Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
As she says it, the pair of photographers bustle through the crowd, shouting orders to those needed. I jerk my chin at my soon-to-be family and steer Jewls with the large group to the back of the property.
“Thank God Harley thought of putting in a walkway. I’d fall on my ass, my heels sinking in this grass.”
I squat, whisking her into my arms to the sounds of her shrill shriek. “Major!”
The whoops from the guests roar again as I note Ace, Talon, and Ford doing the same.
Thirty minutes later, we all leave Ace and Harley to take their personal shots, joining the party in full swing. Drake hands me a beer, momentarily distracting me enough for Sam to steal Jewls from my arm.
“It’s not too late to save yourself,” he announces loud enough to draw attention.
“It is too late, my sweet Sam.” She cups his jaw.
“We have resources and we can help. Say the word and you’ll disappear, never to be brainwashed by that overbearing monster again.”
She laughs loudly, her chest vibrating and tits bouncing. A low growl rumbles in my throat. Her face swings to mine.
“We have awakened the beast.”
“Sam, let go of my fiancée before I hurt you.”
She kisses his cheek and comes back to me. “Tame yourself.”
“Stop encouraging them.”
“Lighten up,” she quips.
“Keep it up and see what happens.”
“Oh… my…God,” she breathes out.
I follow her vision across the lawn, and my mouth splits into a wide smile.
“Son of bitches!” I step in front of her protectively, in time for the first bone-jarring, back-pounding hug.
“Powers, man! How the fuck have you been?” Hugo’s hold rocks my body. He’s one of a few Marines that could overpower me.
“Good to see you, grunt,” I respond, slapping his muscled shoulder.
The next few minutes are the same; six more of our guys are here for the wedding.
Talon and Ford complete the circle, all of us talking over each other to catch up.
“What I want to know is where the broad is who’s stupid enough to marry your ass?” Hugo booms.
I look over my shoulder to find Jewls between our moms.
“Julianna, come here.”
She rolls her eyes before strutting over and leaning into my side.
“This is my fiancée, Jewls Keller.”
Silence falls on the guys, each of them ogling with slack jaws.
Talon and Ford roar in laughter. “Told you asses.”
Blade waves between us, his eyes following rapidly. “How the fuck do you—YOU—get her?”
Unlike my blood brothers, this doesn’t faze me. These are bonded brothers who I fought beside and walked away alive.
“He manipulated me in the worst way, then slipped on this cursed ring that can’t be removed.” Jewls flashes her hand, the diamond glittering. “But I figure, at some point, the spell will break and I can escape.”
There’s a beat of silence and then a howl of laughter.
“Sweetcheeks, when you escape that spell, you find me.” Rand walks right up, kissing her hand.
At this, my body goes tight.
She giggles, side-eyeing me with a teasing glint. “We’ll have to go off the grid. Major has a propensity to find me.”
Rand peers behind him, and in the next second, she’s snatched from my side, being tossed from man to man, who all hug her a little tighter with their introductions. She beams brightly, captivating each of them with her wit. My patience wears out, and I’m about to step in when a woman’s voice sounds through the speaker system.
“Ladies and Gentlemen.”
Whatever she says next is stifled by Jewls’ squeal as she escapes the circle of men and yanks Ford, Talon, and me with her through people. Whispers and gasps sound all around as everyone notices the woman on the stage.
Xena is an up-and-coming musician who recently signed with MJ Labels.
“…Harley approached me, I originally declined. This is not my gig. I don’t do lovely shit. I’m a hard-core rocker. Then she explained the timeless love story of her and Achilles, and I was in tears. For those of you that know me, that’s almost impossible. I searched for a song and hope it does them justice. Join me in welcoming to the dance floor Mr. and Mrs. Kingston.”
People part from the side, and Achilles carries Harley to the center of the dance floor, setting her on her feet as the first strings to the ballad strum. Rowan, Ginger, and Shayla close in, forming a line as Ace cups Jay’s face, whispering something before hooking his arms around her waist.
Jewls leans into me, resting her head on my chest and sighing deep. My forearms close around her, finding her hands. I dip my mouth to kiss along the skin below her ear.
“They are happy,” she says faintly.
“He’s wanted this since the day she cornered him at his locker.”
She gives a light nod.
“I know how he feels, Julianna, because I’ve wanted the same since the night we met. Didn’t know it then, but looking back, you took my heart that night.”