Patriot (Hades Abyss MC 6) - Harley Wylde Page 0,36

time I went out with MaryAnne.

I helped her into the house and held her hand, keeping her still a moment. “You know, Beth referred to you as my wife, and so did I. You didn’t look too startled by it.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Maybe it was wishful thinking.”

I tipped her chin up. “You want to be my wife? You’re already mine in any way that counts with the club, but if you want my name too, it’s yours.”

“You’d marry me?” she asked.

“Either the old-fashioned way, or I could ask Wizard to hack the county and state systems to make it happen. I’m good with whatever you want.”

“I don’t think I’d like a crowd of people at a wedding. If it’s just us anyway, I don’t see why we should go to the cost and trouble of standing in front of someone to say vows. Can you ask Wizard to do it?”

I nodded and pulled out my phone, putting it on speaker as it rang.

“Patriot, everything okay?” he asked. “Got an alert you had a chat with the police.”

I snorted. Of course he had. Any time anyone in the club was linked to an incident in the police systems, he got a notice about it. Illegally, but still accurate.

“Some asshole smashed the Bronco window and tried to bash in my head. I’m fine, and MaryAnne is good. Got a few cuts, but she’ll be okay.”

Wizard whistled. “What do you need?”

“Two things. First, can you do whatever magic Wire has done in the past to make MaryAnne my wife?”

“I’d love to! Congratulations!”

“Thank you,” Mary Anne said.

“What else?” Wizard asked.

“The man who attacked me is Walter Wilcox. I’ve never heard of him and didn’t recognize his face. See if you can find out why he would come after me. I need to know it’s safe for MaryAnne to leave the compound.”

“I’m on it. I’ll text when I have something.”

I ended the call and shoved the phone back into my pocket. “Do I need to bring your baking stuff in tonight?”

She shook her head. “It’s not anything that will ruin. Unless it rains.”

Shit. I hadn’t even thought of it raining, or maybe even snowing. “Give me a minute to put something over the window, and I’ll go ahead and bring your stuff in. Why don’t you head up and take a shower? Might feel better. Just be careful with those cuts.”

She went up on her tiptoes to press her lips to mine. “Don’t be long.”

My dick went hard as steel. I ran my hand down my beard as she went upstairs. Fuck but she was sexy. And mine. Once Wizard did his thing, she’d be mine in all ways. I had to be the luckiest bastard alive.

I rushed through taping a trash bag over the busted window and left the sacks of her baking supplies in the kitchen on the counter. After I let Archimedes out, covered Hatter’s cage, and settled the kitten, I let the dog back in and kenneled him before locking up. Taking the steps two at a time, I hurried to our room. The shower was still going. I stripped out of my clothes and boots, then went to join my almost-wife. And this time, I’d make sure I fucked her in the bedroom like I should have the first time instead of up against the shower wall.

Or maybe I’d do both.

Chapter Nine

MaryAnne

The moment I heard the shower door open, my nipples hardened. I could have rationalized it as being from the cool gust of air. I knew that wasn’t it. No, my body responded to the nearness of Patriot. The door shut and his hands settled at my waist. I felt the heat of his body press against my back and I leaned into him.

“Should you get your arm wet?” I asked, thinking about the bandages holding his cut together.

“Probably not. But if you think I’m letting you shower alone, you’re wrong. Couldn’t pass up an opportunity to hold my sexy wife.”

“Wife?” I asked. “Did Wizard message you?”

“No. But if he says he’s going to get it done, he will. You might as well get used to being called MaryAnne Caffee.”

“I like it.” I tipped my head back and looked up at him. “I like everyone knowing I’m yours.”

He traced his fingers down my cheek. “Do these hurt?”

I shook my head. “Not really. I think they’re mostly scratches and will heal in a few days.”

He kissed me, his tongue delving into my mouth, his hold tightening on me. I should