Today has been perfect. Sure, we had a typical Snakes wedding. CueBall officiating, my brothers and their partners, even their kids, all here to celebrate the love Brooke and I share. My dad walked Brooke down the aisle, the whole time she was smiling so wide at me. Not a glimmer of pain in her eyes for the things she went through.
The vows came and went quickly, and just as fast we were man and wife. People cheered as we walked out into the clubhouse grounds to an aisle of motorcycles, their riders astride with swords in the air, forming an arch for us to run beneath, while people threw confetti all over us. Brooke laughed, and our baby boy watched us from my brother's arms. Brooke told me as the engines of those steal horses began to rev, that she'd never been happier.
Everyone here today looks fantastic. My three-week-old sister looks adorable in her tiny white dress. My Mom looks beautiful and happier than I have ever seen her. My Dad looks just as happy with his arm around my mother. I haven't seen them smile the way they are right now in more years than I can remember.
Marnie managed to get away from that vile husband of hers for the day. Brooke invited her sister, but she understood Marnie might not have been able to attend. When Marnie arrived at the gates this morning, she told me that she wouldn't have missed this day for anything, no matter what Paul may do to her when she gets home. I wish Marnie would let us sort him out so that he'd never hurt her again. So she could leave and be free of him, but she won't allow it. That is her choice, not ours. As much as it drives me crazy knowing that cunt beats the hell out of her, I can do nothing if she doesn't want me to.
It made Brooke's day to see her sister here. Not just for the fact, Marnie is now the only blood relative that wants anything to do with her, but for the fact, her sister is her best friend. It wouldn't have been the same without her here.
I got the feeling earlier today that Marnie believed I killed her father. I don't even know how she worked out anyone had killed him, not after the accidental death report. She gave me a look this morning that told me; she thought exactly that. Then she mouthed, ‘Thank you,’ and I knew just what she meant.
I neither confirmed nor denied anything. I merely nodded my head and walked away. Marnie will never find out from me that it was my father who ended hers. I don't believe she'll go fishing for information. I think Marnie cares less that Hank is dead than Brooke does. However, every member of the club has been warned what will happen to them should they let slip anything that could stir this whole thing up.
If I think about it carefully, it's quite amazing what you can get away with when you know the right people. Not that I think about it often, but its good to know that if I ever get myself into a situation, I can't find a way out of, my family will always be there to fix things. Pretty amazing when you think about it. The Snakes are a family that sticks together, to the end.
I look over at Kong. He's standing with Alison, his arm around her waist as they watch Teddy dancing with Ember. It's the sweetest thing I've ever seen. Kong winks at his son, who laughs before kissing Ember's cheek. Thank God he's only three or Tank would be killing the kid right now.
We got word from one of Click's men that Alison's mother is dead. They found her body buried in the back yard of Click's house. The poor woman had been battered to death. It hit Alison hard, and she's still struggling with it. Kong will take care of her, however, and she'll come through it.
I pull Brooke into my arms and sway her to the sound of a soft country song. There are couples all around us as we dance and laugh. People are eating and drinking, singing at the tops of their lungs, and everyone is merry. That's just the way it should be.
I notice Marnie at the bar. She's talking with someone she really ought not to be talking to. Marnie can't have recognized him. Which is insane when you think about it, but she doesn't strike me as the kind of woman who would be openly flirting with a Mafia Don. Brooke should have introduced them, Marine would then know she's talking to Brooke's boss, and a man that could end everyone in this room with the snap of his fingers.
Whose idea was it to invite Draven Vidal to my wedding?
Brooke's, I guess. I know it wasn't mine. I can't deny how happy Maria and Hammer look that their brother is here, however. Not to mention Avery, whom I saw dancing with Vidal not too long ago.
No good will come from Marnie talking to that man. He's far too dangerous for a woman as sweet as Marnie to get involved with. Even if it was just for one night, and it would be for the night, because I can tell even from this distance how much Vidal wants Marnie. His body language screams it. So does hers, if I'm honest. She doesn't strike me as a stupid woman, she's married, so I can't see her sleeping with Vidal, but then, what the hell would I know about it?
“Hey,” I smile down at my wife, her little hand on my face drew my attention back to her. “What's got your attention?”
I wave my hand at my brother. “Gabe,” I lie. I won't tell her what I've seen at the bar; she'll only worry. Wherever tonight leads Draven and Marnie, I don't get the feeling he'd hurt her.
Brooke and I both smile as Wrench hands Gabe to me. He looks adorable in his tiny suit, one that matches his Daddy's. Dark gray with a baby blue tie clipped to his collar. I kiss his little head, and Brooke smiles and kisses my lips. She then kisses Gabe's cheek. I hold my family in my arms, and I thank God for the gifts he gave me. Brooke, Gabriel, and my unborn son, still safe inside his mother. Until the day he's safe in our arms.
“You're my world, Brooke. I love you something fierce.”
Brooke looks up at me and smiles. “I love you, too, Dante. Life is going to be amazing from here on in.”
As long as I have Brooke, life will be perfect.