Page 130 of Guarded

“I know you are, but we’ll get through this, “ she reassures me. Moving to face me, she grabs both my hands.

“You’re my soulmate bitch.” She says. I swallow the lump in my throat and laugh.

“Don’t make me cry today. I didn’t think you’d come.” I admit.

“Not even this hideous dress would keep me from being here for you today.” She scoffs, looking down at her dress.

The bridesmaid’s dresses were a soft pink, but I made Genesis wear a flamingo pink to stand out as my bridesmaid.

Her clothing palette leaned more towards natural tones, so this was dedication on her end. Just then, Cooper barges in, Sergio and Thalia behind her with a bottle of Don Julio.

“Let’s get this party started!” Cooper says.

“Did you seriously bring a bottle of tequila into the church?” I ask Thalia, my eyes widening.

“We listen, and we don’t judge,” Sergio says.

“¡Cálmate! Bridezilla! Un tragito.” Thalia says, lowering her voice.

Cooper hands us each a shotglass, and Thalia fills them up.

“Un Brindis.” Thalia begin. “I wish you nothing but love and happiness in life, Prima. But also remember si por pendeja te caes, por chingona te levantas!”If you’re dumb enough to fall, be badass enough to get up.

Thalia’s best advice yet. We all hold our glasses up and then throw them back in unison.

“Hijo de su-” Genesis grimaces.

I stick out my tongue at the strong taste.

“¡Viva La Puteria!” Sergio yells.

Cooper hisses, and Thalia seems unbothered.

My phone rings, and I ignore it. Probably Axel for the tenth time, calling to make sure I don’t get cold feet. If it’s that important, he can walk his psycho ass from the other end of the church and talk to me. The ringing starts again, but this time, it’s from Thalia’s phone. She pulls hers out to check the caller ID.

“Oh shit.” She says.

“What?” I ask nervously when she looks up at me.

“You might want to go outside, Prima.”

“Why?” I ask, skeptical about what’s happening.

“Nero’s waiting for you,” she says.

My mouth falls open in disbelief. Cooper cheers from behind me, and I rush to the window. Sure enough, Nero’s parking his bike at the bottom of the cathedral steps.

“When I tell you that man is so fine!” Sergio exclaims from behind me.

I look to Thalia, who is watching me intently. She’s the only one in this room who knows the cost of my actions.

“Go Prima. If you want him. Go.”

My heart races violently inside my chest. The sight of him after the last month brings instant relief. He came for me.

I rush out of the room, through the vast hallway, and out the church doors. Nero’s walking up the steps in an all black t-shirt and jeans. His leather vest, now embedded with the president’s patch, fit snugly around his broad shoulders.

My heart drops again when I see Guapo running up the steps beside him. Stopping halfway up, Nero stops when he sees me. Guapo runs until he reaches me, and I drop to pull him into my arms.

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