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“Royal flush.” I showed my cards, and his face fell as he flung a death look at Minnie.
Mom popped her head inside. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Minnie was in my face as I stood. “Did you do it yet?”
I batted her hand away. I opened the door and looked around. I saw Sienna holding Callan, and Filippo and Marabella stood next to her and Elio. Then I spotted him. He leaned against a doorframe and looked totally uncomfortable as he smoked his joint. Though I insisted the Devil’s Reach didn’t need to dress up, Trigger didn’t think it was right not to, given that he was part of the wedding party. It said a lot that he wore a tux; he’d often said he felt ridiculous in one. I glanced over at Elio, who wore his tux like he’d been born in one. I made my way over to Trigger.
“I’m going to keep this short and to the point.” We both hated emotion, but sometimes things needed to be said.
“’Kay,” he grunted. He tugged at his collar and tilted his head to the side as he blew out a waft of smoke.
I kept my back to the others. “You took a chance on me years ago, gave me a second family and always had my back.” He nodded but kept his gaze down. “I know you don't want kids, and I respect the hell out of that, but if something ever happens to me, to us, I need to know you’ll be there for him. I want you for Callan’s godfather. Just know this isn’t just from me and Kenna. This is also coming from Laurel, Jim, and Knox.” He went still. “Think about it, okay?” I held out my hand, and he grabbed it and pulled me in for a hug. Never once in all the years of knowing Trigger had he ever given me more than a quick shake or a clap on the back.
“Don’t need to think. Be a real fuckin’ honor,” he said as he pulled back.
“Good. That goes for Tess, too, but I wanted to ask you first.”
“Yeah.” The corners of his mouth rose for a split second, and I turned to head back toward the others. I caught Minnie’s shocked face at what she’d just witnessed, but she reined herself in and didn’t comment.
“All right, boys, move it, or I’m spreading a rumor you all participated in the furry convention last month.” Minnie waved at the lot of them.
Morgan scowled. “Don’t lump us in with Rail’s kinks.”
“I have Photoshop and the web, so don’t play with me. Move it.” She shooed them out.
“Son,” my father caught me as the others went to take their places, “a word?”
“Of course.” I followed him back into the small room where we’d played poker.
“We had our talk last night at the party about how proud your mother and I are of you, but there’s something I wanted to give you.” He pulled out a watch, and I swallowed hard.
“That’s Leo’s.”
“It is. I figured it should go to Callan, and it could be your something borrowed.” I squinted at him and he burst out with a laugh. “I have no idea. Your mom said I should say that.” He shrugged. “She said Kenna would know what it means.” He waved his hand. “Regardless, I think you should wear it, so you have Leo with you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I didn’t waste any time replacing mine with his.
“I don’t know where we’d be through this whole thing if it wasn’t for you boys.” He scrunched up his nose. I could see he was trying to hold it together. “We may have slipped a little, but we’re coming back stronger than before.”
“Agreed.” I turned at the sound of the door opening. “Hey, Mom.”
“You have a gorgeous woman in a white dress waiting for you.” She smiled at me and took my father’s arm.
I turned to Dad. “All right. Let’s go.”
I headed down the hall and joined the guys just as they started down the aisle. We took our positions as the music changed, and I scanned the crowd. Mom now held Callan and stood next to Dad. I moved my gaze to the exits and re-counted the security.
“Stop that,” Jesse whispered from behind me. “Best man or not, I got this.” He smiled then scanned the room as I had done.
“Okay.” I took a deep breath and got myself in check. Elio bumped me and cleared his throat to grab my attention. I raised my head, and for the first time in my life, I was completely unable to move. I felt my heart stop as I saw her. Kenna wore an elegant, formfitting wedding dress, and her hair was down but curled. The smile she wore nearly knocked me off my feet. When she got close enough, I found the strength to reach for her like a drowning man for a rope. I heard a few people chuckle.
“Everything is so beautiful,” she whispered as the music died down. “Did you see that gorgeous archway?”
“No.” I cupped her cheek with both hands, and as she looked into my eyes, everything inside me melted. “All I see is you.”
Simon
Itucked my arm under my head and relaxed the best I could. The white noise of the AC settled my thoughts as a slow smile spread across my lips. Sin City had all eyes on the Gates family as they held the wedding of the century.
