Runaway (Wolfes of Manhattan 3)

And I was complete.

My story wasn’t a hundredth as horrible as hers, but now she knew.

And now we could be together.47RileyTacky.

So tacky, this chapel, but I was in heaven, despite what all of us had been through. I was in love, and I was happy.

I couldn’t help giggling as I picked out a bouquet from the display.

“Is marrying me that funny?” Matt asked.

“God, no. I’m just thinking of the look on my mother’s face if she were here.”

“Should we call her?” Roy asked.

“Only if you want to. I certainly don’t.” I fingered the flowers. “I like the white roses. Which one do you like, Charlie?”

“The roses are gorgeous, but I’m going to go with the lilies, I think.”

“Whatever you want.” Roy smiled.

The others had already taken seats in the chapel. I couldn’t get over Reid. Just an hour ago, he’d been ready to take Zee down to save his own hide, and now he was escorting her to my wedding.

My brother had always been a womanizer, and he was no different now. An attractive woman came along, and he went for it. Classic Reid Wolfe. He wasn’t called the Wolfe of Manhattan for nothing.

I just hoped he understood that Zee was troubled. Surely he wouldn’t try to get her into bed. Not when we needed her cooperation. The last thing she needed was a love-her-and-leave-her guy like Reid taking advantage of her and then flying the coop.

After all, once Rock and Reid had concluded their business here, we were all heading back to New York.

On the other hand, Reid knew how to cozy up to a woman and make her comfortable. Perhaps that was exactly what Zee—and the rest of us—needed.

But then I stopped thinking about Reid and Zee.

I thought only about Matt, who looked magnificent with his blond hair hanging below his shoulders, his buff-colored shirt clinging to his muscles and his ass looked delectable in black jeans. I was wearing the same thing I’d worn all day—a miniskirt and camisole with denim mules. Comfy and casual.

Roy and Charlie looked great as well. Roy had pulled his hair back into his signature sleek ponytail and wore dark jeans and a white button-down, no tie. Charlie wore jeans too, along with a creamy silk blouse and strappy silver sandals.

“We don’t have rings,” Charlie said.

I tugged at the sterling pendant around my neck. “This is my ring.”

Charlie gasped. “Oh! It’s lovely.”

“Matt made it,” I bragged. “He’s a silversmith.”

“Really?” Roy said. “Too bad you don’t have your wares on you. It would solve our ring dilemma.”

“No dilemma.” Lacey walked briskly toward us. “Every chapel in Vegas sells wedding sets.”

We all laughed, and ten minutes later, we were outfitted with genuine ten-karat gold-plated rings.

Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” pumped out of the organ at the front of the chapel, where our Elvis-impersonating minister waited.

“That’s our cue,” Roy said to Matt. “We’ll see you ladies in a few.”

I turned to Charlie and smiled. “Welcome to the family. I hope you know what you’re in for.”

“We don’t really know each other, but I love your brother more than anything.”

“I know you do. Ready?”

She nodded, and we linked arms. Together we strolled down the short aisle to meet our fate.Rock and Reid pulled the corks out in unison from two bottles of Dom Perignon.

“To the happy couples,” Rock said. “I hope you’re all as happy as Lace and I are.”

After the newlyweds were all served, Reid carried a flute of champagne to Zee. He was ever the gentleman. In that moment, I adored my brother for what he was doing for her—making her feel at ease in a strange and stressful situation. Maybe she’d open up to him. To all of us.

“Speech!” Lacey called. “You first, Matt.”

“Me? Why me?”

“Because you’re the newest member of the family,” Rock said.

He smiled. “I’m not sure what to say, except that I love this lady—my wife—more than I ever thought I could love another person. Thank you for proposing to me, baby. I’m happy to be Mr. Riley Wolfe!”

Everyone laughed, and then I spoke.

“I’m just as happy to be Mrs. Matteo Rossi. Thank you for everything.” I clinked my glass to his and everyone took a sip.

Roy stepped up next. “I’m really glad to be here. In this moment, without all the shit that’s been dragging me down for so long. Silver, you’ve made such a difference in my life. I love you more than anything.”

Charlie blushed, and her eyes—yeah, they were actually silver—sparkled. “Thank you for seeing me, Roy, and loving me.”

Glasses clinked once more, and we all hugged and kissed and shook hands in a mass of lips and limbs.

Zee stood alone, not touching anyone.

“Excuse me for a second,” I said to Matt. I walked to Zee. “Doing okay?”

She nodded. “I’ve never had Dom Perignon before. I don’t drink much.”

“There’s plenty. Want some more?”