Asher steps closer, veins bulging across his forehead. “That woman does not belong to you, Sharp. She belongs to my brother now. If you want her to ever come and visit you, you’ll treat her with the respect she deserves. Go inside and sober up, you fool. We’re leaving.”
Sharp lunges forward.
Adrian and Andrew block him, but Asher calmly grabs his arms, pins them behind his back, and escorts him toward the house. “I’ve got this. Take your woman and get out of here,” he says over his shoulder toward me.
He may not fully support my decision to marry a woman I reunited with a few hours ago, but blood runs thick between us. When push comes to shove, like it just did, he will support me.
I’ll thank my brother later. For now, I heed his advice and jog over to the truck. I climb in, fasten my seatbelt, and reach out to set a hand on Rebekah’s thigh before I start up the engine and pull away from the house.
On second thought, now that we have that pretty dress, we’re not going straight to town. We’re going home so my girl can bathe and change first. I want her to feel beautiful when we say our vows.
It only takes a few minutes to get back to my place, and as soon as I shut off the engine, I reach across and unbuckle her. I don’t like how quiet she is. I climb out and jog around to her side of the truck.
The moment I open the passenger side door, she leaps into my embrace. Her tiny arms wrap around my neck and hold on tight. Her equally small legs go around my waist. She nuzzles into my neck. “You really mean it, don’t you?”
I rub her back and carry her into the cabin. “Every word, sweetheart. Do you want to take a bath and put on that pretty dress while I call the judge and let him know we’re coming?”
She giggles.
My cock swells.
My god, I love that sound. I want to hear it every day of my life. It will be my mission to make sure I do. I smile at her.
Her head cocks to the side, her hair swaying against the backs of my hands. “We’re getting married?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to kiss me?” She giggles again.
“Yep. As soon as the judge declares us man and wife.” I carry her into the bathroom and sit her on the vanity. “I’m sorry, I don’t have fancy girly shampoo and soap for you. It was on my list, but Aaric isn’t back yet.”
She furrows her brow. “I don’t need fancy soap, Adam.”
“I know you don’t need it, but you’re getting it, anyway.”
The rumble of a truck outside tells me at least one of my brothers has arrived, so I lift my woman to the floor and kiss the top of her head. I can’t wait to kiss her lips, but I will because why not? We’re so close to getting hitched. Might as well save even our first kiss for the altar.
“How about you get in the tub while I go see who’s here?”
“Okay.”
I close the door, leaving my wife-to-be in the bathroom.
I’m a bit worried about her father. I don’t need to be. Asher is going to be watching our property like a hawk now that he suspects a threat. I’m sure it bothers him that Rebekah managed to get past him so many times. We’re installing a surveillance system around the property and on every structure, but it’s not all hooked up yet. I suspect Adrian—who’s in charge of security—will fast-track that shit now, not sleeping until he can see every camera view from his office. As soon as it’s ready, we’ll keep our land monitored at all times.
We don’t have proof, but all of us suspect the fire that killed our parents was arson. Someone didn’t want our family on this mountain, and we have to assume whoever that someone is probably doesn’t like that we’ve returned.
We will not be chased off our land, and we won’t be caught unaware again either. Our parents came to Gallant Mountain nearly forty years ago to escape society. What most people don’t know is that they were brilliant minds, and they had developed and patented a GPS app before deciding they didn’t like the limelight. When they bought this land and moved here, they did so hoping to lie low and live authentically. All six of us boys were born on this mountainside. Our parents raised us to humbly respect our environment and gifts.
The truth is, we have enough money to sit back and relax for the rest of our days if we so choose, but we aren’t idle people. If our parents could see us, they would be proud. We have not only managed their business, but have grown it and continued their legacy.
By the time I step onto my front porch, I find Aaric is the one who has arrived. I’m glad. I really want Rebekah to have some nice things to wear.
“That was fast,” I tell him. “I really appreciate your help. I owe you big time.”
“What’s going on? I got a cryptic text from Asher.”
I grin. “I’m marrying Rebekah.”
