Page 93 of Fight for You
My dad winked, claiming his seat.
Next to the pastor, I reached down and retrieved the pouch. Inside was a family heirloom. Mam’s ring. Resized.
“Youareher special son.” Leith chuckled as Carly sauntered down the aisle, tossing flower petals.
I cut my brother a look, then whispered to Rebel, “Good girl.”
Slowly, my dog hobbled to where Carly crouched on the ground. My five-year-old niece gave me a narrow-eyed look, with both Camdyn and Willow unknowingly smiling right behind her.Does she know about the Build-A-Bear?
The thought of incurring her wrath evaporated from my mind as the “Wedding March”—if that’s what it was called—came on.
Jordyn stood across the garden in a white gown that shimmered in the light. The bodice clung to her curves, simple, regal, and just as innocent as Vassili Resnov intended for his daughter. He probably hoped thepromdress scared thenumptiesat her private school into visions of marriage. Because when I looked at Jordyn in the borrowed dress, all I saw was my forever.
Her hair was half-pinned, half-cascading down her back in thick, beautiful curls. I’d run my hands through her hair soon enough. My muscles went tight at the thought.
As her eyes met mine, they widened, as if to say,You surprise me.I wanted to say that she surprised me too. The night I remembered Jordyn, I wanted nothing more than to meet her again.
Ensure she had her freedom.
Freedom to love who she wanted.
Be who she wanted.
We stared at each other. The moment held a spark no man could break.
The pastor cleared his throat.Maybe one man. Once I turned to face him, he spoke a few solemn words, then tipped his head, signaling for me to begin the vows.
“I have experienced many battles. I’ve buried brothers. I’ve learned how to survive in the worst conditions, not knowing I was preparing myself to rescue you, Jordyn. You know that I”—a muscle moved beneath my jaw, in annoyance at myself—“I forgot about our time together for a while. Something in me was always amiss. Restless. The day God reminded me to find you, I made that my life’s mission. Now that I’ve found you, I want you to know that nothing has made me braver than loving you. You’ve seen the worst of me. Seen me broken. But you … Jordyn … You forgave me.”
“Jamie …” she whispered.
“I know. I’m still working on not feeling guilt for all the years you were captive. I vow to protect your heart, to listen when the noise from your past becomes loud and consuming, to remind you that you will never, ever go back to that life. Remember when I told you we were going home?”
Jordyn smiled as a tear slid down her cheek.
“You are my home. And I’m never leaving again.”
37
LONG BEACH
Jordyn
Days Free: 4
When Jamie finished his vows,he took a step forward, looking so good that I forgot we were at our wedding. I wanted him to kiss me breathless. The intensity on his face promised that. And I couldn’t want anything more at this moment than him to make good on the silent pledge.
He clasped the nape of my neck and lowered his mouth toward mine. The officiant chuckled. “Not yet, Mr. MacKenzie.”
Still leaving a whisper of space between us, Jamie kissed my forehead instead. While a soft wave of laughter flitted through the backyard, I whispered, “This whole thing would’ve taken ages to prepare, Jamie. This was on your list?”
“Just in case,” he murmured, then stepped back. The way his breath ran softly over my forehead, I trembled. Collecting myself with a small exhale, I spoke my vows. “When we first met, I didn’t trust anyone … you. I couldn’t. My life didn’t belong to me. I wasn’t my own.”Really, Jordy? You’re telling everyone how men used you liketissue paper?I straightened my shoulders. The pretenses crashed around me. As the last remnant of sun glowed in Jamie’s blue-green eyes, I continued to speak. “You saved me, and I still couldn’t break through the dark chasm that told me you were the enemy. But you stayed. And you fought me.” I grinned, suddenly nervous, when Natasha crouched down, a legit camera in her hand. She’d captured photos of me getting all dolled up, but somehow her moving around like a pro while I spoke made this all more real.
I murmured, “Jamie, you fought like a gentleman when I tried to bring you down the only way a woman can with a man—her mouth. You didn’t need me to be whole. You helped lift me up. Encourage me even after I never thought I’d get to choose a single thing in my life. Today, I do.” I exhaled. “I choose you, Jamie MacKenzie. The man who tells me not to listen to the lies swarming my mind. The man who fought through hell to save me. I choose you, and—and if I might say this—I see God in you.”
I could tell Jamie’s throat tightened. He tugged the glove off with his teeth, reached up, and gently swiped a tear from the side of my face. Hand warm, calloused, home.
We kissed, the sort of kiss that made me realize what was to come was everything I’d read in the books I lost myself in. And more.
