Page 123 of Shâhzâdeh

“Isn’t zhat more for her to decide?” I thought back to the way she was helping Frankie beat that girl’s ass and had to smile.

“Your name sake did cheat on his wife and the result was her cutting off the breasts of his affair partner’s mother and feeding them to the dogs. I would say to tread carefully.” Priest gave his warning before he took a nip of the liquor Liam brought for us. That was probably what had his ass dropping prophecies.

“Since I have been faizful to her before our marriage, zhere is nozing zhat would tempt me from her after our vows are said tomorrow.” They didn’t need to know that Vanya and I had never slept together.

“No matter which version of her you pick, I know you’re going to do right by her. We toasted already, but I truly can’t wait to preside over this ceremony tomorrow. God has blessed you, Xerxes. Blessed us all even if we can’t see it yet.” His words were for Ori and he grunted his agreement. “Everything will be well. You’ve done your part, now it is time for Him to do His.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Aghed

XERXES

“THAT BOY CLEAN as hell!”

Yacouba slapped me on the back with his heavy ass hand nodding as he took in my groom’s attire. He wasn’t wrong, but that slap made me feel like my damn lungs shifted slightly. I straightened the pale gold silk of my jacket and nodded my thanks at his words. He and the rest of my brothers were dressed in black dupioni silk blazers of the same style. The embroidery on each of their jackets matched the elements of their family’s sigil. It might have been my wedding, but I had no problem with each of these men being highlighted. Few outside our organization could understand what they meant but my friends appreciated the gesture. Despite his officiating, Priest was dressed in similar attire as the rest of them and would wear this instead of a robe to preside over the ceremony.

The second largest suite in the hotel was given to us to get ready. The other was where Vanya was. I was thankful they were on opposite sides of the building otherwise I’d have been tempted to see her. I wanted to do the first look, but Vanya was too worried about tradition and ensuring nothing went wrong today. I tried to ease her mind, but she was still worried so I gave in.

I smoothed down the linen and silk blend of the fabric glancing at myself in the mirror. I hadn’t bothered to do too much with grooming because I wanted to look like me. My beard and goatee were still low cut and I’d kept my hair down. I prayed she wasn’t overly done up and looking like a stranger. If her freckles were covered I was going to wipe her face with my thumb to allow them to shine.

“I got a bride who is going to steal my breaz away. I have to do what I can to capture her attention. Every man knows zhat zheir wedding day is zhe bride’s moment to bask in zhe adoration of many. I only need zhe adoration of one in order to ensure I made zhe right decision with my attire.”

“You did good,shâhzâdeh. Ms. Vanya is going to walk to you and feel as though she is getting married in a fairytale.”

Midas, who was standing next to Shoaib, shook his head and adjusted the cuff of his black jacket. I had the Warren and Cannon crests embroidered on both of his sleeves. One was a gator the other a Brown widow spider. “His ass is a prince so.”

There was a knock on the door and since I knew we’d all been here for hours getting ready, no one else should be trying to come in here.

I glanced at Quentin, and he headed toward the door to see who it was. Like Shoaib, Quentin wore a Persian style stand collar blazer in all black with asymmetrical gold buttons down the front. The combined Mahdavi and Cannon sigils were embroidered on each cuff in the same gold thread the groomsmen wore. I might have paid their salary but they were a part of my family as well and were always going to be treated the same.

When the door opened, I had to furrow at who was standing there.

“What is he doing here?”

Everyone immediately went on guard. Smoke and Angel had guns in hand before I could get my sentence out, eyes scanning the room for which person was the target. Shoaib’s face was frowned in disgust, because my cousin sickened him and Quentin was just waiting on me to say the word. The last thing I wanted was for there to be this large of an issue on my wedding day, but bringing this piece of shit here, and to my suite no less, was something that was intolerable.

My grandfather strolled in the room and I was thankful bâbâ and Afshin had stepped out to check on my mother and Vanya. Had they crossed paths for the first time in over a decade, I can’t imagine how it would’ve gone.

My grandfather wore the traditional western royal style uniform of a military king. The chest was decorated with medals he had awarded himself for service to the country he hadn’t provided. One issue people had with my grandfather was his edict for people to stay traditional while he embraced western culture and values. He couldn’t see his own hypocrisy was causing his lack of popularity.

My cousin was similarly dressed as though he wanted to make a splash as well despite my knowledge of him never serving in any portion of the military.

Disgusting.

My eyes went to my grandfather who’d attempted to walk in with guards but they’d been stopped at the door. Omega, Smoke and Angel kept them near the door and I could see the tension mounting between the two sides. The suite was filled with light because of floor to ceiling windows that took advantage of the view. There were shooters on every roof within five miles ensuring nothing went wrong.

“Do you zhink zhis is appropriate?”

My admonishment was clear as my mind traveled back to the way he’d sent people after me but had the nerve to show up here like a beloved grandparent. His stride faltered but he kept pushing through so that he could save face.

“How else is he to make amends if he isn’t allowed to speak to you?”

My grandfather stood proudly with his chest puffed out and a crown on his head and sash across his chest so that he would garner as much attention as possible. I thought it was odd since men normally didn’t wear them for anything short of official celebrations or coronations, but leave it to him to want all the attention despite not approving of the festivities. When word reached him about my wedding, he’d accepted the invite without speaking to me personally. It was a slight and if he thought it would go unpunished, he truly didn’t know me.

Standing beside him like a dutiful puppet was Karman attempting to look mournful but his true feelings of being annoyed at having to apologize showed through. His eyes were darting around the room, the envy of the opulence of the suite clear on his face.

There was a panoramic view of Charlotte from the windows and since Midas’ hotel was taller than most in this part of town you could see all of Uptown. The suite itself was extravagant, with a full kitchen, dining room and three bedrooms. Vanya had attempted to stay in this room or a smaller suite, but I knew with the preparations they would need the bigger space.

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