Chapter 33
Never Tear Us Apart
I cast a quick glance toward the boys as our celebrant finishes off saying some final words.
It’s so strange just marrying one of them, when I’m so deeply in love with all three of them.
But they know this means I’m tied to all of them, and in just a few moments, I will officially be a Stryker. A real part of their family.
Cruz grins at me, a wicked gleam in his eyes that tells me all the naughty things he wants to do to me when the four of us are locked up in our luxury hotel room later.
Jagger is more cool and collected, acting almost unfazed that I’m standing before his brother in a dress worth thousands.
It’s long and slinky, with a small train, and the silk fabric hugs my curves, looking almost like liquid in the way it drapes.
He knew it was the one as soon as I put it on, and for once, I didn’t want to argue on it, because I agreed.
He was even so particular that he flew in Georgina to fuss over my hair and make-up.
My bruises from a week ago have faded, but she still needed to work her magic to cover up the remnants.
She’s also made my hair look amazing, with a braid down one side.
His lips turn up at the sides just a little, a subtle smile he has only for me.
It’s silly, but the way he does it makes my heart flutter.
“You may kiss the bride,” the celebrant dressed as a drag queen announces.
Butterflies take flight throughout my body as I return my attention back to Asher.
I can hardly believe I’m doing this. That he wanted to marry me and spend the rest of his life with me.
But the three of them have spent every waking hour of the past week convincing me this is what they all want, and I believe them.
Asher grins at me, all dimples he’s so damn happy. He is so handsome in his fancy suit; it fits him like a glove. He wraps a hand around the back of my head and pulls me into him, kissing me dramatically, with a little dip and all.
Cruz cheers and hollers from behind us, and I feel my cheeks heat from being the center of attention, even though there’s only us in the large chapel.
“I love you,” I mouth back to him.
“Not as much as I fucking love you.” Asher grabs my hand. “Now the real fun begins.”
“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, baby,” Cruz chants, making me laugh as he pulls me toward him for a passionate kiss.
I pull back from him a little. “Except the wedding though, right? We need people to know about this.”
Jagger spins me into his arms. “Your photos will be front page news tomorrow, flower. Don’t you worry about that. We have Alex’s word. And Sloane is all over the Italian side of things.”
I run a hand through his hair, messing it up. He pulls a face and tries to fix it. Then I pop up on my toes and kiss him quickly, trying not to care what the man who just married us will be thinking of our situation.
Cruz throws him a cheeky wink when the celebrant’s mouth pops open to say something. He closes it, his brow furrowed in a brief moment of contemplation. “You kids have fun out there.” He offers a small, confused wave as his eyes bounce from one of us to the other.
“Thanks.” I smile back, letting Jagger pull me closer under his arm as we leave the chapel and head back into the main casino where we’re staying.
We’ve been here a couple of days. After I was feeling up to it, we all decided we needed a break away from Ravens Hollow, and a trip to Vegas sounded like the perfect escape.
Someplace no one knows us, and also the perfect place to get married.
We’ve spent a couple of days planning, while having a little fun gambling and playing all the boys’ favorite games.
Turns out I’m not as terrible at cards as I thought I would be.
As we enter the opulent front entry, I glance back over my shoulder, not able to help it. I’m still a little on edge whenever we’re in public. I’m not sure if that uncomfortable feeling will ever go away.
Asher takes my hand in his. “You okay, princess?”
I nod, my stomach still churning like crazy, even though I wish it would stop.
Cruz stops in front of us. “What is it, baby?”
“Are you sure this is safe? I have this terrible feeling someone in my family is going to turn up here and ruin our fun. Like their spies will have been out in full force or something.”
Cruz throws his head back laughing. “Let them try. I’ll finish the job you started.”
Asher pulls me toward a mostly empty roulette table, offering me a seat. “Play a couple of rounds. If you win, I’ll let you pick what we do next.”
I raise a sassy brow. “Oh yeah? What if I lose?”
They grin back at me. “We have something in mind.”
Cruz takes out a stack of chips and hands them to me.
My eyes narrow in on them. What have they been planning behind my back?
I get the impression it’s something hot and irresistible.
The past week, the crazy sexual tension has simmered down.
They’ve been super sweet to me, holding me close and kissing me tenderly, but not crossing the line into anything more.
I was starting to feel a little rejected, even though I know why they’re holding back.
They’re worried about me and the ordeal I went through.
And yeah, for a few days I was too messed up to even think about anything like that, but now I need them like mad.
Crave their hands on me everywhere. Want all of them to fill me up and take turns in screwing me until I’m seeing stars, and I’m hoping they might be on the same page.
“Okay, I’ll play.” I take a few chips and place them on the red. All the other players place their chips.
“No more bets,” the dealer calls, then he spins the wheel. The ball skips once, twice, then it settles.
Black. Damn it. Not quite the result I wanted, but I’m still sure I can win this.
I slide another stack forward. This time it’s every chip I have. Placing them on red again, but this time, I have chosen twenty-three as well. Because why not.
Cruz chuckles behind me. “Feeling bold, baby.”
I grin back at him. “Maybe I’m feeling lucky, Cruz.”
The gleam in Jagger’s eyes tells me whatever it is they have planned, I’m going to like it anyway, so why not go all in. Win or lose, I’m about to have some fun with my boys.
With a little muttering around the table, all the other people place their chips on the table, and we wait for the dealer to spin the wheel again.
My stomach flips. We’re not playing for big money here, it’s just for fun and whatever stakes the boys have in mind, but it still makes me nervous. Or maybe it’s excited.
The table falls silent as we all wait for the ball to settle. “Red. Twenty-Three.” The dealer huffs, his eyes meeting mine.
“Fuck, yeah!” Cruz cheers as if he’s on my side.
Excitement sprints through me. I turn round to the boys, and Asher claims my lips in celebration. “It really is your lucky day, princess. You got me and now a big win.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I think we should head back to the room.” I smirk at the three of them. Playing games is fun, but I know what I want right now.
Jagger’s phone springs to life. I watch him as he answers it. His eyes slowly rise to meet with mine, and I wonder who has him all serious suddenly. “Yeah, okay. I’ll let her know,” he tells the person on the other side.
“Why do I feel sick all of a sudden?” I ask him.
Jagger waves me off, covering the phone so whoever is on the other side doesn’t hear us bickering. “It’s nothing to worry about right now. We can still go on and have some fun.”
I glare at him, making sure he knows that’s not the correct response.
He huffs out a breath. “That attitude will only get you in trouble, flower.”
“Does it look like I care, Jagger? Tell me what’s going on or you’re in more trouble than me.”
He rakes a hand through his hair. “It’s just Mal giving us the heads-up. Your brother’s awake and is requesting a meeting with you.”
I huff out the breath I was holding on to.
“Well, he’s going to have to wait, isn’t he,” I mutter, trying not to let the mention of him cause the anxiety to take over when I was finally relaxing and having fun.
I knew he was improving every day, and I’m glad I didn’t kill him when I shot him.
But today isn’t about anyone in my family except me.
“Yeah, we have some celebrating to get to.” Asher grins back at me. I think this is the happiest I’ve ever seen him.
I know it’s the happiest I have ever been, and my old family will not ruin what I have with my new family.
Jagger uncovers the phone. “You can tell his people she’s out of town on business and we will be back in a few days.
If Daisy is up to it, we can sort out a meeting then.
” He nods. “That’s the plan.” Jagger disconnects the call, his eyes darken and lock with mine, and his change in intensity sends a thrill right through me.
“Now where were we? Something about our girl wanting to have a little fun back in our room? Is that what you wanted from your win?” I run my tongue over my bottom lip.
“Show me what it means to be Mrs. Stryker.” I smirk all cheeky, so ready for whatever they have planned for me.