More Magic City Murders Excerpt

More Magic City Murders
By Erica Rose Jackson

Copyright © 2022 Erica Rose Jackson
All Rights Reserved
No Part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ISBN-13: 9798800903539
Cover Design by Canva and KDP

Printed in the United States of America
Chapter 1
The Wedding
Sophie started zipping Arika’s gown as they finished off their mimosas.
Arika had chosen a long-sleeve dress with a v-neck in the front and a low cut back to match. The
top was simple and white, but at the waist, it flowed out with a beautiful, glittery lace overlay.
“I can’t get over how much I love this dress,” Sophie gushed as she took in her best friend’s
look.
Arika’s hair was pulled up in a loose bun with a few loose curls framing her face. She smiled as
she responded, “Thank you. What do you think of your dress?”
Sophie was in her gown which was a navy blue, one-shoulder, simple a-line design. “I love it. In
fact, I can probably wear it again someday,” she replied, wearing her own smile as the rest of the
bridesmaids joined them.
Cynthia Thomas and Madge Sanders gushed over Arika as they took in the sight of her.
Cynthia spoke first, “I can’t believe you’re really alright with Riker’s ex, Stella Jones, attending
your wedding. Her name is slutty so I can’t imagine what she’s like.”
Arika shook her head, “I appreciate you looking out for me, Cyn. They’ve been friends for years.
I’m not threatened by her presence here. He chose me,” she added.
“Are you ready to walk down the aisle?” Madge inquired, her lips permanently stuck in a grin, as
she attempted to refocus the energy.
“Very much so,” Arika stated as she followed her friends to get in position to marry her
soulmate.
Before she knew it, Arika was standing face to face with Richard Riker.
“You look breathtaking,” he complimented, keeping his voice low as he leaned in closer to her.
She smiled, about to respond, but the ceremony began before she could.
“Dearly beloved,” Father Franklin began, “we are gathered here today to join the union of
Richard Riker and Arika Romano.”
The priest went through the normal steps of the ceremony before it was time for the couple to
exchange their vows.
“I understand you’ve both prepared your own vows,” Father Franklin began, “Richard, you may
begin.”
Riker’s lips curled into a large smile as he spoke:
“Arika Romano, I knew from the very first second you entered my life that you were someone
very special to me. The past two and a half years have easily been the happiest of my life and
that’s solely because of your presence. I promise to never take you for granted and to love and
support you in every way possible, even if that means you get us into trouble.”
He earned a laugh from that comment before he continued:
“You are my everything and more. I will love you for the rest of my life and for all of time.
Thank you for making me the happiest man in the universe by becoming my wife.”
After he finished, he slipped her ring onto her finger, smiling to himself as he saw her attempting
not to cry.
Father Franklin spoke again, “That was beautiful, Richard. Your turn, Arika.”
Arika nodded as she took Riker’s hands into her own:
“Richard Riker, you are literally the man of my dreams. I’m so lucky you decided to enter my
reality, even if the circumstances of our first meeting weren’t the best. I vow to love you in every
scenario that we will face as a couple just as I have since we began our relationship, just as
you’ve done. I can’t imagine my life without you and I’m so glad that I don’t have to. You are
my one and only and I cannot wait to start the next chapter of our lives together.”
She finished and placed his ring on, just as he’d done.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Father Franklin began, “Richard, you may kiss the
bride.”
Riker leaned in closer to Arika, wrapping his large hand around her neck before he placed his
lips to hers while the crowd erupted in cheers.
Riker and Arika reentered their wedding for their first dance. He guided her to the middle of the
dancefloor as ‘Better Together’ by Jack Johnson began filling the reception.
Riker pulled her in tightly against him as they swayed to their song.
“Have I told you today that I love you?” he whispered into her ear, sending a shiver down her
spine.
She suppressed a laugh as she responded, “Once or twice, I think. But, I love you too.”
The newlyweds stayed on the dancefloor until it was time for them to cut their wedding cake.
They moved to the table just as ‘Lucky’ by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat started playing.
Arika and Riker cut the first piece of their cake together before each took a turn feeding each
other a bite causing laughter through the crowd.
“Do you want to go back to the dance floor?” Arika asked once the cake cutting was complete,
wrapping her arm around his waist.
A wicked grin crossed his lips as he nodded just as their sweet song was replaced with ‘Sway’ by
Michael Buble.
Riker pulled her across the floor until he held her loosely in his arms as he initiated the tango,
causing Arika to squeal in delight.
As the festivities started to settle down, Riker guided Arika out to their limo which would take
them back to their resort for the night. They weren’t scheduled to leave for their honeymoon
until the following afternoon.
They were staying at Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa along with the
rest of their wedding party along with some of their other friends and family.
Once they were in their suite, Arika pulled off her shoes before she stood from the bed, “Do you
mind helping me with my dress?” she asked with a timid smile on her lips.
“I would be more than happy to,” he replied as he let his hand trail down her exposed back
before he started working on her zipper, “We’ve been waiting for tonight for a very long time,”
he practically groaned as her dress started to fall from her shoulders down to the floor.
She turned back to face him as she pushed his jacket off of his shoulders and began working on
the buttons of his shirt, “I know, but it’s going to be well worth the wait. Don’t you think so?”
she teased as she got on her tiptoes so she could trail kisses from his jaw down to his neck.
Riker caught her lips with his own as he lifted her, laying her on the bed as he moved over her,
trailing his hand down her body while the other gripped her neck, locking her in the kiss.
Little did either of them know what the next day would bring …

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More Magic City Murders

By Erica Rose Jackson

All Rights Reserved

No Part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or

Cover Design by Canva and KDP

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