Claim - Page 103

Lights were strung up overhead, twinkling like fireflies, and people were dancing on the platform over the dark water. Mila’s inspired cocktails were being served by some of Dante’s waitstaff.

It was the perfect wedding.

I spun back into my husband’s strong arms. Beau wore a snow-white shirt with a gray vest that matched the color of his eyes. The sleeves of the shirt were rolled up, and that ink that I loved was on full display. He also had a red rose in his pocket that matched the roses I’d had in my small bouquet.

“Love you, Mrs. Fury,” he murmured, moving us into a slow dance despite the fast pace of the music.

My belly hitched.Mrs. Fury. I really liked hearing that.

“I love you too, Beau. Thank you for today.”

“Thank you for saying yes.”

He’d asked me to marry him two weeks ago, right in the middle of Hard Burn. He’d dropped down on one knee and held up a box holding a classic, oval-shaped diamond ring in it.

I’d been speechless, unable to talk.

Once the man had let go of his grip on some of those old demons, he went after what he wanted at full speed. And he let nothing get in his way.

I’d eventually been able to babble out a yes, then he’d slipped the ring onto my finger, and kissed me in the middle of the gym, while our friends and clients had clapped.

And that had led to a small, fun wedding on the bayou.

His brothers and their women danced past us. I smiled. Mila winked, just before Dante bent her back over his arm and planted a kiss on her mouth. Colt, Macy, and Daisy were dancing together as a trio. The little girl was in her pink and white flower girl dress. She blew me a kiss.

Kav and London, and Frankie and Reath whirled past us, all of them smiling.

We had other friends and family celebrating with us. Gio was busy hoovering up Cajun food. Beau’s friend who owned the land had catered for us.

I spotted my mom by the railing and waved. She waved back, then dabbed at her eyes. She’d been crying ever since I called her to say that Carr was dead and that I was all right. She’d been staying in New Orleans the last two weeks.

As I’d predicted, she loved Beau.

I wasn’t pregnant, and after a discussion, I’d started on birth control.

“You’re still young, Bell. We have time.” Beau had cupped my cheek. “We’ll make pretty babies. When we’re both ready.”

Over the last few weeks, I’d seen some subtle changes in my man. I think it had helped that he’d seen how happy I was. He nolonger spoke about not deserving me. I think the past was finally loosening its hold on him. I knew becoming a father in the future would help too. He’d be an amazing, overprotective daddy one day.

Beau pulled me closer. I leaned into his chest and breathed him in. “You smell good.”

“So do you,” he said. “Like mangoes.”

I smiled up at him.

“I look forward to you wearing nothing but that perfume on our honeymoon.” He sent me a slow smile.

“You still haven’t told me where we’re going yet.”

“I’ll give you a hint.” He nodded across the platform.

Ro Langston stood at the railing, talking on his cellphone. He looked to be having a rather heated conversation. I watched as he raked a hand through his brown hair. The last I’d heard, his new mountain resort acquisition was giving him a headache. It seemed the locals of Windward, Colorado were not that keen for their resort to be rolled into Langston Hotels. I was sure he’d convince them, eventually. He was a man who liked a challenge.

“That’s not a clue, Beau. The man owns a gazillion resorts and hotels.”

He nipped my ear. “You’ll like it, I promise.”

Of course I would. Uninterrupted time with my hot husband. I didn’t care where we went.