Page 88 of Ghost's Obsession

I smile against his chest, because this man has become my whole world. I literally cannot fathom why women would have ghosted him. He’s my idea of perfect.

***

Ghost

After loving on my soon-to-be wife this morning, I came downstairs to a houseful of people. Queenie and Brittany were on the way up with a breakfast tray for Heather. Britt’s recovered from her ordeal, she’s still a bit unsteady on her feet so Queenie is staying with her and Tusk for another month or so.

I smile politely at them both. “Whatever you’ve got there smells amazing.”

Queenie preens a bit. “Bacon, eggs, and blueberry pancakes. We left you some covered in the microwave. Best get to it before Evan and Levi find your stash.”

I pick up my pace, calling out thanks over my shoulder. Thankfully, my breakfast is still there. I grab it and head out onto the porch. Rigs immediatelyhands mea cup of coffee.

By the time I’ve scraped my plate clean, and the kitten’s stolen a piece of bacon off the tray, I know I’ve delayed long enough. The perimeter check isn’t about paranoia anymore. It’s more of a ritual. I walk the gravel trail from the edge of the garage conversion to the tree line, my eyes scanning for movement. Noting the angles of the tents, the line of parked bikes, the position of the fire pit—everything seems in order. Idon’t see anything that could be construed as athreatto my growing family, and that sets my mind at ease.

By the time I circle back around, the yard is humming with prep. More brothers have arrived. Tusk’s setting up the grill.

“The meat truck’s running late,” he tells me as soon as I’m within earshot.

Evan and Levi are in charge of the sound system.

“Hey!” Evan yells when he sees me. “Tell Levi that Country does not qualify as wedding music.”

Levi glares at his friend, “It does in Texas.”

“We ain’t in Texas now, cowboy,” Evan says.

I see Levi’s father, Tex standing beside the grill laughing at that.

“Did Heather make a playlist for the wedding?” I ask.

Levi answers sheepishly, “Yes.”

“Then button it up andfollowher playlist.”

Tusk strolls over, wiping his hands on his pants.

“How are you holding up, brother?”

“Good. Just tryingtomake sure Heather’s special day doesn’t go sideways. I think I’ve covered all my bases.”

“You sound like you might have achecklisthidden away somewhere, Ghost.”

I just grin and tap the side of my head with one finger. “It’s all right here. I don’t need no fuckin’checklist.”

Tusk studies me for a second. “You’re joking, right?”

I shrug. “Heather deserves perfection. She’s not being a bridezilla or anything. It’s me wanting things to go well for her.”

“Because you rushed it?”

I meet his eyes. “Yeah, I rushed it, but more importantly I want everything to go well, because she’s worth the timeandtrouble.”

He nods. “Okay. I get where you’re coming from on that one.”

We fall into a comfortable silence, watching the chaos around us settle into order. One of Venom’s drones zips past overhead. He’s partly keeping an eye out for any trouble, but he’s also going to record the wedding ceremony for us.

***

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