Page 97 of The Silencer

I try to tell Anthony, but he dismisses me.

I try to tell Angel, once more, but he just clasps my face in his hands and shakes his head. “I’ll be fine. I’m happy.”

So I spend the night before his wedding in his bed, holding my friend close as I send up a prayer for his happiness. A prayer that he will find true love at the end of all this.

The day of the wedding is chaos. It’s a small affair and heavily guarded. Only people on the guest list are allowed in. At most, there are fifty people here, five of which are Ben and his partners, Cash and Ford, as well as Ben’s dad, Dean and his boyfriend, Avery. Diablo and Skylar are here as well, the two of them the funniest, most oddly paired couple I’ve ever seen. I can tell that Anthony is upset that his other son is here, not that he’s unhappy to see him, just that it’s one more precious thing he has to protect.

Thankfully Angel beams when he sees his twin and cuddles up next to him while I go in search of Ben.

As soon as I see my friend, standing with Cash and Ford protectively on either side of him, I jump into his arms and smash my face into his neck. He stumbles under my weight as I peck kisses to his cheeks.

“You have been avoiding me!” I chastise loudly, and Ben just rolls his eyes, trying to get me off of him.

“I’ve been busy,” he grunts and then blushes when Cash and Ford each place a hand on his shoulders, their eyes on me. Both are incredibly handsome, in a rugged older-man way. I can see why Ben fell and fell hard. And I also know why he’s been missing.

He’s been very busy getting railed into next week. I’m surprised he got out of bed to come here, if I’m honest.

“I know you’ve been, but I’ve missed you.”

“Me too. I did try to visit once, but Anthony told me I wasn’t allowed in.”

“What? Why?”

“Too dangerous at the time apparently. Something about a bomb.”

I roll my eyes and then hop off my friend and cup his cheeks. He looks just as amazing as usual, with his styled brown hair and eyes, his skin slightly tan as if he’s been sitting outside. I can see the bite marks on his neck despite trying to hide them with the collar of his shirt, and I smile inwardly.

Yeah, you get it, Ben-Ben. You little slut.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here now. Anyways, have you met Angel’s…intended?”

Ben snorts. “That sounds so old-fashioned.”

“I know. It’s so dumb. Can you believe this is even a thing these days?”

Ben shrugs. “I mean, yeah. With the mob, anything is possible, I guess.”

I sigh at his logic. Of course he’s challenging me and yet still, the words tumble from my mouth. “I’m worried about him, Ben. I’m serious. I think this is very bad.”

“Yeah, me too, but he looks so happy,” Ben replies, turning his gaze to Angel, who is wearing flowers in his hair, looking positively angelic in his white flowy suit. Mikhail is a lucky man, even if he is currently ignoring his future husband. He’s speaking with Luca, their heads bent low, their faces both serious.

I don’t know what they’re discussing, but it better not be business on the day of their wedding. That asshole.

“He better be happy, or I’ll fly there myself and rip Mikhail apart, mob boss or not,” I grumble, and Ben chuckles.

“Yeah, I’ll join you. Cash and Ford too.” He nods toward the refreshment table, obviously wanting something to drink and then asks, “And how is it with Anthony? Angel tells me you’ve been busy pushing his buttons.”

I flush and peer over at my friend. “Yeah, that’s one word for it.”

Ben holds out his fist, and I bump it. “Seems we like older men.”

“They do it better.”

We both grin at each other as we grab drinks, and I glance over toward the man who I’m still very upset with.

He’s talking with a tall, dark-haired and bearded man, someone I don’t recognize. The regal man is standing with a shorter guy who has a mop of curly blond hair and piercing blue eyes. I’m so intrigued by the couple and the energy that’s radiating off them, that I make my way over to where they’re standing as Ben moves toward Angel.

When I finally come to a stop near them, I incline my head toward the shorter blond man and grin.

---