Page 127 of The Billionaire's Bride
Raisa nudges me and nods toward a particular group, making me smile. Baron converses with my Dad and Lina—yes, I invited her—periodically laughing and looking my way. I am trying my best to accept her. I realize now that she is not trying to replace my mother. She reached out to me and told me as much. I can see how much she and my Dad love each other, and somehow, in light of recent events, and knowing how it feels to be torn apart by my feelings for two men, I can empathize with their situation too.
Isla walks over to me, a glass of champagne in hand. "Congratulations, babe," she smiles widely, "that was a gorgeous ceremony."
"All thanks to you." I tip up my chin, "You have one hell of a talent in organizing the best weddings in such a short time." I grip her hand, "Seriously, Iz, thank you for putting this together so quickly."
"Oh, pfft." She tosses her hair over her shoulder, "Anything for you, babe. At least, I didn’t have to herd guests, considering you guys wanted to keep this so intimate."
"Speaking of," Raisa nudges Isla with her elbow, "who are those three delicious men in that corner?"
I turn in the direction of her gaze to the far corner, where, as if they are keen to distance themselves from the rest of the married folks, three men—and the only bachelors among the group—level hard looks at each other as they engage in some, evidently, serious conversation.
"The growly one is Isla’s Liam," I say, then chuckle and duck when Isla smacks my arm and protests, "Not my anything, that one."
"The one in the grey suit is Hunter Whittington, a friend of Baron and Liam’s." I continue, "And the third guy is Karina’s brother Nikolai Solonik. All three do business with the Seven."
Raisa opens her mouth to ask a question when the barking of a dog cuts through the space. Max—Summer and Sinclair’s dog—tears across the garden toward me. I bend down, hold out my arms as he jumps up and licks my face. His paws brush my dress, leaving doggy prints all over it, but I don’t care.
I giggle, pet him as Jeeves hurries over to me. "I am so sorry, Madam; he escaped me."
"It’s okay." I laugh as I pat the excited dog. "He’s so cute," I chuckle as he evades Jeeves outstretched arm and darts off with the butler in his wake.
"He’s certainly ensuring that Jeeves’ fitness levels have shot up." Summer smirks as she approaches me. Sinner follows, not far behind, with my husband next to him, holding two glasses of champagne.
My husband… Gah, he’s my husband. Baron hands me a flute, then raises his glass to me as he raises his voice to our guests, "I’d like to propose a toast." His lips quirk.
Isla and Raisa move away as the group hushes.
Baron gazes into my eyes, "When I saw you the first time, I knew you were the one. When I am with you, I like myself more. When I look at you, I know I can weather any storm. When I hold your hand, I know you are what was missing all along. When I think of you, I become a better person. When you are with me, I know I can overcome any challenge. When we are together, anything is possible. Now that you are mine, I can’t think of anything I want more than to take care of you, to love you, to cherish and protect you. As long as I am alive, you’ll never want for anything, and after I die—"
I reach up and place my finger on his lips, "No talk of dying today."
He smirks, "As you wish, my love."
He raises his glass, "To my wife, the most beautiful woman on this earth, and to me, the lucky bastard who doesn’t deserve her."
He kisses my fingers and I blush, raising my glass to my lips. Baron takes a sip from his flute, then glances past me at the sound of a loud engine. He hands me his glass, and at my puzzled look, he bends down, kisses me on the cheek, and says, "I’ll be right back."
He walks past me, and I turn to find him stalking toward a familiar figure. Edward stands by his motorbike, on the other side of the house. He’s wearing a leather jacket, his helmet under his arm. The wind ruffles his dark hair as Baron approaches him. He holds out his arm. Baron eschews it, instead throwing his arm around Ed. Ed hesitates, then hugs him back. The two talk, then as one, they turn to me. Edward waves at me, a smile splitting his face. I wave back. The two men converse some more, then Edward claps Baron on his shoulder. Baron returns the gesture, before stepping back. Edward slides on the helmet, mounts his bike, then raises the stand and starts the machine. The double barrels thunder, the noise clearly heard even at this distance. He takes off, and Baron turns and prowls over to me. I hand him his glass as he bends to brush his lips over mine.
"How is he?" I murmur.
Baron frowns, "He’ll be fine… I think."
Jeeves walks in just then. He hovers at the side until Summer turns to him,
"What is it?" she asks.
"Umm, I’m sorry, madam, but your sister and her husband are here to attend the wedding, though they haven’t been invited."
"My sister?" Summer scowls, "What do you mean, my sister? And she’s not married, even if she is my sister. Which she can’t be, because my sister is in Sicily, so..." She glances past Jeeves, then pales, "Oh, my." She swallows. "Oh, my god," she squeals, then takes off in the direction of a woman who’s wearing a pant suit. She’s standing next to a tall, broad man whose cold, dark eyes take in the gathering.
"Karma." Summer throws her arms around the woman, "Oh, my god, Karma, you’re here! I missed you so much. Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming? I would have sent the car for you."
"There’s no need for that," the man next to her interjects, "my wife has my car and chauffeur at her service."
"Wife?" Summer steps back. She tips up her chin and plants her palms on her hips, "And who are you?"
The man casts a glance around the garden, making sure to meet the gaze of each of the Seven who is present. My husband tenses. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. Saint and Weston move forward as one. Their shoulders are a solid wall that blocks their women from the man’s line of sight. Arpad rises up from the table and flanks Weston, effectively blocking Karina. Peter wraps an arm around Meredith, while Damian rises up from the piano. He covers Julia with his bulk as he steps up to the double doors that lead to the garden.
