Love's Battle (True Blue Trilogy)

by Angela Hayes

  Take my mom for instance, a woman with a healthy lack of respect for the institution of matrimony. Her count currently stands at one toad, four frogs. The toad being my father with whom she holds the record of twenty consecutive years of marriage-they’ve been divorced for the past ten.

  Frog number four, has managed to make the two year mark- a rare feat. Poor sap, I give him only a few more months until my mom’s sitting in her attorney’s office filing papers for dissolution.

  It still boggles my mind that even after my parents’ divorce, an occasion that usually severs any and all ties of familiarity, my parents were still chummy. Case in point, my mother is here, current frog in tow, at her ex-husband’s niece’s wedding talking with him as if the past thirty years had never happened. As if they had never laughed, never loved.

  Heaven forbid I get bitten by that nasty ol’ love bug, I would be anything but civil should my ex-wife decide to remarry. What’s mine, stays mine!

  So thanks to the pursuit of true love and family ties, I’m now stuck in a traditional penguin suit complete with tails and most of my five senses on overload making hearing, seeing, and breathing for the next few minutes out of the question.

  Standing at the alter, the afternoon sun filtering through the many arched windows of the cathedral bathed the entire sanctuary in a dream like glow. The stunning rays added extra heat to a room that was holding close to three hundred people. I only hoped the air conditioning didn’t give out, seeing as how everyone of these three hundred people seem to be finding anything and everything to talk about, adding several more heated degrees to the room with their hot air.

  My ears were only able to make out the low whining bee like buzz. Bees that had gathered to drink at the over flowing pots and pedestals of orange blossoms and roses scattered around the room. Combine that with the hundreds of different perfumes and aftershaves the guests had decided to bathe themselves in before leaving their residences, and every time I took a breath I was left with a rancid taste in my mouth.

  I barely managed to suppress the shudder of chills that racked my body. Should I ever get married, I won’t be doing it like this. At thirty I’m nowhere near ready for the division of equitable assets. But in light of this charade, future planning seriously has me considering an Elvis impersonator and a drive thru window in Vegas.

  Slipping a glance at my watch I sighed grimly. There was still five minutes to go before this thing was even close to being over.

  Tugging at my too tight collar I gazed around the room. It seemed like everyone in the world was here. I knew nearly everyone on the bride’s side. The ones who weren’t friends, were family, with the majority of it having roots that could be traced back to the old home county of Italy. The DeAngelo family tree was extensive.

  Less familiar faces were to be found on the groom’s side and it was here that I began to list the females I wouldn’t mind getting to know during and after the reception.

  The ones whose dresses were a little too tight, their make up a little too bright. Hey, I may not be looking for marriage but that didn’t mean I was a monk.

  Since weddings gave the fairer sex ideas best left un-thought, I also made a list of females to avoid. Those who looked around the room starry eyed as they took in the bridal decorations. You could see their mental wheels turning as they noted what they liked so they could replicate the same in the future.

  Then there were the ones with feline characteristics. Licking their blood red lips as they appraised the available males in attendance, a feral gleam in their eyes, anticipating the tasty snack that awaited. I wasn‘t ready to be anybody‘s meal.

  The lists were fairly even when I saw her hovering near the back. She wore a strapless blue dress, the fabric pouring over her tanned body like water from a fountain. It made my mouth water. My eyes lingered on her shoulders, bare except for a chunky necklace and a few blonde tendrils of hair that had escaped from their pinned confine to frame her face.

  My eyes tracked her as she made her down the aisle, choosing the empty seat next to a portly gentleman. Together the package was designed to catch a man’s attention, but it was her eyes that held it there. I felt their full impact when she turned her attention from her neighbor and focused them on me.

  It was like the breath had been knocked from my body, an invisible current of electricity flowing from her body through the air to mine. Even from the distance separating us, I was almost certain that the eyes she stared at me with were two different colors.

  Around her people figeted in their seats. They patted their coiffures, straightened their pastel or somber toned clothing; whispered in coveted tones. She did neither. A picture of calm in the storm of see and be seen, her back was rigid in perfect posture that looked oddly right on her. Confidence emanated from every pore of her body. In her brightly colored dress she stood out like a rose in a weed bed, classically unique in a swarm of gaudiness. There was something about her that even after she’d turned away from me continued to compel my attention.

  Entranced, I watched her as the music began. Through the process of flower girl to bride. I never saw Melanie escorted down the aisle on her father’s arm. My eyes were only for her.

  My attention never wavered as the priest began his scripted lines and as I watched her, her eyes met mine a second time. It was as if we were the only two in the room, the only two in the whole universe, the bond between us was so strong. And as I watched her I became worried as her eyes once full of joy became filled with distinctive sadness. I couldn’t comprehend this new emotion inside me that made me want to comfort her.

  Focused as intently on the woman as I was, I was only dimly aware of the cleric’s call for objection. So it took me by great surprise when she took to her feet when no one else did. Nor could I understand why she yelled, “I do!” in a clear voice that shot straight to my heart.

  Chapter 3

  Surprise

  Love

  I knew who he was the moment I laid eyes on him. Recognition flooded my senses; his soul had been made for mine. He was my own true love. I could feel it as surely as I could feel the charge in the air as the electricity sparked between us and I rebelled against it. “Not now !” My brain screamed, protesting the unfairness of it all. I wasn’t ready and this was far from the time or place for it to happen.

  Blue and green versus black, his gaze froze me to my chair. He was magnificent. Wickedly handsome and dashing in his traditional tux, the classic cut did nothing to diminish the muscles hidden underneath. Matching his eyes, the severe black of the rich cloth complimented his muted olive skin. Slashing cheek bones and blunt chin speaking of his Italian heritage.

  My heart beat erratically as he continued to stare at me. I wondered what he was thinking and gathering my courage to meet his eyes for the first time. Could he feel what I felt? The need, the innate tugging of our souls, eager for us to be together. As always it was overwhelming.

  Had I been here for any other reason I wouldn’t have hesitated to make my move on him; to delight in the unwavering gaze of his dark eyes as he watched me the way a lion does his prey. I would be more than happy to welcome what we were and could be together.

  It was a pity that for this first dance we would be opponents rather than the partners fate had in store for us. Regardless of what we might be to each other,

  he was standing on the groom’s side and therefore an enemy. I couldn’t let him win.

  Call me a coward, but knowing that, I couldn’t continue to meet his eyes. With Herculean effort I turned away to glance over the many faces in the room.

  It was a catalogue of Who’s Who on the list of money and prestige. Many of the faces I recognized from their pictures in the weekly Society pages. Luckily I didn’t see anybody who I dealt with on a day to day basis during the course of my job.

  What I did see, most importantly of all, was that the groomsman bore an uncanny resemblance to the brides’ side. So much so that I deemed them to be family. Great! I thought, a
nother kick in the backside from the day that just won’t stop giving.

  He along with the entire population with the exception of one would be totally mad with me when I was through with what I‘d come there to do. It filled me with regret thinking of the discomfort my actions would cause the as yet to be named best man.

  My fast pacing heart picked up its tempo when the music announcing the bridal party began.

  From the corner of my eye, I could still see him watching me and I was unnerved. It was all I could do to ignore him as Melanie DeAngelo in a confection of frothy white satin and tulle made her way toward a man who was and never would be what she needed in her life. Knowing this, seeing the strong matching blue auras emanating from both her and Everett, I was resolved to doing what needed to be done to stop this marriage from happening. Even if it meant losing my own true love in the process. It was a choice I didn’t make lightly.

  Wanting to see him one last time, my eyes were drawn back to the groomsman as the priest began to speak. His words, ones that I’d heard spoken and had recounted myself countless times in countless languages brought back all the good memories I had of each of my previous husbands. Fleetingly, I couldn’t help but wonder if the best man and I would have ever made it this far had it not come down to this last minute plan I had devised. I wanted to think so.

  I let the momentary twinge of regret bite at my heart as I denied what the future held. Surely after today the best man wouldn’t care to know me at all. I consoled myself with the knowledge that what I did, I did for the greater good.

  “If there be anyone here today who has a worthy reason for why these two people should not marry, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

  It was time. My blue and green eyes fixed on his black I unconsciously stood to my feet, answering the priests’ request. In that second I felt the groomsman’s confusion as intimately as I did the breath I inhaled. Feeling my chest expand and my lungs grow, I pulled in the air I needed to shout. It was now or never. With my eyes begging him for forgiveness, I ratted out the cheating groom for the rat bastard he was.

  “I do.” I shouted, “The groom is sleeping with the Maid of Honor.”

  So loud was the rushing of my blood in my ears that I never heard the shrill gasps of outrage and shock that flared to life throughout the horde of onlookers, or the silence that followed in its wake.

  The moment the words were out of my mouth I was running, astonishment rooting the guests in place mere seconds before all hell broke loose. It was all the advantage I needed as I darted through the sanctuary, through the foyer, to where I pushed the heavy wooden doors open, all the time knowing that I had indeed become the tiger’s prey.

  Ignoring the groomsman’s angry shouts calling for me to stop I continued on. Bursting through the doors and into the brilliant sunlight that filled my eyes with stinging tears I paused to search for Faith.

  Seeing her white Viper at the base of the church stairs I took them by two’s in a mad dash. Hearing the closing doors swing open behind me I wasted no time jumping into the waiting car.

  “Hey Faith.”

  Amused her purple and blue eyes laughed at me. “Love. In a hurry?”

  “Yep. Thought you’d be in the Tahoe.”

  “Decided this would be faster.”

  “Great choice.” I commended, the squeal of tire jolting me against the seat as Faith fish tailed us around in the opposite direction.

  I leaned forward to look through the drivers’ side window and immediately wished I hadn’t.

  The groomsman’s long stride had brought him within a hairs breath of the door. What I saw made me cringe. The look of pure malice on his beautiful face sure to haunt me for many nights to come.

  “Friend of yours?” Faith asked, her eyes flitting to the man in her rearview mirror as we sped away from the parking lot.

  “Yeah, you know me.” I answered sarcastically as we plowed into an open space on the highway, leaving the church and the groomsman behind us. “I’ve got men chasing me all over the place.”

  “He looked pretty…ah… intense.”

  “Uhuh.” I agreed, clicking my seatbelt into place. “I’m pretty sure he won’t be walking down the aisle himself anytime soon.” If he even considered it, I would cross heaven and earth to keep it from happening.

  “That was the groom!” Faith demanded.

  “Worse, ill fated best man. I’m pretty sure he’s related to the bride.”

  “Oooh sticky. Think you’ll see him again?” Faith asked her lips wide in a smile, entirely too cheerful at the prospect of me coming face to face with a man who I was sure would rather like to have my head on a platter right about now.

  I shivered, thinking of the way my heart beat as he stared at me. Mentally I replayed how he looked as we pulled away. Idly I wondering how he’d look when he smiled and wished I could see it. “I don’t think so.” I muttered, already burying what I had seen with my own eyes.

  Too busy keeping the heartache from wrapping itself around me like a blanket I missed Faith’s quiet, “Think again.”

  Chapter 4

  Danton

  Shielding my eyes I squelched the kick of male desire for the U.S. made sports car as it tore down the highway, glowering after the one who literally got away.

  “Damn!”

  “Is she gone?” Antonio, Melanie’s father asked, skidding to a stop by my side.

  “Yeah!”

  “Damn!”

  “My thoughts exactly. Where’s Melanie?”

  “Your mother and hers have taken control. They’ve hidden her in a back room until everybody leaves.”

  “Is it true?” I demanded. There was no need to elaborate since the candid announcement was a question currently on a lot of people’s minds.

  My stomach sank when Antonio nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

  “Son of a bitch.”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  “Where’s Stephen?” I wanted to know, feeling the animalistic urge to release all of this pent up frustration on his pretty boy face. I scanned the crowd of departing guests looking for the man who had betrayed my cousin.

  “Gone. Left after the woman did, along with your cousin.”

  “Shit.” I cursed, “Who was she?”

  “I haven’t the foggiest. Devil ? Or angel? The jury’s still out on that one.”

  “Someone here is bound to know her.” Everybody in the upper echelons of society knew everybody else. “I’ll ask around.” I assured my uncle who was looking confused.

  “What do we do now?” Oldest son of the oldest son, I was the one family turned to if my father wasn’t immediately present. “All has been paid for. There is food that will go uneaten waiting in the reception hall. Thousands of dollars’ worth of wine, champagne, beer. I don’t think the caterers will take it back. Money is not an issue Danton, but…”

  I slapped Antonio on the back, an idea blooming in my mind. “Waste not, want not Uncle, let’s go get drunk.”

  Liking the idea Antonio chuckled. “I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m sure my baby girl could use a few bottles herself.”

  “We’ll save her some. Let’s get out of these monkey suits, gather up the rest of the family and toast to Melanie’s narrow escape.”

  “Best idea I’ve heard all day.”

  Kicking off my shoes I flopped onto my bed, the bottles of wine I’d shared with the belated bride sloshing in my head.

  “Uh,” I moaned. I wasn’t looking forward to morning, or to sleep for that matter. Visions of the blonde wedding crasher kept replaying in my head; like a DVD with a scratch, her image flashed over and over again.

  I can see her standing up, pity written on her face, as she ended what should have been a good day. I can see her turning to run from me. Here the image went grainy. I closed my eyes to bring it into better focus. Her blonde hair, pulled back in a twist. The turquoise tube dress revealing the expanse of shoulder. There was something else, what was it. I c
oncentrated harder. There, there, was something on her back. A drawing, a tattoo. A bird of some sort on her right shoulder. Not a big help, but it was a start. Since no one I’d talked to after the ill-fated event could tell me, the woman was an enigma, her identity a brain teaser. Now that I had a lead, it was a mystery I looked forward to solving.

  If only I could get all of the blonde, mismatched eyed women in Ellicott City to take off their shirts, I might actually get somewhere.

  Chapter 5

  Ignorance Is Bliss

  Love

  “So…” I drawled, swiping a trio of French fries through the small pond of ketchup on my otherwise empty plate. Juicy cheeseburgers with a side of salty fries and a cold milkshake in my opinion were the only way to eat.

  It’s been a day since I ended the would be wedding and I refused to hide. Since Faith and I hadn’t seen Hope in a few days we tag teamed her; deciding dinner and a recap would be a great way to start the weekend.

  “I stand up, object to the marriage. Informing everyone that the groom is cheating on the bride with the maid of honor, who it turns out, is her second cousin, and I high tail it out of there courtesy of Faith. Speeding away into the sunset we leaving the best man standing on the church steps staring after us and Everett there to comfort his future wife.”

  “Talk about a close call.” Faith laughed when all Hope did was sneer.

  “You need a leash.”

  “Hey, it wasn’t like I planned it that way, it just happened. Well, the flat tire part I didn’t plan, everything else…” I struggled to defend myself. “I didn’t have much to work with okay, that maid of honor is a real piece of work. Appealing to her better nature was like trying to eat a bear. Taking it one bite at a time sounds good in theory, but half way through you start to feel sick. And believe me, I learned my lesson. I do not want to run into that groomsman anytime soon.” I shivered a the memory of those black eyes watching me as we sped away, quelling the instant shot of desire that came with thoughts of him.