Page 68 of The Spy Who Ghosted Me

“Are there criminals everywhere?”

“More than you want to know.” I sighed, hating to tell her the truth. “With that in mind, don’t leave my side this evening.”

She leaned away and straightened my tie. “That won’t be hard, seeing as I’ll have the most handsome date there.”

I ran the back of my hand down her creamy cheek. “You are so beautiful, and I’m sorry I got you involved in this.”

“Well, at least no one can ever say I’m boring again.” She grinned.

“You are anything but boring.” I leaned in and brushed her soft pink lips, purposefully keeping it innocent. Otherwise, I would be begging her to skip the sham rehearsal.

She closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m really going to miss that,” she whispered.

“Me too.”

“We should probably get going. I still can’t believe Lexi is doing this. Does she know how selfish she’s being?”

“Probably not. I’m sure Izan has convinced her this is a romantic adventure and you will all understand.”

“I don’t understand this.”

“That’s because you’re not selfish.” I offered her my hand.

She took it and laced her fingers between mine, perfectly intertwining them as if they were meant to fit together. “Let’s do this,” her voice cracked with emotion.

For a moment, I wanted to tell SPI they could go to hell; I was staying with Sabrina. But I knew the best way to keep Sabrina safe was to ensure that we brought Izan to justice for his crimes and found and disposed of those diamonds. The team searching the caves had come up empty so far.

Maybe when all was said and done, I could keep the girl.

Sabrina

CASH AND I WALKED TOGETHER into the grand hall at the lodge. The sparkling chandeliers enveloped the room in a radiant glow, their light bouncing off the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. I had to hold back my tears when I saw the wedding arch draped in silk and lights, standing front and center. I’d dreamed of the day when Daddy would build my arch for me to be wed under. It seemed like a slap in the face that Daddy had gone to so much trouble for Lexi, who was behaving like a spoiled brat and didn’t have any idea what real love was. Real love wasn’t this selfish.

Rows of white wooden chairs lined the hall and formed an aisle leading to the arch. The smell of freshly baked bread and basil and thyme wafted our way from the restaurant, which was closed to the public for Lexi’s rehearsal dinner. Genevieve and her staff were busy preparing what was sure to be a feast for all of us. Although I didn’t know if I could eat, knowing that Cash would be leaving and that my sister was running off with a criminal. My stomach was in knots. Something ugly hung in the air and I hated it.

Several people were already there, including my parents, grandparents, and Aunt Vivian and Uncle Finch with their sons and daughters-in-law. It was nice of them to come, seeing as Lexi had snubbed them. All the bridesmaids were there except Mia. I was sure she and Drew were hot and heavy somewhere on the premises. I hoped Drew would finally decide that Mia meant more to him than our hometown.

Lexi floated in, wearing a tiny white dress that was having a hard time keeping her ladies contained, holding Soren’s hand, with the young pastor trailing them. The poor man had no idea what he had agreed to. I was more than surprised to see Lexi wearing the locket I’d given her. It gave me a twinge of hope that maybe Lexi would grow up someday. Not to mention I felt relieved that I would at least know her whereabouts in the States. It wouldn’t help me when she left on her honeymoon, but it was something. And I trusted Cash to watch over her when I couldn’t.

The event coordinator, Janice, walked in, all smiles and wearing a charcoal pantsuit. “Shall we get started?”

I was about to say we needed to wait for Mia and Drew, but they rolled in, smiling, with their hair all messed up. Aunt Vivian was none too happy about it and gave Mia a look that would make a flower wilt. Mia paid her no attention and instead smiled goofily at me while adjusting her dress. We were going to have a lot to talk about on our flight home on Sunday. Obviously, I wouldn’t be telling her the truth, other than how much pain I felt since Cash left. A ghost would haunt me once again. I had a feeling it would be like a class-five haunting now, since I was a big believer in ghosts.

Janice clapped her hands. “Okay, let’s get everyone in their places. Guests, please have a seat while we get the wedding party situated.”

Janice barked out instructions like a drill sergeant, sending Soren to the front right side under the arch. Meanwhile, she lined up all the bridesmaids. Mia and I were the only ones being escorted by groomsmen. Lexi was at the back with Daddy, tittering uncontrollably. I’d never wanted to slap anyone until that moment. For her to make light of the ruse she was pulling was appalling.

Aunt Vivian and Nana chatted loudly about how ridiculous it was not to have an even number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. It did look silly. But men who let their wives get murdered and steal from terrorists probably don’t have a lot of friends.

Mama kept telling them to hush, but they paid her no attention. This was Mama’s big moment. She finally had a daughter on the cusp of getting married. If she only knew that Lexi was really getting married tonight, she herself would put a stop to it. The temptation to tell her almost got the best of me. But I’d promised Cash to let it all play out, as scary as that was.

I was just glad to have Cash by my side. We couldn’t take our eyes off each other. I tried to memorize his face since I couldn’t have a picture of him—everything from his stubble with hints of gray, to the straight bridge of his nose, to his prominent cheekbones and thick eyebrows and eyelashes. And who could forget those deep-blue eyes? He was perfect.

With everyone in place, Janice clicked a button on her phone and “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” played. It was the processional song Lexi had picked out. Yeah, I was pretty sure it would not be an everlasting love.

“The orchestra will play this on Saturday,” Janice said. Oh, Janice, if only you knew how many apologies and phone calls you would soon have to make to cancel everything from the orchestra to the live swing band for the reception. “Okay, okay, Jade, you walk down the aisle first,” Janice called out.

I wanted to wring Jade’s neck for being in on this. I kept praying she would accidentally blurt something out and ruin my sister’s horrible surprise. Instead, she walked gracefully down the aisle in her four-inch heels.

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