Speed King (Men of Action 1)

“Considering you’re covering the bar tab afterward, yeah,” Finns speaks up. “Unless you’re rushing to get home and discuss centerpieces and flowers.”

“Fuck that shit.” I jog down the stairs to help Robbie with what I assume is the platform.

Finn pulls out a case of champagne and beer.

“What the hell is that for?”

“Achilles, we’re planning a wedding in one day. We need our creative juices flowing,” Presley chastises with exasperation.

“You ladies getting loaded or planning a wedding?”

“You’re the Roadrunner who set the wedding date. We’re the organizing crew.”

Ember surprises me by wrapping her arms around my middle in a gentle hug. “Hey, Ace,” she says in a soft voice.

“Hey, sweetie, what’s with the hug?” I look at Robbie for guidance, and he’s eyeing us. There’s more amusement than jealousy on his face.

Same with Finn, but Presley is grinning sneakily.

“Because I’m ecstatic with the design Harley chose, and once you see her and how stunning she is, you may cry. Then you may never hug me again.”

Jesus, this woman is fucking awesome. “Babe, my girl is always stunning, but the only way you’d make me cry is if you shattered her dreams of this dress. Even then, it may be more of a rampage.”

She giggles softly into my chest. “You Marines are ridiculous.”

“Us Marines are smart fuckers. Look at the women in our lives.”

She stares up at me, her eyes lit with admiration and smile genuine. “My husband and Finn are heroes like you. And heroes deserve everything, especially to tear up on their wedding day.”

“Make you a deal. You get a tear out of me, Harley and I’ll babysit for date night.”

“I’ll take you up on that!” Robbie yells. “My money is on my wife.”

She shares a thoughtful look with him and moves to pick up a plastic container. “Fair warning, my cousin and his partner are coming over later. They fell in love with Harley when she came to the shop to look at designs.”

“Babe, with Cruz and Alex in the mix, should we plan on everyone being sloshed?” Robbie eyes his wife.

“Yes,” she chirps. “They’re closing the shop early and bringing the evening cocktails.”

“How did a wedding planning party turn into a rave?” I question.

“Because you’re Usain Bolt!” Presley and Ember parrot back.

Apparently, Jewls shared her feelings.

“Ember, where you want this?” he asks his wife.

“Living room.”

“You need any help?” I offer.

“Nah, I’m used to it.” He heads up the steps.

“I’ll take these then.” I remove the bins from Ember’s hands and notion with my head for her to lead.

The prattling goes wild when Ember and Presley join the women. Harley stands in the middle of the room, her wet hair tied back with two ribbons that hang to the middle of her back. She informed me the colors were azure and champagne.

To me, they look blue and cream, but I now know what azure fucking is.

She also informed me that after her day in Ember’s formal shop, Clyde’s, she wants these as the wedding colors.

Once again, I don’t give a shit which colors she chose as long as it ties her to me.

But I kept that to myself.

“Trust me on this, unless you want to answer questions you don’t give a shit about, we need to exit fast,” Finn utters under his breath.

He read my mind.

“Let me get my stuff. Meet you around front.”

I head toward my room when I hear Grandma Lacy declare, “We need more pictures of that handsome fella.”

By fella, I assume she means me, so I glance at Harley.

“Your mom brought pictures of you growing up. I have tons of us together, but do you have any from the Marines? It’s for a slideshow.”

“I may have some in an old box in my closet.”

“Let’s look.” She eases out of the huddle of women and takes my hand.

“You sure you don’t want to taste any of the food?”

“You know what we like. I’m taking care of the bar.”

“Any additional addresses I should add to the invitation list?”

“Baby, I gave you over a dozen.”

“Invites get addressed today and go out on Monday. Don’t want to miss anyone.”

“Didn’t you order extra?”

She nods.

“In the off chance someone’s forgotten, we’ll send it later.”

“I hope your Marine friends come.”

It’s cute to hear her refer to these men as my friends. The ties that bind us are so much deeper. Any man who will take a bullet for you is a brother for life.

“I’m sure most of them will.”

“Really?” she asks hopefully.

“Yeah, if they can swing it. Most of those fuckers won’t give up the chance to meet you. Especially since Talon spread that twinkle shit wide.”

I let go of her hand, going to the closet and finding a box that would hold any pictures from my years in the service. “Anything I have will be in here.”

She scans through the contents and brings out a shot of me with the guys in training after boot camp. “It’s like opening a time vault.”