Chapter Eighteen

T he murmur of string instruments warming up floated to the makeshift dressing area where Oaks and his brothers were getting ready.

From what he’d seen, Shiloh had pulled off their wedding without a single hitch. Even the Wyoming weather obeyed his beautiful bride’s command by delivering a blue sky dotted with an occasional cloud and the sun hung low, providing enough warmth to hold the wedding outdoors despite it being autumn.

Earlier, he’d helped his brothers set up the venue in the prettiest spot on the Black Heart. Mountains and green pastures offered the perfect backdrop for the white chairs lined up in neat rows on the lawn. Each was tied with a sprig of tiny white flowers and a burlap ribbon.

The spot they’d chosen together for the ceremony to take place was framed by a rustic wood arch and some filmy fabric. Fancy pots of wildflowers and roses flanked the arch, along with some tall candles in oversized holders.

Hearing another song begin, Oaks calculated the time he had left before he would walk out and take his place in front of the small group of his friends and family who’d come to share his and Shiloh’s day.

Colt rounded the wooden partition where Oaks was waiting.

“Is everything set, Colt?”

“Yeah. I talked to your stupid travel agent. I got your stupid honeymoon set up, and I got your stupid tux. And your stupid rings.”

As he took the tux from his brother, his lips tipped in a crooked smile. “Anything else?”

“I hate being in this stupid tuxedo.” Despite his grumbling, he didn’t fidget with the tight collar or the jacket that fit perfectly across his shoulders.

Quickly, Oaks unzipped the garment bag and began dressing in the crisply pressed black tux. “You know, there’s going to come a time when you don’t think weddings are so stupid.”

“Doubt that.” Colt’s bored tone almost made him laugh. “But since we’re talking about weddings, why would you want to take her to an over-the-water bungalow for a honeymoon? Whose idea is this?”

“Shiloh’s. It’s romantic.” He slipped the bowtie around his neck and began meticulously tying it.

Colt stared at him for a moment, then stepped up and shoved his hands out of the way. “Let me do it. You’re making a mess of it.”

He dropped his arms to his sides and watched concentration play across his brother’s features. “Maybe you should have gone to more of those movies with Willow. Learned some things. Besides, it was fun throwing popcorn at her boyfriends.”

Colt snorted and gave the tie one last tug to straighten it.

“What the hell is going on in here?” The familiar voice made them both jolt. At the same time, Oaks and Colt swung to see their younger brother standing there.

“Holy fuck!” Oaks stepped up to clap their brother, Gray, on the back. Their baby bro wore his Navy dress uniform. Gray thumped him on the spine in return, then they broke apart and Oaks spotted the next brother in line.

Jesus. Denver.

He felt a lump lodge in his throat as he set eyes on the sibling they’d all believed to be dead until Oaks started digging and discovered the truth about him being deep black ops.

“Jesus Christ, man.” He grabbed Denver in a hard embrace and felt the emotion work through his brother as he clasped him in return. His brother was whole. After all they’d gone through thinking he was dead…then hearing that he sustained injuries in Italy…he was here.

“I found this fucker along the road and thought I’d give him a ride.” Gray jerked his thumb at Denver. He was named aptly for his gray eyes that were a shade lighter than the rest of the Malones’.

Oaks’s voice came out with the grittiness of emotion. “How did you get here? I thought you weren’t allowed—”

“Messages still get through the channels at times. Did you think I was going to let my brother get married without me?” He looked like he was at the pinnacle of fitness. Strong and tough in a way that they all were, but somehow different. It made the rest of them look like a bunch of pansies.

He hooked a hand around Denver’s nape. “You and I are going to be having a serious talk later.” He turned his head to include Gray and Colt. “We all are.”

The low strains of the opening music floated on the air, interrupting them. Oaks’s chest was tight with emotion. Knowing that all of his siblings were here except their youngest brother Theo made his eyes sting. That they’d all come for one of the most important days of his life meant the world to him.

Gray gave him a nod of understanding and held out a fist. Oaks tapped his knuckles with his own and did the same to Denver. Just then, Carson rounded the corner.

A huge grin plastered over his face. “I see our brothers found you.”

“Damn, man. You knew they were coming.”

Carson nodded and shook hands with each of them as if he didn’t want a moment to pass where they didn’t know the brotherhood of family first.

“Did Willow see them yet? She’s going to lose her mind, and I didn’t hear any screaming.” Oaks glanced in the direction of the wedding venue. All of a sudden, he realized how close he was to stepping out and meeting his bride.

“Willow hasn’t seen anybody yet. She’s been too busy supporting Shiloh while she gets ready. And Layne is doting on her too.”

Oaks shook his head. “I don’t know how we all managed to become a whole family unit considering the way we were brought up. But I want you all to know I appreciate each and every one of you more than I can ever express.”

Silence followed his emotional words.

Then Carson let out a snort of amusement. “You’re getting too sappy on us, man.”

“Yeah, we didn’t fly across continents to hear this crap.” Denver shot him a grin to soften his harsh jab.

“We’re going to find Willow.” Gray latched on to Colt’s shoulder and took him with them, leaving only Carson and Oaks.

He met Carson’s gaze. “You know why I asked Colt to be my best man, right?”

Carson didn’t skip a beat. “He wouldn’t even show up if he didn’t have a role he couldn’t get out of.”

He ducked his head in a nod. “He worries me with some of the darkness still inside him. He needs to spend more time in the vet program.”

“Maybe. He could also be working things out on his own. You know Colt.”

He did. But it still worried him. He never wanted someone else he cared about feeling lost and hopeless.

“I’ll talk to him while you’re honeymooning in a bungalow over the water in the Caribbean. You’re making me look like a slacker with Layne, by the way. Now I’m going to have to take her someplace nice.”

“You should, man. You should marry her too. She deserves it for sticking by your dumb ass.”

They shared a grin, then another song began. A few notes in, a loud squeal pierced the air.

Oaks chuckled. “Willow knows our brothers are home.”

* * * * *

Layne fiddled with the skirt of Shiloh’s gown. The silky-smooth fabric swirled around her rhinestone heels.

“Thank you so much for being here for me, Layne.” Tears threatened at the backs of her eyes, but she forced them back. Her makeup was not going to last a bout of tears.

Her new dear friend gave her an appreciative look. “Of course . I’m so happy I could be here to support you.”

Suddenly, Willow appeared, looking like a model in a shade of jewel blue that made her glow, while Layne wore a paler blue gown that complemented her fairer coloring.

Overcome by love, Shiloh threw out her arms and hugged both ladies to her. “You’re both my sisters now.”

“Don’t make us cry. We’ll all smear our mascara.” Willow sounded choked up.

“Don’t worry—it’s waterproof,” Layne assured her.

“You think of everything.” Shiloh beamed at her. “You’ve made my day so perfect.”

“Know what makes it more perfect? Your groom is waiting for you under the arch.”

Her nerves kicked in, though she had no clue why. She and Oaks had already done this once.

Dragging in a deep breath, she braced herself and walked along the pale cream runner that would lead her to her groom. Right now, she felt like that fabric was the only thing guiding her—her mind was so scattered she wasn’t certain she wouldn’t make a wrong turn.

How far she’d come. From thinking she was in love with William, to spending six months hiding from him, to falling in love with the most perfect man in the world.

As soon as she looked up from her feet, her gaze locked on Oaks.

Her gasp escaped her lips on a puff of air. Could he be any hotter?

The black tux was the best choice. Shiloh would have to tell Layne later.

Oaks’s steady gaze trapped her. For a heartbeat, she couldn’t think of how to move her feet. A dozen moments flashed through her mind—of him saving her from being sold to that Russian, of Oaks’s tender patience with her…and their heated passion between the sheets.

He looked completely healed, and their two weeks of waiting were up. Tonight, he was all hers.

The sudden flap of white doves being released drew a surprised gasp from her even though she’d planned it.

Oaks broke into laughter and cupped a hand around his mouth, calling out, “Please let that be the only feathers I see!”

She tossed back her head on a laugh and continued on to meet her man, practically floating on air with happiness.

The minute he clasped her hands and stared deep into her eyes, her heart somehow found a way to hold more love for him, even though she’d believed it was already bursting with it.

She squeezed his hands back and tilted her face up to him. “You look as tempting as sin.”

He cocked a brow at her, his steely eyes twinkling. “And you’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.”

After that, the ceremony flew by. The family and small group of friends who’d joined them from the Black Heart Ranch program surrounded them to celebrate. After photos were snapped with her groom in about a million different poses, Oaks led her under the big reception pavilion.

The deejay played a slow, romantic song that made Shiloh’s stomach flutter. The liquid heat in Oaks’s eyes as he drew her into his arms and pressed her body to his left her breathless.

He whirled her around twice as their family applauded them.

Everything passed as a blur of hugs and traditions of tossing garters and bouquets. When Willow caught the bouquet, every one of her brothers glowered and looked around to see who might be coming for their baby sister.

After they cut the cake—and fed each other respectfully—Oaks saw his chance to make good on his promise.

When he led his bride out from under the pavilion, she tipped her head to look up at the stars that were beginning to pop out in the evening sky. The world had deepened to a darker shade of blue at the perfect time for them.

“I promised to dance with you under the stars.”

She clung to his neck. “I love you so much. Husband.”

He dipped his head and brushed a tender kiss across her lips. The instant their mouths connected, the passion between them kindled.

Their tongues darted out and met in a smooth glide that simmered with the scorching night to come.

Against her lower belly, she felt the start of his desire stiffening. “How long before we can ditch your family?”

“ Our family.” His gentle smile did new things to her insides. “My wife.”

“You never answered my question.” She went on tiptoe to bite down on his bottom lip. She gave it a gentle tug as a reminder of how far they’d come.

His chuckle warmed her lips. When he took total control and claimed her mouth, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the sway of their bodies to the music.

Shiloh never thought she’d get a chance at happiness once she ran…yet happiness had found her.

She spun with her husband around and around beneath the stars, locked in his strong arms and safe in the knowledge that together, they could conquer the world.

READ MORE OF THE MALONE brOTHERS

in Black Heart Security Book 3

SHIELDED HEARTS

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