Page 119 of Property of Bones

Jack leans in, his voice low and gravel-rough.

“You look like a dream, baby.”

I can’t speak, so I simply smile.

Maverick starts the ceremony with a traditional opening. Talking about the power of love, the strength of family, and how commitment is forged not just in good days, but in blood, sweat, tears, and battle scars.

Then it’s Jack’s turn.

He takes a slow breath, then pulls a folded piece of paper from inside his jacket and tucks it right back in, unread.

“I had vows written,” he mutters. “Perfect ones. Real poetic shit. But then I saw you walking toward me, everything flew out of my head.”

I can’t help the teary laugh that slips past my lips.

“I ain’t a good man,” he says. “But I’m yours. Always. No matter what. You ever cry, I’ll be the one tearing down the sky to fix it. Someone hurts you, I’ll bury them so deep their bones will never be found. And ifIever hurt you, Sunny…reallyhurt you…I’ll put the knife in your hand and help you twist it.”

Several of the club members chuckle, but I can feel the sincerity pouring from him like fire.

“I’ll protect you, worship you, love you ‘til there’s no breath left in my body.”

He’s shaking, just slightly.

“I ain’t perfect,” he finishes. “But I’llbe better. For you. Only you.”

Maverick gently cues me, and I try not to cry as I take Jack’s hands in mine.

“My love,” I say, voice trembling but clear. “Before you, I didn’t know what it meant to feel trulyseen. You came into my life like a storm, wrecking every wall I’d built…but you left something better behind. Safety. Hope. Belonging.”

I brush my thumb over his scarred knuckle.

“You call yourself darkness, butyou’rethe one who lit up all the dark corners I tried to forget. I vow to love you without condition. To believe in you even when you don’t believe in yourself. To hold your hand through the fire and dance in the ashes when it’s over.”

Jack’s eyes are glistening now.

“I vow to be your peace when the world gets too loud, your home when everything else feels cold. And no matter what comes, I will always choose you. In this life. And the next.”

Silence.

Thick. Full. Reverent.

“Before we continue,” Maverick says. “Does anyone here object to this union?”

“No one better say a fucking word,” Jack growls to our guests, causing them all to laugh. But, no one says a word.

“Alright. Jack, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Maverick asks.

“Fuck, yes, I do,” he says, causing everyone to laugh

“And Susanna,” Maverick smiles at me. “Do you take this man, this crazy obsessed over-top alpha male to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“Fuck you, Maverick,” Jack says with no real heat.

Looking at Jack, I smile. “I do.”

Maverick finally clears his throat. “By the power vested in me…by the state California, and the grace of God…I now pronounce you husband and wife. Brother, you may kiss your blushing bride.”

Jack doesn’t hesitate. He yanks me forward and kisses me like the world just started over.

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