“I’ll see you downstairs, beautiful.”
Outside in the huge yard of the venue, I stand at the alter beside Cody who is a nervous fucking wreck. I watch him pace up and down before I slap my hand down on his shoulder, causing him to stop. He turns to face me, and I smirk before shaking my head.
“If it’s really this bad, remind me to never get fucking married.”
He raises an eyebrow in response, a sneer creeping across his lips.
“Your time is coming. You have no fucking choice.”
I inhale deeply, sliding my hands into my tight, black pants.
“Yeah, I don’t see that happening any time soon. No woman comes close—”
A woman dressed in black halts beneath the rose arch at the entrance of the aisle, catching my attention instantly. A jolt runs through me, my heart slowing to a complete stop. Although she attempts to hide behind sunglasses, her gaze pierces through mine behind them and we lock in a trance.
Time seems to slow around me as I take in her appearance—the stunning dress that lines her curves perfectly and her hair styled in an unfamiliar yet captivating way. But it's not just hermatured beauty that catches my attention; there's an undeniable sense of confidence emanating from her in shockwaves, a new strength that demands everyone’s attention. She has transformed into a powerful fucking woman, and I cannot help but be mesmerized by her.
She lifts her hand, gently removing her sunglasses and when her beautiful green, siren eyes catch mine, I take a step forward on instinct, but without warning, Cody’s hand on my chest stops me. Unable to take my wide gaze away, he speaks while looking over his shoulder at her.
“I know I am asking a lot, but I need you, brother. She is here for the day and night. You will have your time.”
She does not offer a smile, and neither do I. The shock of seeing each other is far too great to allow for any other expression. When she finally breaks her intense stare with me and slips into a seat to her right, I continue to watch her every move while she settles. Cody's small slap on my chest attempts to snap me out of my trance, but everything around me remains a blur and my focus is entirely on her.
“I didn’t tell you Luce invited her because I didn’t know if she would actually show.”
With her back straight, she appears to be avoiding direct eye contact with me now, yet her glances in my direction betray her curiosity. I fight the urge to approach her, to take her the fuck away from this place so I can ask how she has been, but I know Cody is right; as my role as the best man, I need to be here for him. I eventually tear my intense gaze away from her, adjusting my pristine suit.
Just knowing she is in the same breathing space as me is fucking testing me. Now that she is here, I don’t think I will be able to let her slip away again. I have lived with nothing but regret since she left, but seeing how broken she was and how desperate she was to leave, I knew I had to set my own feelings aside for her sake. That is what love is, isn't it? I wasn't willing to force her to stay somewhere she didn’t want to be. I hoped she would return to me, but weeks turned into months, and I never heard from her again.
Being at a low point in my own mind after losing Chaos, I didn't really understand how much I needed her during those dark times. I fucking pushed her away and allowed her to leave, but if there is a chance to have her back in my life, I will not hesitate to fucking seize it.
Maybe she has moved on, maybe she's found someone else, but I've always told myself that if I ever have the opportunity to talk to her again, I will not be repeating the same mistakes. I haven't moved on. I haven’t even so much looked at another woman. I have waited for her because she is the woman I love. She is mine. She always has been, and she always will be.
Since she left, I have kept myself busy with my role as the new leader of the Bratva, yet despite trying to keep occupied, everything has felt hollow without her and Chaos by my side. Ever since I lost them, there has been an irreplaceable void in my life, and I have never recovered from it.
I went on a downward fucking spiral that led me to rock bottom after finding out my father's involvement in Chaos's murder, and it ultimately led me to kill him shortly after Charley left. Also, my mother's betrayal for luring me to her house that faithful day to disguise the fact that Chaos was going to be fucking killed; I stillhaven’t forgiven her for it. As the new Mafia leader, I have made big changes. I won’t allow history to repeat itself. The hatred that boiled over so many years will no longer happen. I won’t let so much hurt continue.
As the ceremony begins, everything feels like I am trapped in a dream and I keep glancing at Charley, itching to be near her, to talk to her, to touch her, I can’t help myself. She keeps her focus solely on the soon to be wedded couple as I should be, but she knows I am staring at her because every time she peers at me, I am already looking at her.
Once everything is said and done and the ceremony is over, the newlyweds walk down the aisle together and once they are out of sight, my focus is entirely on her. She stands from her seat amongst the crowd, giving me a glance over her shoulder before she blends in. I attempt to get past the guests, but like a shadow, she slips away before I can even reach her.
Istep into the guest bathroom, quickly making my way to the nearest stall. After locking the door behind me, I reach into my bag and retrieve my pack of cigarettes.
Placing one between my lips, I light the end and take a long drag, allowing the smoke to fill my lungs. I slump against the wall, my eyes closed with my head tilted back as I exhale slowly, attempting to calm the relentless pounding of my heart.
Fuck, did I really think seeing him again would be easy? Did I honestly believe I could ignore the intensity of his dark gaze, his penetrating stares that seem to see right fucking through me? Ofcourse not. I knew it would be like this between us and I knew what I was getting myself into as soon as I decided to come here, yet I still came. I knew he wouldn’t leave me alone, but deep down, I didn’t want him to. I wanted his feral eyes to be all over me. I wanted his attention.
I longed for him to see that I am now everything he desires in a woman and that I fought my demons. But I never considered how much I craved his touch and to feel his lips on mine. I want his hands all fucking over me. Tearing at my dress and showing me exactly what I’ve missed. Shit.
Reign has always exuded power, but there’s now an added intensity to him. He has a sense of supremacy now that he is the head of the mafia; his dominant, yet calm presence is undeniable. His dark hair is longer, slicked back. In his tailored black suit and white buttoned-down shirt, revealing his inked chest and neck, he wore two diamond stud earrings that glistened in the sun, the Rolex on his wrist sparkled as did all the silver rings on his tatted fingers; I almost came in my damn panties.
I just know he would tear my pussy apart if he ever got his hands on me again; he would shatter all the cold walls I’ve built around myself in one single night and make me his weak little slut. It's dangerous, but he does something to me; he always has. Fuck, what have I done?
Asthe morning fades into late afternoon, I begin to worry with every minute that passes that she might have slipped away after the ceremony. I have not seen her since and I am almost tempted to call my fucking hacker to locate her, but when I finally spot her entering the dining hall in the far distance, I sit up in my seat.
She glances around as she strides in gracefully, searching for her name. I lay my palms on the table in front of me, but Cody standing beside me causes me to stop. I growl and slump back in my chair, reaching for my whiskey as I keep my eyes on her.
Once speeches start, I notice she has found her seat, and low and behold, it is at Arlo Hayes’ table. With her back to me, she lowers herself in the chair, but when I notice something at the nape ofher neck, I lean forward and squint my eyes. As soon as they focus and I can see the outline of a black swan, my gaze expands before I fall back against my seat. She went and got Maddox’s mark covered with the symbol of who she is? What a fucking badass!