Chapter 39
Nik
“You ready for today?” Axel asks beside me.
“No,” I answer honestly.
The last three weeks flew by. And now, the wedding’s here. We’ve gathered every ounce of intel, prepped every detail, and I just have to hope it’s enough. Enough to bring down Joe. Enough to rattle Walter. Enough to keep Lina alive.
I hate using her as bait. The thought alone makes me sick, but she’s the only thing guaranteed to lure Joe out. We don’t get a second shot at this.
Axel sighs. “Yeah, me either.”
He starts putting on his dress shirt, the crisp white a stark contrast against his tan skin. I’m tempted to drag him back into bed and take the edge off for both of us, but we can’t afford distractions today. We have to be sharp.
He buttons his cuffs and slips into his jacket. I move closer to help with his bowtie, needing a moment, needing him. His presence calms me like nothing else.
“Hey,” he says softly, palm cupping my cheek. “It’s gonna be okay. We’re gonna get through this.”
I nod, but my hands are unsteady as I finish the tie. When I’m done, I grip the back of his neck and haul him in for a kiss. He tastes like toothpaste and tension, and I want more. I always want more.
We’re still catching our breath when the adjoining door opens and Lina walks in with Sean right behind her.
And fuck me… she’s breathtaking. Even with that hollow look in her eyes, she moves like a goddamn queen. The wedding might be fake, but her pain isn’t. Watching Johnny walk down the aisle to another woman? It’s gutting her.
Axel lets out a low whistle. “Princess...”
She steps closer, wearing a champagne dress that fits like it was sewn on her body. Tiny little straps, plunging neckline, thigh-high slit. Her Medusa tattoo peeks out, and when she turns, the open back shows off her freshly healed ink.
Unable to help myself, I walk over and trace my name with my finger. If I didn’t already love Axel, I would definitely love him for branding our woman.
“You like?” she asks over her shoulder.
I lean in closer, her sweet perfume filling my nose. “If we didn’t have somewhere to be, I’d snap these straps with my teeth and have you screaming our names in under a minute.”
She shivers, lips curving, cheeks flushing. “Promises, promises, Daddy Nik.”
Axel snorts. I practically growl.
Oh, it’s a promise alright.
“You looking for a spanking, brat?”
Her cheeks flush, but before she can answer, Sean clears his throat.
“You guys ready?”
Axel nods. “As ready as we’ll ever be.”
Sean exhales, and the room falls quiet. Tension settles.
“Let’s do this,” he says.
And just like that, the clock starts ticking.
∞∞∞
Axel and I flank Lina as we make our way through the promenade. The mission’s simple: put her on display. Make Joe notice. Make him reckless.
If it works, he’ll follow her to the secondary location. Johnny will handle the rest.
Axel walks a step ahead, eyes scanning everything.
I stay close to Lina’s right, hand grazing her back, anchoring us both.
Across the ballroom, the guests are mingling, champagne flutes in hand, glittering under chandeliers that probably cost more than my old apartment building.
Rachel’s guests are polished and pristine.
The kind of people who smile while laundering blood money.
Sean trails behind, blending in as a groomsman. I know he’s already scanned every exit, clocked every threat. He gives a subtle nod as we pass a long wall of windows. So far, we’re clear.
Lina walks like she was born in heels. Head high. Gaze straight ahead. She commands attention without trying. People look. That’s what we want. That’s what Joe won’t be able to resist. He never could handle people admiring what he considers his.
But twenty minutes in, something feels off.
“We should’ve seen him by now,” Axel mutters, eyes still sweeping the crowd.
“Nothing?” I ask under my breath.
He shakes his head. “No sign. I’ve checked everywhere.”
I press my hidden earpiece. “Sean?”
A crackle of static precedes his voice. “Nothing. I’ve done two full loops. Checked the east lounge, bar, even the catering hallway. No sign of Joe.”
My gut twists. “He RSVP’d.”
“Well, he’s either hiding, late, or never intended to come.”
We reach the end of the promenade and pause near a marble column. Waiters sweep past with trays of hors d’oeuvres. Axel checks his watch. “Ceremony’s in fifteen.”
“We can’t stall much longer,” I say.
Sean’s voice cuts in again. “I’ll keep circling, but you two need to join the wedding party now. The window’s closing.”
Axel curses under his breath. He turns to Lina. “We’ll find him. Eyes are everywhere.”
She nods, but her jaw’s tight, fists clenched. She knows what it means. We all do. No Joe means no takedown. And now, Johnny has to go through with the wedding.
“Hey,” Axel lifts her chin. “W.W.B.W.D.?”
Their stupid mantra brings a small smile on her lips. I can’t believe they’re still saying it, but if it makes her happy, that’s all that matters.
I touch her arm gently. “Sean will take you back to the dressing room. Stay there. Do not engage unless we give the all-clear. If anything shifts, we’ll come get you.”
Her eyes flick to mine. “And if he doesn’t show?”
I pause. “Then we regroup. There’s always a Plan B.”
Axel gives her one last look, then moves toward the groomsmen lineup. I follow for a few steps, then glance back. Sean’s already there, hand in hers.
“I’ve got her,” he says quietly.
I meet her eyes. “Be careful, Carolina.”
Then I turn and walk away.
For the next hour, we’ll play our parts in a ceremony that may never get the ending we planned.
If Joe doesn’t show… this was all for nothing.