“Oh, hell, let’s just make it a wedding!” Jim says. “Eve, Cat, and I can plan something for tonight. Just meet us at the hotel.”
With that, Jim and King leave the room, and Quinn’s eyes bulge when she looks at the ring again.
“Holy shit,” she breathes. “We’re getting married.”
Chapter Forty
Quinn
Eve pins a rhinestone belt over the see-through corset top. She had the dress flown in from a designer friend in California. The designer friend came along as well, but once he’d stitched the last stay in place, he tootled off for a drink with Jim.
My mind is a whirlwind of excitement and trepidation. What I’m doing is a terrible idea. I’m about to marry a serial killer who was excommunicated from his homeland for killing a fucking mob boss. Not to mention the fact that I’ve known him for less than three months. Not to mention the fact that we’ve only spent a night together.
This would make for one hell of a book plot.
I shake my head and look at myself in the mirror as Eve steps away. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, I’m doing it. I’m marrying the man I love.
“Ready?” Eve says.
I nod up at her. “I think so.”
“Not yet, you aren’t!” Cat yells as she barges into the lobby bathroom. She shoves a pair of earrings into my hand. “You need something old. My brother gave me these for my seventh birthday. Well, technically my parents, but still, they’re important to me. And I want you to have them.”
“And you need something new,” Kindra says. “Since you’re getting married before me, I want you to have these with my blessing.”
I look down as she passes two ring boxes to me, inside of which rest two gold bands. I shake my head. “Girls,I can’t accept these. This is too much. Kindra, these were meant for you and Ezra.”
She shrugs. “We’re planning a destination wedding in California before the summer retreat. We’re taking our sweet time, and I think we’ve decided to have our rings tattooed in place anyway. Please take them.”
I clutch them to my chest as tears fill my eyes. “Thank you.”
“I’ve got you covered on something borrowed,” Eve says with a raised finger. She goes to her clutch and fishes out a long box. “I snagged this from one of the assholes I killed. He bought it for his mistress, and it can definitely be traced back, so I kind of need it back after the wedding.”
I open the box and reveal a stunning diamond chest piece. Eve fastens it around my neck, and it hangs perfectly, stopping at the swell of my breasts.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe.
“Something blue...” Frankie mutters. She looks around the bathroom, then realizes there’s nothing in here for a bride to carry into battle. Then her eyebrows rise, and she smiles. “I realize this isn’t conventional, but it is blue. I used the gun blue on it myself just last week.”
She slips something cold and metallic into my hands, and I slide the small weapon into my dress pocket. “Thanks, Frankie.”
“It’s just a little twenty-two, but she’ll get the job done if you’re ever in a bind.”
There’s a knock on the door, and Grim appears when we tell him to enter. He shuffles into the large bathroom, looks around once, then clears his throat. “Everyone is ready to begin, and I grow impatient. Some of us had other plans today. Could you please hurry up?”
He turns and leaves before I can respond, but my heart swells a little. He said please. My grumpy neighbor never says please.
“Okay, I’m ready now,” I say. “Let’s go get married.”
We’re a gaggle of giggles and excitement as we exit the bathroom. They hook their arms together and snag me in the middle, and as a group, we march toward the ballroom. As we reach the doorway, Gary pulls it wide with a smile. I’m happy to see he’s looking much better after his accident.
“You look beautiful, Quinn,” he whispers as we line up. “Jim has a little surprise for you in there.” He winks at me, and a trill of excitement zips through me. I hope it’s a murdery surprise.
The bridal party begins its slow march inside. The men are already lined up on Aven’s side. My groom is blocked from view, but Ezra, Bennett, Maverick, and Ice Pick stretch out to the left of the room. They each smile at their women as they make their entrance. Ice Pick just smiles at everyone.
And then it’s my turn.
As I step through the doorway, everything around me seems to fade until I can only see Aven. A black-on-black suit hugs every muscle perfectly. His broad shoulders quiver a bit when he sees me, and he covers his mouth as he fights back tears. I’ve never felt more beautiful or desired in my life. And as I look at all the people here to support us, I’ve never felt more like I belong somewhere.
