Ripper's Torment(46)

“Nothing to forgive, babe. Devil was going to kick whoever decided to date you, Judi. I’m just pleased I’m still fucking standing.” He coughed, groaning at the sudden jolt of pain.

“You’re barely fucking standing at the moment,” Curse said, handing him a jacket.

Coughing, he took the jacket and slowly slipped it on.

“I’ll give the doctor a call to bind those ribs up,” Curse said, moving away.

“Thanks, man, for having my back.”

“I wouldn’t have helped you if I didn’t know you were telling the truth.” Curse left.

Judi looked ready to burst into tears again. “You don’t have to marry me if you don’t want to.”

Taking hold of her hand, he dropped a kiss to the ring he’d given her.

“My only regret is you’re not going to get the white wedding you deserve. I’d marry you in a fucking field so long as I got to stay by your side.” He kept hold of her hand and used the wall to keep him on his feet.

Downstairs, Devil had a minister waiting. The guy looked petrified, but Ripper was not going to back away. He wasn’t lying, and he’d prove it. He loved Judi and would give his life to be with her.

She held onto his shoulder, not letting go as they made their way downstairs together. Judi’s hands kept him steady. Together, they walked down toward the rest of the club. Standing in front of the minister, Ripper spoke the words, and then Judi did, binding their lives together.

Once it was all over, he kissed her lips, and the room cheered and threw their hands up in celebration.

When the minister was gone, Devil walked up to him with Lexie beside him.

“I had every intention of killing you, Ripper,” he said. “You make her sad or think of looking at another woman and you will find yourself six feet under.”

“I’ve got everything I want right here,” Ripper said, tugging Judi to his side.

“She’s still living in my house until college is finished. You can look for a place to live, but you’re staying in the spare bedroom and I will lock you in it. I don’t want any fucking in my house.”

Lexie slapped Devil on the arm. “Leave them alone. This was their makeup wedding. I can’t believe you made them do this today. You can see they’re in love.”

Ripper let Judi go for Lexie to hug her. Staring into Devil’s eyes, he saw the nod outside. Kissing Judi’s temple he made his way outside, trying to ignore the pain with every step he took.

In the outside surrounded by privacy, Ripper waited for the blow that was likely to come. When Devil turned to face him, he was shocked there was no gun pointed at him. “You protected Judi?”

“Yes. She was out one night, and one of her old clients tried to pick her up. She shot him.”

“Where did you bury the body?”

Ripper gave him the location.

“I’m calling Jerry. He was looking for the man you described, and he can handle it from here.” For several minutes Devil took care of business leaving Ripper to wait.

He was married, or close to being married.

Smiling, he looked up at the shining sun. He was married and in love.

“You love her, don’t you?”

“She’s my world.”

Devil nodded. “I see her as a daughter, and if this was not what I think it is, then you’d be dead. I’ll give Judi everything. I don’t care if we don’t have the same blood, but I know you’ll take care of her and love her.”

“I will. I’ll take care of looking for a house. I don’t want her living in the clubhouse.”

“Fuck, what has happened to us? We fucked everything in sight, and now we’re all settling down. Just like The Skulls.” Devil shook his head.

“What happened in Fort Wills?” Ripper asked.

“A lot of shit that you don’t need to hear on your wedding day. Tiny knows what he’s doing, and we’ve helped where we can. The rest of the shit is up to them.” Devil slapped him on the back. “Take care of the Princess.”

“I never meant to hurt you or the club,” Ripper said, staring at the ground as Devil moved away. “I was tormented with my feelings, and I fought them. Judi, she’s hard to ignore.”

“She’s in love with you, Ripper. Make it worth her while to be with you.”

He watched Devil go wishing there was something else he could say. Going inside the clubhouse, he went with the doctor to check over his aches and pains. Judi stayed with him, clearly concerned for his wellbeing.

Holding onto her hand, he made a note to get her a wedding band and also to get the appointment for the new ink on his chest.

“You’re insane,” Judi said, caressing his cheek.