Page 5 of Chaos

“It will be, I’m sure. I’ll see you at the altar.” He pushes away. I can just hear the echoes of his steps.

“See you soon.” It comes out in almost a whisper.

“What the hell was that about?” Anna asks as she waltzes out of the en-suite into the bedroom. With her hair beautifully curled and resting on her shoulders, she now has a full face of makeup that includes blush lip gloss to match her bridesmaid dress.

My shoulders shrug on their own. “I honestly don’t know.”

She shakes her head. She’s never hidden the fact she isn’t a fan of Brody. It goes both ways. Which only makes it awkward for me. That’s why I haven’t told her what's been going on over the last few months. How I’ve basically lived on my own.

“As much as I despise him, he loves you, Sof. He’s probably just nervous.”

I bite down on my lip and nod. I’ve never known Brody to get nervous. He’s cocky and knows what he wants. Much like his father, Knox. Except Knox is a complete creep. I shudder at the thought of having to even be in the same room as him again. I’m just glad he lives in Vegas, so I don’t have to see him.

“Yeah, he probably is.”

With a smile, she grabs the champagne from the dresser, pours us each a glass, and hands one to me.

“Well, here’s to your last moments as Miss Garcia.”

As I take the drink from her, I can't help but notice my engagement ring sparkling in the light, which brings a smile to my face. Everything will be fine after today.

“To becoming Mrs. Leary.”

Anna snorts out a laugh. “I think I prefer your last name. Drink faster. I have some best men to size up for later.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Apparently, Brody’s half-brother is coming.”

Anna’s blue eyes widen, and a little smile creeps up her lips. “Oh, interesting. What does he look like?”

“Not a clue. Brody’s only met him once. He started looking for him after his mom died.”

Her finger traces the rim of her flute. “Same mom?”

I nod. Brody hasn’t grieved his mother’s passing. It’s like it never happened. I wonder if that’s what’s bringing up his emotions today?

“Hey, maybe he’s less of an asshole,” she says.

With a glare, I lock eyes with her.

She breaks into a burst of laughter, the sound mixing with the clinking of her empty champagne glass.

“Be nice, just for today. Please.” I pout at her, batting my lashes for effect.

“For you, anything,” she says as she drapes her arm around my shoulder.

FOUR

JAX

Resting back in my chair, I tap my rings against my glass of whiskey. The collar on my shirt digs into my neck, and I want to rip it off already.

“Shouldn’t you be leaving? You’re already late, and I have to go deal with the next shipment with Nikolai, and then I gotta get back to Zara and Leonardo,” Frankie says from my left with a grin.

He knows I don’t want to go to this wedding. Seeing the family my mom created after she tore ours apart. I’d rather be with him and Nikolai, heading straight back to my new life in Vegas with the Volkovs.

“You got a curfew now, boss?”

“Zara needs me. What can I say? You’ll understand one day.” He shrugs.

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