“Let’s go upstairs,” Tori says, quickly washing her hands before she opens the door that leads to the apartment above the store.
Guiding Octavia in front of me, we all ascend the stairs, then step into the once run-down apartment that the previous owner used for storage space. Since buying the bakery and building, Tori and Nero have renovated it into a warm, cozy space, with an office, a bedroom, a living room, a small kitchen, and a bathroom.
Nero is lounging on the couch, watching a basketball game playing on the TV. When he spots us, he opens his mouth to speak, but Tori interrupts him.
“Knight and Octy got married,” she blurts.
“Married?” Nero asks.
“On Wednesday. I know it’s a bit of a shock. It kind of was for me too,” Doll says, talking quickly.
“So this was the wife you were talking about?” Nero asks, smiling widely as he jumps up from the couch, pulling both me and Octavia into a tight hug. “I’m so fucking happy for you guys.”
“You knew about this?” Tori yells.
Slowly releasing us, Nero turns back to Tori, still smiling. “Knight told us he’d found his wife, but he wouldn’t tell us who she was.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Tori asks, her eyes shimmering.
I start to answer, unsure what I’m going to say, knowing that saying nothing isn’t an option right now, but Octavia speaks before I can.
“You were telling people you were getting married before you came to Rapid City?” she snaps, spinning around to glare at me. It’s been a few days since I’ve seen her acerbic glare, and my heart clenches uncomfortably at the expression being aimed at me.
“My brothers were talking about their significant others. I simply advised them that I did not see the point in girlfriends, and that I intended to make you my wife.”
“What would you have done if I’d slammed the door in your face when you showed up at my place in Rapid City?” Doll asks.
“I’m adept at lock picking.”
“What would you have done if I’d said no at the wedding you ambushed me with?”
“I’d have fucked you until you said yes,” I tell her bluntly.
“You’re an?—”
Before she can say whatever creative insult she intends to call me, I curl my arm around her back and drag her forward, silencing her with a kiss. The moment my lips find hers, she settles, relaxing into me as I gather her close and pin her body against mine.
When I finally release her, Nero is no longer in the room, and Tori is filling a coffee pot with grinds in the kitchen.
“I sent Nero to get food for lunch,” she says.
Glancing at my watch, I check the time. Twelve forty-five hours. I’d planned for us to buy food for lunch here anyway, but the reminder that Tori understands me and my need for order settles some of the anxiety I’ve been feeling since we arrived here.
“Thank you.”
“Lunch at 1300 hours. I know the drill, Knight.”
“Look, I know this is fast—” Octavia starts.
“No,” Tori interrupts her. “Everything is fast in this fucking town. I guess I should have expected it, and I’m happy for you both. I’m just a little surprised.”
“Me too,” Octavia agrees. “Part of me still thinks this is probably just a huge mistake?—”
“Wife,” I growl, hoping she hears the threat in my voice.
“Holy shit,” Tori blurts on a laugh. “Knight, did you just growl?”
Ignoring my friend completely, I focus on my wife. “Nothing about us is a mistake. I’m yours, you’re mine, and that will never change. You said yes because you wanted to claim me, just as much as I’ve already claimed you. Don’t ever lessen that by saying this is a mistake.”
