Chapter One
Joey drank in the vivacious scene around her. A bonfire roared. Yellow and orange flames flickered in the middle of the vast asphalt jungle behind the Lords of Mayhem club. The brisk weather nipped at her skin, and she pulled her leather jacket a bit tighter as she watched the fire crackle and waver. Winter had begun to give way to spring, but the evenings were still on the chilly side.
With the engagement between Shooter and her bestie Juliette, the group of four girlfriends spent more and more time here. A large part of Joey loved every minute of it. Must be my father’s blood in my veins.
Evonne and Hil stood close together talking to Specs and Gadget, more than likely about Hil’s latest novel.
Hilary was a shark with blood in the water, ciphering as much information from them as she could manage.
“Hey, everything okay?” Juliette called to Joey as she stood with her arms wrapped around her fiancée, the once-intimidating sergeant at arms, Shooter.
“Yeah, just taking it all in and making up imaginary conversations for Hil in my head,” Joey said, motioning her head toward the group a few yards to their left.
Shooter laughed. “Man, that chick is always grilling people for information. I think she missed her calling to be a fed.”
Juliette elbowed him gently. “Everything is book fodder for her. Give her a hint of something new and she’s all over it,” Shooter said.
“And that’s why she’s on the New York Times bestselling list.” Joey raised her plastic cup in mock salute.
“Touché.” Shooter nodded and nipped Juliette’s ear. “All right, ladies, I’m going to catch up with my boys. You good?”
“We’re fine,” Juliette said, waving him away.
The silly grin plastered on her friend’s face caused a chain reaction, and Joey found herself smiling. After the hell Juliette went through with her psychotic ex, Peter, she deserved this joy. They’d rallied around Juliette when Peter had come back into the picture to torment her. They’d known he was a possessive, controlling prick, but no one had known the extent of his abuse or the dangerous extracurricular activities he indulged in. In the end, the blood on his hands had led to his downfall, with a little help from the Lords of Mayhem. “God, Jul, could you have found a better match?” Joey said.
“I don’t think I could’ve,” Jul said, shaking her head as if to clear it. “There was something I actually wanted to ask you.”
“Shoot.” Joey took a sip of her whiskey and cola.
“Will you be my maid of honor?”
Joey choked. Liquid rushed down the wrong pipe, and she sputtered. “What—me?” She coughed.
“It was sort of like picking names out of a hat. I love you all equally, but Moose is going to be the best man and let’s face it. Evonne is slightly terrified of the gentle giant, and he and Hil would clash on all the decisions that need to be made,” Juliette said.
Joey snickered. A picture of Hil scolding a scowling Moose filled her head. “Yeah, I think you’re spot on there.”
“So, you’ll do it?” Juliette nibbled nervously at her bottom lip.
“Like you had to ask that, of course!” Joey said. She leaned in, careful not to slosh her drink as she wrapped an arm around Juliette and gave her a quick hug. “I’m honored, friend.”
“Good. I figure the girls will understand once I tell them Shooter’s pick for the best man,” Juliette said. The cloudy expression lifted, and joy resonated around her being.
“Either of us would’ve been happy for whoever you chose. Is it safe to assume you guys have picked a date?”
“Six months from now.”
Joey whistled. “You don’t hesitate, do you?”
“With all that went down with Peter and his insanity, I think we want to be established before another shit storm rolls in,” Juliette said. Her voice lowered an octave, and her eyes grew shuttered.
Joey reached out and squeezed her hand. This entire last year had been a bitch. Which was why Joey would ensure her big day went off without a hitch. “Should we call the girls in to have a huddle?”
“Not just yet. I wanted to talk to you alone for a minute. I know how Hil and Evonne can be. They’ll want to make things grand and…”
“Over the top?” Joey supplied for her with a smirk.
“Basically.” Relief lit Juliette’s eyes.
“I follow you. You’ve never been a flashy person. You want it intimate and more laid-back, so Shooter actually feels like a part of the day, and not just a body who showed up to play a role.”
“God, yes.” Juliette sighed.
Joey giggled. “Tell me your vision.”
“Relaxed, airy, unconventional and fun.” Juliette seemed to glow as she gazed out over the fire. “I don’t even think I want to wear a white dress.”
“Your mom is going to love that one.” Joey winced, thinking of the hell the old-fashioned woman would raise.
“Another reason I picked you. Your um, diplomatic abilities.” Juliette smiled.
“Are you saying I’m an ass kisser?” Joey placed a hand on her hip.
“You said it, not me.” Juliette pointed at her.
“Uh huh.” Joey pursed her lips. “When you say laid-back, are we talking country chic or vintage flair?”
“A mixture of both?” Juliette wrinkled her nose.
“I can work with that. Is Shooter actually going to wear a tux?” The image of the biker in a traditional black suit felt wrong.
“No.” Juliette shook her head. “I think he’s going to wear pants and a vest.”
“I just might buck tradition altogether, and go with a pink dress.”
“I can see that. If you’re wearing pink, what color will the bridesmaids wear?”
“Oh, you have totally been corrupted. So daring and different from the librarian I once knew,” Joey chided.
“Shut up.” Juliette nudged her playfully with her shoulder.
“Do you know where you want to have it?” Joey took another sip of her drink.
“Not in a church. I think some of the brothers might burst into flames.” Juliette snorted.
“Truth,” Joey whispered.
“Mayhem owns some lakeside property outside of town. We’ve been toying with the thought of having it there.”
“Rustic, with a little personality?” Joey nodded imagining the scene in her head. “I’m feeling you.”