Page 15 of Blackbeard
“Don't forget your jewelry, lovebirds. I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
I turned to look into Blackbeard’s face, only a few inches from mine. There would be no reception, no cake, no champagne, no celebration. I wouldn’t wear a wedding dress, or walk down the aisle.
Just a room full of bikers who hated each other, and a piece of paper as proof that my life was now intertwined with this man before me.
“I’ll pass,” he growled. “No offense, princess.”
“Too shy to make out with your new wife in front of your buddies?” I goaded, swiping one of the rings off the table and sliding it on.
He smirked and shook his head.
“Believe me, that wouldn’t be a problem under normal circumstances. But there was nothing in that marriage contract about PDA. I married you for the sake of peace between our clubs. Not sex.”
“You’re a stronger man than me, brother,” Spike muttered.
I straightened into a standing position and stepped back. Blackbeard pushed his chair aside and rose to his feet, turning to face me.
“One little kiss is hardly sex, dear,” I replied with sharply-sweet honey in my voice. “I had no idea my husband was such a prude.”
Blackbeard huffed a dry laugh.
“If you really did your homework, then you know calling me a prude is an empty threat and I won’t fall for that.”
Which was true. From the information I gathered on Blackbeard, he had a pretty serious relationship back in his early twenties. When he was still a young, fresh-faced medical student, eager to change the world out of the goodness of his heart.
I never found out why the relationship ended. But I hoped I would get an answer eventually, if only to sate my curiosity.
That was the tricky part about obtaining information the way I did—it was often too impersonal. I could piece together the lives of these men by facts, dates, and names of the people they’d associated with in the past.
But I didn’t know what made them tick. I had to navigate that in real time, while I was among them like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“Besides,” Blackbeard said, tapping his temple. “I don’t trust you, sweetheart. So I have to keep my head on straight when you’re around.”
I lifted my chin and crossed my arms.
“I suppose that means you won’t be interested in consummating the marriage then.”
For a split second, Blackbeard hesitated. Then he shrugged.
“Guess not.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to hide a smile.
We’ll see about that.
Dad placed his hands on the table and stood.
“This is the most solemn wedding party I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Let’s get that whiskey flowing. My only daughter is married, and our war has been laid to rest. Sounds like two very good reasons to celebrate.”
We spilled out of that Church meeting room, eager to escape each other.
Just because the territory dispute had been settled, and technically our clubs were allies now, didn’t mean anyone had to actually be friendly. Especially with the history between the two clubs still bristling with animosity.
When sunrise began to color the sky with a rosy peach hue, I stifled a yawn.
“Cajun, Torch,” Dad barked. “Fetch Leigh’s belongings.”
As Cajun and Torch headed for the door as instructed, Blackbeard held up a hand.
