Page 14 of Torrent’s Treasure

“You ready, darlin’?” Dragon asked.

He’d told her since her dad wasn’t around that he was standing in for him today. Cecilia had been trying not to think about how this wedding day was different from what she’d dreamed of. When she’d imagined it over the years, she’d never considered that her parents might not be here for it. But she reminded herself that she and Calliope were alive and safe, which was all that mattered.

“I am,” she said, smiling at Calliope and motioning her to go.

Calliope waited, then turned to frown at Cecilia.

“There’s no music,” she muttered.

“That’s okay. We don’t need any,” Cecilia said.

Calliope stepped closer. “You can’t walk to him without music,” she insisted, shaking her bouquet at Cecilia.

Cecilia knelt down so Calliope would get what she was saying. “I’m not walking in to music because we didn’t plan it. You can just walk up there, now.”

“No, no, no. If you’re getting married and Mom and Dad can’t be here, you have to have music!” she screamed.

“Hey, hey, I got you. Is it okay if it plays from my phone?” Maverick intervened.

“Yes, but it better be good. This is Cecilia’s wedding,” she snapped.

Cecilia hadn’t seen this stubborn side of Calliope, but she’d heard enough from her mom to know it was a recent development.

Maverick started the music and looked to Calliope for her approval. As the strains of Michael Bublé’s Can’t Help Falling in Love played, Calliope shook her head.

“That’s old people music. What else do you have?” Calliope demanded.

Mav showed her his music.

“Oh, I love that show. Let’s do that one,” Calliope decided.

Mav nodded. She wondered if she was seeing things. As Mav started the music, his face was turning red.

The song from the KPop Demon Hunters show played. Cecilia knew every word of Golden because Calliope played it endlessly on her phone. Cecilia certainly wouldn’t have pegged Mav as a fan of the show.

Calliope nodded and walked toward the other side of the room where Torrent and the minister were waiting. Torrent had changed into clean jeans, a black T-shirt, and his cut. Cecilia had yet to see the man smile, but his eyes spoke volumes. Dragon and she walked toward him, each step bringing her closer to the man she’d called when she was at her lowest—and he’d shown up.

The outside world called him an outlaw, but when she needed a hero, he did what was needed. Sometimes outlaws were more trustworthy than law enforcement, though she knew some phenomenal law enforcement in St. Louis.

If someone asked her later to repeat her vows, she wouldn’t be able to. The ceremony passed quickly, with her answering some questions and listening to Torrent answer his. He slid the ring on her finger, and she slid one on his. Then came the step she’d been waiting for and dreading equally. Torrent was a handsome man, but she’d suffered a trauma—and she was worried how she’d respond to his touch.

“You may kiss the bride,” he said.

Oh my gosh. What if she freaked out when he tried to kiss her or if he grabbed her in his arms? She’d held herself together, but she was barely holding on. She didn’t want to embarrass Torrent in front of the club.

Trust me, Torrent mouthed.

Despite barely knowing him, she was going to trust him. He’d come when she was at her lowest and was now tying his life to hers—all to keep her and Calliope safe.

He stepped closer but didn’t cup her face or hold her head in any way. He leaned closer, his warm, minty breath close, then a butterfly touch on her lips, pressing but being ever so careful of her cut mouth. When he pulled back, he leaned his forehead against hers, their noses touching.

“Okay?” he breathed.

“Yes,” she whispered back. Her big, gruff biker was so gentle with her. She would have never imagined it.

“Come on. I really thought she’d get the tongue. I mean, did you give her the tongue, Torrent?” Maverick goaded, chuckling.

“Flappy lips, Mav, flappy lips,” Torrent grunted, his lip quirking up at Maverick’s antics.