Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Wow, I’ve never seen this parking lot so full!” Bree exclaimed, as Smiley pulled into Aces Bar and Grill’s lot a week and a half later.
Truthfully, Smiley hadn’t either. But then again, this wasn’t a usual Friday-night crowd.
Kevlar and Remi, and Josie and Blink were getting married.
They’d decided to also have the ceremony here at the bar, rather than just the reception.
Because once they’d started writing down the names of the people they wanted to witness the actual ceremony, the list had gotten too big for the courthouse or a simple backyard wedding.
Kelli and Flash had done the courthouse thing a few days ago—without telling anyone—and Remi and Josie had both declared that the party after their own ceremony would be for all of them. To celebrate everyone’s weddings.
It looked like Smiley and Bree were late. Which wasn’t surprising, because after Smiley had seen the dress Julie had sent over for Bree, he hadn’t been able to resist putting his hands all over her.
He’d done his best not to muss up her hair, makeup, or the beautiful designer dress she was wearing, but after he’d fucked her on his kitchen table, she’d still needed a bit of time to “fix herself,” as she’d called it.
To Smiley, she was perfect. Though, after a bit of reflection, he decided Bree’s just-fucked look wasn’t one he wanted to share with the world.
Life with Bree had only gotten better since they’d begun their physical relationship.
She didn’t hold back, wasn’t afraid to tell him what she wanted.
And the other night, when she’d dropped to the floor when he was sitting at the dining room table and insisted she’d always wanted to give a guy a blowjob while he was eating… Who was he to protest?
He hadn’t meant to come down her throat, but when she’d refused to stop, just clamped her mouth around him tight and sucked like a fucking Hoover, he hadn’t been able to hold back.
In retaliation, he’d hoisted her onto the kitchen counter, pulled up a stool, and hadn’t let her back down until she’d come all over his face three times—then he’d fucked her hard and fast right there next to the dirty dishes from the preparation of their meal.
But it wasn’t the sex that had him so wrapped around her little finger.
It was Bree herself. She never complained.
Did whatever was asked of her with a smile.
Didn’t seem to mind sitting in empty conference rooms on the naval base as he worked.
And she’d spent the last few days helping Remi and Josie make decorations for the reception tonight.
The smiles that were so few and far between not too long ago were almost constant now. And Smiley couldn’t get enough.
“I hope the decorations are okay,” she said, biting her lower lip in concern as Smiley parked his truck.
After turning off the engine, he leaned over and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her across the seat so he could reach her mouth. He kissed her gently. “They’re perfect.”
She chuckled. “You haven’t even seen them yet.”
“Don’t need to. You made them, so I know they’re perfect.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
He was clearly a sick man, as even her little attitude turned him on.
And he hated to ruin the mood, but he needed to remind her that even though things seemed to be quiet, that could change in a heartbeat.
Tex still hadn’t located Mateo Castillo—but he had gotten confirmation the man himself was in Riverton.
Whether because of Bree or for some other nefarious reason had yet to be determined.
Tomorrow, Tex was also going to break the news to Cookie and Hurt—and the rest of Wolf’s team—that Castillo indeed had ties to the same organization that had kidnapped Fiona and Julie. He was waiting until after the celebration tonight.
Smiley had no doubt that tomorrow, the men would be raising hell, wanting to meet to find out what he and the rest of his team knew. It would be an uncomfortable meeting, but long overdue.
“You know Aces will be closed tonight for the celebration. Only those on the invitation list will be allowed inside, so it should be safe. But, even so, don’t let down your guard. With so many people, strangers could still get in.”
Smiley still had his hand around her nape, so he felt Bree stiffen. But she nodded immediately. “Okay.”
“We’re all going to be on the lookout, and since many of the people there will be strangers to you, you won’t be able to tell who’s friend and who’s foe. But we will.”
She nodded again.
Smiley hated this. Fucking hated it. Today should be about celebration. About his favorite people finding their other halves and tying their lives together. Instead, he was worried about someone sneaking into the bar and stealing Bree out from under his nose.
Bree put her hand on his arm. “It’s fine, Smiley. I understand. Trust me, I haven’t forgotten he’s out there. Watching and waiting. I feel it. Feel him.”
Smiley frowned. “What? Have you seen anything?”
“No. Nothing like that. It’s just a feeling I have. That I’ve had since I escaped from that car back in Vegas. He’s always just there. In the back of my mind.”
Smiley didn’t like that. Not at all.
“It’s okay. Now that I have the trackers Tex sent, and you, it’s not as scary as it once was.”
Smiley pulled her closer and rested his forehead against hers. “Fuck him. He’s going down. He picked the wrong woman to fuck with because you are a badass, Bree.”
To his surprise, Bree smiled. And not a small polite smile either. One that spread from ear-to-ear.
“That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you.”
Smiley pulled back in surprise.
“It is,” she insisted. “Knowing you think that way about me? That I can handle whatever he might dish out…with your help, of course. It means the world to me.”
Hell, this woman was way too easy to compliment, and Smiley made a mental note to do it more often.
“How about we get out of this parking lot and do this?”
“Yes!” Bree said.
They quickly entered Aces, stopped to have their names and IDs checked on a list that one of Jessyka’s kids was manning—and taking her job extremely seriously.
Benny was hovering nearby, just in case anyone gave her crap, which they wouldn’t if they were a part of the group.
He was there mainly to prevent any uninvited guests from coming in.
As soon as they entered, Bree was surrounded, everyone wanting to greet her. Smiley frowned as he gave her some space. He loved that she fit in so well with his friends, but he was also grumpy because he wanted all of her time to himself.
Which was stupid because he’d been with her practically every minute since the shit with Kelli went down. Except for when he was in meetings, he was by her side.
As if she could read his mind, Bree looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. Her acknowledging him went a long way toward making him feel better.
Smiley walked around the room, saying hello to his friends and meeting the people he didn’t know.
Remi’s parents were there. And surprisingly, Fernando Stephenson, the man who single-handedly made Crown Condoms a household name, looked right at home in the hole-in-the-wall bar. He was standing with his wife, Claire Crown-Stephenson, and they both had huge smiles on their faces.
He also met Remi’s grandmother, who lived up to all the stories he’d heard about her from Remi.
She was currently at the bar doing shots with two of the Night Stalkers who’d been invited by Blink and Josie.
They were the teammates of Blink’s brother, who was also one of the legendary Army helicopter pilots.
As he watched, one of the men surreptitiously nodded at the bartender as he carefully, and sneakily, watered down the next shots. It was one thing to have a good time, another to get Remi’s grandmother falling-down-drunk at a wedding and reception.
Smiley heard a loud bark of laughter, and he glanced over and saw Marley, who was Remi’s best friend, sitting in a corner with Blink’s dad, who had come up from Florida.
Everywhere he looked, Smiley saw people having a good time.
Happy to have come together to celebrate with their friends and family.
For a moment, regret struck so hard, Smiley had to close his eyes to get his equilibrium back. He wished his own mother was still around. That he’d had a more normal relationship with both her and his father growing up.
“You good, Smiley?”
Opening his eyes and turning, Smiley saw Tate “Casper” Davis standing next to him. For a split second he thought it was Blink, and he’d been about to ask him what the hell he was doing out here and not in the back, getting ready for his wedding.
Blink and Casper were twins. One had gone into the Navy and the other into the Army. They had a competitive relationship, but when push came to shove, they’d do anything for each other.
“Yeah,” Smiley told the other man a little belatedly. “It’s good to see you.”
“And it’s good to see you,” Casper returned. “How’s Blink been doing? I didn’t get much time to talk to him after that shit went down with him and Josie. At least not in person. And it’s sometimes hard to gauge how someone’s doing over the phone.”
“He’s good,” Smiley said, not blowing smoke up Casper’s ass. “Really good. Josie’s been his rock, and while the man certainly doesn’t talk a lot, he makes up for it by kicking some ass in the field.”
Casper nodded. “That’s my brother. He’s never been a big talker, but he was always the first person to stand up and fight for what’s right. I met Bree earlier.”
It was an abrupt change of subject, and Smiley narrowed his eyes in question.
Casper laughed. “Don’t go all squinty-eyed on me. All I was gonna say is that I like her. She’s spunky. And friendly. The opposite of you. You’re a good match.”