by Mari Brown
“Have you ever done an all-black wedding?” I direct my question to Marla
“Um no, not if you mean where the bride wore a black dress.”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
“Kat, you can’t be serious. A black wedding dress? Cole, you’re okay with her dressing for a funeral when she marries you?” Julie is fully exasperated with me at this point.
“I love the idea of her in a sexy black dress.” comes Cole’s smooth reply.
“OH my gawd! What am I going to do with you two?” She flings herself back in the chair at this point her head hanging in her hand. Marla looks at her with a smile on her face.
“I would love the opportunity to add a black wedding to my portfolio.”
“I am toying with throwing some dark purple in there; the bridesmaids’ dresses and accents, etc.”
“I love it.” Marla fumbles around with her tablet before turning it toward me. She has some ideas she saved on a black wedding that have never been put to use.
“Marla, you are very very promising.” I say with a smile. “We have two more to interview today and then I will make my decision and notify you tomorrow. I don’t have time to waste.” I look at Cole and then back at Marla, “I have to marry this asshole in six months.”
Two long hours later we have interviewed the last two wedding planners. Cole and I sit there staring at one another dumbfounded. Vegas is sounding better and better to us.
“I think Marla is the one.” Cole speaks up finally.
“Really?” I ask, surprised he’s voicing an opinion. “Why is that?”
“She was ready to do your black wedding, didn’t blink an eye. Not to mention she had ideas already showing she thinks outside the box.” he leans over and gives me a quick peck on the lips. “Let’s face it, you need someone who thinks outside the box.”
“This is true. I did like Marla and I felt comfortable with her.” I lean back resting my head on the couch. There is a lot to do in six months but I think with Marla, it can all be done without much hassle. “You’re right, Marla is the one to plan our wedding.”
It’s agreed we will hire Marla. Cole begins watching a movie on the couch while I bring out my tablet and begin searching for black wedding dresses. Now that the planning is actually happening, I’m getting into it. I want to have the perfect gown to wear when I marry the man I love. Even a bitch like me wants a fairytale wedding in the end.
***
Cole and I make our way downstairs for family dinner. Seth greets me as I walk into the front foyer.
Wrapping his arms around me “Kat, we are having a mother -son dance at school and since I don’t have a mom I want you to be my date.”
Tears threaten my eyes. This little nine year old wholly stole my heart years ago. “I would be honored to be your date.”
“What the hell? Both my little brothers trying to steal my woman!” Cole says with a chuckle.
“I’m don’t want to keep her. I just want to….”
“Don’t even finish that, Justin!” I exclaim while giving him a dirty look for even thinking about saying anything in front of Seth.
Justin laughs like crazy “Fine! Fine! Hey little man, so you scored a hot date for the dance after all ,huh?”
“Yep!” his little voice pops the ‘p’ as he answers.
Cole just shakes his head and continues on to the dining room. His face is so priceless I bust out laughing. I walk after him. “Cole, honey, you know it’s you I’m marrying, right?” I can’t even ask the question without laughing.
“What’s going on?” Luke asks noticing Coke’s stormy face and my laughing one. He and Julie are standing in the dining room waiting to sit for dinner.
“Oh, Coke’s upset because Seth asked me on a date. Then Justin made one of his typical jokes about wanting me.”
“My brothers are a pain in my ass.” Cole huffs.
I move behind Cole resting my chin on his shoulder. My arm snakes around him and I begin rubbing his flat stomach. “Trust me you’re the only one I want. I wish I could show you just how badly but we have to wait a couple more days.”
“Fuck that! I’m done waiting. After dinner!” My girl bits tingle at his words.
“Gross, Cole! Really, I didn’t need to know that” Julie pipes in. Of all of us she is the one who has grown into miss prim and proper. It’s not that she’s an angel, it’s just she has manners and class. Things the rest of us were taught as well but we tend to forget when we are at home. It’s anything goes at the Knight mansion.
Bruce probably has a few hundred silver hairs from us. I imagine we aren’t easy for him to deal with daily no matter how much he might love us. I alone have been a thorn in the man’s side for the last five years. He has had the patience of a saint with me. My smart mouth, my cocky attitude, my brattiness. I’m not sure what he saw in me all those years ago, or even now. I was trying to better myself. I was growing into the woman I was meant to be.
Being back with Cole has helped some. He reigns me in like no one else can. I will listen to him before I listen to anyone. I know when I’ve pushed Cole too far and when I can keep pushing him. At the same time though, I have the same power over Cole. He knows when I put my foot down that I’m serious. He gives me some leeway with the way I treat him. Anyone else would end up with a bullet hole in them.
As I glance around the dining room I smile. This is home. This is my family!
Chapter 7
Kat
Cole was true to his word and made love to me that night after dinner. From that moment on we haven’t stopped we are back to normal for us. His injuries were not going to keep him from having his way with me. The other thing that happened during this time was Cole talked about Knight’s Castle and what his time there represented to him. It was a way for him to deal with the emptiness left behind when I went out to California. Justin frequents the club way more than any other Knight so Cole has decided to give him the apartment upstairs for his use.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” I ask as we walk through the front doors of the club.
“Yes, Kitten. Whatever I want to do in the bedroom I can do with you at home. We don’t need the club.” His tone leaves no room for argument. He has made up his mind.
There is a small part of me who is disappointed. I had fun the few times Cole and I used the club but he assures me we can continue that level of fun at home.
“There is my favorite brother and future sister in law.” Justin greets us from the bar.
“Justin, I’m your only future sister in law; of course I’m your favorite.” I reply dryly.
“Whatever.” he chuckles. “Are we ready to do this?” Excitement is clear in his voice.
I’m not sure I want to know what the guy gets up to in the club. However, it’s clear it means more to him than it does to Cole or even me.
We walk up to the third floor of the building together. Cole unlocks the door to his apartment and we step inside. Boxes sit in the living room waiting for us to pack up whatever we need too.
“Mostly I have clothes and some items in the bathroom.” Cole speaks “Everything else can stay in the apartment.”
Each of us grabs a few boxes as we head off to the bedroom. It takes us a couple of hours to get everything packed up. Once we have the boxes stacked in the living room, Cole makes a call to a couple of the guys and arranges for them to come pick everything up and take it the house.
“I can’t wait to start using this place.” Justin exclaims.
He is sprawled in a recliner. He looks comfy and at home. Cole and I sit together on the couch.
“I’m almost scared for the women you bring here.” Cole speaks up.
“Oh, wait until I get in the playroom and make it mine.” He quips. I think back to times I spent with Cole in the private playroom in the apartment. I have to stop myself from thinking about it or I will be getting myself all hot and bothered.
The guys begin talking about the chan
ges Justin will be making to the playroom and I tune them out. As they carry on their conversation my thoughts drift off to other things.
I’m meeting with Marla later this afternoon to begin going over wedding invitations, flowers, the ceremony and reception. I’m not even sure where I want to get married or anything at this point. I have to be the worst bride to be ever. How can I not know any of this stuff? I know normal girls dream of weddings. I don’t ever recall fantasizing about my dream wedding. This is all new to me.; just another area that I’m finding I’m behind.
“Kitten…”Cole’s voice calls to me.
“Huh?” I mumble, “Sorry! I was thinking about meeting with Marla today.”
“Kat planning a wedding is hilarious. Will you carry a gun instead of bouquet?”
“If I do you better hope I don’t shoot you with it.” I give Justin a dirty look. He is so damn annoying. I love him like a brother but fuck, he can get on my nerves.
Both men chuckle but I’m not being funny, not really. I realize I need to talk to my therapist. I’m getting the lost feeling again. The ‘I’m scared and want to run away’ feeling. It’s not good when I get this way,however; I have learned running away doesn’t solve anything. I lost five years with Cole because I didn’t know how to deal with a relationship. There is no way I can lose him again. I wouldn’t survive it.
“What did I do to you?” Justin fake whines at me.
“You opened your mouth?” I deadpan.
“Well, really. I’m offended!” His arms cross his chest as an exaggerated pout takes over his face.
“Children!” Cole chuckles, “Play nice with one another.”
“Fuck you, Cole!” I say while smiling from ear to ear. Despite my inner turmoil I’m glad that we can be carefree and fun loving with one another.
There is a knock on the door as Pete, Rocco and two other guys I don’t recognize arrive.
“Brought these two to help move your boxes to the mansion.” Pete nods his head at the two guys.
It is obvious now that these two young men who look just barely eighteen are new recruits to the Knight Family. Unfortunately for them it means doing menial shit like moving boxes.
“Just load all this up in the truck.” Cole tells the two boys while indicating the stack of boxes in the living room. “Did you drive Rocco?”
“Yes, I did as you asked. That way I can take Kat to her appointment this afternoon.”
I turn toward my fiancée; surprise clear on my face, “You thought ahead to have Rocco come get me?”
“Yes, why does that surprise you?” Cole ask me.
“I don’t know.” I reply quietly.
Cole and I are taking on a whole new dynamic to our relationship. When we first got together we were both selfish. He was used to being the Knight heir and getting what he wanted when he wanted it. I was and still am damaged from my past. I am not used to answering to anyone and doing whatever I wanted; it was not a good combination. The time apart helped us both mature and gain better insight into who we were and who we want to be;ultimately, leading us back to one another.
We will still have fights and situations come up that take us working together to deal with them but I have hope that this time around it will be different. This time we will listen to one another and work to find a compromise that works for both of us. Cole has already shown a willingness to change by letting me be an active part of the “business”. He isn’t trying to coddle me and protect me from the bad. Killing Gary may have just earned me the respect from him that I had been wanting.
“Kitten?” Coke’s question lingers in the air. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine” I lean over and kiss his cheek lightly. “I’m just happy. It’s almost scary how happy I am right now. I’m not use to this feeling”
“Get use to it. I plan to do whatever it takes to make you happy the rest of our lives.” he tells me softly.
“Oh, you two make me want to puke. I can’t believe how pussy-whipped my brother is. If our enemies knew, they would take us out quick.”
“Fuck off, little brother! I can and will beat your ass, still.” Cole’s face is clouded with contempt.
“Oh get over it … it was a joke, man.” Justin tells him with the same anger burning under the surface.
“I think you should learn to treat a woman with the same respect that Cole does.” I pipe in, aiming my words at Justin.
A quiet ensues as we all stare one another down. The four guys walk back into the room to gather up more boxes.
“Do I even want to know?” Pete asks. It’s probably easy for him to read the tension in the room. He has known the brothers the longest of anyone. Rocco’s eyes cut to me as if he is asking if I’m okay. I love that his loyalty to me is so strong. I give a slight nod to let him know all is well.
“The brothers are being douche bags to one another is all.” I answer Pete as Cole and Justin are still locked into their ultimate stare down.
Pete looks at the guys and back at me nods his head, picks up two more boxes and heads out the front door.
“Okay you two, stop. We don’t need any internal bickering. We have enough problems without it.” I say sternly.
“You’re right.” Cole turns toward me as he speaks. “My brother just has a knack for getting to me.”
“I’m aware. He annoys me too.” I say with a smile.
“Hey! I’m sitting right here.” Justin exclaims.
“I know. Be thankful I’m not talking about you behind your back.” I tease Justin.
The tension is broken and the guys visibly relax as we joke with one another yet again. We have all been on edge lately. Now, more than ever, we need to be united. We can’t have any bickering or fighting within our ranks. We need to be a united front no matter what.
How do I go to this meeting with Marla today and pretend to be the girly princess who wants their dream wedding when right now I’m thinking of slow torture to end Sal Martin? Talk about conflicting ways of thinking. One is all sunshine and hearts and the other is doom and gloom. I’m a mess. I have been ever since I got the call telling me that Drew had been shot. My life was turned, flipped upside down.
Flying across the country, seeing Cole for the first time in five years, fucking Cole the first day I’m back. Cole and I deciding that we were going to be together so quickly. Everything falling into place for us. It’s all been too easy. I’m so afraid something will happen between Cole and I. Things are still so fragile between us and so new yet familiar at the same time.
Sal Martin has been a pain in my ass for too long now. When he kidnapped Julie and Seth, I was livid. I burned with a rage that left me illogical and I reacted without thinking. It could have turned out a lot worse than it did for me that day in the warehouse. However, knowing he is free from prison and has hits out on everyone I love, a hit out on me, has me seeing a firestorm of rage. It’s a quiet rage this time. It’s one where I’m going to plot and plan and when I go after him this time., it will be the last time. Sal Martin will not get away alive, again.
“We have everything loaded up. I’m going to head back to the mansion with the two knuckleheads.”
“Knuckleheads?” I ask Pete inquisitively.
“Believe it or not they are my younger brother and cousin.” Pete replies.
“Really? What are their names? Maybe you could introduce me…”
“Oh yea, sure. Tim, this is Kat. Kat, this is my little brother, Tim, and our cousin, Ian” Pete makes very hasty introductions.
“Nice to meet you, boys.” I say politely. I notice that Ian’s cheeks are pink with embarrassment. I wonder what that’s about but quickly turn to other things as they exit the apartment. Rocco joins us in the living room.
“You already checked out the store y’all are going to?” Cole is asking my friend and bodyguard.
“Yes, Nico will be with Julie and the two of us will be able to handle it.” There is one back door and one front door, easy to monitor both. There
are security cameras both in and out of the building. This is a high end store not a cheap bargain store. No chances that their customers aren’t getting the best.” Rocco explains to Cole. I watch the two men as they speak with one another.
I’m taken back by the love and concern in Cole’s eyes. I always ,to some extent, felt like he viewed me as a possession but I can see right now that it is more than that for him. My chest does this funny tightening but it’s a happy feeling, not stressful or upsetting. Rocco, on the other hand, also shows deep care for me in his eyes.
“I don’t want anything happening to Kat” Cole waves his hand through the air as he speaks. I have to cover my mouth to keep from giggling. I think I’m getting nervous laughter building up in me.
“Trust me, Cole, I’m not going to let anything happen to her.” He glances at me then back at Cole. “She has been entrusted to me to protect but more than that, she’s my friend and I love her like a sister.”
Well, fuck me sideways. Rocco has feelings; who knew? He’s so closed off and stiff so much of the time. I had no idea.
“Really? You think of me like a little sister?”
“Yea, I do.”
“Awe, that’s so sweet.” I turn to look at my fiancée, “I’m keeping him!”
Cole’s laughter rings out as Justin rejoins us from the kitchen. “What did I miss?”
“Apparently Rocco and Kat are bonding.” Cole replies to his brother dryly.
Chapter 8
Cole
Rocco escorted Kat to her meeting with Marla. I was thankful today was not a meeting I had to attend. Yes, I’m thrilled that Kat will finally be mine but the details of how it happens aren’t as important to me. I would have settled for flying Kitten and I to Vegas and finding an all-night chapel. However, my father insisted that Katarina get the wedding of her dreams even if she didn’t realize she had the dream.
I recall my dad pulling me in his office shortly after he found out I proposed or more like stated that Kat and I were getting married.
“Give that girl her dream wedding. She doesn’t know she wants it yet but trust me she will once Julie gets hold of her.”