had a big stupid grin on my face so she knew I wasn’t mad even though I probably sounded like a grizzly with his paw caught.
“Your man needs some sugar.” She ran and jumped into my arms, peppering my face with kisses before I took her mouth in a deep tongue fuck. There, my world was settled again. I can deal with whatever the fuck comes at me now.
“I take it you’re happy. We’ll see about your fancy wedding another time okay baby; be ready in ten.” I watched her rush back in to the room full of women and heard the screams and whatnot before I made it off the porch. I headed back to the yard to meet the guys who had followed behind me. Probably thought I was gonna pull a fast one.
“Right, where’s the priest?” For some reason that got Law’s right hand men to start grumbling and his brother to breaking into laughter and I remembered Law saying something about holding the priest hostage.
Someone ran off to get him while I cooled my heels and tried not to let my inner feelings show. If one more fuck goes wrong today I’ma shed blood no fucking joke.
I better never tell her that on her wedding day her man was plotting murder in his fucking head instead of looking forward to the exchange of vows.
As far was I was concerned she became my wife when I got her blood on my cock, that’s good enough for me. But from her reaction just now, the whole ceremony thing meant more to her.
At least I knew that for her it was about more than all the hoopla. She was willing to get hitched in Law’s backyard in jeans. That shit, made me feel lighter, even with all of the shit that was going down.
My mind kept going back to her face looking out at me from behind that yellowed plastic. She looked about sixteen there or what I remembered her looking like at that age.
She still had that babyish innocent young girl thing going on then, was now coming into her own as a woman and some fuck had been drooling over her for his own sick perverted fuck reasons.
I’ma end up burning this fuck to the ground, but first before I lose my shit, I’m gonna make her mine officially. The whole fucking town was full of fuckwits as far as I can tell; who would miss ‘em?
The asshole that had done Law’s family, and now her aunt and uncle, not to mention the fucking hate brigade assholes. What was the fucking point in letting it stand? Law’s place was on the outskirts; he won’t miss the shit. What a way to be thinking on my wedding day.
Max nudged me as we stood around the preacher/priest what the fuck ever, who was looking like what the fuck, and I turned to see her coming to me. “Fuck.” The clothed one cleared his throat over my shoulder but it was too late, the word was already out.
She looked fucking amazing. How the fuck long had it been since I walked out of that house? She was wearing a yellow sundress that someone had loaned her; it made her skin glow. And someone had put flowers in her hair and she was holding a bunch in her hands.
I wonder what the fuck they would’ve accomplished if I’d given them more time. Then again I shouldn’t be surprised, they had the best canvas to work with.
I tried to convince myself that it was the sun in my eye that made me tear up but I knew different. Every thought went out of my head. There was nothing there or in my heart, but her, babygirl.
I met her halfway, ignoring her new friends and the guys as I walked towards my life. My hands fucking shook when I lifted them to her perfect face. “You’re beautiful babygirl, damn.” Her smile was wide and bright without a trace of anything but joy. That smile went a long way to soothing my beast.
I didn’t let go of her hand the whole time we stood before the man who officially joined us according to the law. Speaking of which, I didn’t even ask Law how he pulled off the license that quickly, but I was sure there was a story behind that shit.
I didn’t think it would, but hearing those words ‘I now pronounce you man and wife’, actually lifted a weight off my chest. She was mine now, nothing and no one could change that.
“I’m gonna love you for the rest of your life, get ready.” I whispered the words for her ears only as I held her in my arms for the first time since making it official.
Her girls were soon there buzzing around and one very bold one, I think she was Clay’s if the way he rolled his eyes was a hint, came over and took her from me with a very saucy suggestion.