Mind (Trinity Trilogy Book 2)

by Audrey Carlan

  “Why? What did you get him?” Kat asks.

  “I got him personalized infinity symbol cufflinks!” I laugh. The girls giggle.

  “You guys are like living in a romance novel,” Bree says wistfully.

  I grin. “I know, right?” Closing my eyes I lean back and let the ocean breeze smooth over my skin and just enjoy the moment. “In two days, I’ll be Mrs. Chase Davis.”

  Dana gets up to leave. “Need to go check on the guys, make sure everything is going smoothly.” The four of us boo her announcement, but she hustles off ready to do her job. I give her credit. She’s done an amazing job with the wedding plans, and making sure everything goes perfectly, this trip the icing on the cake.

  “Toast!” Maria calls out when she’s gone. All four of us bring our champagne glasses together. Bree’s is filled with sparkling cider but she’s enjoying it anyway.

  “My turn for a toast!” Bree proclaims. She takes a deep breath and looks at each of us in the eyes. “To always knowing what’s important.” Her hand goes to her belly. “And remembering that with every breath we take, we are loved and connected by a bond that can never be broken. The four of us, it’s who we are for the rest of our lives.”

  “Salud!”

  “Cheers!”

  “Amen, sister!”

  X

  The shadows and the dark clothing I’m wearing hide me from the other tourists, and I slip into the space where my girl is set to get married. Imagine my good fortune when I arrived two days earlier than planned and found absolutely no security around the location of the wedding. It was easy enough to get the details from the paperwork in Dana’s office right down to the efficiently marked rooms on a map. Each room has a Spanish name, sticking with the Mexico theme. I never said Chase was stupid. He’s smart enough to want the most perfect woman in the world. Just stupid enough to not know how to keep her. I scan the sheet of paper I copied from Dana’s office.

  Ceremony - Outside on the overhang with a perfect one hundred and eighty degree view of the ocean.

  Reception - Sala de Sol meaning “Sun Room” in Spanish.

  Grooms Quarters - Sala de Luna meaning “Moon Room”

  Bride’s Room - Sala de Diosa aptly named “Goddess Room”

  The bride’s room is open, filled with plush furnishings, nice for a woman preparing to marry her man. This is the perfect place. I scan the windows, the connecting doors and make a plan. There’s one door that leads from this room out the back, down a pathway to where I can have the laundry cart waiting. I’ll swipe a maintenance uniform when I’m done here.

  The worst possible scenario is that Chase has a goon guarding the door. That won’t be a problem. Nothing a little Etorphine won’t cure. After a great amount of research, that animal sedative was the perfect plan and easy to get. All I had to do was break into an equine veterinary clinic. The sedative is designed to knock out horses. They had it locked up, but nothing a solid axe to the cabinet didn’t fix. I even swiped the antidote, though I don’t plan on using that on his goons. If they get medical treatment fast enough they might make it. Though I don’t really care either way.

  Laughter bubbles up and out into the dark, empty room. The noise echoes off the walls sharing in this moment of exquisite peace. It’s going to be too easy.

  Two more days my sweet and you’re back to being mine.

  Chapter 20

  Gillian

  Contentment.

  That’s the prevailing feeling running through my veins, making my heart pound, wanting to jump out of my chest, as I look at the place where I’m going to marry Chase. The breeze is blowing softly, tickling my skin as if being caressed with a feather. In front of me are dark cappuccino-colored chairs with white fabric seats set up in rows of four across, split down the center where the aisle is. The aisle is no less unique. A spiral of white flowers lead up to the arbor in large sweeping swirls. The arbor was handcrafted for today’s event and is flowing with sheer white fabric running down each wooden beam creating a softer effect. There’s a variety of carnations, lilies, and more that I can’t name in a long line of circular tufts running along the main beam that will be over our heads as we say our I dos.

  “It’s incredible,” I whisper to Dana who’s standing quietly next to me. “More than I ever dreamed I’d have in my lifetime…”

  Dana smiles brightly. “I’m glad. You know, before you, Chase rarely smiled. Now he smiles all the time but mostly when he’s near you. Honestly, I think you’re the best thing that’s come into his life.”

  I smack myself over the head as her kind words dig deep into my heart. How I could have ever been jealous of their relationship seems so utterly ridiculous now. “Thank you, Dana. I know Chase cares for you a great deal. So, your boyfriend, he’ll be at the wedding, right?” The happiness she exuded completely dissipates when she shakes her head.

  “He was supposed to come to the wedding. He showed up yesterday while everyone in the party was doing their own thing and you and Chase stayed in. We had a lovely evening of our own,” she grins. “Then this morning he woke me up and told me he had to go back to the States. That there was another emergency with work. He’s at the airport now, taking the next flight out. I mean, he’s an accountant; what could possibly be so important that it couldn’t wait a day or two?” she pouts.

  I pull her into a hug. “Sorry girl. Maybe next time,” I offer and she shrugs. Then I watch as she puts on her professional armor piece by piece. Her back goes straight, her eyes turn sharp and she looks over at me ready to take on the world.

  “No worrying. Today is all about you and Chase and having the best day of your life! Let’s go get you dressed.”

  I follow Dana to the Sala de Diosa, Goddess Room in English. We enter and my least favorite person in the world is waiting. “Hello Ms. Davis, how are you today?” Dana coos. “You look lovely as usual.” She ladles on the compliments.

  “Yes, well, some of us are early risers. You look perfectly put together, dear.” Colleen Davis’s thin lips tip up into what I think is the closest thing to a smile anyone has ever gotten. Dana goes over to her and kisses her cheek. Apparently, the distaste only extends as far as women who love her son. “Wish I could say the same for Chase’s soon-to-be wife,” the remark biting and cold as she assess me with a calculating gaze.

  Setting my essentials down on the bed, I look down at myself. I’m in a white velour tracksuit that once again has writing on the bum. Though this one says, “Bootylicious Bride.” Chase thought it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen and promptly took a picture of my ass and saved it as his background on his iPhone.

  “You realize that today is my wedding day, right? To your son?” I remind her with as much disdain as I feel she deserves for her comment. Super low class though I keep my mouth shut.

  “Yes of course, dear. You needn’t be so testy. I’m the one with the problem. My son is marrying a gold-digging whore with a John that wants her and anyone around her dead,” her tone is as sharp as a serpent’s tongue and just as evil.

  Dana gasps, mouth opening in shock. At that moment, my salvation comes barreling through the room. Maria, Bree, and Kat plow through the door all laughs and joyful cheer. “Goin’ to the chapel and we’re…gonna get married,” they sing, pulling me into a little dance. When they’ve gone through a full rendition, I’m smothered in snuggles and love. Just what I need after Colleen’s bitter words. Maria hold’s me at arm’s length, spins me around and smiles.

  “Looks awesome and your culo is bootylicious for sure!” she says with enough Italian Spanish flare to outlive any Negative Nancy trying to ruin my mood.

  “Mmm-hmm,” Bree pinches her lips together and assess my rear. “That was the private yoga lessons for sure. Damn, I’m good at what I do,” she flips a lock of golden hair over her shoulder.

  “Okay ladies, hair and makeup will take you in the room down the hall. Then once you’re ready, we’ll allow the photographer to get some shots of you.” Dana anno
unces.

  Kat comes over to me, holds my hand looking over my shoulder at the sour-faced woman sitting in her wheelchair behind me. “You okay?” she whispers her brows pulling together. I haul her into a hug and nod.

  The three women sing their way down the hall. This time it’s a chopped up version of My Girl. Their mood is infectious and puts me back into my own happy place. I’m not going to let this ugly, sad woman destroy the best day of my life.

  Someone knocks on the door. “Gigi, I’m going to have a private stylist come in here and work on your hair and makeup,” Dana says as she opens the door. A man with a pink tackle box and satchel of gear enters the room like he owns the place.

  “Where is my bride?” he says with cluck of his tongue and a snap of his fingers. It’s obvious from the black skinny jeggings to the flouncy shirt pulled to the waist by a studded black leather belt that this is my stylist. His blonde hair is sleek and cropped into a perfect fauxhawk with a bouffant at the end. He’s wearing the coolest shimmery lip gloss on a perfect model pout. I don’t think I have to go out on a limb to say he’s gay. “I’m Randi, it’s my name and favorite emotion,” he comes over to me and runs his fingers through my red hair. “Please…to the F, to the U-C-K yes, tell me you’re my bride?” His eyes are a see-through blue and shining with mirth, reminding me of Maria’s kind eyes.

  I nod and he falls to his knees, clasps my hands and kisses the top of each one. “Randi with an “I” at your service, my queen,” he grins and then pops back up. I love him already. Looking over at Colleen proves she definitely does not have those same feelings for Randi who likes to be randy.

  “I’ll be back after I check on things,” Dana says. “Ms. Davis, would you like to come check things out? Make sure everything’s as planned?” she offers.

  “Thank you, darling. Don’t mind if I do. Would you be so kind...” She gestures to the back of her chair. I’m one hundred percent positive the woman never pushes her own chair. It would be beneath her to get her gold dipped fingers dirty. Hell, she might even break a nail. The world would end as we know it if that happened.

  Dana goes over and pushes Colleen to the door. I mouth a “Thank You” and she grins, leaving Randi-with-an-I to tend to my hair and makeup.

  Randi is a master at his craft. Two hours later, my hair is styled to perfection and my makeup has never been more beautiful. I actually feel pretty. Randi air-kisses each of my cheeks then saunters over to his stuff.

  “Don’t mess up my art until after the ceremony,” he warns.

  I put a hand up to my forehead and salute him. “You got it, sir!”

  “See you back in the States. I’m your new stylist in case you were wondering,” he says grabbing his things.

  “You are? I didn’t know Chase or Dana hired anyone.” I’m confused that I haven’t been told about it.

  He smiles, opens the door and turns back to me. “They didn’t. You’re going to. Someone has to keep that wild red hair in check and those cheeks a rosy hue for all the fancy-dancy pants dinners. Like I said, see you back in the States?” He holds his pointed look, clearly waiting for me to answer.

  “Consider yourself hired, Randi,” I say.

  “Don’t let anyone else touch you until we’re back home,” he says and turns right into a tall, dark, superhero. My fiancé.

  Chase grabs Randi around the neck and waist and shoves him into the room and against the wall. Randi panics screaming like a little girl.

  “Let him go!” I yell trying to be heard over Randi’s desperate kicking and screaming.

  Chase turns his head, “You know this guy?” he growls. Then he puts his face into Randi’s frightened one. “That’s my woman and I’ll be the only one touching her. Who the fuck are you?” he roars.

  “Mistake, mistake, mistake!” Randi’s eyes are bulging, Chase’s hand loosens up.

  “He’s my stylist, Chase! Let him go. He was talking about my hair!” comes out of my mouth so loud I felt my own teeth rattle. I suck in a breath once Chase lets the dangling man drop to the floor. I rush over to Randi, who’s sputtering and chocking. I get him a glass of water and bring it over.

  Randi takes a sip then looks at me, fear in his eyes. “Jesus H. Christ you’re marrying the Hulk!” Chase barrels over and Randi jumps up and hides behind me, pushing me in front of him.

  Instantly I lift two hands in front of Chase. His eyes are wild and his nostrils are flaring. “Baby, he’s harmless. Breathe,” I say while stroking his chest. Finally his eyes take in my appearance. My hair is done, my makeup perfect and I’m standing in the crème robe he plucked off me the other day. All of my special undergarments are on underneath. A sexy surprise for later.

  “Why is he in here alone with you? Where’s Austin!” he scolds. Austin pops his head in from behind the back door where he’s keeping an eye on things.

  “Sir, you need something?” Austin says.

  “Who let this joker in? He could have hurt her,” Chase growls. Austin cracks a grin but immediately rights it when Chase narrows his gaze at him.

  Randi snickers. “What, with my makeup brush? Puh-leeze. Lighten up, big guy, you’re going to give yourself a hernia,” he jokes. Chase’s jaw tightens in just that way and he grinds his teeth. Randi scampers back behind me.

  “Chase, Dana hired him to do my hair and makeup. See,” I point to the awesome work he did. Chase looks it over and his eyes soften, lips turning into a sweet grin.

  With mesmerizing speed, he pulls me into his arms. “You look magnificent, baby.” He takes a deep breath. “Sorry I overreacted.” He nuzzles my nose and then kisses me slow, wet, and deep. Just the way I like.

  Randi tosses his hands in the air. “Damn it! Now I have to redo that. Isn’t there some bad luck mumbo jumbo about the man not seeing the bride before the wedding?” he huffs.

  “Had to see my girl,” He looks at me. “I’m going to marry you in less than an hour. You ready for it?”

  I smile and loop my hands at his waist above his firm ass. “I can be ready in two minutes. Screw the hour,” I say.

  “Oh, no you don’t!” I hear Dana enter the room. “You are getting married in an hour. Now, Chase you need to go take pictures once you have your tux on. People Magazine is waiting to shoot one with you, the groomsman and the bridesmaids.” I cringe.

  “I thought we agreed no media?” I slump in his arms.

  “Couldn’t avoid it. This way they have the exclusive and we don’t have helicopters swarming the resort. So far everything’s hush-hush but I don’t’ want to risk more paparazzi when we get home.”

  I nod and sigh into his warm neck letting the sandalwood and citrus take me to happy land.

  Chase pulls back and holds my gaze with his. “Just another hour and you’re mine forever.”

  “I’ll willingly take that life sentence and raise you eternity, baby.” I whisper against his lips.

  His eyes turn the cerulean blue that makes my knees shake. He traces the symbol dangling from my neck. “Infinity will do,” he promises and I nod.

  One last kiss and my man is out the door as quickly as he came in. Randi brushes up my makeup and diddles with my hair making sure it’s perfect.

  Once everyone is gone, I slip on my wedding dress. Kathleen has outdone herself. I look at my reflection in the floor-length mirror. The dress is mostly satin with some tulle. Swarovski crystals and beads line the bottom as if they were sprinkled throughout the skirt. Every time I turn my hips side to side, they sparkle and wink a halo of rainbow light. The back of the dress dips low, leaving the entire back bare. Chase might actually drop to the floor once he sees it. He’ll definitely spend the entire evening caressing my spine. He can’t help himself. In the end, Kat made sure my wedding dress is sleek, elegant and everything I dreamed of since I was a little girl.

  I, Gillian Callahan, am finally going to marry my prince.

  While I’m ruminating on how amazing my life is going to be Colleen Davis is wheeled back in.

&nbs
p; X

  One hour left. The three bitches are flirting up the camera guy from People and Chase is hamming it up. Jack is watching the perimeter and the stupid fucks only left Austin Campbell at the back door. Sliding up the length of the wall I’m completely hidden by the large tropical greenery. Dumb asshole is standing a few feet in front of the door talking on his cellphone facing away from the door. Silent as a snake, I pull out the syringe and grip it tightly in my right hand. The element of surprise is once again in my favor.

  Like a cheetah, I yank his chest back and strike his carotid on the right side piercing his neck. He whirls around and lands a cracking punch to my face. My jaw twists back and I fall against the wall, but not before seeing his hulking form sway. Those giant arms jolt out, looking like a mummy, trying to get a hold of me. Within mere seconds, his entire body falls to the ground in a giant heap. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Grabbing his hands I drag him into the foliage alongside of the wall. At the very least, he won’t be seen right away.

  Getting myself back together, I lean my ear against the wood door. I can hear my girl talking to someone.

  “You better be worth it and make my son happy,” a voice says.

  “Ms. Davis, I swear I will. He’s everything to me. I’m going to do everything I can to make him feel loved, happy and whole. It’s the only thing I want in the world,” Gillian says back.

  God I hate that old crone. The way she’s talking to my girl makes me sick. I lift up the sharp blade knowing what I need to do. It’s now or never. I’m not going to let some old cripple ruin my chances of finally making Gillian mine.

  Storming through the door I’m greeted by two equally shocked faces.

  “Danny?” Gillian gasps. “What are you doing here?” Then her eyes scan my form, noticing the maintenance uniform and most specifically the blade in my right hand. “No,” her eyes go wide, mouth opens and closes. “It’s you!” Tears fill her leafy green eyes.