Chapter 28
Winnie
Finn’s ring sits heavily on my finger, a symbol of a promise he made and also the dire predicament we’re in.
Despite wearing the diamond I always dreamed of, and saying yes to the man I gave my heart to ten years ago, I can’t help feeling a deep, urgent sense of dread.
Finn is adamant that marrying me has nothing to do with the Bianchis being after me and everything to do with the fact that he finally found me again.
If the property cut and diamond in the pocket weren’t enough, I’ve been reminded by him every day that he loves me.
And every day, my walls crumble a little more.
Anytime he touches me, holds me, makes love to me with so much reverence, with his whole body while whispering in my ear how sorry he is, how much he misses me, how he never stopped loving me, I melt.
My resolve to move on with my life, to keep protecting my heart, wavers.
In these past two months, Finn and I have talked and argued and loved harder than the last two years we were together.
I could continue to stay mad. I won’t ever forget what happened, but I am finding it easier to forgive.
My heart feels safest when I'm with him.
My fingers skate over the burner phone, and I type in Lyric’s number. The phone rings three times before she answers.
“I heard congratulations are in order. Dodger finally figured out what’s best for him?”
I chuckle lightly at her teasing tone and glance again at the ring on my finger. “He did pretty good.”
“Are you happy?” Lyric asks, and I can picture her smiling, waiting for my reaction, even though she already knows the answer.
“I need help planning the wedding,” I finally say, my lips curving into a smile while she laughs.
“How soon? You know I love weddings.”
“Today,” is my automatic reply. “It’s already been two days since our call with Prez.”
Lyric goes quiet on her end. “Are you getting married because you love him or because you’re scared about Bianchi coming after you?”
I blow out my breath before hardening my resolve. “Can’t two things be true at the same time? Right, Ms. Therapist?”
“Dodger is your happily ever after, Win. As your friend, I hope you’re marrying him because you believe that. He’s changed. It was late, and I truly believe he was an ass to you back then, but anyone with eyes can see he’s crazy about you.”
My heart squeezes in my chest, and my stomach swoops.
I think about all the small ways that Finn shows me how important I am to him.
Even as small as how he cradled the back of my head last night while he held my body against his.
I felt safe and cherished in that moment, which was just as meaningful as the cabin or the gazebo. “I know.”
She exhales softly. “Good. Let’s plan your wedding then.”
“You don’t have to do this, Win.” Finn’s voice is deep, calm, but it's the look on his face that makes me cackle out loud.
After my revelations with Lyric, we easily planned the simple and romantic ceremony I’ve always dreamed about.
Finn was shocked when I told him I wanted to get married today.
He about raged when I instructed him to go to the tattoo parlor in town beforehand.
I was determined to do this right. To make this marriage as airtight as I possibly can to protect Finn and the club.
I also wanted this for myself. This was the future we had always talked about.
I wanted the full experience while I marry the man of my dreams.
“Are you nervous? You already have ink,” I remind him, pointing up and down his chest where he wears the club’s insignia.
His brow rises, and his arms cross over his chest. “I’m not nervous about myself. I’d tattoo your name across my forehead if it made you happy. I don’t want you to think you need to do this. It’s permanent, Winnie. What if you change your mind?”
I fix my gaze on my future husband, my eyes trailing over his dark denim jeans, and the all-black button-up shirt he’s wearing with the sleeves rolled up. His forearm flexes, and the veins pop under my watchful eyes. “Are you going to change your mind?”
He steps into my space, his hands circling my waist, holding me tightly, his grip like a brand against my skin. “No. I want you more than my next breath. In any way I can get you, Win.”
“In the eyes of the club, I need your brand and your patch,” I remind him. His eyes flutter closed, and his jaw clenches tightly.
“You mean more to me than the club. Unless you’re one hundred percent sure about being mine for the rest of your life, we don’t need to do this today.”
I reach up and press my hand against his chest, feeling the way his heart is pounding under my palm.
His blue gaze is waiting for me, and I smile softly.
This man undoes me. More than even he realizes.
Pushing up on my tiptoes, because even in my four-inch heels, I’m shorter than him, I press my lips to the edge of his jaw, and let my teeth scrape the skin lightly.
I hear his sharp inhale, and his eyes shutter.
“This is the design I want, Craig,” I tell the artist waiting behind the desk for us, and hand him the drawing I’ve been working on since his proposal.
“Win—” Finn says my name, and I see the flicker of hope and longing in his gaze.
“Marriage is forever, Finn. Just like this ink.” My shoulders shrug. “So are we.”
He’s on me then, his arms wrapping around my waist and lifting me off my feet. My arms wrap around his shoulders while my hands hold his face. I press my lips to his, and he kisses me back with a hunger that makes my toes curl.
“I’ll make sure you never regret this, Daisy,” he promises, pulling back and resting his forehead against mine. I nod, unable to find the words to tell him I could never regret him. Finn sets me back on my feet, his thumb gently running over my bottom lip before he releases me.
“We’re ready, Craig,” he tells the artist. Craig’s gaze slides between the two of us, and a huge grin splits his face.
“Let's get you married, kids!”
An hour later, the skin on my panty line is on fire and taped with a protective covering over my new tattoo.
Finn almost had an aneurysm when I started pulling my pants down for Craig to have better access.
Our tattoo artist looked like he feared for his life at the glare Finn gave him the entire time.
Since Finn sat and watched my entire tattoo being done rather than getting his done at the same time, we’re running slightly behind schedule.
“It’s not like they can start the wedding without us,” Finn jokes as we head out to his bike that's parked out front. He laughs, but my eyes are already on the bike, and the representation of what is about to happen next.
My steps slow as we approach, nerves pinching my stomach. Finn’s hand tightens on mine. “Trust me, wife,” he murmurs before pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.
My gaze jumps to his, and the easy smile on his beautiful lips.
I don’t even get to reply before he scoops me up in his arms bridal style.
My arms wrap around his neck as he carries me the rest of the way to his bike, where he sets me down on the back seat.
My legs easily drape over the sides, and my feet make it to the pegs, muscle memory and reflex guiding me.
Finn takes a step back and whistles low, his eyes running over every inch of my body as if he’s memorizing the sight. “You look like you belong there, Daisy. You look like you’re mine.”
My breath hitches in my throat. My voice is shaky when I say, “I am yours, Finn.”
He hands me the property cut to put on over my leather jacket and then my helmet, before he slides on in front of me. I reach for him, securing my arms tightly around his waist. Finn turns the engine on and kicks the stand up. “Now let's go make you mine in the eyes of the law of Tennessee.”
A laugh tears from my chest as he guns it out of the parking lot, picking up speed once we hit the main road leading out of town and heading toward the clubhouse.
My hair blows freely around us in the wind, the slight chill barely touching me thanks to my many layers.
It feels good to be out in the world after being sequestered in the cabin for almost two months.
Although I don’t regret the time there or the chance I was given to reconnect with my husband.
It's nearing sundown when we make it to the clubhouse. The prospects let us in through the gate, and we’re met by several members whooping and hollering outside.
Finn parks and helps me off the back of his bike.
The next second, I’m thrown over his shoulder while he carries me inside.
There are more cheers, and I can’t help smiling, even when he reaches up to slap my ass.
“Finn!” I laugh and feel the rumble of his chest underneath me.
Once he places me back on my feet, Lyric launches into my arms, hugging me tightly.
Jocelyn is next, then Hope and a few of the other wives.
Each of which has reached out in their own way to apologize and help provide Finn and me with groceries, wine, or things for the house while we’ve been hiding out.
We’re not best friends yet by any means, but their willingness to take the first step has gone a long way.
The only women who give me a wide berth are the club whores, and I don’t really feel the need to reconnect with any of them anyway.
Not after their disrespect and definitely not after they continued to go after my man, knowing he was mine all along.
“Did you need to change?” Jocelyn asks me, and I shake my head no.
“I’m getting married in what makes me comfortable.”
Lyric smirks and hands me a tube of red lipstick to freshen up. “I think you look badass.”
My hand runs over the tight black pants, white tank top that says brIDE on it, and my black leather jacket and cut.