And maybe I have, but there’s no backing out now.
“When did this happen?” Dominic asks, and I know he was called to the clubhouse for this very reason. He wasn’t here half an hour ago.
It’s like the clubhouse is in DEFCON One, and I’m the reason the threat level has been elevated.
“When I went to California. It was love at first sight.” The lie is bitter in my mouth, but I swallow it down with a smile.
“I see,” he says, his tone making it very clear that he knows I’m full of shit.
I channel the attraction I had for her the first time I saw her walk out of her high school—a girl who literally had just turned eighteen that very same day. I feel a little dirty for the allure she had then. Yeah, she’s technically legal, but she’s been sheltered to the real ways of the world. Her protection has been extended as much as possible for a girl who was expected to serve some pervert. Her beliefs are all wrapped up in religious lies and manipulation.
“When’s the wedding?” Delilah asks, and it doesn’t get past me that she’s the super sweet one, no doubt sent to ask these questions so it’ll be less suspicious than if one of the guys were asking.
I know they probably would’ve sent Ivy, the most innocent of all the women here, if she wasn’t still teaching at summer school.
“Today,” I tell her, once again looking down at my watch to make sure there’s enough time to get to the county clerk’s office in Aztec.
“Today?” Cara screeches.
She keeps her distance as if she can’t imagine getting any closer to this farce.
“Yes,” April answers, her back straightening, a dare for her sister to question her. “We should get going.”
That’s all I need to hear to begin leading April to the front door. I really should take a moment to speak with Kincaid, but I know his answers won’t keep this from happening. Apparently, when I go in, I go all the way in. I can’t be dissuaded. April is the only one who can pump the breaks on this now, and she doesn’t seem to be faltering even a little in her decision.
“Apollo,” my boss says, and I stop in my tracks.
I look down at April before turning my gaze to his, and she’s begging me with her eyes. That sadness I’d seen the first time we met is still present, and I hate to think that it hasn’t left. I never would’ve escorted her to South Carolina if I thought for a second she wouldn’t be happier there than the place we thought we were saving her from.
Hell, I don’t even know if the boy that got her pregnant was from California or South Carolina, and why do I feel pressure in my chest at the thought of her being with someone after we met? It was months ago. We had no connection, no promise of a future then. I haven’t lived any differently in the months since I met her than I was doing before, but there’s no denying the ache in my chest, that stirring of jealousy for any man that had his hands on her at any point in her life. The undeserving bastard needs his ass kicked.
“Sir,” I say when I finally look up at Kincaid.
My boss looks a little flustered, his eyes darting between April and me. I formulate my response in case he tells me this can’t happen, and instead of making me want to beg him like a little boy, I’m trying to figure out if I’ll have enough time to pack my stuff and still make it to the clerk’s office in time before they close. Would he deny my use of one of the SUVs? Surely, he wouldn’t force me to put a pregnant woman on the back of a motorcycle.
“You need two witnesses,” he says, his jaw clenching like he’s fighting the urge to say so much more.
I nod in acknowledgement, looking around the room. Suddenly, every guy in the room that was so enthralled with our news, seems suddenly busy. Even Legend won’t meet my eyes now.
“April?” Cara asks as she steps closer. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes,” April says without hesitation.
“Then Javier and I will be the witnesses.”
Thumper looks like he has swallowed glass with Cara’s declaration, but he nods. I know it’s the closest thing to an agreement I’ll get from the man, and I’ll take what I can get at this point.
Emmalyn claps her hands, pure delight in her eyes as she steps into Kincaid’s side.
“Take the long way home,” she says. “We’ll need a little time to get everything together.”
“Everything?” April asks, the shyness in her voice making me want to smile.
“For the reception,” Emmalyn says, her smile growing wider. “We celebrate weddings and babies with gusto around here.”