The Gargoyle's Wedding Planner, Havoc Predators MC, Book 3

By Ann Edwards

Mordecai

I am the Sargent at Arms for the Havoc Predators Motorcycle Club, and I am a Gargoyle. It is my job to watch over my brothers and keep them safe. This includes the women coming into our lives. I suspect my mate is nearby. I can feel her panic and anxiety. I want her to be safe, and happy.

Maddeline

After being fired for something totally outside of my control I pack my car and just drive. Fate has a funny way of providing us exactly what we need, even if we don't know it. I seem to finally be in the right place at the right time, or am I?

This is the third book in the Havoc Predators MC series. It can be read as a standalone, but is better enjoyed when read in order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ann Edwards
• Release date: Apr 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005514686

Ann Edwards

Ann Edwards is a pen name for a long time reader. I am married and have three dogs. I enjoy camping, fishing and riding motorcycles.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Maddeline

I am running around Saint Roman’s Church, trying to get the bridal party in their respective places. The florist was late, which delayed the pictures, and the whole day has gone off the rails.

The mother of the groom is drunk. She keeps repeating That skank isn’t good enough for my Henry. Henry seems to be able to just tune her out, which is a good thing. This is the first wedding I have done start to finish. The partners are watching me, making sure this all goes off without a hitch, or we all lose the commission. I have all but one groomsman in place. I just want to check on the bride and bridesmaids before I keep looking. We are ten minutes away from the bridal march.

As I reach the suite for the women, I hear raised voices. It continues to get louder the closer I get. I realize no one will hear me knock, so I just let myself in. Once I get in there, I see all the bridesmaids looking on in shock.

The bride is standing in the middle of the room, vomit all down the front of her dress, and the missing groomsman is standing in front of her.

What do you mean you’re pregnant?

Gesturing to the front of her gown Do you think I would be lying Jordan? We have been fucking for months. Henry doesn’t believe in premarital sex. Do the math!

Oh, Holy shit. I don’t even know where to start with this.

Uhm, I don’t mean to interrupt, but what do you want to do?

Two pairs of eyes swing my way. I have to tell them something. You are supposed to be marrying Henry in now, seven minutes. I check against my watch.

Well, Maddeline, I sure as fuck am not walking down the aisle looking like this! She screeches, motioning to her dress.

You aren’t walking down that aisle at all! I will not have that pompous asshole raise my kid!

As the two of them continue to argue, I inch my way towards the door. I have no idea what to do, or what to say to a church full of people. As I swing the door open, to step away from the arguing, I come face to face with Henry and his mother.

Ha, I told you she was a skank. The wedding is OFF!!!

With that statement, she steps into the room, puling Henry with her. The two of them add to the yelling going on. I slowly make my way to the chapel.

I open the door and the whole room looks back at me. No, I am not the bride, but the music playing is the bridal march. All of the groomsmen, except one, and the groom are standing at the front of the church. The Priest is standing at the very end. When he sees me walking up the aisle, he raises one eyebrow.

When I make it to the altar, I get up on my tip toes to whisper in his ear There will be no wedding. There are extenuating circumstances, and it has been at best postponed, at worst cancelled. He clears his throat and steps aside. Great, no moral support from that corner.

I turn around slowly, trying to gather my thoughts on what to say. If I say too much, it will ruin everyone’s reputations. In the, albeit unlikely, event they get back together, I have to handle this with delicacy. Just as I am about to start talking the chapel doors open once again, Henry’s mother comes storming up the aisle.

There is no wedding! My Henry will not marry that harlot! Pregnant, she is knocked up with the groomsmen’s baby!

Gasps and titters are heard throughout the church. Can this get any worse?

You, wedding planner, this is your fault! I am going to sue you for this.

I am at such a loss for words. I am not sure how the bride sleeping with, and getting pregnant by one of the groomsmen is my fault. Henry’s mother turns back to the congregation, with yet another announcement.

Anyone from the Rothchild family, and friends, are welcome to go to the reception site. The food and booze are already paid for, I won’t let them go to waste.

With that she starts to leave the altar, missing a step, and almost falling. I reach out and help catch her. Get your hands off me, I will not be assaulted by you.

Someone pulls her to the side trying to talk her off the ledge, thinking without the emotions being involved. I start cleaning up the flowers, pew bows, candles and aisle runner, as people finally start to leave. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

EBEP: Maddeline, come to the office as soon as you get things organized there.

I am not sure what that means. Surely, they couldn’t have found out yet, about what is going on here. I try to push this all to the side. I have to handle one thing at a time.

There are a few stragglers from the bride’s family still lingering. The organist comes over to where I am packing up items. Honey don’t let that shrew's words bother you. I have seen my share of weddings cancelled for many different reasons. She was in the cups early on. The emotion is fueling her words. She pats my hand and walks away.

I finally get everything loaded into the company van, and start the drive back to the office. I have a bad feeling and my stomach feels like it is full of lead.

Once I get the van parked, and start unloading, I see Stella Reynolds walking towards me. Stella is one of the lead partners in Elegant Bridals and Event Planning. Once she is close enough, she stands with her hands on her hips, she’s pissed.

Do you mind explaining to me EXACTLY what happened today? I got a call from Elizabeth Rothchild threatening a law suit because the wedding was not taking place. She said it was your fault. I had to listen to her go on for almost fifteen minutes. I finally had to come to a compromise to appease her and keep her from suing us.

I didn’t DO anything. I am not sure how it is my fault the bride got pregnant to one of the groomsmen and threw up all down the front of her dress.

Well, she left that part of the story out, unfortunately. However, I had already made my promise. I’m sorry Maddeline, but I have to let you go, you’re fired.

FIRED?!?!?! For what?

That is the agreement I made with Elizabeth Rothchild. In light of the additional information, I won’t fight your unemployment. Give me your keys, gate keycard and company phone. I will have someone go through your office, and pack up your personal belongings. I will let you know when you can come pick them up. She stands there with her hand out. I can NOT believe this is happening.

I hand over all of the items requested, to Stella. Good luck Maddeline, you are a good planner, just not the level we are looking for.

At that she motions for me to step through the door. Once I do, she shuts and locks it behind me. I am stunned. I have never been fired before. I am not even sure what to do next. Elegant Bridals and Event Planning is the biggest party planning company in North Carolina. I will never be able to find another job in the area.

I slowly walk towards my car, while I mentally run through my options. I haven’t really been happy here. I have six weeks left on my current lease. I guess now I just have to figure out where to go and what to do. Would it be too cliché to just throw a dart at the map? I hope I have wine in the refrigerator, I am going to need it.

Chapter 2

Mordecai

I have been spending a lot of time at the apartment above C8H10N4O2. The building is owned by Jasper, the Motorcycle Club President, and his old lady and mate Avery. I am still not completely convinced that the Full Moon Travelers MC have given up on trying to claim this place. As Sargent at Arms, for the MC, it is my responsibility to sniff out trouble and protect the club and its assets.

Not to mention, staying here offers a bit of solitude and peace the club grounds do not. I have my own home, but still, the sounds are different. No one has realized I have been staying here, except Pres of course.

I am happy for both Liam and Jasper at finally finding their mates. I have to admit, I am envious as well. I have been without a mate for a very long time. I am at the point where if I do find her, I have no idea how I will react. I am not getting my hopes up though.

I am also enjoying staying here so I don’t have to hear about all the wedding plans and Phoebe looking into hiring a decent planner. Phoebe handles the cyber section of Havoc Security. That is the security company owned and operated by the MC. Phoebe has mad computer skills. I still don’t think Liam has fully recovered from her offhand remark about hacking into the FBI systems.

Several weeks ago, Phoebe and Liam were arguing over planning their wedding. Usually just being mates is enough. Then to add to it, you have the title of Old Lady. In the MC community the title of Old Lady holds a place of reverence. Some consider it derogatory, usually outsiders who don’t know the full weight behind that title. In this world you don’t fuck with an Old Lady. That is even worse than putting your hands on a brother.

I can appreciate Liam wanting to tie Phoebe to him in every way possible. I just don’t want to hear the how’s it takes to get it done. Just tell me when the party is, and I will show up.

Since this is now part of the MC protection assignment, we had closed circuit televisions connected to the cameras in the coffee shop. It cut out the need to have someone in the shop all the time. We can have one person up here keeping an eye on the monitors, in case of trouble.

I have to get Wyatt up to speed on how this works. I need to take a run to New Orleans, for Jasper. Gator, the President of the New Orleans Chapter needs a bit of help, so Jasper is sending myself and Mason, our Vice President. Mason has not been around a lot. I am not sure what he is dealing with, but I am not much of a talker. I prefer to keep to myself.

I am just about to walk away, and make a sandwich, when something on the camera catches my eye. I hit speed dial on my phone, as I start down the stairs, in the back of the building. Jasper answers on the third ring.

Pres, we got trouble at the coffee shop, send anyone close.

I don’t even bother with anything else. He won’t get mad. He knows I wouldn’t be talking like that in attempt to disrespect him. It’s urgent, short and to the point. I creep around the corner, looking into the coffee shop through the window. The town knows we take care of trouble. There are no local police, only the state. If we need to call them, it could take at least an hour to get a response. They know we don’t cause trouble. In fact, they like the fact we take care of the town, so they don’t have to worry. They know if we call, it is something serious.

I hear several pairs of feet running towards me. I take a quick look over my shoulder and see Nathan, Jules and Wyatt coming down the alley towards where I am standing.

What is happening? What did you need us for?

There are four Full Moon Travelers inside. That has their attention. They are harassing the staff. They have broken a few chairs already. I am not sure where Avery is.

I hear a strange noise and look up. I see Jasper’s dragon land on the roof. It will take him a minute to get dressed, before he joins us.

Mordecai, I know you aren’t just pulling this shit on purpose. What the fuck is going on and where is Avery?

I don’t know Pres. I haven’t seen her. Four Travelers are inside. They are harassing the staff and customers. Broke a few chairs. I didn’t want to go in without back up, and I was trying to get as many civilians out of the way. Anyone not in the MC, or MC lifestyle is revered to as civilians or outsiders.

Just as Jasper is about to respond we hear a scream. Avery

We don’t hesitate, we all rush the front door. Nathan turns to mist, trapping one of the Travelers inside it, so he can’t move. Jules shifts to his Cerberus form and puts himself between the women and the remaining three Travelers.

Wyatt and I do a partial shift of our hands. His turning to claws, mine to stone. Jasper’s eyes are red, which is never good. His dragon needs to protect his mate.

I am going to ask one time, and I better get the correct answer, why are you here?

The three remaining Travelers seem to sober up quickly, realizing how badly they fucked up by coming here. We just wanted a cup of coffee. We heard this was the best place around to get one.

Jasper is trying to keep his dragon under control. I see that him and Wyatt can handle those three idiots for a few minutes. I turn around and look to the rest of the room.

Ladies and gentlemen, can you please leave the building as safely and quickly as possible?

I guess the roughness of my voice got my point across as they all suddenly seem to get their wits about them. Mostly everyone had left, but there are always those few who want to see us in action. The town knows we are shifters, most residents are not. We try not to shift in front of them, unless we actually have to. Some people forget we are half human, and when the potential is there for us to shift, they watch us like animals in the zoo.

Once the customers are out, I turn to the staff.

"Ladies, if you can