He recalled those details and more about the pretty blonde. But the most important fact about bubbly Laura was that the woman had no criminal record.
Ivan knew this because he’d run a deep background check on her and every other guest who hadn’t already been previously vetted. Because that’s what he did. He watched out for Jax.
And now that his boss and Poppy were married, that also meant watching out for the man’s better half. And that meant making sure those who’d been invited weren’t a threat to either one.
“Great!” Laura’s cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts once more. Her perfectly straight smile shone bright in the glow of the afternoon sun. “Since we’ll both be there, we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other better.”
Before Ivan could respond to the woman’s blatant interest in becoming more acquainted, the upbeat teeth-cleaner released his arm with a wink before taking off in search of the bride. He watched as she seemed to bounce across the area’s smooth stone surface, wishing he felt interested in what he suspected she’d be willing to offer.
He didn’t.
Poppy’s cousin wasn’t unattractive. To the contrary, Laura Crawford from Kansas was very pretty and seemed like a genuinely nice person. Unfortunately for them both, there wasn’t even ahintof desire or arousal on Ivan’s end.
Something he’d noticed happening more and more in recent months.
Used to be, he’d spot a sexy woman and his dick would instantly stand up and take notice. Lately, however, it didn’t matter how pretty she was—or how willing—Ivan seemed to have outgrown his use for casual hook-ups.
Might have something to do with the fact that you’re thirty-two, not sixteen. Just a guess, though.
Without a solid argument to the contrary, Ivan accepted the silent point and took a moment to appreciate the scenery. It wasn’t the first time he’d been at Jax’s private haven away from the city. Not even close. But the property’s majestic beauty still got to him every time he was here.
Nestled near the base of the Rockies, Jax’s land spanned twenty-five acres in the middle of Colorado country. Towering trees, snowcapped tips, and rolling hills created a beautiful landscape Ivan regarded as a piece of Heaven on earth.
Sure, if Heaven’s equipped with the best, most high-tech security system money could buy.
Okay, nowthatthought nearly breathed life back into his forgotten smile. Ivan had personally overseen the production, testing, and installation of the upgraded system.
Electric fences, invisible laser sensors, cameras, motion lights, monitors, and more…
They were all things Jax had previously put into place. After all, a man like Jax Monroe made more enemies than friends most days. But after a band of ruthless killers managed to override the system and break into the cabin a while back, Ivan wasn’t the least bit surprised when he ordered a complete security overhaul for the entire property.
Because one of the bastard’s bullets had nearly taken Poppy from Jax that day, and if there was one thing Ivan had learned about his boss… Anyone dares lay a hand—or anything else—on the other man’s woman, the former SEAL would bury them.
Literally.
“You ever think you’d live to see the day the great and powerful Jax Monroe got hitched?”
He turned to see Jax’s brother standing beside him. “Hey, Dec.” Ivan shoved his hands into his tuxedo pants pockets and shook his head. “If you’d asked me that a year ago, I would’ve said hell no. But after your brother met Poppy, he…I don’t know. Something changed. He became—”
“Obsessed?”
Well, yes, most definitely that. But, “I was going to say happy.”
Both men shifted their focus across the patio to where the smitten couple were currently sharing yet another unabashed kiss in the center of the crowd. Yes, the great and powerful Jax Monroe was now a happily married man.
And after risking his life for so many others—time and time, again—Ivan couldn’t think of a more deserving fellow.
You’ve taken those same risks just as many times. You deserve to be happy, too.
“Ivan! Dec!” Poppy hollered for the two men from across the patio. Waving them in her direction, she announced, “We’re gonna take some pictures before we head to Sin!”
Declan groaned as he slapped a hand against Ivan’s back. “Come on. Sooner we get this part over with, the sooner we can start drinking.”
A low chuckle had Ivan’s shoulders shaking as he and Dec began walking over to where they’d been summoned. He never thought he’d be grateful to be included in wedding pics again, but if it helped keep his asshole subconscious at bay, he’d pose just about any damn way they wanted.
With a smile plastered across his face the entire fucking time.
Half-an-hour later, the joyous day had been solidified in history, forever captured on digital film for eternity. And after one blissfully quiet car-ride back into the city, the real celebration began.