Page 99 of Bleed Me

Without this life, I wouldn’t have been watching a remarkable woman, with a simple ivory silk gown and a bouquet of black roses, walking toward me. Her long hair was pulled back to show me her shaved sides, which always gave me a chubby. All of her earrings shone in the setting sun, while her crystal necklace sparkled. Black boots gave a perfect balance to the only girly dress I would ever see her in. Ivory silk draped over her flawless tattooed skin. Red luscious lips smiled, while grey eyes stared at me as if this woman loved me like the moon loves the night.

The music was, of course, a song the boys heard on an SOA episode; “Forever Young” by Audra Mae. It was a simple folk song that fit perfectly with our beautiful Justice.

Halfway down the aisle, she stopped and winked at me. Then she seductively turned away. I grabbed my chest at her low dipping dress, perfectly exposing her back. In the mane of her horse tattoo, my name, Giver Gunn Dalton, was above Steel Stallions. Ah, shit. And that wasn’t all.Down the back of her right arm, in script writing, was Together we can withstand any storm.

“Babe.”

She turned back to face me, so proud of herself. “Yes, Giver?”

“Come ‘ere so I can marry you.”

Howls of approval erupted. Even little Gracie, in Vice’s arms, put her lips to the sky to join in. I fucking lost it. Laughing in embarrassment, I wiped the couple of tears I couldn’t hold back.

Vows…

Promises…

I felt like I was part of the greatest love story never told.

At least, I didn’t think we would have a chance. After all the kids had been put to bed and some folks had retired for the night, the rest of us rejoiced and drank. We celebrated an unlikely union that ended up making the stars in the night shine brighter.

Due to the loud music, I barely heard the first bullet ring out, but I saw its landing. Justice was bringing me a beer as her shoulder took the hit. Blood sprayed as her body jerked, her eyes wide with surprise. In slow motion, the beers fell and crashed to the ground. Glass was still finding its resting place when the next bullet soared through her flesh on the right side of her waist. As I ran to her, blood soaked her wedding gown.

Her ivory wedding gown, now red…

Not missing a step, I ran into the line of fire for the woman I love, so willing to take any and all the bullets for her. My hand was already pulling my own gun from the back of my jeans as my eye began to twitch.

Hello, my friend.

For the first time in my whole existence, I said, “Dick… kill them all.”