Chapter 36
CHAPTER 36
B ELLE
Somehow I managed to fall asleep after Beast dropped the wedding bomb on me last night. Now, it’s late morning, and I’m feeling disorientated and groggy as I wake up from a deep, dreamless sleep.
I’m alone. Beast didn’t stick around when he got back. I don’t know what happened when he was called away. But whatever it was, it rattled him. I could see it on his face and in his eyes when he returned. He was haunted.
Yawning, I push my palms into my eyes and try to push through the fog of sleep.
Am I really getting married today? Or did I dream our conversation?
Feeling murky, I take a shower and get dressed, then slide on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before tying my hair into a messy bun.
I want to find Mya and the other club girls. I’ve seen clubhouse gossip in action, and if I want information I just need to talk to them.
But when I leave the bedroom, I find my husband-to-be walking along the hallway toward me. He’s scowling and his dark brows are pulled in with deep concentration. He’s preoccupied, and I feel my stomach tingle with anticipation.
He stops when he sees me. “I was coming to find you. It’s time to get ready.”
“Ready?”
“We have a wedding to get to.”
I follow him as he continues down the hallway. “You were serious about that?”
“I was.”
“But why the rush?”
We stop outside the guest room which used to be my room. “It has to happen today, little one.”
I look up at him. “What did you mean last night when you said we were going to war? And before you tell me that it’s none of my concern because it’s club business, I want to remind you that it’s also my business, because now I’m expected to marry you at a drop of a hat. So you could at least tell me why.”
He looks down at me. And I see the carefully concealed concern in his eyes. “The Psychos are peddling poison in this town, and after what I saw last night… I have to stop it, Belle.”
Beast has a great poker face. But right now, I can see through the mask and I can hear the emotion in his voice.
“Are you going to tell me what you saw?” I ask.
“No.”
“Okay then. But why get married now? Why not wait until after the conflict with the Psychos passes?”
He takes my hand. “Because now more than anything, I need my old lady standing beside me.”
Warmth spreads through my chest. Followed by a giddiness I can’t explain.
Maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me with those beautiful but tortured eyes.
Maybe it’s the gentle touch of his skin on my skin as he holds my hand.
Or the low rumble of his voice that is smoky and so masculine I can almost taste it.
Whatever it is, I know I want to stand beside him.
As his old lady.
He reaches up and cups my jaw between his strong hands. “So are we doing this?”
Without hesitation, I nod. “Yes, I’ll marry you today.”
He actually smiles.
And I feel a toe-curling lick of lust right between my legs when he does.
I wet my lips and watch him track my tongue with his heated gaze, and my excitement is fueled by the carnal desire I see in his eyes.
I am so damn ready for my wedding night.
I tilt my head. I want him to kiss me—I will him to kiss me.
But he doesn’t get a chance.
The bedroom door behind me opens, and Mya appears, happiness dancing on her face. Beside her is a beautiful woman with raven hair and vibrant blue eyes.
Mya grabs me by the wrist. “Thank goodness you’re finally here. I was starting to think you weren’t coming.” She gives Beast a playful shove in the chest. “You go and get dressed. Let us take care of her.”
And she closes the door on him.
I shiver with anticipation.
This is really happening.
“Belle, my name is Luna,” says the raven-haired beauty with the bright eyes.
“And I’m Nova,” calls out a beautiful redhead waiting by the three-mirrored dresser with a brush in her hand.
Club girls.
I look at all three of them. “What’s happening?”
“We’re getting you ready for your wedding,” Mya says, leading me over to the dresser where she makes me sit.
Immediately, Nova starts brushing my hair while Luna starts inspecting my face before grabbing a makeup brush and a bottle of liquid foundation.
I feel like I’m a music star doing a costume change during a live show. The girls work fast. Brushing. Curling. Dabbing. Glossing. Painting my nails. There is a sense of urgency and excitement in the air.
I sit there giddy but a little bit dazed as I try to process what is about to happen next. I’m marrying the leader of this club and will take my place at his side. And I am so damn happy I can’t keep the smile off my face.
But even during all the excitement I am aware of the many unanswered questions lurking in my peripherals.
Like where Beast was going every night when he was rumored to be visiting a woman in town. He’s already told me there was no one. So what was he doing?
And who is the girl in the photograph he keeps in his wallet?
And what does he keep hidden in that damned forbidden room? Were the other women in his life allowed to see inside that room?
Speaking of the other women, what were they like?
A knot forms in my chest and my stomach tightens with… jealousy?
“Tell me about Guinevere and Jennifer,” I blurt out.
And just like that, all the hair brushing and makeup application suddenly stops.
Eyes meet eyes in the mirror.
Looks are exchanged.
Luna frowns. “Beast didn’t tell you about his ex- fiancée?”
“And the ex-girlfriend who gave him his scars,” Nova adds.
Realizing it would be weird for me to not know, I quickly say, “I mean, I know who they are. But he doesn’t like to talk about them. I’m just curious about them, I guess.”
Mya gives the two club girls a warning look in the mirror. “Ladies, that’s Beast’s story to tell.”
But Luna waves her off. “There’s no harm in letting her know something about them.”
“I agree,” I say.
Luna brings her gaze back to me. “I wasn’t here back then, so I can’t tell you what happened firsthand. But whatever happened, it was bad enough for Jennifer to break off their engagement.”
Jennifer . I wonder what kind of woman she was that she stole Beast’s heart. “What was she like?”
“She was a dancer I think,” Luna says.
“At one of the clubs the Knights own in town,” Nova adds. “Apparently she was as beautiful as she was a bitch.”
“I know Lars never liked her,” Luna adds. “But that’s pillow talk, and you didn’t hear it from me.”
“And Guinevere?” I ask.
Loving the gossip, Luna’s eyes flash with delight. “She was his first love. He left Guinevere for Jennifer and it was quite the cat fight. Then Guinevere did what she did to Beast’s face.”
“That’s enough, ladies. Let Beast tell her when he’s ready,” Mya says, helping me to my feet. “Come on, let’s get you dressed.”
My dress is the softest silk with a tight bodice that hugs my boobs and makes my waist look tiny. The skirt is just as tight and clings to my hips and legs all the way down to the floor. It takes two club girls to do up the million buttons up the back and a third to put me into a pair of sexy stilettos because there is no bending over in this dress.
When they’re done, I step back and check my reflection in the mirror. I look like a princess in a fairytale. With the added spiciness of an motorcycle club queen.
Suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation, I turn away from my reflection.
I need a minute to compose my nerves. I let out a shaky breath because it’s become so real. I am about to get married.
“Mya, I’m nervous,” I whisper in a moment of panic.
She grabs my hands. “Don’t be scared, beautiful Belle.” Her beaming smile presses her dimples deeper in her cheeks. “The fun is just about to start.”
The clubhouse cathedral leaves me speechless. Stepping into the centuries-old hall is like stepping into an enchanted story. Late afternoon sun streams in through the stained-glass windows, illuminating the room in a magical golden light. The only other light comes from the lit torches lining the cobblestone walls, and the millions of fairy lights woven into the flowers festooning every pillar and post. They look like a thousand fireflies in the shadows.
Beast waits for me at the altar, and a strange sensation flares in my chest when our eyes meet across the vast space.
Beside him, Lars watches me with bright blue eyes and amusement touching his full lips.
The room smells of leather, and kerosene lamps, and something cold and antique.
As I walk down the aisle, I hear gasps of approval coming from the guests. But I can barely hear them over my wildly beating heart.
I ascend the steps to the stone altar where my husband-to-be awaits me.
It takes me a moment to lift my gaze to meet his and when I do, my breath hitches in my throat. Beast looks formidable and giant, but his dark eyes shine when he sees me, and a warmth sweeps through me. He offers me a big hand and I take it. My hand is tiny in his and disappears as he wraps his fingers around it. His skin is warm and surprisingly soft, and I can feel his strength as if it is seeping into my pores.
Beside him, Lars gives me a wink and grins. Next to him, an older man with messy blonde hair looks amused, a smirk on his face.
My gaze slides back to Beast who is still looking at me, his eyes intense, and all I can think about is how it felt last night when his body blanketed mine, and the heat in the way he kissed me.
Excitement tightens in the pit of my stomach.
Tonight I’m going to taste all of him.
Finish what we started.
When the priest begins the ceremony, I barely hear his words. All I’m aware of is the heat of Beast’s gaze on my face and the warmth in his hand.
There is no exchange of rings. Instead, our hands are bound together with two embroidered ribbons as we say our vows.
His warm, dark voice fills the space between us as he says his vows. “With this body I will protect you. Serve you. Worship you. Give you my children. You will want for nothing. These are my vows to you, on my honor.”
The priest recites my vows to me but they stall in my throat because I’m nervous.
But then I look into Beast’s eyes, and I know I can do anything when I stand beside him.
“With this body… I will take you. Honor you. You will want for nothing. These are my vows to you, on my honor.”
There are some murmurs of approval from the guests.
“And with the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.” Priest smiles at Beast. “Well go on then, kiss her.”
Beast bends his head and presses his lips to mine. Without thinking, my eyes close and my lips part, and a bolt of lightning zips down my spine and to the very core of me when I feel the fleeting brush of his tongue against mine.
He's the one who breaks it off. His eyes are dancing with something dark behind long lashes.
“Nicely done, little one,” he murmurs over the wild cheers and clapping as we face the crowd. “We might just pull this off.”
Beast tells me there is no immediate reception following the ceremony. In Knights tradition, the couple are expected to seal the deal with some good old-fashioned wedding night action.
He brushes his lips to my ear. “In tradition, tonight is for fucking.”
I shiver as Beast leads me away from the guests to his bedroom.
If tonight is for fucking, I’m down.
Inside our room, he closes the door behind us.
Last night we were interrupted just as things were getting hot, and we haven’t talked since.
Tonight is for finishing that conversation.
He shakes off his jacket and removes his shirt, and my heart kicks in my chest.
Dear Lord.
Shirtless, with his dress pants and belt hanging low on his hips, he walks toward me, and when he reaches me, he looks down at me with so much heat I think I’m about to melt into a puddle on the floor. He takes my face in his hands, and beneath his touch I feel the last of my reservations leave me.
I am his.
I swallow thickly.
“What happens now?” I ask, looking up at him. Willing him to start undressing me.
His eyes search my face. But I see the remorse in them. “I have to go.”
Confusion hits me in the chest.
Followed by disappointment crashing in behind it.
I stare up at him. “You’re not staying?”
His thumbs graze my cheeks. “Every inch of me wants to stay with you tonight. But what I’m about to do has to happen tonight. Or more people will die.”
Disappointment streams through every nerve and fiber. But I hide it from him.
“Are you going to be safe?”
He gives me a reassuring look. “You have nothing to worry about.”
I look into his eyes and I believe him.
“Go and do what you’ve got to do,” I say. “But know I will be waiting here when you get back.”
With a groan, he kisses the corners of my mouth, then my lips and my cheeks and my closed eyes—and fuck, I wish he could stay.
“Go,” I whisper against his lips.
With a growl, he turns and is gone before I can beg him to stay.