Page 62 of Demon's Angel

I don’t tell her how special that heart-shaped jewellery is. Whatever reason I initially had for giving it to her, the gold engraved with an entwined ‘D’ and ‘V’ now seems right for more than one reason.

As weddings days seem to go, it starts as it continues, everything going so fast it all seems a blur. Mom has indeed done Vi proud. She’s wearing a blue satin dress that hugs her lovely curves, with a knee-length skirt that flares as she moves. The women of the club have grabbed the opportunity to wear something other than shorts, and even the whores look halfway presentable.

Of course, my wedding attire is simply clean jeans and a fresh shirt covered by my cut. It doesn’t take me long to get ready. Once dressed, I leave my room and am caught up with organising the escort to the church. Guns are checked in case the Silvestri family decide to call a halt to the proceedings.

When at last everyone is ready, engines start with a roar. The sound of almost thirty motorcycles is deafening. With Drummer in the lead, me behind riding alongside Red, followed by Snatcher, Thunder and the rest of the VPs and officers, then the various combined rank and file, we make our way to the courthouse. In the midst of our procession is an SUV bringing Vi and Theo. The rest of the women are up behind their men, even Mo riding pillion with Hellfire. The club whores hitch rides where they can.

“Did you spot the black limousine?” Drummer says quietly, taking me to one side when we park up.

“Sure did.”

“Get inside, Prez. I’ve got this.” Thunder waves at the SUV, now surrounded by numerous men in black leather.

“Come on, you’re a target out here.” Drummer takes me inside.

The limousine wasn’t the only thing I’d noticed. I’d spotted a few of Silvestri’s men as well. My caution in having invited the other chapters here today has been vindicated. Not only does it give the impression that this is a real president’s wedding, but our show of force may well have deterred an attack. I won’t settle in my mind until Vi’s safely back in the compound.

She stunned me, that now-wife of mine. My vows were hurried and not thought through. Hers, though? She must have rewritten them since last night. No one could be left in any doubt of her love for me. I’m guilty I hadn’t reciprocated, but shit, that’s woman’s stuff, and this is the marriage that wasn’t meant to be but feels… perfect.

The kiss, though. In public, I demonstrated just what she means to me to the accompaniment of cheers and wolf whistles, and more than a few tears from my mom. Even Hellfire was sniffling.

“Proud of you, Son.” My father’s eyes glisten as I take Theo from Jayden.

I make him a vow, as earnest as any I’d just said to Vi. “I’ll bring him up right, Hell. Got a fuckin’ good example to follow and live up to.”

His hand squeezes my shoulder. We both know I’m alluding to the fact he brought up another man’s child. He points to the baby who’s smiling in my arms. “Not his fault the way he was spawned. What he’ll turn out to be will be shaped by you as his old man. Never look to see anything else there.” Wise words from a man who’s lived it.

A quiet moment to ourselves. A question needing to be asked. “You ever have any second thoughts, Hell? Ever wondered if it was the right thing to do?”

“Never.” His voice is sharp, his rebuttal fast. “Mo was it for me. Whatever she came with was mine, too.”

I nod. That’s exactly what I feel about Vi, though I’d had my head in the sand too long and had tried to deny it.

Hell’s wise, proves it as he sums up, “You loved a child, Son. You stepped back when she started to grow. That love resurfaced when you connected again as man and woman. The only fucker who couldn’t see it was you. You’ve been fighting a battle you had no fuckin’ chance of winnin’.” He breaks off and grins. “Luckily, she’s a strong girl, wouldn’t let you run.”

I chuckle, then grow serious. “Is she strong enough, though, for this life?”

“She will be, with your help, Demon.”

I might have struggled with drawing her into my world, but I’m a selfish bastard. Now she’s here, I’m going to keep her.

She is walking toward us, her progress slow as she stops to accept congratulations. Mo hugs her, secret smiles exchanged, making me frown, wondering what they are plotting. Mo and Vi? Yeah, reckon I’ll need to watch my step with Mom and my old lady. Eventually she breaks through and is by my side.

Reaching me at last, she glances down at the new shiny ring on her finger, then up into my face. “It’s perfect, Demon.”

A moment of guilt. “Pyro chose it.”

“Well, he has good taste. I love it.”

Making a note to thank him again, knowing I don’t regret spending those few thousand dollars if it puts such a smile on her face, I pass her the baby as she indicates she wants to take him.

I lean down, covering Theo’s ears with my hands. “When we get back, I’m gonna fuck you hard. Ask Jay to take him. I want to hear you scream.”

Her pale skin blushes a lovely shade of red. “Mo’s offered to take him for the night.”

“No way, Vi. Not letting him go off the compound.”

She gives me a look which speaks volumes. It reads,What the hell do you take me for, D?“Hell and Mo are going to stay in your room.”

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