Face-Off at the Altar Read online

  Everyone nodded as Benji kissed the side of Lucy’s head, his eyes full of pure adoration for her.

  “Thanks, Dad,” Lucy said and he smiled.

  “As much as I want to say that her mother, I, or even her brothers were her biggest strength through the last year, I can’t. Because it wasn’t us. It was that man right there sitting beside her, Benji Paxton.” Lucy looked at Benji as Jayden slapped him on the back, nodding his head. “When I met him, I felt good. I didn’t get that ‘who’s this fucker’ kind of vibe. I got a good feeling because that’s Benji. He’s a good dude, and God, the love he has for not only Lucy but Angie too radiates off him. He stood right in the middle of the fire with Lucy, and he helped put out the flames, protecting her and loving her through it all. Because of that, I owe Benji everything. I owe him for loving my grandbaby and my baby girl, but also for giving them the life they deserve. So while I want to toast to my lovely daughter for all her accomplishments, this is mainly for Benji because, let’s all be honest, loving my daughter is not easy, but he does it better than anyone else.”

  Everyone raised their glass as Benji looked at Lucy, his lips curving up. “I hate to speak for Autumn, but I’m sure she agrees when I say we, along with River, are so thankful and happy to have you in our family. To be the one who will love my daughter and grandbaby for the rest of their lives. So thank you, Benji Paxton, for all you do. I wish you two all the happiness, all the love, and a long, beautiful life together. To Benji and Lucy.”

  “To Benji and Lucy,” everyone repeated. Lucy got up, coming around and hugging her father, kissing his cheek as her eyes filled with tears. When Benji came around, shaking the man’s hand, Mark wiped a tear as he nodded, waving them off.

  “Enough of all this. Let’s get another couple bottles to the table!”

  Everyone agreed, the tears flowing just as much as the wine was.

  Mekena was so involved in the speech and the love that surrounded Benji and Lucy she hadn’t even realized Markus had gotten up, or that he was standing beside her, until his fingers ran up the back of her thigh.

  “Markus!” she squealed and he smiled.

  “I like this spot,” he said, running the pad of his finger along her thigh. “It’s sexy.”

  Giggling, she smacked his hand away. “I’m working.”

  “Take a break. You get a break, don’t you?”

  She looked to Libby, who was watching her but acting as if she wasn’t. “Probably not. Libby is pissed.”

  “Oh?” he said, and she snapped a picture of Angie kissing Benji’s cheek.

  “Yeah, long story.”

  “Well, you can tell me as we dance,” he said, taking her hand in his before setting her camera on the table behind them as she protested.

  “I don’t want to piss her off any more than I already have,” she said, but he ignored her, pulling her out to the terrace where “When We Were Young” by Adele was playing. “Markus,” she moaned, but then they were dancing, their bodies pressed together as his eyes bored into hers.

  “Tell me what happened,” he said, sliding his hands along the opening in the back of her dress, his touch sending chills down her spine.

  Inhaling, she shook her head. “You’re impossible.”

  “I know. Tell me.”

  “But I’m working.”

  He shrugged. “I know the people paying you. Tell me.”

  She knew she couldn’t get away, nor did she want to. So she did what he asked; she rehashed the whole conversation and he listened. He didn’t say anything. He just let her talk as she went on and on through two more songs before she looked up at him. “I don’t want to be unhappy anymore, and being with you makes me happy. I mean, I’ve basically got this job. Elli said, ‘If things go well, can you start right away?’ And I said yes. I’m looking at apartments, and I just want to be happy. I’ve said that, right?”

  Nodding his head, he said, “Are you looking at apartments by the arena or practice arena? I hear the Gulch has good ones.”

  She eyed him as she fought back a grin. “Why would I look at those?”

  “Because those are where we’re gonna live.”

  “We’re?”

  “Yeah, me, you, and Mr. Right. I think the Gulch has ones that accept pets.”

  “Who said I want to live with you?”

  “Who said I care?” he retorted, and her face broke into a grin as she shook her head.

  “See? We just work. It’s good, right? Like, you feel it?”

  He nodded. “Mekena, I’ve felt it since the moment I met you. I don’t care what Libby says. We will make this work because I don’t want to love anyone else but you.” Her heart did a flip, followed by a dance, and then promptly blew up in her chest. “So, yeah, we have no clue what’s going to happen, but I don’t care. I want this. I want you. Mekena, do you want the same thing? I know you’re young, and hell, you might want to try sucking off someone else. Maybe he’ll taste good, but just the thought makes me want to kill the guy who doesn’t exist, but—”

  “I don’t want to suck off anyone else but you,” she said, cutting him off from his nervous rant. “I know I’m young and stuff, but my mom always told me ‘the biggest risk you’ll ever take is not taking the risk,’ and I want to take this risk.”

  Leaning his head to hers, he kissed her nose. “I want to too.”

  “Then we will.”

  “And we’ll make it work?”

  “We’ll make it work.”

  “Because I love you, Mekena, I do.”

  Her heart soared as she nodded, her forehead pressing against his. “I love you too.”

  She always had and always would.

  She only hoped it was enough to withstand anything that came at them.

  Markus woke before Mekena did.

  Reaching over, he moved a piece of hair out of her eyes and smiled. She was so beautiful and all his. He’d finally told her. Finally told her he loved her, something that had been true for so long but he never was able to tell her. That chance was taken from him, but not any longer. Now she knew, and he knew she loved him. Man, he’d never forget that moment either. The way her eyes lit up, or how her lips curved in such a sweet, delicate way.

  She loved him.

  As she slept, he couldn’t even take how right he felt. They were finally good and had the future at their fingertips. They were going to move in together, they were going to make a life, and he couldn’t believe how different he felt. How everything had changed in the blink of an eye. He was finally getting everything he wanted.

  He had her.

  His girl.

  He kissed the side of her mouth before getting out of bed. Since he knew they both had a long, big day, especially her, he decided to get up and start breakfast, giving her a little longer to sleep. Lucy and Benji’s wedding started at one, but she had to be there earlier for pictures of everyone getting ready. He was excited to see his friends get married, but even more than that, he was excited to dance with Mekena later that night. She had promised she’d make time, and he couldn’t wait. Really, he was just thrilled to be with her. It was like it was all new again, and he was giddy with anticipation for the rest of their lives.

  But he also heard Lucy loud and clear. Her words had rattled him a bit, but he realized she was right. As good as he felt now, that could change. He refused to allow what happened with Baylor after she was almost raped to happen with him. He wouldn’t put Mekena through that. It wasn’t fair, not when he could avoid it. So he would go to therapy. He had already made the appointment with the team therapist and was eager to make sure he never hurt anyone who loved him. He knew Baylor hadn’t meant to scare everyone, but with her being so headstrong, it was inevitable. Markus had learned from her mistake, and the gentle reminder from Lucy was needed. He wouldn’t let Mekena down. He already did that once by not fighting for her, and he wouldn’t do it again.

  Never again.

  Stretching his arms above his head, he left Mekena in