Page 127 of Knot a Thief

When I see Lottie, I have to double-check if it's her. This bride now looks surprisingly, dare I say … happy.

“What’s with your sudden turnaround?” I ask her.

She takes my hand and drags me away from everyone else. “This wedding isn’t taking place,” she whispers in my ear.

“You’re in a church. You’re wearing a wedding dress, and you have a future husband looking like he’s about to go into a business meeting while he’s waiting at the altar.”

She chuckles. “I met someone last week at my bachelorette party. He’s an alpha, and he texted me a few times since, and he’s going to stop the wedding.”

“No way. These are cartel men, Lottie. He’ll be killed. What are you thinking about? He should have done it before today.”

“He promised that no-one is going to have me but him.” She grins. “He’s perfect. He told me I was his. And he smelled delicious. We never talked about scents, but I know he is mine.”

“Oh my god, Lottie. You really fucked him?”

She pushes her shoulders back defiantly. “I told you I wouldn't be a virgin for Carlos.”

I glance at my watch. “I think whoever the man was just wanted to string you along. Nobody waits until today to save what is his.”

I watch as sadness clouds Lottie’s eyes. “He promised. This is the only time I haven’t been under lock and key,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

“Who locked you up?” I ask, my heart sinking.

“Who do you think?” she replies bitterly. "Our lovely stepfather. He wasn't taking any chances for this deal to go wrong."

Suddenly, the organ plays the bridal chorus; the sound filling the church.

Lottie slides her hands over her ivory silk gown. It’s very demure, not sexy at all. With a sweetheart neckline, full arms, the bodice fitted, only flaring out slightly from the hips.

She lifts her arms and covers her face with the veil, her voice trembling as she says, “He’s coming for me. I know it. I feel it.”

I quickly kiss Lily before rushing back to the pew to sit with my pack.

A minute later, I watch as Lily dances past, her hand in Emmie’s. The joy on her face is a stark contrast to the bride’s demeanor.

Turning to look at the groom, I notice his face remains emotionless, as he watches Lottie get closer. There’s no warmth, no love, just cold indifference.

The tune stops and the priest begins the ceremony, his voice echoing through the church as Lottie and her soon-to-be husband go through the motions.

If someone is coming to save her, they’ve left it awfully late.

“If anyone here knows any reason why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the priest asks the congregation.

The seconds tick by.

There’s not a sound in the church and I know my sister’s heart is breaking. But suddenly, a door at the back opens with a creak.

Lottie spins around, a smile on her face as she stares towards the sound, but her delight turns to a flash of fear as a woman quietly takes a seat at the back of the church.

Lottie gasps. But it’s the flicker of sadness that crosses her eyes that makes my heart clench. She really believed that man.

She turns back to the altar, her shoulders slumping, resigned.

The priest continues the ceremony, and I feel a wave of helplessness wash over me. Lottie is visibly crushed, her body now shaking as the best man walks forward with the rings.

It’s like she is saying something to herself, a chant of sorts, before she drops to the ground with a thud.

Emmie rushes forward as Seb darts out of our pew to grab a crying Lily. The church erupts in shocked whispers.

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