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Emmett-

Bella and I had been married a week. At first, I thought this spark between us would fizzle and die within a couple of days, but with each passing hour, I felt enraptured all over again.

I couldn't get enough of her. She was smart, sexy, sassy, and one of the most amazing women I'd ever met. There was no doubt in my mind she could keep up with my lifestyle—it was also her lifestyle, born and bred.

Our marriage had been a forced arrangement; neither of us had wanted to walk up that aisle. It was funny how much could change in a matter of days. Since our union hadn't been one I'd wanted, I'd been ill-prepared, showing up to the chapel without a ring. It was far past the time to rectify the situation.

She glanced in my direction as we sped down Michigan Avenue, her delicate brow raised with question. "Where are we going?"

"You will see," I grinned back, hunger welling in my chest as the twinkle lit her eyes. She just had this way about her. Every time I looked at her, this ravenous craving took possession of me until I caved and pinned her down.

When confusion passed on her lovely face as she looked at the shops lining the strip, I squeezed her hand. "Don't look so baffled. I do have a few tricks up my sleeve every now and again. There is something you should've had when you took vows to be my wife. I was negligent and I intend to remedy that right now."

When I finally pulled up in front of Ace Diamonds, Bella's gaze lit with a whole different type of excitement. In turn, my grin broadened, "I see you catch my meaning."

She pulled her hand from mine and cupped my cheeks. "You are really going to buy me a wedding ring?"

I kissed her thumb as it caressed along my lower lip. "I am."

Her mouth tipped with a smirk. "Are you going to wear one as well?"

"Only if you pick it out for me." I kissed her back with equal vigor as she took my lips. Winding her hair in my fist, I drank her essence until I felt drunk. My dick had already started to respond, and with a groan, I pulled back. "We better get this show on the road before I fuck you in front of Chicago."

"If I wasn't excited about putting your ring on my finger we'd be going home right now." She grinned as she bit my lip, whispering, "Let's go pick out our wedding bands."

I could refuse her nothing. Mindful of the traffic flying past my car, I eased the door open and stepped out. Jogging to the passenger side, I opened her door, taking her hand in mine to help her step out. I was prouder than any peacock when she wrapped her hand around my bicep.

Who would've ever guessed this woman would willingly accept me as her husband? Nothing could have surprised me more than having this incredible woman on my arm.

While every cell in my body leapt with joy, twinged with a heat I never expected to feel, I led the way to the double glass doors. For the next hour, we looked through glass cases trying on different wedding bands.

Bella's gaze sparkled when it finally settled on a gold band with a single diamond on the top with vines etched in the yellow metal. "This one. I love this one and it has a matching groom's ring. I think I can see you wearing this band."

I pressed a kiss to her shoulder, inspecting the rings she chose. Nipping her ear, I murmured, "I can see you wearing only this band." I wiggled my eyebrows until she laughed at the suggestion. "Where would you like to go for a honeymoon?"

"Hmm," she mumbled as deep consideration claimed her, her hand running the length of my arm. "Are you trying to spoil me, husband?"

"Happy wife, happy life, right?" I slipped my arm around her waist and gestured to the clerk to retrieve the bands she picked.

Luckily, we walked out of there with bands that didn't need to be adjusted. Heads together we stepped from the jewelry store discussing possible vacation spots to have our honeymoon when the sound of gunshots rang in the air.

I shoved Bella beneath me as we both dived to the sidewalk, holding her head protectively against my chest. I saw two of my men withdraw their own Glocks and fire back just before Jose, one of Fried Joe's men, went flying by.

"That motherfucker is dead," I promised, leaping to my feet, I reached down and took hold of Bella's arm. I brushed the dirt from her slacks as a need for vengeance filled me. "I'm going to kill that bastard, once and for all."

Pushing Bella in the direction of my guards, I was about to hurry for my car. I intended to kill that son-of-a-bitch today. I was halfway to the car when I felt someone grab my arm. I turned to see Bella at my side with a frown creasing her beautiful face.

"Who the fuck was that?" She seethed, murder darkening her gaze.

A pang of anger lanced my gut as I stared back at my wife. "That crackpot, Fried Joe. I think it's time to end the feud between you two. We will never live in peace while that fucker is still breathing. I'm going to make sure he sucks his last bit of fresh air."

"Not without me, Emmett," she stated adamantly. "He killed a whole family of innocent people. One of my best friends died in that fire last year."

Understanding dawned on me as I studied her. "Is that why you took a shot at him a month ago?"

"Yes."

Bella darted around me to the passenger side of the car, leaving me to follow in her wake. When I dropped into the driver seat, I whirled my fingers to my men waiting for instruction. Glancing at Bella, an animal rage went through me at the thought of her being harmed. "Then we will kill the bastard together."


Bella-

I knew my and Emmett's relationship had progressed over the last week but until he pinned me to the pavement in an attempt to protect me, I didn't realize how much.

It's easier to be lovey-dovey when everything is right in the world. It is quite another to do it when the carpet is yanked from beneath your feet. In this case, we both could have eaten a bullet walking out of the jewelry store.

A month ago when I had shot at that dick Joe, I never would've thought he'd shoot someone else I cared about—and he'd nearly had Emmett killed to get back at me.

While I was still angry at losing my best friend, hatred burned hotter and brighter at the possibility of losing my husband within such a short time. Why? Because as impossible as it seemed, I'd fallen in love with the big brute beside me.

Clenching my jaw I barely saw the traffic whizzing by as we headed to the ghetto to confront the leech. When Emmett pulled into an alley and threw the car in park, I retrieved my gun from the glove box.

"I guess I can't convince you to stay here," Emmett asked, his big hand falling on my thigh to hold me in place. "Bella, I really wish you would stay here. Let me handle this."

After checking the clip, I pushed the safety button before setting it on the dash. Leaning across my seat, I kissed the frown from his lips. "Baby, he could've had you killed to get back at me. I can't let that slide."

His head cocked with that flirty ass look he had. "Are you saying you might care about me, Bella? Just a little bit."

My voice fell into a whisper and the words came from my soul. "More than a little bit, Emmett. Don't look at me with such surprise. Surely after this past week of lying abed, you realize this."

The L-word hovered between us, and as I stared into his dark eyes I felt it tingle on my tongue. It was insane. Our whole relationship. The bond, affection, and sweetness that existed between us were so different than what I had anticipated upon saying 'I do' to this beast.

His strong fingers wrapped around mine and squeezed. "Let's finish this so we can go home."

Together we exited the car. Emmett's guards followed suit. Together we walked side by side, flanked by loyal men dedicated to my husband as we approached Fried Joe's residence.

Our pace didn't slow as we climbed the steps to his house, Emmett's men busting in the door. I heard the unexpected yells from within as gunshots rent the air. Several of Fried Joe's men were shot dead before they ever knew what was coming. Together, Emmett and I jogged down the basement steps hunting out the treacherous windbag.

We found him sitting in his conference room located in the back of the dank basement. It was quite fancy for being smack dab in the middle of a crack house in the ghetto.

Fried Joe's eyes went wide when he spotted me. I smiled when he looked like he would piss his pants. "Remember me, Joe? Oh, don't look shocked to see me. You just had one of your men try to shoot me. I brought my charming husband to witness your death."

The barrel of Emmett's gun was pointed at Joe's forehead, and I lifted mine to match his stance. Emmett's jaw was clenched with his own justifiable anger. The corner of my lips tipped as I threw him a sidelong glance. "Together."

"Together," he nodded and as one we squeezed our triggers, leaving two gaping holes in the bastard's head.

We stood there motionless staring at Joe. Finally, we turned in tandem and walked out, leaving his carcass to rot.

As soon as we climbed back into Emmett's car, his broad hand wrapped in my hair and his mouth slammed over mine in a hungry kiss. He pulled at my bottom lip with sharp teeth, and then licked the sting away. "Let's go home and plan our honeymoon, wife."

"Have I told you, I think I love you?" I whispered, never feeling the bite in my gut so strong in my life. "You said there was a thin line between love and hate. I love you, Emmett McCarty, more than I ever hated you."

He smiled back at me with lust in his eyes. I was pretty sure he'd rip my clothes off where we sat. Instead, he firmly gripped my chin and stared into my eyes. "I love you right back, Bella McCarthy. I will kill anyone or anything that tries to take you away from me."

Passing twinkling looks back and forth, Emmett drove out of that alley, and with our whole future ahead of us.

The End


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