Avenging Us (Rocker Series Book 3) (27 page)

I woke up with a huge smile on my face. The sun was bright and the temperature perfect. Nothing would take away the happiness I felt down to my bones. I stretched, reaching for my love, only to find a single white card across his pillow. My eyes focused curiously on Bella’s empty cradle.
Hmm, what is he up to?
I opened the envelope and reached for the card inside.

Mrs. Gunner,

You own my heart
And now my name.

Always,
Mr. Gunner

I wiped away the first of the tears when Chance blew in like a tornado. “How are you just waking up?” he shouted, walking over to open the veranda doors. “On Christ’s blood, I swear, I’ll never understand you.” He held his hand up, swearing. Then continued to pick up articles of clothing from the night before. I opened my mouth, but the words were stopped before they even formed. “Before you ask…she’s with her daddy.”

Her daddy…the words flowed along my arms and down my body.
She’s blessed to have her daddy
, I thought, smiling to myself. Not at all bitter by the fact I didn’t know my own. Today wasn’t about loss. Today was about what
we
were both gaining.

“Am I to assume you gave him his wedding gift last night?” His brow raised in question as his eyes roamed the mess of clothes on the floor.

“No, of course not. It nearly killed him, but I just—”

“Not another perverted word out of
that
mouth.” He huffed. “I pray I’m not killed for it.”

I had a surprise for our wedding night. One he’d truly enjoy. However, I needed the doctor’s clearance and help from Chance to pull it off. Luckily for me, band rehearsal ran late, and Chance was up for the challenge.

He snapped his fingers in front of my eyes quickly. “Am I the only one that’s excited about this wedding?” he asked, coming to a halt in front of me with his hands on his hips. Was he kidding me? “Snap out of it; we have to get you married.” Nothing he could say or do would piss me off today. I was blissed the fuck out.

“Nope. I’m totally here and freaking the fuck out.” Cindy’s voice rang out from the hallway before I saw her.

Chance pointed to the door Cindy just walked through. “I love the intensity, Cin.” Then he turned to me. “You could do good with some of that…” A hiss slipped past his lips and it took everything in me to not laugh at his dramatic flair.

I rolled my eyes and ran to Cindy. “God, I’ve missed you. How are you still friends with me? I’m the worst friend ever.” I threw my arms around her and held her close for a second.

“Please…” She clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth, tsking me. “Would you do any less for me, hun?”

I shook my head, because there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

“I did see a certain broody alpha holding a certain adorable baby eating breakfast on my way in. He sent this up for you.” She held a rectangle, black velvet box out to me. My hands shook as I took it.

“Oh, for the love of all things holy…you’d think he was giving your hymen back to you. Open the fucking thing already,” Chance yelled as he poured some coffee from the carafe.

“You know…what was I thinking asking you to head my glam-squad? Maybe you should be with the boys,” I said, letting the last little bit trail off.

His face fell, and suddenly he was as pious as a priest. A little tough love goes a long way with this pain in the ass drama queen. “You wouldn’t deny me this…would you?” He blinked slowly, waiting for my answer.

“Wouldn’t I?” I lied succinctly, letting my fingers run across the top of the velvet box. I opened it slowly, not wanting to rush this. He picked something special out for me that held meaning. And it did. On white satin, a rose-gold necklace held a blue dragonfly. “Oh my god. It’s utterly gorgeous,” I whispered, my breath nearly leaving my lungs.

“I’d ask what it meant, but your baby-daddy-slash-future-husband has shown everybody. Proud as a peacock and all that,” Cindy said, helping me take the necklace out of its protective box.

“It’s so beautiful. I should thank him,” I said, walking toward the door.

“No!” They both echoed.

I turned, facing them. “You both believe in superstition?”

“Well, it’s not that we’re superstitious, but luck hasn’t been on your doorstep, has it?” Cindy responded a pained look on her face. “Let’s do this by the book… After all, this will be the only time you’re getting married. Might as well make it right.”

I agreed. “Okay, what’s on our itinerary, Chance?” I knew of course, but felt bad about my earlier threat. He was entirely too quiet for Chance, and after all, this was a celebration.

His head whipped around, a wide smile covered the bottom half of his face. “Oh, I’m so glad you asked. Michael should be here any moment with a light breakfast.” He air-quoted
light
, and I knew that was a knock on me. “You, my love, have a dress to fit into. You don’t want it too snug, do you?”

True, I didn’t, but I doubted very much a larger breakfast would put an instant five pounds on me. So I conceded.

“Hair, nails, and makeup. Then we’ll follow that up by a lighter lunch, and then the I dos…” He ended his schedule when Michael wheeled the breakfast cart through the door. He helped him set it up on the veranda and escorted him to the door, giving him a peck on the cheek before exiting.

“Two questions: When did that happen, and where’s the champagne?” Cindy asked, taking a bite of lightly buttered whole wheat toast. She seemed more interested in the location of the drink than the kiss between Chance and Michael, and yeah, I was curious myself. I could do with a glass or two of bubbly.

“Not too long, and she’s nursing. Do you want to be godmother to a baby alchy?” he answered while grooming his eyebrows in the mirror. He was a vein fucker. Not that he hid that fact, but his new romance had him on a whole other level.

“I’m the bride, and I want champagne. I’ve pumped enough for two days,” I whined and all I got out of him was an eye roll. “I’ll just text Woody. He’s the resident alcoholic, and would find this sacrilegious on such an occasion.” I laughed while Chance looked indifferent, which we capitalized on.

Woody happily brought a bottle of bubbly up before holding Cindy’s lips hostage for a solid two minutes. Chance timed it on his watch. She was flushed and breathless, leaving Chance and I curious as to where their relationship stood.

Her wobbly legs finally found their way back to the table. “Don’t even ask.” She held up her hand before a single word could’ve been uttered by either of us.

“Oh, so it’s only socially acceptable to ask about my relationship, but not yours?” Chance folded his arms over his chest, giving the kind of attitude to make any female jealous.

“He has a point,” I concurred, taking a piece of bacon.
Fucking turkey bacon. Damn you, Chance
, I cursed to myself. “Is it too much to ask that I have a piece of bacon from an actual pig? This shit is as fake as Giselle’s boobs!”

“Enough about the bacon…I want to hear about Woody and Princess,” Chance scorned, turning back to Cindy with his hand beneath his chin, giving her his undivided attention. I could only roll my eyes, because I had to admit, I was curious, too.

“Fine. He asked me to move in,” she answered nonchalantly, as if it held no meaning.

“Move in?” Chance spat, his hands slapping the table in front of him. “Who knew you were even a thing? You hated him fifteen seconds ago.”

“Yeah, what he said.” I had some idea they were stroking the old flames. However, I must have missed time somewhere or someone wasn’t sharing. “Seems sudden, but hey, no one would be happier than me if you considered it. I’m a selfish bitch.” I shrugged. Why lie?

“That I can attest to,” Chance agreed with a smile and a squeeze of my shoulders.

“There’s a story there, but now’s not the time. Today is your day. Let’s keep it about you, Abel, and that beautiful baby,” she said with a wave of her hand. Chance agreed. I didn’t, but decided to let it go. She wouldn’t budge once she made up her mind about something. But I had to wonder if Abel knew any dirt.

It was time for a subject change.

“Why argue when there’s a perfectly full bottle of champagne?” I asked, holding up the bottle and wagging my eyebrows.

She held out a glass. “Now that’s my Gia.” I poured three glasses while she doled them out. “Here’s to health, happiness, and more babies…” We toasted. “And for Morgana getting what she deserved.” We clinked harder to that one.

“Here’s to Karma,” Chance added, and I knew who he was alluding to. I nodded, not wanting to mention my mother out loud. It was too beautiful of a day to allow her darkness to shroud it.

The rest of the morning and afternoon swept by with lots of laughs between friends. Hair was tugged, pinned, curled, and sprayed. Nails filed and shellacked to perfection. Our makeup painted on flawlessly. I thanked the girls, and Chance handed out some signed swag along with cash for a job professionally well done.

I chanced a glance in the mirror, checking out my look. And for the first time, my reflection left me breathless. My mother’s words no longer echoed in my head as I stared at myself, feeling incredible. The only words that entered my thoughts were Abel’s…
my beauty.
He’s always seen this in me. It was I who ignored it. But now I saw. And I couldn’t wait to see his reaction, either.

“You know what time it is?” He held my dress by the hanger. “Time to wear the dress, walk down the aisle, and make that caveman the broodiest alpha alive.”

“Wanna know something? I’m not even nervous…” I said, wondering if this was normal. There was a feeling of peace and calm. No need to use my practiced breaths to slow my heart’s beat. Serenity had washed over me.

It was Cindy’s warm hand on my shoulder that pulled my thoughts back to what was going on in front of me. “I’m not surprised G. Just the way he looks at you alone…is there really a doubt?” She sighed. No, there wasn’t a doubt at all. His eyes held all of his emotions, and they were wild with desire, dangerous with lust, and filled with love. He was my truth, and I loved him more than anything. Today was just about binding each other in the eyes of the law. I was already bound to him long ago.

“Don’t you cry…you’ll ruin your makeup and look like shit in pictures,” Chance reprimanded, removing my dress from the hanger while Cindy unzipped the back. I was already in a pair of thigh-highs and bridal shoes. I was fucksure he’d rather me like this, and knew if he saw me standing here now, the wedding would be long delayed.

I stepped into the wedding dress with the help of Cindy. Chance pulled it up, careful not to rip my stockings. Cindy moved to my back and to zip it, securing the bodice.

She stepped aside so Chance could thread the hundreds of pearl buttons as a final touch. “You know you’ll have to scrap the dress once the party is over. Maybe Bella can use it to play dress-up in. No freakin’ way is that man undoing all these buttons. It’ll be in a pile of shredded lace on the floor in a few hours.”

“Yeah, I’m with him. That shit’s getting ripped off. It’s a shame because it’s a beautiful dress.” Cindy winked while appraising me with a sheen of tears in her eyes. “My god, you make a gorgeous bride.”

Chance grabbed a napkin to blot his own damp eyes. I stepped forward to the full length mirror to have a look. The dress was designed by Pronovias of Barcelona. It was a mermaid-styled lace gown and guipure—stretchable French lace made with silk—and decorated with shimmery gemstones. It had a Bateau neckline, which was a fancy way of saying a wide, high neckline, following the collarbone at the front, and plunging to a V in the back, finished with a scalloped boarder and decorated with guipure. It was part of the 2016 collection, and very pricy. However, after seeing it, I knew it was
my
dress. My veil was a simple, two-tier, mid-length veil with a pearl edge. It was simple and elegant and went perfect with my hair—a chignon held with a vintage blue sapphire comb. The comb was my something old, which I got from Cindy’s mother. Abel took care of my something new and blue with his necklace. My mother-in-law gave me my something borrowed—a pair of diamond earrings with a pearl teardrop that she received as a gift on her wedding day from Abel’s father. It was thoughtful, and I appreciated the love and support everyone had shown us from the beginning of this journey.

I chose a fresh, dewy look for my face and a peachy nude lip. I didn’t want to distract from the dress with an over-made face. I kept it simple. Abel’s preference was natural, too. His one request was
not
to wear perfume, as he loved my natural scent, and it was one that completely turned him on. “I feel gorgeous.” I turned to view the back of my dress. “I don’t know which side I prefer more. The front or the back.”

“He’s going to freak when he sees you, G. Speaking of which”—she looked over the balcony to the audience below—”looks like a full house.” She turned, and her eyes were glistening.

“Cindy, you look beautiful, and Woody’s going to drop dead on the spot.” I let her pick her dress. She chose a strapless Metallic Jacquard
Vera Wang
full-length gown with chic side pockets.

“Thanks, babe. Look at the specimen of hotness.” She smiled at Chance, who was blushing. He went elegant and regal in his traditional black Armani tuxedo. All the guys dressed the same, even though they weren’t in the wedding party, but I’m sure they were accessorized with piercings and jewelry. A complete contradiction to the style of the tuxedo. However, I wouldn’t want it any other way. They rocked personal style and individuality like no other.

“She’s right. You can easily be the face of Armani, Chance.” I gathered my dress to hug him. “Thank you for everything, but most of all, for your friendship. I don’t know what we would do without you.”

He held me for a minute and released me with a kiss. This time, it was Cindy blotting her eyes with a tissue.

“I love you guys,” I confessed, hoping I wouldn’t get too emotional.

“Ready?” Chance asked and offered me his arm, and Cindy handed me my bouquet.

It was the word “ready” that choked me up, because I was beyond ready to start my life. I’d been ready the day I met his looming silhouette in the doorway of his father’s office. Ready after the first time he took me. Ready when he asked me to marry him for the first time, and absolutely ready after the birth of our daughter.