Deerfield took on a kinder air. Any bus making its way off the highway now had to see nothing but a sleepy hamlet dotted in trees just coming into view. Winter came and went, and with spring there were Silver Horses riding fast from corner to corner. The cops still kept their distance. But where an average civilian might have zigged when Eric Stiles zagged, Milo had another way of showing his hand. Violations were met with warnings when warranted, and the beatings only came when people dared to laugh at his show of benevolence. In time, those with brains knew better than to ever poke fun at Milo unless he was in on the joke, and a strange calm settled over the town.
And Lena felt grateful to be on the right side of it.
“Hold still.”
Aggie had a mouth full of pins as she pushed a veil of lace into position, and when she seemed pleased with her efforts, she patted Lena’s cheek and smiled.
“Think you’re good enough for him now,” she teased.
“Hey! She always was.”
Sully cleaned up nicely and smoothed the bowtie under his neck as he grabbed Lena’s hands and pulled back to stare at her.
“How do I clean up, Uncle Tom?”
“Like a dream,” he said. “Your mom would be proud.”
“I would hope so,” she said. “And happy?”
Sully nodded as he took her into his arms.
“Watch the lace,” Aggie warned.
He obliged and offered his arm with a wink.
“Guess this means you’re not going back to school.”
Her fingers met Sully’s sigh, and Lena shook her head.
“There are schools closer to home,” she reminded him. “I’ll enroll once we set up house.”
“How long will that take?”
“Well that depends on---”
“You ready, Lena?”
Viv bounded forward with two bouquets of white roses resting in her hands. Lena took her flowers quickly and sighed against Sully.
“Let’s say you just walk me to him right now.”
He obliged with a kiss, and Viv led the way. Tuning the corner, Lena saw Black Legion’s former clubhouse swathed in white. From the tablecloths to the streamers pouring from the rafters, everything seemed new, especially Jax waiting at the end of a makeshift aisle with his mother at his side.
“And this is really what you want?” Sully asked. Lena nodded and saw Viv shoot a quick glance in Artie’s direction. Had he known that one show of loyalty would bring him the promise of this? Lena’s delight nearly dragged her to the prospect of another wedding, but she dialed that joy back when Jax took her hand and smiled into her eyes.
“You look good, Lena,” he said.
“Keep saying that. I might marry you one of these days.”
“Today, Lena. Has to be now.”
She offered no objection as the officiant in a blue suit started listing off all the reasons why this might not be the best idea. But just as quickly, the man turned his talk to why they should link their lives here and now, and when Lena was asked the questions, she offered yes after yes until the moment came for the ring.
“Artie?”
The bald man reached into his pocket and produced two bands gold. Lena smiled, and she stretched to the tips of her toes and kissed his brow.
“It’ll be for keeps,” she whispered. “Sure that’s what you want?”
Jax nodded as he extended his hand.
“I want you, Lena,” he swore. “Today.”
She stared to offer her assent when the ring found its way around her finger. Lena looked down at the band and felt sure of herself as she took his hand and made the same move.
“And always, Jax.”
There were no objections as they were pronounced. As soon as the word was given, Jax pulled her into his arms, his kiss crushing against her mouth as the clubhouse burst into applause. Lena left his lips to smile at the others, and when she saw Artie offer Viv his arm for the march out, she got all kinds of ideas.
“Now hold up a second.”
The clapping stopped as Milo took control of the room and pulled Aggie away from Brutus’ side. Not wanting any darkness on this day above all others, Lena was ready to challenge him when Milo pressed a single finger to her lips.
“I want to give his one everything she has coming her way.”
If this were Eric, somehow allowing her to link her life to Jax’s, this was the moment when the other shoe was bound to fall, when the Big Boss would take his turn before the groom had a proper chance. It wasn’t Milo, it couldn’t be. But Lena still quivered as he pulled her close to his chest.
“Isn’t every old lady who goes through the wringer like that.”
Even Aggie nodded as Milo continued.
“So I’m saying thank you. And here.”
He wound his jacket around her shoulders, and Lena smiled widely at the feel of the leather covering her skin.
“And you have my word that no one will ever mess with you again.”
Lena smiled and flung her arms around Milo’s neck.
“I’ll say thanks, too,” she said. “But someone else need to…”
She eased her husband, the word bubbling in her brain as she took Jax’s arm, and turned his face to Milo’s.
“Tell him you’re grateful,” she whispered.
Jax tensed, and she could feel his need to fight and lay claim in spite of the ring on his finger. The last thing she wanted was for him was for him to scrape for some side of the mountain that Milo was sure to keep safe, and she reached for his ringed hand as Jax stepped from his side and stared into Milo’s dark eyes.
“Any time things get hairy,” Jax promised. “I’ll have no problem if you need me.”
“When, Kid,” Milo said as he slapped his back. “Might even call on both of you one day.”
Hands clapped again, and Lena thanked Milo with a small smile as she pulled Jax into her arms.
“But not tonight,” she said. “I want you all to myself.”
Easier said than done when the room danced around them and the music hummed. Lena let Jax waltz her into a corner, and he took her face in his hands.
“Did you mean it?” he asked.
“Mean what?”
“Do you just want me?”
“Jax…”
She had only wanted him from the moment she saw them, when they were children. His heroics in a stinking bathroom only turned her heart softer, and recent days put the point on it.
“I want you,” she said. “I want to…”
Lena teetered on the verge of an explosion and started to kiss him when she pulled back and shook her head.
“Come with me”
Probably the height of bad manners to leave a party in her honor, but Lena still abandoned the clubhouse. She smiled as the soles of her shoes pounded against the pavement, and looked up at him with a sly smile.
“Jax, I---”
“Jesus Christ. Just let me kiss you.”
She offered no protest and moaned under his mouth, his lips only parting from hers so he could touch her veil.
“It’s in the way,” Lena insisted. “Let me.”
Pulling it from her hair like it was nothing of consequence, Lena fell into his kiss.
“Better?” she asked.
“I like seeing more of you.”
His hands surrounded her breasts, and Lena moved to meet more of his touch when she suddenly pulled back and spied the bike over Jax’s shoulder.
“Can we go for a ride?” she asked.
“Now?”
“You going to deny your wife her wish?”
Kissing him again, she heard the party going on without them. No way she would let that linger indefinitely. But first she had to show him….
“Come on, Jax. Let me hold you like this.”
Jax kissed her at the edge of his bike and started to pull her back towards the party when she pressed her palms to his chest and shook her head.
“Let’s ride. I want that almost more than anything.”