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“HAVE YOU LOST YOUR fucking mind?!” Noah paced up and down the small corridor of his compound. “You are not, I repeat, NOT, marrying her! You don’t even know her. Do you know she has debts? Gambling debts? Do you know why she’s working in that dive? To pay off those debts! Dammit, I’m calling Sam. This is not the kind of shit I should have to deal with.”
Lucky was getting pissed at Noah’s attitude. “I figured something like that. There’s no way someone that smart and that hot would be working there because they want to. How much does she owe? I’ll pay it and get her the hell out of there. It’s not safe for her. And you’re right. It’s not your shit to deal with. That damn Master X accosted us outside one of the rooms at his place, then shows up to break her place apart. So why don’t you stop with the lecture and find out about him because that is your shit.”
“Because your brother charged me with making sure you stay alive so that’s what I’m trying to do. If you marry her, you’ll be signing your own death warrant; a slow painful death of boredom and bad meals.”
Lucky shook his head. Noah was truly crazy. “Have you looked at her? She is not going to bore me, inside bed or out. As for the meals, my mom’s a great cook. I won’t starve.” Lucky stared Noah in the face. “What’s this really about, Noah? Tell me.”
Noah shook his head. “Fine. I’ve got a bad feeling about this. I can’t figure out why all this stuff with your family is tied up to that damn casino. I can’t sniff out what the hell your woman’s connection is either, and Sam sends me some cocky smartass cowboy who can’t tell the difference between true love and vagi-magic. I’m running out of time and excuses for your behavior. I’m pulling you out and calling Sam.” He turned for his phone.
“Won’t matter what anyone says. I’m marrying her. I love her, and I’m taking her back home with me. In fact we’re getting married tonight and then flying out tomorrow. You can come and witness it or stay locked up in your cave, man. Either way, it’s a done deal.”
Noah had Sam on the line. “Hold on Sam while I try one more time to talk some sense into your idiot brother’s head.” He looked closely at Lucky’s mutinous face. “You’ve said everything about how you feel; how the hell do you know if she feels the same way about you?”
“She said yes, didn’t she?” Lucky shook his head and yelled. “Hey, Sam, tell this bear here to chill, will ya? I know what the hell I’m doing.” Lucky slammed out of the room.
And Noah knew what he had to do.
***
LUCKY STOOD IN THE front entryway of the Wee Kirk of the Heather Wedding Chapel feeling out of sorts. Oh, he was happy that he was marrying Claudia, a smart, beautiful woman, and his true mate in bed and out. He couldn’t have chosen a more perfect partner. He had confronted her about the gambling debts and she told him the truth as far as he knew. A few years back, she had gotten in too deep with the owner of the Mississippi Flame, and was, in fact, working off her debt. That was why she had been so upset about losing the casino to Master X. Lucky now understood her need to save the place and keep it open. He gave her a check made out for thirty thousand dollars, almost depleting his savings, but he knew that she would truly be free from her past and everything in Las Vegas. Now she would be ready to be his wife.
He stared up at the simple white chapel with the pretty porch. It looked so out of place amid the neon lights and sky high buildings. He had almost missed it when he drove down the street, the only thing to mark it was a small white sign near the road with cupids sitting on top. It sat back from the road, with a small patch of green lawn and potted pink flowers flanking the steps. They looked like the kind his mother would plant on her own front porch. He rubbed at the ache in his chest, knowing his parents weren’t here to see him wed. He would call them as soon as it was completed. He hadn’t wanted to waste any time marrying Claudia. He didn’t trust Noah not to pull something crazy, like trying to kidnap him or something. It wasn’t that he thought Claudia would change her mind. Really, it wasn’t.
He wondered if she would wear a traditional wedding dress. He hoped she did, although with his hasty arrangements, he doubted she had enough time to find one. It would be a shame, though. She should have all the trimmings of a traditional wedding. He wanted that for her. Maybe if he planned something, a renewal of their vows, at their church back home. Perhaps as a surprise for their first wedding anniversary. Yes, that’s a great idea. Then the whole family could witness their union. Lucky smiled, thinking about it. He’d never told a soul, but he had always dreamed of his own wedding to the woman he loved. He was an incurable romantic, and he knew it. But there’d be hell to pay if his brothers found that out.
Lucky came out of his musings as a black limo pulled up in the driveway of the chapel. To his surprise, Noah, looking completely uncomfortable in a too small tuxedo, stepped out and turned back to the car. To Lucky’s amazement, he reached in and pulled Claudia from the vehicle. Lucky could only stare.
Claudia was dressed in a simple sheath of white silk, her platinum hair pulled up and secured with gardenias. A single strand of pearls graced her neck, with matching earrings dangling from her lobes. The white D’Orsay pumps graced her feet and added sophistication to her ensemble.
Lucky’s heart swelled with pride. This beautiful woman was going to be his bride. She loved him. He glanced at Noah. “I didn’t think you could make it.” No way would he let Claudia know what Noah had said to him. He let her think that Noah had been unable to attend due to other commitments.
“I found Noah’s card in your wallet and I called him. I knew you would be missing your family today, so I wanted you to have a friend,” Claudia said with a small smile.
Lucky offered a small grin to her and clasped Noah’s hand. He searched the big man’s eyes, looking for a sign that he had mentioned to Claudia anything about his reservations. Noah winked at him and squeezed his hand, nearly crushing the bones. No, he wasn’t happy about this, but he was here. Lucky felt the weight in his chest lift slightly. At least Noah wasn’t going to try and stop him.
He turned to Claudia and offered his arm. “Well, darlin’, let’s do this.”
She took his arm and smiled up at him. “Whatever you say, darlin’.”