Chapter Twelve

 

One month later

Natalie didn’t think the blindfold was necessary. She’d been working on this house for some time now, and today was the big reveal to her, but Slash wanted what he wanted, and she just had to wait to see what was going on.

“I’ve seen it all,” she said.

“Not as a finished product you haven’t. While you were working at the shop, the delivery came, and I was able to put everything in place.” His hands on her waist felt so good that she couldn’t argue.

The past month had been like walking on a cloud of happiness. The best news she heard was that the men who attacked her had been locked up and were heading straight to jail. They’d attacked a lot of innocent people, and the evidence against them had been so high that no one was willing to defend them—a first in Piston County. She wondered if that had something to do with the club, but didn’t care. John left town not long after, and told her he was sorry that he couldn’t do more to protect her.

She really didn’t mind.

Her heart was with the man beside her.

She’d also had a long chat with Butler. Their friendship was back in place, he was asking her advice on how best to deal with his feelings for Mandy. Poor guy didn’t know what to do.

As for her relationship with Slash, she’d moved in with him at the clubhouse while this place got finished. Devil was all for it, and she’d never been happier. She’d even gone and visited her parents at the cemetery to let them know the good news. She liked to think they were happy for her. In fact, so long as she was happy, she knew they would be, too.

Slash moved her over the threshold, and her heart sped up as they made their way further into the house. The scent of lemon wasn’t overpowering, but refreshing.

“I’m so nervous,” she said. “Does it look good?”

“You tell me.” He removed the blindfold, and she blinked a few times as she got used to the lighting.

Looking around, she was captivated. The house was perfect. The windows had been replaced, letting so much light come through each room. The floors had been cleaned and treated. The walls had been fixed and covered in magnolia paint.

“Oh, wow,” she said.

She moved from each room, seeing the personal finishing touches, and when she came to the dining room, she saw it was set up for a romantic meal.

“Slash?” she asked, turning to see him.

He was already on one knee behind her. She covered her mouth in shock as he held out a velvet box.

“Natalie Pritchard, loving you, being with you, knowing you, is the greatest gift I’ve ever had. You are the love of my life, and I’m hoping that in our new house we can build a family together. I chose you, and I really hope that you chose me.” He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out an envelope. “Before you give me your answer, read this.”

She took the letter, turning it over.

She’d recognize her father’s handwriting anywhere.

Tearing open the envelope, she started to read.

To my beautiful daughter,

Slash has just told me that he’s in love with you, and at first, I was sad that I wouldn’t be able to see my little girl walk down the aisle. Then I felt incredibly selfish because I know I’ve had you all to myself.

Sweet girl, I know losing me and your mother broke your heart, and you probably didn’t know what to do for the longest time, but I want to say, you’re not alone. Chaos Bleeds will take care of you, and when I look at Slash, I know he will take care of you. He will love you like a man should, and I gave him my blessing.

I hope in time you will love him as well. I know you’ve got the biggest crush on him. I’ve never seen you blush so much in my life, and it is a great joy to know that you’re going to be happy. Leaving this world knowing that, is the greatest gift of all.

Don’t hold back, Natalie.

Fight for what you want, and love every second of your life.

Love forever,

Your dad.

“Yes,” she said, dropping the letter as she went to her knees. “Yes, yes, yes, yes.” She cupped his face and kissed him deeply.

Slash wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close. “I’ll love you for the rest of my life, Natalie. I’ll be the husband you deserve, I promise.”

“I don’t care. I know you love me, and I love you, too, more than anything. You asked my father all that time ago?”

“I love you, baby. Always have, and nothing is ever going to change that.” He stroked her cheek. “My life didn’t have any real meaning until I met you. Then it was like I woke up, and I don’t want to fall asleep again. This house, I bought it for us. This is our home, and you’re my future.”

She kissed him again, and laughed as happiness flooded her.

Her love for him went beyond everything else in her life. This was where she wanted to be.

For a while after her father’s death, she’d lost her way, but now she felt like she’d found herself and there was no turning back, not now.

“How soon do you want to get married?” she asked.

Slash held up his cell phone. “We can be married within a month at the clubhouse. I’m not flying to Vegas. You deserve more than that, baby. You deserve the wedding, the celebration.”

He sank his fingers into her hair, kissing her possessively, and she relished every second of it. After they’d made love on the dining room floor, Slash still deep inside her, he made the call to Devil to organize a wedding for them as he couldn’t wait another moment. The sooner he was married to this woman, the happier he would be.

****

“You feel like you’re making a big mistake?” Butler asked.

Slash turned to the third club brother who’d come and asked him as he stood at the altar in the backyard of the Chaos Bleeds clubhouse.

Lexie and the other old ladies knew how to throw together a wedding on short notice. As promised, one month after his proposal, he was waiting for his bride to arrive. She’d spent the past month making her dress, and he’d not been allowed to see any of it.

The yard looked beautiful, and with the last of summer fading fast, he knew it wasn’t going to be long before the first frost hit, not that he minded.

He had a lot of plans for keeping them both warm during the cold season ahead.

“Fuck off,” Slash said.

“I’m just saying. You want me to take your place?”

Slash growled at the brother. They had all done something similar to each of the brothers who were now married.

Resting his hands in front of him, he stared at the point where Natalie would arrive. Devil was going to be the one to walk her down the aisle. He knew without a doubt that Arnold wouldn’t mind. Devil took his responsibilities seriously, and knowing he was willing to give him Natalie filled Slash with a sense of pride.

The music changed, and Lexie along with the other old ladies made their way toward him, letting him know any minute now his woman was about to take the next step. The Skulls had also made the trip and sat in the audience watching them. Simon and Tabitha were sitting together in the front row.

They were holding hands and looked so cute together, even as they were getting older.

Finally, he saw a vision in white, and his heart nearly stopped. She looked breathtaking. She didn’t want a veil as she’d told him the moment she saw him, she didn’t want anything between them. The dress she wore molded to her tits, and flared out at the hips. The simple white gown just enhanced her beauty. Her multi-colored hair had been dyed a deep brown, and he didn’t care. All that mattered to him was his woman, and the smile she beamed his way as she walked toward him.

He stepped down the aisle, and took her from Devil.

“You take care of her now.”

“With my life.”

They stood before the priest, and his gaze stayed on her.

“I love you,” she said, mouthing the words, and he did the same, holding her hands.

They said their vows, which they’d practiced together. By the time the priest told him they were man and wife, he didn’t need any urging. He pulled his wife into his arms, kissing her deeply.

“This is the best day of my life,” he said.

She giggled. “Really? Don’t men usually hate this day?”

He stroked her cheek as everyone began to make preparations for the photographs. “For some men, maybe. For me, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. This is the start of my life, seeing you come to me. Knowing my club Prez trusts me with your happiness, this is a dream come true for me.”

“Come on, you two lovebirds,” Lexie said. “It’s time to capture that look on your face before he does something to annoy you.”

They were both laughing as they were forced to pose for the camera. The two clubs took one together as well. All of the old ladies and kids were in another.

Simon and Tabitha got one taken together.

They danced and accepted congratulations from the club. Natalie didn’t leave his side, and he kept his arm wrapped around her at all times.

“It’s time to throw the bouquet,” Lexie said.

“We’re still doing that?” Natalie asked.

“Yes, of course. There’s single women here, too, and it’s a lot of fun.”

“Two seconds,” she said, kissing him on the lips.

He took her drink and made his way toward the single women. Even the kids had joined in, as well.

Sipping at his drink, he watched as Natalie turned her back to the group and threw the bouquet over her head.

Slash chuckled as the bouquet of flowers landed in Tabitha’s arms. Simon fist pumped and rushed toward her.

“We’ve got to get married now,” Simon said.

Tabitha laughed, and they both ran to their fathers, holding up the roses. “We’ve got to. We’ve got to.”

Natalie came to him, wincing. “I think I just caused a little trouble.”

“It’s fine.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I think it’s time I took you home and carried you over the threshold.”

“You don’t think it’s too early to leave?”

“Nah.”

Devil and Tiny were talking with their kids, and everyone was having a great time.

No one would blame him for wanting to cut the celebrations short. The club would still be partying long into the night, but for him and his woman, it was time for their own special time.

Everyone cheered for them as he carried her to his car, both laughing and waving.

Just Married was printed on the back of the car, along with beer cans tied to the bumper. He’d have to clean everything up.

Climbing behind the wheel, he took her hand as he drove them home.

“I love you, Slash.”

“I love you too, baby.” He kissed her knuckles, knowing he was the luckiest man in the world.