Fearless Sinner (Empire of Sinners #3)

Chapter 23

Chloe

Chapter Twenty-Three

Mom and I are in the bridal suite at Oheka Castle.

Today is the big day. My wedding day.

A month has gone by since Cillian asked me to agree to this arrangement, and I’ve counted down to this day with the same eager excitement as any other bride. To me, we were no different from a normal couple getting married.

The only problem I’ve experienced is falling for him even deeper than I already have.

“Oh my God, look at you,” Mom says, beaming at me with delight. “You look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you.”

We both laugh as I twirl around in my wedding dress, catching a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror opposite me.

I’ve seen myself in it before but this is different because today is the moment that counts.

With my hair styled in long loose curls, I look like a princess in my sleeveless Oscar de la Renta original. It has embroidered flowers pressed into the bodice and a long flowing skirt.

Everything is exactly how I dreamed it would be, but most of all, Mom is here.

She’s on a day release for the wedding and she’s in a wheelchair, but we’re hopeful that she’ll be able to go home in the next three weeks to four. Dr Chase wants to keep a close eye on her. She’s on some very strong medication for her heart.

Mom holds her hands out to me and I go to her, taking her hands into mine.

“You look so happy.”

“I am.” I nod.

“I think things have a way of working out sometimes in ways we never expect. I didn't think I’d be here to see this day. I’m so glad I am.” She releases one of my hands and takes out the friendship bracelet Dad gave her when she was eight. “Here is your something old.”

“Oh, Mom, you can’t give me this.”

“Your father would want you to have it. He’d actually love for you to have it.”

I would love to take it but, as happy as I am, I have to remember that this wedding is a business deal. My mother knows that. I had to tell her the truth when I gave her the news of my engagement.

“Mom, I feel bad taking it.”

“Don’t.”

“But you know Cillian and I are only getting married for six months.”

“I know, and it doesn’t matter what this wedding is, I want you to have this gift and be happy.” She places the bracelet in the palm of my hand and closes my fingers around it.

“Thank you. I will always cherish it.”

“I know you will, sweetheart.”

I open my hand and slip the bracelet onto my right wrist, blending it in with the diamond-clustered one already there.

The door opens and Roxanne rushes in. She was in here with us earlier getting ready and went to check on everything outside.

“They’re ready for you.” She does a little hop. “Are you ready to get married, Miss Lady? You look so beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I grab my bouquet of stunning white roses and hold it up like a scepter. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Then let’s go, girls.” Mom laughs.

Roxanne walks behind Mom to push her chair and we leave the suite. As we step out into the hallway, I admire the beautiful design of the satin wallpaper, chandeliers hanging above us and the scenery of the immaculate lawns outside the windows. This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been in my life.

I used to read about this venue in celeb magazines and dream of coming here.

I can’t believe I’m actually getting married here.

We reach the hall where the ceremony will be held and I spot Cillian’s uncle Seamus standing at the door. He organized everything.

When I first met him I felt like he didn’t approve of me, but he loosened up a little as the weeks went by. I still don’t think he approves, but it’s okay. Not everyone will like you. At least he smiles when he sees me.

“You look beautiful, my dear.” He dips his head.

“Thank you so much.”

“Right this way.” He gracefully motions for us to go inside.

I go first and that’s when I see everyone, and Cillian standing at the top of the hall waiting for me. He looks so handsome, the sight of him takes my breath away. I can’t wait to get to him.

The harpist begins playing the Wedding March. Holding my bouquet closer, I make my way down the aisle with Mom and Roxanne behind me.

There are only thirteen people here including Cillian, me, the harpist and the priest.

Cillian explained the reason for the small wedding and I couldn’t complain. I’d always wanted a small wedding anyway.

On Cillian’s side are Virgo and Olivia, Cillian’s sister, who I adore. There are also his friends Dante and his wife, Jaxon, and Seamus. On my side it’s Mom, Roxanne, and Adrian. Adrian has been amazing to us and so good to Roxanne that I had to include him. Besides, I have a feeling he and Roxanne won’t be too far behind me in saying I do.

I keep my eyes on Cillian right up until I’m beside him.

I’m so lost in him I hardly hear the priest during his opening blessing. It’s not until we’re taking our vows that my focus returns so I can speak.

I say my vows with my heart, the words flowing from my soul, and I admit that it hurts that this isn’t forever.

Minutes later the priest announces us as Mr. and Mrs. O’Ridian.

I just got married and my husband is the head of the Irish mafia. But when he kisses me, he’s just Cillian to me.

“Where are you taking me?” I laugh, glancing at Cillian.

The wedding is over, it’s nighttime, and we’re in the back seat of his Maybach being driven somewhere that’s supposed to be our honeymoon. He won’t tell me where we’re going but has allowed me to guess.

In typical Cillian style, we’re playing a game.

“If I tell you it won’t be a game and I’ll ruin the surprise.” He tweaks my nose playfully.

“I don’t like this game.”

“Because you keep getting all the answers wrong.”

“Exactly. And the only clue you gave me was that we’re not going that far but far enough. That could be anywhere.”

He laughs. “Yes, it could be.”

“Give me a better clue.”

He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, then he rubs his nose over my rings.

“Okay, wife.”

God, I love being called his wife way too much. “Yes, husband.”

He smiles wider. “Here’s a clue, but every time you get the answer wrong after this, you owe me.”

“What do I owe you?” I want to add that I owe him everything, but I play along.

“Sexual favors.”

I glance at our driver, who is minding his own business and pretending he can’t hear us. “Okay. I can do that.”

“Listen carefully. The sea is blue.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Cillian, that isn’t a clue. I’m not going to get it.”

“Try, lass.”

“So I can get it wrong and owe you?”

“That’s the idea.” He winks at me and I laugh.

“Florida.” I start guessing again.

“Nope, and that’s one favor in the jar for me.”

“California.”

“No.”

“Is it in the US?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“That’s a terrible answer.”

“I know.” Cillian grins and gives me a quick kiss.

That maybe, maybe not answer was as bad as saying yes or no, but it sounded like he was leaning more on the vague side. Like maybe we weren’t going to stay in the US.

I assumed he wouldn’t go abroad for several reasons. The first is that because we’re only temporary I didn’t think he’d go all out like that. He went all out for the wedding. Although it was small.

The second reason is Mom. She’s doing a lot better but I still worry about her. I wouldn’t feel comfortable flying far away when I know she’s still recovering from such a big surgery.

She lasted the whole day today without falling asleep like she has been at the hospital, but we still need to be mindful.

The last reason I don’t think we’d be going abroad is that Cillian has mentioned some situation he has to keep an eye on. He explained it was the reason for the small wedding.

I have a feeling it’s to do with Harlan because that was never resolved. As far as I know, my elusive stepfather is still MIA. I’ve tried to ask Cillian more about what’s going on, but I think it’s quite bad and he doesn’t want to scare me.

Since I’m going to get every answer wrong, I decide to be a dreamer and take my mind to where I would love to be to relish my hot husband.

“The Bahamas?” I start guessing again.

“Nope.”

“Antigua?”

“Nope.”

“Oh my gosh, you’re seriously going to make me guess every country in this world, aren’t you.”

“I suppose that means we’re going to fuck to death, then.”

The driver didn’t miss that comment. The car jerks a little and I bite back a smile.

“Australia?”

“No.”

“Saint Tropez.” I make a show of waving my hands because I always think of those iconic pictures of Bridget Bardot on the beach. When I was little I wanted to be like her because Mom liked her and always tried to style her hair like hers.

When I notice Cillian hasn’t answered, I look at him. He’s got his head tilted and is staring at me with that easy grin.

I gasp. “Holy hell, am I right?”

“Aye, lass. You are right.”

“What? You’re seriously taking me to Saint Tropez?” I shriek and nearly jump out of the car.

“I thought it would be a good break.”

“It is. But my Mom…”

“It will be okay. I have everything set up so we can video call her every day, and Dr. Chase will provide us with daily updates. We’re also going by private jet.”

“You own a private jet?” My eyes bulge.

“Yeah. Don’t worry, I’ll bring you up to speed on what I own.”

I chuckle. “Okay. I think that sounds like things will be alright. What about you? Can you take this break with me? Whatever is going on sounds quite serious.”

“It is serious but I wouldn’t miss this getaway with you for the world. I wanted to give you a memorable honeymoon.” He picks up a lock of my hair and I smile back at him.

“Thank you, Cillian. This means a lot to me.”

“Me too, so I don’t want you worrying about anything.”

“The situation sounded dangerous.” I’m still hoping he’ll tell me about it. “You looked worried when you spoke about it.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“But it?—"

“No, Chloe. We’re not going to talk about that stuff during our time away. We’re going to play a different game where we leave that all behind us here and this will just be about you and me. Can we do that?”

There’s nothing to think about. I can definitely do that. I used to play that leave-it-all-behind-me game a lot when I was healing after Nathan. I can do it now for a happier reason so I can spend this precious week with my husband.

“We can.”

“Good. C’mere.”

He pulls me in for a kiss that I savor, and I fall for him just a little more.