“Old man, if you even think about kissing the bride anywhere but on her cheek, forehead, or hand, you will be in traction for a month.”
Preacher just smiled, sipping his drink.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, friend.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Hunter
I adjusted my tie, looking out over the crowd. We were waiting at the front of a long white runner that filled the aisle between rows of chairs. The chairs were pretty small, actually, which was hilarious, considering they were full of bikers. I frowned at the Hell Raisers standing in the back. They hadn’t been invited, and they were sure to cause problems, but they were here all the same.
I glanced at Cain and he nodded. He was clearly thinking the same thing. Then the music started and I stopped thinking altogether.
A couple of the kids skipped down the aisle with baskets of rose petals. The girls had helped with a lot of the details. I was lucky as fuck to have so many amazing women in my life. It wasn’t just the men that formed the Untouchables family. It was all our old ladies, too.
And I was about to claim mine for keeps.
She stepped through the double doors at the other end of the ballroom and all the air left the room. I was like a fish flopping on the sand. I felt like a caveman staring at the sun.
She was that beautiful. That brilliant. Ethereal layers of silk chiffon floated around her long legs as she walked toward me. The look on her face was calm. Sure. Steady.
She gave me strength in that moment. I was having doubts that I deserved her. But goddammit, I would make sure I lived up to her expectations. I might not be a perfect angel like she was, but I could try. I could try and come close to her level of goodness.
My body was making its own demands. The way she looked in that dress . . . her hair . . . her eyes . . . her perfect fucking face and curvy body . . . it was torture having to look at her, knowing she would be mine, but also that I would have to wait hours to be alone with her.
Unless . . .
Would it really be so bad if I snuck upstairs with her for a little while?
No, you dumbass. You need to do the photos after the ceremony. And then she needs to be able to dance and be with her friends and eat cake, not get her pretty hair and makeup all mussed up by my big paws.
By the time she had gotten down the aisle and was standing beside me, I had forgotten all my fears and worries. I had laid down my burdens. Until Preacher started talking.
And then I started worrying about a whole other level of imminent bullshit.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the union on this gorgeous young woman and this disreputable old fuck. Robbing the cradle is a crime, young man,” he said with a smirk. “I should know. Now, before we begin, is there anyone who has a reason to prevent this union?”
He stared placidly at the crowd, then at me, then back at the crowd. A whole fucking minute must have passed. A few people started to laugh as Preacher rocked back on his heels and looked skyward.
“Speak up now or forever hold your peace,” he eventually said. Then he sighed heavily and patted Claire’s shoulder. “I am sorry, dear. I did try. Now, let’s get on with it. And you in the back, I’m watching you and so is the Lord above. Do not trash this place.”
The girl who worked at the hotel made an audible gasp. I could tell she was worried. And she should be.
I took my eyes off my bride for just long enough to glare at the Hell Raisers in the back. They looked calm enough. But I knew better.
Things were probably going to go sideways at some point tonight. I just hoped it was after I took my bride upstairs and that the other guys could keep things from getting totally out of control.
“Fine,” he finally said with another deep sigh. I almost kicked the old fuck. “Let’s get this travesty over with.”
Claire let out a startled laugh. I hoped the girls had warned her about Preacher. She didn’t look too offended, so that was good.
“Young lady, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?”
“I do,” she said in her soft, sweet voice.
“Hunter, you scallywag, do you take this gorgeous, innocent angel to be your wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, including her obvious mental illness in marrying you, for richer and for poorer, until death do you part?”