Unchained (Hogan Brothers 3)

Hitting the speed dial button on his cell assigned to Brax, he waited until the ringing ceased and voicemail kicked in. “Hey man, give me a call when you can. Ceremony’s at nine. She doesn’t know anything.”

After hanging up, he set to work readying the room for the night. Placing candles around the open space. A chilled bottle of non-alcoholic champagne was being sent up along with a light dinner around ten.

Opening the curtains of the room, the view was incredible, and he had a feeling Sage would love it as soon as she saw it. Center stage was the replica of St. Mark’s Campanile Tower from Venice, Italy. Below was the Grand Canal with bridges, boat gondolas, and enough lights to keep their room lit all night. It was a remarkable sight to see for sure.

One day, Loch would take her to the historical St. Mark’s Campanile Tower in Italy. He had a feeling that her faith in God would allow her to experience the wonder in peace.

A knock at the door distracted him from his pondering of their future. “Come on, man, open the door!” Levi called. He could hear their mother telling him to shut it that they were in a classy place.

Pulling the door open, Soph and Hayes immediately hugged him. “We are so happy for you, Loch.”

Hayes grinned at him. Levi darted around them saying, “Sorry, kid, gotta take a leak.”

“Can’t take him anywhere.” His better half laughed.

“Fancy place, Loch.” Nox pulled him in for a hug.

He grinned. “She’s worth every penny.”

Nox drew away, his eyes on Soph. “They are, aren’t they?”

“I can’t believe my baby’s getting married!” Their mother had tears in her eyes as she hugged him tight like when he was a child.

“She’s it for me, Ma.”

“I want you to have this.” She held out her wedding band—the one their father had given her on their wedding day. A family heirloom. It was a thin white gold band with a ruby red stone set in the middle, surrounded by small white diamonds.

“Ma.” He tried to protest.

“No, baby.”

“But Nox?” He looked to his brother who stood with a smile worthy of the Joker.

“Nah, kid, this one is all you. Sage is going to appreciate this ring more than anything else you’ll find her. Besides, first to marry gets it.”

“Lev?” Loch turned to him.

“Like Nox said, first to marry.”

“Thanks, Ma.” He hugged her again.

“Lochlan?” Sophia called to him. “Have you thought about vows?”

“What?”

“Have you thought about writing your own vows? I know this was spur of the moment, and you likely haven’t, but Sage is so special. She deserves something from your heart.”

Looking around the suite they were in, he thought he’d accomplished that with the resort. “I didn’t do that already?”

Coming to him, she gripped his hand. “I know to you, this hotel, the meaning behind it, her faith, it’s all tied t

ogether. She’s eighteen, Lochlan. I’m willing to bet that even though she wants all of this as much as you do, she’ll want some treasured words from your heart even more.”

“She’s right,” Hayes chimed in. “Sharing with her how you feel will mean so much to her. I realize I’ve only met her briefly, but there’s something distinctive about her. She’s not like anyone I’ve ever known.”

“I know that. She’s gentle, kind. She’s perfect in ways I’ve never imagined. When I’m with her, there’s nothing else around us. She makes my pulse pound louder, and my heart beat stronger.”

“Tell her that,” Soph implored.