Page 220 of Brutal Savage

“Why the hell is he allowed in?”

“Because we actually like him. Goodbye, brother.”

The door shuts, and she’s returning with Brody.

“Oh my goodness! Look at you.” I grab his hands. “You look so handsome in your tux.”

“Thank you. I have the rings.” He holds a box.

“And I know you’re going to take great care of them.”

“I won’t lose them, I promise.”

Please don’t let him lose them.

It’s still hard to believe that Brody is talking again. That after all this time, he’s finally found his voice. It’s truly the greatest miracle, and we couldn’t be happier.

As the clock winds down, it soon becomes time to walk down the aisle. Knots form in my stomach.

It just hit me now that I’m alone. No family here. No one to walk me down the aisle. It shouldn’t bother me, yet it does.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Eriu’s brows furrow. “You look upset.”

Iseult takes my hand in hers. “What happened? Do I need to kill anyone?”

My laughter fills the room. “No, not today. I was just thinking how I have no family here. I don’t know, it just sucks.”

“You do have a family.” Eriu smiles. “We’re your sisters now.”

That has me choking up, fanning my face so I don’t cry.

“I know it’s hard,” Iseult says. “But we’ve got you.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

Another knock comes through.

This time, it’s Patrick’s voice I hear when Iseult opens the door. “May I come in?”

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, darlings.” His eyes go to mine, and he smiles wide.

“You look beautiful. My son is a lucky man to have met you. And right about now, he’s out of his mind waiting eagerly for you.”

My heartbeats pound in my chest, wanting to see him too.

“We know.” Iseult rolls her eyes.

“Hey, Brody,” Patrick calls him over. “They’re ready for you out there.”

“Oh God, is it time?” I ask.

“Looks like it.” He takes a step closer to me. “I did come here to ask you something, and feel free to say no, but I was hoping I could maybe walk you down the aisle.”

My eyes start to water.

“I know I’m not your da, but I’d like to think of you as my daughter now, so if it’s alright with you, it’d be my honor to take you down. What do you say?”

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