Page 218 of Savage Suit
“Neither does Noah. That’s why he wants to keep Boyd. He mentioned negotiating with the Amages. Except Claude, of course.”
“C-can I think about it?”
“The company’s his, so take as long as you wish. When you’re ready to decide, we’ll execute according to you.” He got to his feet. “I have to get to the church,” he said, rifling through papers. After handing a single sheet to me, he returned the others to the envelope, then smiled at me. “Welcome to the family, Ryan.”
I smiled. “Same, Reid.”
He scowled. “Noah told you I’m proposing to Quinn tomorrow?”
“Yep,” I said, standing to hug him.
He enveloped me in a warm embrace and kissed my cheek, then he left. I glanced at what he’d handed to me, and gasped. Stared at the amount and the details of a wire transfer to my bank account. I got to my feet, then sat again. Squinted my eyes to make sure I saw the correct number.
“Quinn and Alessia have gone across the street to the church,” Logan announced, walking into the room. “Are you okay?”
“Y-yes.” I swallowed and folded the receipt into a small rectangle, then stuffed it into the bag containing the clothes I’d worn on the way here.
“Are you almost ready to be become Mrs. Keegan?” Logan asked after I straightened.
I drew in a breath, somehow calming myself after the shock I’d just received, before nodding. I’d never been as ready for anything in my life.
Chapter Forty-Five
Logan escorted Ryan into the sanctuary and guided her down the aisle.
“Holy shit.”
Exactly my sentiment, though I side-eyed Nate. Alessia was one of Ryan’s bridesmaids, so my brother’s comment was harmless.Still,I didn’t appreciate him noting my woman in any way. Yet, I couldn’t blame his reaction. Ryan was a vision with her curled hair, perfectly made-up face, and elaborate gown.
“Shut up, man,” Graham, my best man, warned my brother, his eyes mainly focused on a pregnant Soraya, also one of Ryan’s bridesmaids.
The church where the ceremony was taking place had grand columns between a copious number of windows stretching to the ceiling. The curtains alternated between purple and green, but ample natural lighting streamed in. Ryan looked even more ethereal.
The guests, who sat in white cathedral benches that had green bows tied at the back, looked at her procession with smiles. Lavender and royal purple clematis were in gold vases on the white column pedestals lining both sides of the aisle.
Finally, Ryan reached me. Logan kissed her cheek and nodded to me as he offered me her hand. Taking it into mine, I kissed the back of it. As Logan joined the groomsmen, Ryan and I faced the priest.
Father Murphey was an older gentleman with coffee-colored skin and short, graying hair. He directed his attention to the crowd, offering our guests a smile. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and woman in holy matrimony.”
This was it. After the heartache, weeks of preparation and thousands of dollars, Ryan and I would join as one. Megan had returned to London, her work visa revoked; Tina’s pregnancy was thriving; and, best of all, Nicholas had relocated to the opposite coast, after repaying the fifty grand I’d sent to Megan the one time.
Father Murphey turned to me, his face kind. “Noah, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
Without hesitation, I nodded, my grip on Ryan’s hand tightening. “I do.”
He turned to Ryan, repeating the question to her.
“I do.”
“The bride and the groom have prepared their own vows. Sir?”
I took in a breath to calm my nerves, goosebumps raising on my arm as anxiety bloomed in my gut. “Ryan, you captivated me from the moment you stormed out of my office after cussing me out. Never had I met a woman as beautiful, outspoken, and driven. You made me want to be better to be worthy of you. I love you and look forward to spending the rest of my life with you.” Various emotions rose within me. Tears bloomed in Ryan’s eyes, and sniffles resonated from our audience. “I, Noah, take you as my wife, friend, and the mother of my future children. I’ll be yours when times are hard, and when times are good. I’ll care for you in sickness and health. As long as I walk this Earth, I’ll protect you and forever be by your side.”
She stared at me with a tender gaze and a tear slipped down her cheek. “Oh, Noah.”
I swiped her wet cheek with my thumb, not wanting to smudge her makeup. “Don’t do that. You’ll ruin your makeup.”
She gave me a watery laugh.
