Page 74 of Dark Notes

I get out of the shower, but don’t bother drying off, as she stares at me like I’m nuts. Walking into the bedroom, I grab my phone and call Jett as I walk back to her.

She continues watching me as he answers his phone.

“Hey, man. Your tattoo guy. Call him and see if he can be at my house tonight.”

McKinley shakes her head with disbelief, and I just smirk at her. There are very few things I wouldn’t do for her to become my wife, and honestly, I should’ve fixed this already.

I hang up my call, and put my phone on the counter before rejoining her.

“That could’ve waited,” she says softly.

I disagree with her, “No, it needs to be done. You made it clear how much it bothered you, and it was wrong for me not to do something about it immediately.”

“Can we go to Italy and get married there? I loved it there until the end.”

“If that’s what you want, that’s what you get. I’d marry you on the goddamn moon. At a Burger King, McDonalds, literally any place you want.”

She giggles again. “I should’ve known when you sang me the most unromantic song just after we met, you’d not be great with the romance game, but we are not getting married at a fast food place.”

I feign shock. “That song is very romantic. Besides, it worked. I saw the way you looked at me.”

She tilts her head and gives me a ‘whatever’ expression.

“McKinley, you are my entire fucking world. When I thought I was going to lose you, I preferred to be dead. Death by a thousand strikes of a bat would be far less painful than living a life without you. With me, you will never experience the heartbreaking things you did before. I swear to you, I’ll protect your tender heart, as well as your gorgeous body. I will always choose you. You are enough. Perfect, just as you are. Your only flaw is that you’re not my wife. So marry me this weekend and fix that. I promise you, this stupid tattoo will be fixed before then.”

Wrapping her arms around my neck, she smiles at me. “You are capable of being romantic. I can’t wait to marry you this weekend, Jagger.”

Leaning forward, she kisses my chest softly.

“Thank you, Jagger.”

She suddenly looks up at me with confusion.

“Wait. I never even asked what your last name is. I assume Wild is a stage name.”

I chuckle. “So you’re wondering what your name will be?”

She nods with a sweet little grin.

“Well, my name is not a stage name, so to the world you’ll be McKinley Wild, but to me, you’ll always be my filthy girl.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

JAGGER

I’m a guy so I don’t know much about weddings. I had no clue how much work it would be to put this together on such short notice. With less than a week’s notice I managed to get McKinley every one of her must have things, except for one.

Last night her best friend, Mia, called to inform her she would not be attending our wedding, or coming to Italy at all.

My girl is crushed, because as it is she has no family that will be in attendance, and she isn’t handling this news well. This should be the happiest time of her life, but instead of smiles, I keep finding her in tears. I don’t have a fucking clue what’s going on because when I asked, she said it wasn’t her story to tell.

I call Jett to get his help, because I’m not allowing this shit to happen this way. Whatever the hell Mia is going through, I’m sorry she’s having difficulty, but this is about McKinley right now.

He answers on the third ring. “Yes, I’m flying out early as fuck. I will be there and so will your rings.”

I chuckle softly. “Good, man, I’m glad to hear it, but I need something else.”

“Jesus Christ. I’m starting to feel like your fucking employee. Whatever you need, ask Jake or Hendrix. I’m trying to fucking relax before I have to fly across the world.”

---