“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell them,” Amy says exasperatedly.
As Vegas moves back into the crowd, I pull Hope closer, feeling the heat of her body against mine. The bass thrums through the floor, the Saints Outlaws celebrate around us while Amy and Chaos take a seat at the bar, high-fiving each other.
Hawk and Eagle make their way over to us.
“Well, that was exciting to watch.” Eagle looks proudly at Amy.
“Yeah, thanks for the assist,” I mumble.
Eagle laughs. “In Amy’s defense, you did tell the lady to leave you alone twice.”
Amy snorts. “I hardly call that a lady.”
“Something about taken men that women can’t resist,” Hawk adds.
Hope cocks her head. “What about taken women?”
Hawk squeezes her hand. “Honey, the only reason why the men aren’t over here drooling at your feet is that my son…” Hawk jerks his chin at me. “...threatened anyone with a dick. He told them if they so much as touched you, they’d have him to deal with.”
“More like his gun,” Eagle elaborates.
“Oh, really?” Hope glares at me. “How come I wasn’t offered the same courtesy to threaten the woman here to stay away from you?”
I gulp. “Well… ah… because… well… Vegas told them to stay away.”
“That worked out well, didn’t it?” Hope sasses with a smile.
“And on that note, we’re gonna go back over to the bar,” Eagle states.
“You okay?” I ask Hope.
She looks up at me with those bright, hazel eyes that I'm going to wake up to for the rest of my life, and smiles. “Are you kidding? That was the second-best bachelorette party moment ever.”
“I thought you were pissed at me for telling everyone you were off limits?”
“Seriously?” She shakes her head. “I knew either you or Amy would say something to keep the riffraff away.”
I throw my head back and laugh. Once I’m settled, I pull her back against my chest and whisper in her ear. “Wanna bet that Amy said something, too?”
She chuckles softly, “Even I know that’s a losing bet.”
The party rages on around us, brothers laughing, music pounding, and Vegas holding court at the bar. This is family, our home away from home. Hope fits into it like she was always meant to be here. Amy catches my eye from across the room and raises her bat in salute. I raise my hand and give her a two-finger salute back.
Family. That’s what we’re all about… having each other’s backs.
CHAPTER 4
HOPE
The bridal boutique smells like expensive perfume and possibility. It's tucked into a quiet corner of the Strip, all cream walls and soft lighting, the kind of place that makes you feel like a princess the second you walk through the door.
Standing on the platform in the private fitting room, I stare at myself in the three-way mirror, barely able to breathe. The dress is absolutely perfect. Ivory lace flows over champagne silk, and the fabric hugs my curves before cascading to the floor in soft waves. The bodice is fitted, with delicate off-the-shoulder sleeves that make me feel both elegant and sexy. There's a subtle edge to it, a low back, a hint of skin through the lace that feels right for marrying a biker. Romantic with a hint of soft and sweet, yet powerful.
“Oh, honey.” Mom's voice cracks, and when I look at her in the mirror, tears are streaming down her face. “You're so beautiful.”
“Mom, don't make me cry,” I warn, but my own eyes are already burning. “I'll ruin my makeup.”
“You don't have makeup on, drama queen,” Amy says from the velvet chair in the corner, but even she looks a little misty. She's wearing ripped jeans and a Saints Outlaws hoodie,completely out of place in this fancy boutique, and I love her for it.
