Page 73
Brian had outworn his usefulness. Luckily for him, we weren’t in the habit of killing people who didn’t deserve it. Sure, he was a bastard, but he was a bastard who’d be judged by a jury of his peers, or at least he’d have that chance in about a week to ten days when his bruises healed.
“What do you want to do about the girl?” Dimi asked after he and Kas removed Brian from the room.
“Nothing. If she’s in trouble, she has my card.”
“In other news.” Dimi pinned me with a look that said the shit was about to hit the fan. “I found Daria’s ex, Charlie.”
“Where?”
“He’s in Atlantic City.”
Epilogue
Prudence
Four months later
The worst moments of my life happened in West Virginia, so when we got the invitation to Anthony and Kayla’s wedding in the mail, I didn’t hesitate to RSVP. It was time to face the ghosts of my past and put them in the ground where they belonged. I couldn’t think of a better way than to witness two people who aided in my recovery pledge their undying love to each other. It was poetic justice.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
We were riding in a limousine on the way to the ceremony and it was the third time Zak asked the same question since his jet took off from the private airstrip in Atlantic City yesterday. He was worried, rightfully so, but he didn’t need to be. I was right as rain.
“I’m good.” I slid my hand into his. “Actually, I’m excited. Their wedding is going to be gorgeous.“
“Baby, it’s freezing cold. Who in their right mind holds an outdoor wedding three days after Christmas? The high temperature matches the date.”
“Just wait. You’ll see.”
“Speaking of weddings, are you ready to set a date for ours?”
Everything about our relationship happened at warp-speed, why would our engagement be any different. Hell, if he had his way, we would’ve gone to city hall the day after he proposed. While I enjoyed being engaged, I was excited for the next chapter of our lives to begin.
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “What about May seventeenth?”
Zak’s fingers tightened around mine. He knew I hadn’t pulled the date out of thin air. There was a very specific reason I’d chosen that date. It was the day my life changed irrevocably, the day part of my leg was amputated.
He turned to look at me with an emotion I recognized swirling in his ice-blue eyes. Love. “It’s perfect.”
“I agree.”
“Is five months enough time to plan a wedding?”
“Have you met my sister?”
“Fair point.”
“Besides, I prefer something small and intimate. Just us, your brothers, Daria, and Lennon. Are you okay with that?”
“More than.” Zak leaned in, brushing his lips against mine. Taking advantage of the tinted glass between us and the driver, he kissed me again. Slow and deep, like my taste was something he wanted to savor.
We were completely out of breath when the limo came to a stop outside of the wedding venue. It was a beautiful wide-open property nestled in the heart of the mountains. On one side was the large log cabin where the reception would take place and on the other were two large white tents on either side of a makeshift aisle where the guests were seated. We were led there by one of the groomsmen.
A short time later, the soulful sounds of I Get to Love You by Ruelle played through the speaker system. As Kayla walked on the arm of her father toward her groom, light snow began to fall. The unexpected winter weather added the perfect texture to their beautiful canvas. And when they recited handwritten vows, pledging lifelong friendship and unconditional love, there was barely a dry eye around.
It was exactly the kind of wedding I wanted, minus about a hundred people. Simple. Elegant. Just us.
Zakhar
