Wild (25 page)

She rolled her eyes but the happiness that sparkled there was unmistakable. I stood for a long moment, taking her in, thinking how fucking lucky I’d been to find her. And how fucking lucky that she’s said yes.

I held Kat in my arms as we swayed on the dance floor. The wedding had gone off without a hitch, with most of the people I’d grown up with there to celebrate with us. The ceremony and reception were outside, in the park just off from the marina, right at the center where so much of our romance had played out. Now we stood swaying to a song that I’d never heard before, but one that Kat had insisted on.
Your Guardian Angel
by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. I indulged her, because she made me so fucking happy I owed her everything. Although now, as I listened to the words, I understood why she’d chosen it.

She was my entire fucking heart and sometimes it did feel like the waves were crashing and the stars were falling all for us.

I would never let her fall. I would be there for her forever.

She was telling me through the lyrics that I would always be the one even if saving each other had nearly sent us to Heaven.

The words tore through me, sent shockwaves straight to my heart. I’d almost lost her and the realization of that had haunted me for weeks after.

I pulled her tighter against me, engulfed her with my body, scented her strawberry hair and reassured myself she was here, this was real, and we were each other’s forever.

The song ended and another started.

“Can I cut in?” a familiar voice asked.

“Dad.” she murmured, surprise written across her face. Her dad had tried to keep in touch over the months since he’d left, but due to the circumstances surrounding that night, he’d had to stay away.

Because Jeremy had had suspected ties to organized crime, James Bishop feared for his daughter’s safety in retaliation for Jeremy’s death. He’d expressed his concern to the FBI who’d been involved in the investigation. They’d agreed to release a statement that he’d died in the hospital from complications he’d suffered on the night of Jeremy’s death. The FBI then placed him in witness protection.

We had no idea where he’d been, and he only called from burner phones once and a while. Tears always welled in Kat’s eyes when she spoke to him, and I knew it hurt that she’d only just gotten him back in her life and then he was gone again, after sacrificing everything for her.

The FBI had offered us the option of witness protection too. I’d thought it was a good idea, at least something to consider, because no one knew how deep Jeremy had been in with the mob, but Kat had flat-out refused. She’d insisted that she loved it here; Maine was the only place that had ever felt like home to her and she was sick of running.

Unbeknownst to her, I’d hired a private investigator in Chicago to keep tabs on the men that had connections to Jeremy Walsh. Organized crime syndicates cast a wide net and had connections nearly everywhere, but so far, no suspicious activity had come up. Perhaps they weren’t interested in us. Jeremy Walsh was dead. They’d moved on, much like we had. I didn’t now how long I’d keep the PI on the payroll, until I felt safe I guess. But in the meantime, he stayed.

Kat had also been seeing a counselor, not only to help her deal with those horrific three days when her ex had taken her, but also to help her move forward. What it meant to have a healthy relationship. How to shed the fear and insecurity she carried so we could start fresh. She came home from her appointment each week with some new couple’s exercise that I never ceased giving her shit for, but I secretly fucking loved it. I loved learning more about her, sharing with her, opening up to her. But I couldn’t let her see how soft I’d gone, so I gave her hell every time.

I watched her dad hold her delicately in his arms. He’d told me that he was going to try to make it to the wedding, but if he did it would be last minute so as not to tip off anyone that may be watching him. It was dangerous for him to be here, but I was so glad he’d made it for Kat’s sake.

I watched him as he held her hand protectively in his own. My brain recalled the night that he’d first come into my life.

That night at the lighthouse rushed back to me.

I scrunched my eyebrows together as I watched, and realized that he loved her just as much as I did. Would do anything for her just like I would. Had been willing to risk his life. That was clearer to me now more than it ever had been.

A few women in town were hunched around Kat and tittering away about something. Slade sat at the table next to them, tapping his leg anxiously as he stared at his phone. My brother sat next to him, his arm wrapped around his new date as he murmured in her ear.

He’d introduced her as Amy. I didn’t ask what had happened with him and Mia. I didn’t want to know. If we were going to make an attempt at rebuilding our relationship, some things would have to remain unsaid.

I stepped up to Kat’s dad, who was watching the festivities from afar. “Means a lot that you came.”

“I didn’t want to miss it. My only baby, getting married.” The emotion in his voice was unmistakable.

“She knows how much you love her. And I do too.” The tone in my voice had him turning to face me. “I remember that night.” My eyes held his green gaze, so much the same as Kat’s.

“Something more? What do you remember son?” Confusion furrowed his brow, but I saw the concern written there too.

“I know you didn’t kill him,” I said so softly, aware of anyone that may be standing nearby.

“I don’t know—”

“I didn’t fall. I had him. And then the shadow . . . I didn’t remember at first, but I’ve been working that night over a lot in my mind, and what you said and what I remember just didn’t add up. I know I killed him,” I finally finished.

His eyes lowered for a minute as he processed my words.

“Why’d you do it?”

“Tell them I killed him? Because I wish I would have. I wish I could have saved her from that monster, especially since I knew . . . If those guys knew it was you . . . they’d be after you, Lane.” I knew he was referring to the tough guys that had floated around Jeremy Walsh. The ones that were involved with an organized crime outfit in Chicago. “I had to save my baby girl. I was never there for her, always absent, always such a failure, but when the cops started asking what happened, I knew. I knew I couldn’t let her run the rest of her life, and if they knew you’d killed him . . . she’d never be safe. It was the least I could do. I’m just a drunk, I don’t have a future to live for, but her, she’s got everything.” He looked back to her sitting at the table surrounded by women, a brilliant smile on her face. Her cheeks flushed and glowing. A beautiful smile lighting her features.

“You shouldn’t have.”

“I had to. I just want you to take care of my baby like I never could.”

I nodded once. Swallowed back the lump in my throat. “Thanks.”

“Just treat her like she deserves to be treated.”

“Always,” I muttered just as Kat drifted up to us, a gleam in her eyes as she tucked herself under my arm.

“Time to cut the cake.”

“I’ll go grab a seat then.” Her dad smiled at her.

“Thanks for coming, Dad. I’m so glad . . .” she trailed off, tears flirting in her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad too, baby girl.” He wrapped her in a tight embrace before pulling away.

I nodded at him once, then extended my hand to him. “Thanks. You’re being here means a lot. To both of us.”

He nodded once, shook my hand, then turned, and headed for a table.

“You’re sweet.” Kat beamed up at me.

“And you’re sexy as ever in that dress, I can’t wait to get underneath it tonight.”

“Terrible,” she shook her head and dragged me off to the table with the little frou-frou cake perched on it.

“I can’t wait to get you home tonight,” I growled in her ear just as a server handed us a knife.

She placed her hand over mine and we sliced through the confection. “Mmm . . .” she moaned as I pressed a small bite into her mouth.

“Would taste better if I was licking it off your body,” I murmured in her ear.

“You’ve got such a dirty mouth.” She dabbed frosting on my nose and then pressed her body up against mine and whispered in my ear.

I pulled away, my mouth dropping in shock as I processed her words. Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she watched me.

“How about a few words from the groom?” The DJ pressed a mic into my hands.

I sucked in a few deep breaths as she watched me. Her curves perfectly encased in all that lace, her soft red waves curling around one shoulder, those beautiful lips turned up into a sexy smirk.

I shook my head and ran my hand over my face.

“Sorry. Kat’s just . . . dropped a bit of a bomb on me. Apparently my wife is . . . we’re expecting a baby.” Tears burned behind my eyelids as I struggled to hold back the overwhelming emotion. I thrust the mic back into the DJ’s hands as guests cheered. I heard my best friend’s voice above the rest complaining about another Wild running around town.

I blocked the rest of it out, except her green gaze that was locked on me. I pulled her into my arms, held her tightly, lifted her off her feet and kissed her like she was my reason.

My reason for breathing.

My reason for living.

My reason for it all.

My life began with her and it would end with her, and our baby.

“I love you so fucking much,” I muttered against the soft flesh at her neck.

“I love you too,
Daddy,
” she whispered. My heart clenched in my chest and the tears pooled in my eyes. I ran one hand up into her red waves and inhaled her soft scent.

“I can’t wait to get you home and show you how happy I am.”

“I think that’s what got us here in the first place.”

“Sugar . . .” I groaned into her neck as her soft laugh floated in the air around us.

Look for
Ridge
, the story of Lane’s brother, in Spring, 2014.

How Many Drinks?
 - Miguel

Closer
 - Nine Inch Nails

Crazy B*tch
 - Buckcherry

Je T’Aime Moi Non Plus
 - Brigitte Bardot and Serge Gainsbourg

Blurred Lines
 - Robin Thicke

Sex on Fire
 - Kings of Leon

California King Bed
 - Rihanna

Gorilla
 - Bruno Mars

Addicted to Love
 - Florence + The Machine

Closer
 - Kings of Leon

Down for Whatever
 - Kelly Rowland

Night of the Hunter
 - Thirty Seconds to Mars

Northern Lights
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Like Sugar
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Give It 2 U
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Mr. Brightside
 - The Killers