Chaos a fucking tornado inside me.
Howling at my ears and whipping at my spirit.
“You may all be seated,” the judge said as he sat. A judge who had no clue that he had five brutal murderers within the confines of his courtroom. Men who’d slain and meted the hand of justice when it wasn’t theirs to give.
But we delivered it, anyway.
The little we had to give this world offered in the viciousness of our hands.
But standing there today with Daisy in front of me?
With my family surrounding me?
People I never even had the right to meet? People who loved me and supported me even when I tried to deflect their care at every turn?
Today, that offering felt different.
Bigger.
More.
The judge adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses on his nose.
“We’re here today to join Cash R. Cunningham and Daisy P. Adair in legal matrimony?”
He phrased it a question.
The lump in my throat bobbed as I swallowed, and I ground out, “Yes.”
“Then let’s proceed.”
He looked up at the small gathering. Their faces full of smiles and anticipation. The women’s expressions full of joy and bated hope, like this whole thing felt bigger to them, too, though it was knowing speculation that was carved in my brothers’ features.
Their staunch support no matter what.
I couldn’t do anything but reach out and take Daisy’s free hand.
“Oh,” Raven whispered, and she leaned forward with a giant grin and took the bouquet from Daisy. “I’m apparently sitting down on the job.”
She gave a wink as she settled back onto the bench with Otto and her daughter at her side.
Daisy laughed a small, tinkling sound.
Emotion so thick.
Disorienting.
A haze that blurred my eyes and spun my spirit.
I took her other hand, too.
Our fingers twined.
Warmth spread at the contact.
The judge cleared his throat. “You are present here today to witness the legal binding of Cash Cunningham and Daisy Adair. On the first day of their new life together as husband and wife. You’re here to celebrate them, to shower them in your love as they proclaim their own.”
He looked around as if he were seeking confirmation from them before he continued.
