Page 55 of Quinn

QUINN

South Yarra

Victoria, Australia

Six months later

I stood alongside my brothers at the bottom of the garden looking out over the river below. Our celebrant—Sally Windsor stood before us chatting with Connor about the proposed changes being discussed to put life back into the city.

While Jake chatted quietly with Alex Bonello seated in the front row behind us and off to one side, I stood quietly contemplating life over the past six months…

Our regular drug and gun runs had gone off without incident. I had finally established an arm of the business out of Irian Jaya and so far the contacts I’d made seemed to be above board. Were they trustworthy? Hell no, but I had every confidence they’d stay in line since they stood to lose as much as I did.

I’d made the trip to Melbourne with Arabella two months after her kidnapping in Popondetta to introduce her to my parents. As expected, they’d fallen in love with her the same as I had. While there, I’d organised for her to have a skin graft to cover the Sangumala tattoo. The wound had healed well and there was only the faintest of scars to remind her of the branding.

Months of attention and devotion from Lynetta had seen Arabella become a woman. And what a woman. She now had soft curves for my hands to grip when I fucked her and breasts that filled my large hands. I’d fallen in love with her a little more every day and when we were apart, I ached to have her back in my arms. Yep, I’d fallen hard and fast and there was no climbing back out of the rabbit hole, not that I had any intention of trying.

Soft music wafted from the speakers we’d set up around the garden, even I had to admit mum and the girls had done a beautiful job. When the orders were given, us men had helped with erecting the arbor, stringing lights, placing chairs, fixing speakers in place, and other odd jobs but it had been the women who had meticulously planned things down to the last detail.

The three of us wore black suits with burgundy shirts and white ties. Black shoes were polished to a mirror shine. We looked very ‘mafia’ like according to mum who announced the fact with pride in her voice.

When the music stopped, we knew to get ready for our ladies and all three of us turned to watch them walk down the makeshift aisle of red carpet. Our two hundred guests stood. Who knew we had so many friends that cared enough to witness our marriages?

When Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis, very apt in my case, came over the speakers, Tania appeared at the glass door leading onto the verandah. Eight steps would bring her down to garden level but for now she paused for everyone to take a long look. She was beautiful in a figure hugging, cream coloured strapless lace dress. Her hair fell soft over her shoulders held back on one side by a sprig of daisies, the same flower as in her bouquet.

She moved gracefully down the steps and smiled as she made her way to my brother. When she reached him, he gathered her hand and kissed her lips lightly.

A short pause and then Natalie appeared. The woman was a fucking stunner. She was taller than the other two and her dress fitted like a glove, split up one side almost to the hip. I glanced at Jake and he was almost drooling at the sight. I couldn’t blame him. Her red curls were swept on top of her head and tiny red roses were placed here and there. Her bouquet was large red roses. She glided towards Jake and he took her in his arms. The kiss they shared was x-rated and the celebrant was forced to tap Jake on the shoulder to remind him of where he was. I chuckled as his face turned a light shade of pink.

The music paused before starting again, I’d set it up to play on a loop. I sucked in a deep breath and waited for the woman who had become the love of my life, my everything, to step out. After what seemed a long wait, she finally appeared.

My heart skipped a few beats. My mouth dropped open. This was my woman?

Arabella wore a red fitted dress, with thin straps over her shoulders. It shimmered in the bright sunlight and showed every one of her curves. Her hair hung in soft waves, a tiara of white baby’s breath over the top of her head. Her bouquet was a mass of the white flowers. When she turned to descend the steps, I noticed there was virtually no back to the dress, which plunged almost to the rise of her arse. None of her scars, front or back, were visible, so I figured the other girls must have used some kind of makeup shit to hide them for the day. I was proud of her for having the confidence to wear such a daring and revealing dress, knowing what she had been through.

“Shove your tongue back in your mouth, Quinn,” Natalie giggled.

“Fuck.” I felt my dick growing hard and there wasn’t a fucking thing I could do to control myself. I knew she’d blossomed into a woman but fuck me, the woman I was watching now could have been the next Miss Universe. Yes, I was biased, but you should have seen her.

Arabella’s smile lit up her eyes as she headed to where I stood but I could see she was nervous. When she stopped in front of me, I dragged her into my arms, bent that luscious body over backwards and kissed the ever-loving shit out of her lips.

The crowd clapped, the celebrant cleared her throat and one of my brothers, I don’t know who because I was too busy devouring my woman, slapped me hard on the shoulder. Reluctantly I withdrew my lips and eased Arabella upright. Her blush was deep and red but want and lust burned bright in her eyes. I pulled her to my side, keeping her hand in mine, and we faced the celebrant.

“That’s how it’s done, Jake.”

My blasé comment brought on a round of laughter and it was another few minutes before the celebrant was able to begin.

I squeezed Arabella’s hand. In less than half an hour we would be husband and wife. Our entire life was before us, and considering I’d been a man hell bent on remaining single, I now found myself looking forward to sharing my life with Arabella—the woman who had stolen my heart. The woman who had given me heart.

THE END