Page 120 of Property of Bones

And maybe… for us… it just did.

“LET’S PARTY!” Skip shouts from somewhere behind us. “I WANT TO DANCE WITH THE BRIDE!”

“Touch her and I’ll break your fucking arms,” Jack growls, pulling me against his chest like we haven’t been married for all of ten seconds.

“You’re possessive,” I murmur, grinning up at him.

“Only with you, doll.”

The backyard has been transformed. Strings of white lights crisscross overhead, warm and glowing like stars made just forus. Tables are scattered around the space, each one covered in simple wildflowers and mismatched candles. Thanks all to Riley and Abby. They also managed to prepare a full dessert bar, including a cake that reads‘Til Death or Prison…Whichever Comes First…in black icing.

Skip commandeers the makeshift dance floor in the center of it all, pulling Crusher and Knuckles with him. I’m not sure what the move is supposed to be, but it involves a lot of stomping and pointing at each other’s boots.

“Come on, Jack,” I tease, tugging at his hand. “Let’s dance.”

“I don’t dance.”

“You will tonight.”

He mutters something about embarrassing himself but lets me pull him onto the dance floor anyway. His hands settle on my hips, large and familiar, and we just sway. It’s not fancy. It’s not graceful. But it’s real.

He presses his forehead to mine and whispers, “I’m gonna love you ‘til I stop breathing.”

“You better,” I whisper back.

“Congratulations,” Max says, stopping next to us. “I’m so happy for you both.”

“Thank you, brother,” Jack says, shaking Max’s hands.

The club voted to allow Max back in. But, he has to earn his Prospect Leader patch back. Skip told me the other day that Max isn’t the same person he was before everything went down. He must have gone through some things that changed him.

Max nods and walks away only for his spot to be taken by Patch who has a gift tucked under one arm.

“Uh oh,” Riley laughs from behind her drink. “He’s doing it again.”

Patch stops in front of us with a proud smirk and hands me a neatly wrapped box. “Congratulations, Mrs. Bones.”

“Thanks, Patch,” I say cautiously, already narrowing my eyes.

Jack eyes the box like it’s wired with explosives.

I tear off the paper and blink. The title reads:

How to Survive Married to a Psycho Biker…A Field Guide for the Slightly Unhinged Bride

Jack groans. “You’ve got to be shitting me.”

I open the book and read aloud, “Tip #6: When he growls at someone for looking at you, growl with him. Bonus points if you bare your teeth.”

I can’t help it…I burst into laughter.

“Give me that,” Jack grumbles, snatching the book out of my hands. “Is this supposed to be funny?”

Patch grins. “Chapter Ten is about carving initials into rival gang members. I figured it was your kind of love language. And, don’t even bother throwing that away. I have five more copies ready…just in case.”

“You want your medical license revoked?” Jack shoots back.

“Don’t need a license to hand you your first parenting book, too. That one’s next,” Patch says with a wink, then strolls off whistling.

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