Initiate Me (30 page)

To be honest, I was choked up more than once while she was walking down the aisle with Dad. The whole congregation was virtually sniffling and pulling tissues. Even my two brothers looked like they were having a difficult time keeping it together. But then I had to go and look at Milan. Her tears and sobs were like a punch to my gut. Never would I have thought Milan to be emotional. Fuck me. She never shed a single tear at her sister’s wedding, but when Mia and Zane had exchanged vows and I peered over at Milan, it hit me. Milan Sinclair was not what she made herself to be. Gone was the bitchy and obstinate woman I knew, replaced with someone who was emotional, and deeply affected by someone she cared about. Milan had always kept her emotions hidden. Never had I witnessed that side of her. Ever.

As the chairs were cleared so the dancing could begin, Miccah walked over and handed me a beer. “So, bro, looks like it’s just you and me left to get hitched in the family. What do you say we put some money on who is next in line to take the plunge? Is it going to be you or me who will be the last man standing?”

Damn, Miccah was a little rebel. Everyone saw his gentle, soft side, but I knew him better. He was still a little fucker, and here I thought his time in the military had changed him. I loved Max and Mia, but Miccah and I had always understood one another. We had a lot in common. We both thrived on a challenge; we enjoyed breaking rules and we both had the exact taste in women.

“Little bro, I’m betting you will be giving away any money you put on the table if we turn this into a bet. Are you game?”

Miccah’s eyes glinted at me, challenging me. His eyes never left mine as he gulped his beer down in one hit. “Ha, listen to you, you cocky bastard. Haven’t you learned yet—it’s always the presumptuous arses like yourself who think they’re never going to take the plunge. But I’ll give you some advice: it’s guys like you who think they are safe who fall the farthest. You
will
fall, bro, and you will fall hard and fast.”

I rarely backed down from any challenge Miccah threw at me. But this one was a piece of fucking cake. I’d win this one hands down. Was he stupid? Making a deal with me over who is going to get married next? This bet was going to be so easy to win. There was no chance in
hell
I would be falling in love with someone, no way.

Me, in love? Are you fucking kidding me?
I held up my bottle of Corona and clinked it against Miccah’s beer bottle.

“You’ve got yourself a deal, buddy. Bring it on.”

***

~ THE END ~

THE CAPO: RICCARDO

Book 2 in the Stud Mafia Series

by Elle Raven and Aimie Jennison

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PROVOKE ME

Book 3 in the Barossa Series

by Elle Raven

I have loved writing this series and this book was so much fun to write. It took up every moment of my spare time so for that I must be extremely grateful to my husband and my three children. You have all suffered by not having me around as much as I had to meet my deadline. I am blessed to have such a loving and understanding family around me.

I am also thankful to all the bloggers, authors and readers who share for me. Their posting and pimping overwhelm me.

A huge thank you to my two PA’s,
Karensa and Kelcey
. I love the both of you and I would not have been able to get this book fnished on time if it you were not there for me. You are both my angels. Also a big thank you to my friends
Aimie Jennison, Margreet Asselbergs, Ava Manelol, KT Fisher and Emma Keating
, who have supported me while writing this book and have been there when I needed them. No words can describe how much you have supported during this process.You have all been there for me and picked me up when I have been down.

To my beta readers,
Chris, Sam, Gillian, Emma, Angi, Leah, Victoria, Paula and Suellen.
You ladies are incredible.

To my pimp team,
Jeneane, Gillian, Emma, Neringa, Kasey, Natasha, Tracy, Nadia,
Patricia and of course
Karensa and Kelcey
. You are all totally awesome and put a smile on my face every day.

A big thank you to my editor
Becky Johnson
and to her team of betas and editors.

And a big shout out to
Margreet Asselbergs
for her hot cover designs. I know we drive each other nuts but you are amazing!

There are so many othere people I could thank, but I would be here forever! You all know who you are and remember I love you all.

***