While I’d been occupied with Beast, the other guys took care of his buddies. The plane taxied away, leaving us alone in the hangar. I pulled off my shirt and wiped the blood from my face, eager to get back to Poppy.
The car was right where I’d expected it to be, and I pulled the passenger door open. “It’s over, baby.”
She jumped out and threw her arms around me. “Are you hurt? Why’s there so much blood?”
“I’m fine.” I caught her hands up with mine and pulled back just enough to look her in the eye. “You don’t have to worry about that asshole. He’s done bothering you.” I didn’t even want to say his name. As far as I was concerned, we’d never need to talk about him again.
Poppy nodded and buried her head against my shoulder. “I love you, Crank.”
“I love you too, angel. Let’s head back to the clubhouse so I can get cleaned up. I can’t go out on the town in Vegas looking like this.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” Her fingers brushed the hair away from my forehead.
“Hell, yeah. You’re free now, baby. We’ve got a lot to celebrate.” I traded the bike I’d ridden over on to slip behind the wheel of the sedan. Poppy rested her head on my shoulder on the drive back to the clubhouse. Knowing Beast would never be able to bother her again changed everything. Now, she’d be able to stay in Mustang Mountain. Despite knowing the Savage Bones would be waiting for us when we got home, I’d never been happier.
An hour later, freshly showered and ready to spend some time with my woman, I went around the clubhouse and thanked each one of the guys for their hospitality and for having my back.
“It was our pleasure,” the president of the club said. “Here, take one of the bikes into Vegas. You can leave it at the airport when you catch your flight tomorrow.”
They’d already done too much. I tried to turn them down, but he insisted. “Thanks, brother. I owe you one. Anytime your club needs a hand, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Poppy straddled the seat of the big bike and wrapped her arms around me. With her chin resting on my shoulder and her tits pressed against my back, I fired up the engine. Tonight was ours. We’d earned it, and I planned to take full advantage of spending an evening in Sin City with the woman I loved.
CHAPTER 13
POPPY
I thoughtwe’d head straight to the hotel, but Crank pulled up onto the sidewalk and stopped right by the Bellagio fountains on the way. While the water jetted into the air and the lights sparkled, he got down on one knee.
“What are you doing?” I took his hands and tried to pull him back to his feet. Even though it was after one in the morning, the sidewalks were still crowded with people.
Crank smiled up at me, unruffled by the crowd around us. “We’ve been through a lot in the short amount of time we’ve been together. But I’ve known since the first time I saw you that we were meant for each other.”
My cheeks warmed. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
“Poppy, I know I’m not the man you hoped you’d spend the rest of your life with, but I’m willing to do everything to be the man you need. Will you marry me, angel?” He held out a gorgeous ring with a huge blue gemstone.
“Yes! Of course, yes!” My heart just about exploded out of my chest as he slid the ring onto my finger.
The people around us clapped and cheered, but I only had eyes for Crank. He stood and caught me up in a huge bear hug. “You’ve just made me the happiest man alive.”
The ring caught the light as I tilted my hand. Now that we’d found each other, I didn’t want to wait another second to commit my heart and soul to this man. “I wish we could get married right now.”
His eyes danced. “Hell, Poppy, we’re in Vegas. We can get married in the next ten minutes if you want.”
The thought of tying myself to someone for the rest of my life used to scare me, but with Crank it felt like one more step toward a pre-destined future meant just for us.
“Let’s do it.” I held tight to his hand as we got back on the bike.
It took a lot longer than ten minutes to get a marriage license and head over to the cute, little white wedding chapel. Crank insisted on paying for the ultimate package that included a tux for him and a complete makeover and wedding dress for me. With the gorgeous veil covering my head, I felt beautiful even without my long, red hair.
The entire ceremony lasted five minutes. Crank held my hands and stared deeply into my eyes as he said his vows. I almost didn’t make it through mine since I was so choked up with emotion.
Finally, the officiant pronounced us man and wife. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”
“Smith?” I let out a laugh. “How is it I had no idea what your last name was until tonight?”
“We’ve got the rest of our lives to learn everything about each other, baby.” Crank slipped his hand behind my back and dipped me low. Then my husband kissed me for the first time as his wife.
