“Heck no, I’m not signing that!”
“Gen, listen to your attorney. This isn’t about making plans for us to divorce, because that isn’t going to happen. This is about making sure my shit doesn’t run downhill to you. It keeps your business interests legally separate from me, and mine legally separate from you.”
“I don’t care. I’m not signing a prenup!”
“And I’m not saying ‘I do’ until I know we can do it and keep you protected from my business practices.”
“God, you’re stubborn!”
“Perhaps,” said Gen’s attorney, “we should step outside and let the two of you work this out?”
“No,” Duke told him. “It’s your job to explain to her why she needs something legal to protect her.”
“If Duke should get arrested for certain activities,” Gen’s attorney told her, his voice professional and succinct, “the government could freeze all of his assets, and in many cases confiscate them, permanently. If we’ve legally separated your assets from his, so it’s clear he has no claim and no control of anything belonging to you, then no government agency will be able to touch your assets. Marriage protects you in some ways, because you can’t be obligated to testify against him. However, it leaves you open in other ways, so we need to create documents to protect you and your assets.”
* * * *
“Are you sure?” Duke asked, his eyes incredulous. “I assumed you’d want a huge fairy tale wedding, with flowers and candles and live music and god knows what else.”
“No. I want to get married on my brother’s property, by the water. Bethany’ll stand with me, and I’m assuming Brain with you, and that’s it. I know we’ll have a lot of guests, but I want the ceremony to be simple. I mean, I’ll probably go extravagant with the dress, but otherwise, simple.”
“Well, if that’s the case, and you don’t want a big Catholic wedding, do you think my old MC president in Atlanta can marry us? Bud has his minister’s license. He isn’t a preacher, and he’s certainly more spiritual than religious. If you need someone better qualified to make your mom happy, I’ll understa—”
Gen put her finger to his lips and stopped him with, “He’s important to you, so it’s perfect. My mother adores you, she’ll deal with it.”
* * * *
The day dawned beautiful, with clear blue skies. Gen spent the night at her brother’s house, sleeping in Cassie’s bed, since Cassie was in the big bed with her three men.
Frisco fixed her a huge breakfast when she awoke, and Gen watched out the window as the giant white cloth canopies were erected for the reception. She was having the food catered, and had hired a wedding planner to take care of all of the minutiae. Pebbles had taken over most of the work with the planner, which was fine with Gen because Pebbles had excellent taste.
The morning was a whirlwind, with Cassie, Bethany, and Pebbles keeping her occupied as they helped her get ready.
She knew they were getting close on time when she heard what sounded like hundreds of Harley’s make their way down Frisco’s driveway. They’d only invited around fifty bikers, but they must’ve all come together.
Gen wore a tea-length couture hand-beaded dress, with Valentino crystal-and-lace heels. Duke and Brain wore their leather vests with the cut over their tuxedos, and Gen had gone to great lengths to get it exactly right, so it was dressy and yet still Duke, without looking ridiculous.
Bethany was also in couture, a tea-length simple, cream dress. With her red hair and curves, Bethany rocked the look.
“I am so happy for you,” Bethany told her as they stood just inside Frisco’s front door, ready to walk out for the ceremony. “You finally found someone worthy of your love, Gen. Take care of him.”
“As much as I didn’t want the two of you together at first,” Frisco agreed, “he’s good for you. I’ve never seen you so happy, but I still can’t believe you asked me to give you away.”
Gen laughed and hugged her big brother, and then prepared to walk to Duke as she heard the music start to play.