Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“The girl Tessa offered to introduce me to after she turned me down?” Matt didn’t look thrilled.
“Madison is cute and really sweet.”
“No, thanks. I’m not up for a pity date, man.”
Trees thought Matt was missing out, but he just shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
All the men congregated in the kitchen. The remnants of last night’s cigar-and-booze fest had been cleared away. They all chowed down on coffee and donuts and some bacon that Kane and Zy nuked. His brothers opted for java with an ibuprofen chaser. Then after showers all around, they were off to the church, tuxedos in protective bags.
Two hours before the ceremony, Trees was ready and pacing the floor impatiently, Laila’s simple wedding band jingling in his pocket, burning a hole.
Trees texted her. Let’s get married now.
She sent back a laughing-crying emoji. No, my love. Two o’clock. I am still getting ready.
You’re beautiful as you are. I just want you to be mine.
Very soon.She sent him a heart and a kiss emoji, then followed with another text. Then tonight, you are mine.
Amen to that.
Since returning from Mexico and finally getting free of the cartel, Laila had blossomed. Sure, she’d missed her sister when Valeria had decided to take Jorge and return to St. Louis. But that had prompted Laila to come out of her shell and make friends, first with Tessa, then with some of the other wives.
She had also taken in the briefcase of money Federico Chavez had handed her and funded causes like drug rehab centers, women’s shelters, and counseling for cartel victims. The only funds she had used for herself were for college, which she would start after the baby was born. Laila wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to do with her degree, except help children who had been the victims of assholes like the Ramos brothers.
Trees thanked God every day that Laila’s personal nightmare was over. Sure, he’d put Hector six feet under while helping Zy and Tessa rescue Hallie from her abductors—and thankfully the little girl didn’t remember anything. But Victor had been another matter.
A few days after leaving Victor to Chavez’s dubious mercy, his corpse had turned up, horribly mutilated. Laila had breathed a sigh of relief. News reports had expressed horror about the brutal torture Victor Ramos had endured, but Trees considered it karma. Laila hadn’t been able to look at the pictures, but Trees had, and he was still convinced that, despite Victor having all the dangling parts of his body severed before death, that he’d still had gotten off easier. After all, Victor had suffered for mere days. Laila had endured six long years.
His phone buzzed again. I love you. Laila sent more heart emojis.
I love you, too. He wasn’t much for emojis, but he sent a heart back, along with an eggplant, a honey pot, and water droplets. Their wedding night was coming up, after all.
She sent another laughing-crying emoji.
Trees checked his watch again and almost groaned. Fuck, it was taking forever to marry this woman.
Finally Nash and Wade showed up at the church with his parents and sisters. He was not only grateful to see his family but damn glad to have something to take his mind off his impatience.
“Hey, Mom and Dad. Wow, Kellyanne and Wren, you’ve both grown up.” He opened the door wide for them, marveling. Wren had been little more than a baby last time he’d seen her. “Thanks for coming early.”
“Do we need to talk you off a ledge?” Kellyanne teased.
“No. I just… This needs to hurry up.”
His mother laughed, her eyes seemingly brighter now that her hair had gone silvery. “We’re so thrilled for you, son. And you look so handsome in your tuxedo.”
He had worn a monkey suit a handful of times in his life, and rental shops always had fits when he walked in, but he’d had to admit he’d cleaned up pretty well. “Thanks.”
His dad hugged him, then clapped his shoulder. “You ready for marriage and all it comes with?”
“I am. Laila and I are beyond excited.” He’d tell them they were about to be grandparents again later. He already knew they’d be thrilled.
“Lots of compromising…” his dad said so cheerfully, he obviously loved married life.
“I’m learning that. Laila has already seen fit to redecorate the house to make it ‘homier.’” Trees grudgingly admitted he loved everything about it. Barney especially appreciated sleeping indoors more, the upgrade in his food, and the extra love. She was going to make an amazing mother.
“Seriously, you look so happy.” Kellyanne kissed his cheek.
“Congratulations.” Wren did the same.
He hugged them all, then his family filed out and took their seats.
Time flew in a blur of activity then. Everyone was busy, except his brothers, who slumped in the corner and tried to sleep off their hangovers. The reverend came in, and they shook hands. Then Zy took Laila’s ring and slipped it into his pocket before they all headed to the altar.