“Do you think Ben would come?” I ask. “I mean…considering that he wanted to marry you too.”
Cass tucks her hair behind her ear. “Yeah, I think he would. Ben knows I love Calder…and honestly, I think he wants a relationship with his half-brother, but Calder has—”
“Trust issues? I know, but don’t worry, we’ll think of a way to get them talking.” Smiling, I tug her bag’s straps higher up on her shoulder. “Thank you for being the best wedding planner ever.”
After Cass leaves, I hop in the shower and dry off, then frown at my neck in the mirror. It looks so bare without my Two Lias necklace. I quickly dress, then walk into the living room to retrieve it from the coffee table. I’d taken it off while cleaning so I wouldn’t sweat all over it. It’s not on the table, where I’d left it, so I start looking all around for it. Frustrated, I unroll the carpets and even take the vacuum apart after checking its bag, but I still don’t find it. With an hour and fifteen minutes to run my errand and get dressed before rehearsal, I reluctantly give up my search and collect my paperwork and purse, before heading out.
Our penthouse apartment is quiet when I walk in. Sebastian immediately pokes his head out of our bedroom doorway, his hair still damp from the shower. “I was getting worried. I thought for sure you would've been here getting dressed well before me. Come help me decide on a suit.”
I follow him into the room and pull a box from the store bag on my arm. “Why don’t you let this help you decide?”
His handsome face lights up as he reaches for the box. “What is it?”
“A surprise you don't have to wait to see. Open it.”
When he lifts the dress shirt from the box, then quickly glances down at the space near the tail in surprise, I know he’s wondering how I got Teresa to already add the tag that tell him the shirt color and the numbering system as to which ties and suits it coordinates with. I grin as he reads the special label I had added to this shirt.
“Color: ? See Talia.”
His intrigued look makes me smile. “The material is wrinkle-free and is incredibly comfortable even starched, but the gift has another intent. At least once every couple of weeks, I want you to depend on me for something. Whenever you wear this shirt, I'll help you decide on a tie and suit to go with it.”
“You’re not going to tell me what color it is?”
When I shake my head, Sebastian runs his finger over the label, his gaze locked on the words. He's so quiet I'm not sure how he feels about it. “It was just a thought. If you'd rather I have Teresa add your usual color-coded label....”
He hooks his muscular arm around my shoulders and pulls me close, whispering against my temple. “I love it, Talia.” Lifting up the shirt, he continues, “Want to help me pick out the tie?”
After I find the perfect tie and suit to go with the shirt, I wait until he's buttoned his pants, then I slide off my ring and hold it out to him.
“What are you doing? Put it back on.”
I ignore his scowl of disapproval. “You'll do that tomorrow during the ceremony.”
He lifts my left hand, his frown deepening as he runs his thumb over my naked ring finger. “I don't like not seeing it on your hand.”
I take my ring, and as I tuck it into his pants’ pocket, I kiss his jaw. “I'll be sleeping in your bed tonight anyway, Mister Black.”
He cups the back of my neck, his hold tight. Sliding his thumb down the side of my throat with just enough pressure to make my body hum to life, he rumbles, “Don't think for one minute I'll make it easy for you to keep up this chaste ruse, Little Red. Not after watching you walk around all night without my ring on your finger. I don't give a damn that it's our rehearsal.”
I rest my hand on his bare chest but can't make myself move away. Instead, I lean into his hard body and soak up his warmth. “You know I'm yours.”
He trails his fingers down my back. Even through my clothes my skin prickles. Cupping my ass with a possessive hold, he pulls me against his erection and slides his mouth along my throat. “From those gorgeous red roots to the tips of your succulent toes, I'll spend every day reminding you why that's always going to be true.”
“Is that part of your vows?” I whisper, amazed that he can still make me breathless with just words.
“No hints, Miss Nosey.” Flashing a smile, he smacks my ass with a firm hand, making me tingle all the way to my toes. “Now go get dressed so we can get to the best part.”
“Where I say, 'I do'?”
“No, bed,” he says on a primal rumble.
His blue gaze sparking with determined, erotic intent makes the one dark brown spot in his left eye stand out. That beautiful mark sends my stomach into a tailspin and my nipples ache for the heat of his mouth. Chances of me withstanding Sebastian in unleashed seduction mode will be about as effective as an umbrella in a monsoon.
Shit.
My virtuous resolve is so completely screwed.
Once we arrive at the church in our separate limos, Sebastian says he needs to discuss a work issue with Calder, so Cass and I leave the men talking in the church’s entryway. The moment we walk into the church and she doesn’t immediately see the pastor, Cass looks at her watch and mutters, “He insisted on our prompt arrival. Where is he?”
When she taps her foot and stares at her watch once more, my gaze strays to the lady walking a young teen girl to the front of the church. “We’re here a bit early, Cass. Pastor Meyer is probably in his office.”
“Ah, you’re probably right. I’ll go find him and let him know that we arrived on time.”
“Who knew you were such a rule follower?” I tease.
Cass blows me a kiss before she heads back out of the church. Once the heavy doors close behind her, a hush descends on the otherwise empty space. I feel like I’m an intruder into this woman and young girl’s prayer time. I sit in the last pew as they enter the first. As they kneel on the padded bench, then bow their heads in prayer, the imagery of flickering candles and scent of lemon floor wax suddenly transports me back to that awful night our apartment exploded.
My feet hurt from walking for what seemed like hours. No shelters would take us for the night. They were all full. It had started to rain again just when my jeans had nearly dried, but at least Blackie’s jacket kept me warm. I was surprised that Aunt Vanessa didn’t ask me about the leather coat swallowing me up, but she was so distracted trying to find us a place to sleep—and probably still in shock over losing Walt, Amelia, and everything we owned—that she wasn’t paying much attention to details. I’m sure she was just so thankful I wasn’t in our gape-holed apartment full of fire and smoke.
The rain picked up and my aunt quickly tugged me into the closest open building. I thought we would just stand inside the church’s main door, our shoes dripping onto the newly polished wood floor as we waited the rain out. Instead, Aunt Vanessa grabbed my hand and led me straight down the main aisle in the empty church, directing me into the first pew.
My aunt wasn’t a religious woman. I could count on two hands the number of times I’d seen the inside of a church—usually either an Easter or Christmas service. But tonight she must’ve felt the need for spiritual guidance, so I kneeled with her, bent my head, and closed my eyes.
While my aunt mumbled prayers for our future, I didn’t wish for a roof over our heads, nor did I begrudge losing all our worldly possessions. In that safe, quiet place with smells of lemon and burning candles, I hoped Amelia heard my tears for her loss, said my thanks to the heavens for severing my connection to Hayes, and I wished that one day I’d see Blackie again so that I could thank him for saving me from myself. Would I even be in that church beside my aunt if he hadn’t come along?
The woman and girl lift their heads from prayer, drawing me back to the present. She wraps her arm around the girl’s shoulder and seems to be comforting her, much like my aunt tried to do back then.
Of course, knowing what I do now—that Aunt Vanessa intentionally blew up the apar
tment—gives me a whole other perspective on the truths of that night.
Once the ladies stand and leave, with nothing to focus on, I stare at the massive cross on the far sanctuary wall and think about the selfless forgiveness and second chance it represents. My thoughts segue to my father’s advice and the sudden ache in my chest is so strong, I have to take a couple of deep breaths.
We didn’t just lose everything that night…my aunt destroyed it all. She could’ve packed a bag, hidden some things away before she blew up our apartment, but she didn’t. She nuked everything to save me from having to face murder charges. Shooting Walt was an accident, but the rage in my heart that night for his part in Ameila’s death wasn’t. What would’ve happened if Aunt Vanessa hadn’t done what she did? As extreme as her actions were, she did what she felt was the best thing for me. I blink back tears of self-doubt as I continue to stare at the cross.
“What’s wrong, Talia?”
Sebastian slips into the pew beside me and wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. His warmth feels so good, I lean into him and swipe the wetness from my face.
“I don’t know if I’ve made the right decision not inviting my aunt to the wedding.”
“I thought you decided to invite her?”
I consider telling him about my aunt’s visit earlier today, but instead tell him how I’m feeling. “I’m torn. She raised me, Sebastian. But I don’t want our lives disrupted by some crazy new idea she might get. And I sure don’t want you dragged into it either.”
“I have no issues putting your aunt in her place whenever necessary, Talia. Worry for me should never enter your mind.”
His assurance lifts the heaviness from my chest. “I don’t know about the future, but it feels spiteful not to invite her. And that’s not who I am.”
He cups my jaw and lifts my chin so I fully meet his gaze. “Your forgiving nature is one of your most admirable qualities, Talia. I won’t deny that I will always question your aunt’s motives, but just because you extend an invitation to your wedding doesn’t mean that it has to apply going forward. Think of it as honoring the person who raised you.”
I fold my hand over his on my jaw and smile. “Will you promise to always say the right thing for the next oh…seventy or so years?”
“Every time you get frustrated with me…” The corner of his lip hikes in a smirk. “I’m going to remind you that you said that, Little Red.”
I exhale an amused snort that echoes loudly in the quiet church. Just as I snicker, someone clears her throat behind us. We turn to see the entire wedding party now gathered near the doors inside the church. Isabel is next to the pastor, her icy blue gaze focused on us as she sniffs her disapproval. “Please respect our church at all times, Talia.”
Before Sebastian can blast his stepmother, Adam steps close to his wife and hooks his arm in hers. “We’ll go find our seats and let this rehearsal get rolling so we can move on to the dinner you’ve planned, Isabel.”
Adam lets his wife walk ahead, and as Sebastian and I stand, he pauses and smiles at my silk dress. “You look stunning in royal blue, Talia.”
“Thank you,” I say, knowing it was Adam’s way of trying to apologize for his wife. My husband’s hand flexes against my back, his fingers tugging on the silk material before he moves them to the ends of my curled, unbound hair. I glance his way to see him staring at the strands. I’m in awe that he has managed to keep his colorblindness to himself for so long, but I’m also sad that the only color he can see clashes with my hair color. I would wear the most stunning dresses and heels in red every day.
Clasping Sebastian’s hand, I smile and tug him to the front of the church, our families falling into place behind us.
At the front, Pastor Meyer claps his hands. “Gavin and Damien. Please step forward.” Once Sebastian’s half-brothers comply, he points to places behind Sebastian. “The groomsmen will need to stand here. Be sure to leave a space for the best man.” He quickly waves to Calder. “Come take your place, Calder.”
Without being told, Cass moves into position as my maid of honor and Sebastian’s sister Mina steps into place behind her as my bridesmaid.
As Josi begins to fuss in her mother’s arms, Isabel stands from the pew with an annoyed huff and approaches her daughter. “I’m assuming you have a sitter lined up, Mina?” she comments as she takes her granddaughter from Mina.
“Josi will attend the wedding,” Sebastian cuts in, nodding his approval to his sister.
Adam instantly takes Josi from Isabel as she returns to her seat and bounces his granddaughter on his knee.
“Where’s the father of the bride?” Pastor Meyer calls out, glancing around.
“I’m here. Traffic was extra heavy today.” My father steps through the open door and quickly walks down the aisle toward us. “Three different men checked my ID outside. Now that’s some tight security.”
I look at Sebastian with a questioning gaze as Pastor Meyer says to Kenneth, “Please allow ample time for traffic tomorrow, Mr…?”
“It’s Kenneth McAdams, Pastor, and I’ll be sure to be here extra early.”
My husband’s unapologetic stare doesn’t surprise me, so I shift my gaze to my father who just shrugs off the hassle with a jovial grin and hooks his arm in a formal pose, encouraging me to step into place beside him.
“Ready for this, Tally-girl?”
Sebastian’s eyebrow hikes at the nickname, but otherwise my husband’s expression remains stoic as my father and I start down the aisle toward the back of the church. I smile and nod to acknowledge Den standing off to the left. He must’ve entered right after my father did.
“I don’t see your aunt here. Did you decide not to invite her?” my father asks in a low voice meant just for me.
“Actually I just decided before you arrived. I’m not sure how things will progress in the future, but she deserves to be here for this. I have her invitation in my purse. Would you do me a favor and deliver it to her?”
He smiles and pats my hand on his arm. The kindness in his green gaze makes my heart swell. Did my “forgiving” gene come from him? “I’ll be happy to, Talia.” Turning me around at the back of the church, he looks at me with pride. “Ready?”
I nod and exhale before we take the first step forward.
After three practice rounds, the pastor deems us ready for tomorrow. Cass’s parents are waiting in the church’s main entrance, along with Theo and two other men from BLACK Security.
Isabel walks briskly out of the church’s main doors with Den taking long strides to stay with her. She’s talking harshly into her phone. “That’s not what I requested. Fix it right now or I will make sure no one in my social circle uses your restaurant again.” A pause. “Unacceptable. You listen to me…”
As Isabel exits through the church’s propped open main doors, Den takes up a post on the threshold, his ever-watchful gaze shifting between Isabel and the Blake family inside the church. Cass moves to my side and mutters under her breath, “Looks like the Dragon Lady is raining fire down on the poor commoners. We’ll all either have the best meal ever, or go home with the worst case of revenge diarrhea because of her.”
“It’ll be fine, Cass,” I say, snickering at her comment. I nod to Calder, appreciating that he’s taking the time to introduce my father to Cass’s parents. My heart feels full when I see Adam call Galvin and Damian over to where he’s standing beside Sebastian. The moment the brothers join them, good-natured ribbing commences with Sebastian taking the brunt of it. He barks out a laugh and I smile, hoping I feel this happily content tomorrow.
Mina walks up with a tear-stained Josi holding an animal cracker. “I’m sorry Josi got fussy, Talia. Of course Mom reminded me that I must to be better prepared to calm her tomorrow during the ceremony. I promise I’ll have extra distractions on hand for my parents while I’m standing up there with you and Sebastian.”
I touch Josi’s rosy cheek and smile when she tries to share her cracker with me.
“Don’t worry, Mina. Josi’s a delight and everyone understands little ones can get fussy.”
“But my mom—”
“Is anxious about the dinner.” I gesture to Isabel pacing outside. “Don’t let her get to you. I don’t.”
Cass follows my line of sight and stiffens next to me. “She wouldn’t dare.”
“What?” Mina and I say at the same time.
“Your mother is heading for Talia and Sebastian’s limo,” Cass says to Mina. “She’s the one who suggested that I put that red ribbon on the limo’s mirror to distinguish it from the others. How can she not see it?” She glances at me. “You and Sebastian must leave for the restaurant before the rest.”
“Mom wouldn’t do that,” Mina says as she bends to pick up the cracker piece Josi dropped on the floor.
“She’s just gotten in the car.” Cass huffs. “This is completely unacceptable. It’s the top of the line limo. I need to go deal with this.”
Cass heads for the open doorway, and as Calder walks over to meet her, a questioning look on his face, I see the limo move ahead a few feet, presumably to wait for traffic. Once the vehicle pulls into the line of cars, I call after Cass, “It’s fine. We’ll just take the other limo to the restaurant.”
A shockingly loud boom makes my heart jump and my ears hurt, but the sight of Den stumbling to the side and Cass falling back against Calder at the entrance spurs me into action, my heart pounding. I run over to see if she’s okay and exhale my relief when Den nods to let me know he’s fine.
Calder quickly turns Cass around and clasps her face in a tight hold. “Are you okay?“
She’s pale and shaken but she nods and wraps her arms around his waist, hugging him tight. “My ears are ringing.”
Den’s got his phone to his ear and my heart jerks when I hear him say, “There’s been an explosion.”
Where did it come from?
Giving the address to the police, Den holds his hand up to silently tell Adam and family to say back, and that’s when I see the raging fire and smoke billowing out of the back of the limo.
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