Page 33 of Jigsaw
She nodded as tears flowed down her cheeks, and I stood, pushing the ring onto her finger, and yanked her into my arms, smashing my lips to hers. The cheers, whistles, and shouts of congratulations flowed around us as I released her and smiled. Brothers began to walk up to her as the ladies stayed seated, giving Willow her chance to be accepted by the club.
The last person to walk up to her was her brother. His cut was still turned around so his colors were hidden, and when Willow saw him, her chin wobbled and a new round of tears flowed as he pulled her into a deep hug, whispering something to her that had her nodding against his shoulder. After he placed a kiss on her cheek, he turned to face me.
I thought I was going to get a speech about taking care of his sister, or the threat of hurting her and him ending my life, but I was pleasantly shocked when he extended his open hand, not a fist, and shook my hand.
“Always love her like she’s your world, and never let her stubbornness get in the way of your happiness,” Ghost said.
Willow slapped his shoulder as she walked around and pushed herself against my body. I kissed the top of her head before I looked down at her and remarked, “If you’re not busy tomorrow, I’ve got a chaplain on standby and a group of ladies ready to make your day perfect.”
“You want to get married tomorrow?” Willow asked, and I could see my brothers listening to the conversation. I was beginning to think it was crazy when I noticed Ghost had a smirk on his face. Willow turned to face me before she spoke. Her smile filled her beautiful face when she said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Fuck yeah,” I yelled and pumped my fist into the air.
Ghost shook his head with laughter, and I knew he was thinking exactly what I was.
Unpredictable, but worth it.
Chapter 16
Willow
Yes, it was crazy to get married so quickly, but in my heart of hearts, I knew Dean Hamilton was it for me. He had been since the night I met him, and fully realizing how much he sacrificed for me made it that much more special. I didn’t expect to see my brother there, and definitely not with his cut turned inside out to hide his colors, but when he hugged me, telling me how proud he was of me and how good of a man I had, I felt like we’d come full circle.
This should have happened six years ago, but there was no turning back time. We only had what lay ahead, and I was eager to see what the future looked like.
After my claiming and proposal, I was whisked to the ladies’ table to discuss what I wanted for the wedding.
Paige remarked, “You and Jigsaw need to go first thing and get a marriage license, and then we can find you a dress. Do you know what you may want to wear?”
I shrugged and responded, “I never really thought about it.”
A few of the ladies gasped, and Charlie laughed from beside me. It was Chayenne who asked, “You’ve never dreamed about your wedding?”
I shook my head and took a sip of the rum and Coke Jigsaw had brought to me before he stepped away to speak with Ghost, who was now proudly wearing his colors. “Honestly, I’m not a girly-girl, and the idea of planning all that, at a ridiculous expense, just for a few minutes of pictures, never appealed to me.”
It was my brother who interjected as he and Dean walked up. “Not to eavesdrop, but Willow didn’t play with Barbies or babydolls growing up. She had a black mini-trike as a little girl and was happier skinning her knees playing outside than she was playing dress-up.”
I nodded, adding, “I didn’t babysit as a girl, and I never daydreamed of what my wedding would look like.”
“Me either,” Claire said, and I looked at her in confusion. She explained, “I was happier hanging out at my dad’s business, learning how to make deals, than I was playing with dolls.”
I felt myself relax as the ladies began to tell me how they agreed with me and how little they each planned their ‘big day’. They really were my sisters, and when Dean kissed me and Ghost bumped my shoulder with his fist before they walked away, I couldn’t help but smile. Life was good, and I was happy.
Isn’t that all anyone could ask for?
Monday afternoon
I was in Cheyenne and Roughstock’s bedroom with the ladies helping me get ready. Dean and I got up this morning and were the first ones in line for a marriage license. Luckily, this kind of thing happened at the Rally every year, so there was no wait on getting the license. The chaplain who was doing the ceremony texted Dean late last night that he was in town and would be ready to go whenever we were.
I wasn’t nervous . . . I was fucking excited.
Being claimed wasn’t something I ever thought I wanted, but it turned out I was wrong. I did want to be claimed, but not just by anyone. I only wanted Dean Hamilton to place his claim on me. When he slipped the cut onto my shoulders yesterday, the broken pieces inside me found their spots and healed themselves. When I saw him holding the little black box with a beautiful ring inside, I felt something bigger than love take root.
I didn’t even have a way to describe what it felt like, but deep down, I was at peace.
“Are you sure you don’t want the old traditions?” Cheyenne asked, and I shook my head as I put the final touches on my makeup.
They asked about me having something old, new, borrowed, and blue, but I refused. I didn’t believe in old world folklore about the keys to a successful marriage. That was the reason I rode Dean’s cock until we both exploded before we left his house—our house—to come over for the ceremony. If things didn’t work out, it wouldn’t be because he saw me or I didn’t have a blue handkerchief tucked into a garter, or because I wasn’t being given away. I took care of myself, and I wasn’t something to be passed from one man to another.
