Epilogue Two–Ava
One week later
I step into the ornate Catholic Church, flanked by my pack and holding Lily’s hand tight.
“Look at all the colors, Mommy,” Lily says, pointing at the floor.
“It’s coming from the stained-glass windows.” I point to the high vaulted ceilings and multicolored windows and show how they cast the kaleidoscope of colors across the polished wooden pews.
“It’s magic,” Lily says.
Since her trip to Disney, everything is magic, so I don’t spoil the illusion with facts.
I inhale as we walk down the aisle to our pew. The fragrance is almost overwhelming, a cloying sweetness that seems to stick in the back of my throat.
But this is Florida, and the air is thick with not only the sweet, heady scent of lilies but with a heavy dose of humidity we don’t get in Ibiza.
The flowers look pretty, though. Their white petals standing out starkly against the deep green foliage adorning the altar and lining the aisle.
All around me, I hear the low hum of conversation as guests file into the church. It’s a mix of restless whispers and polite small talk, accompanied by the rustle of expensive fabric and the click of high heels on stone floors.
My eyes are drawn to the front of the church, where the groom stands tall and impassive. His tailored suit is impeccable, but his face is a mask of indifference.
There’s no hint of nervousness or excitement in his eyes. Only a cold, calculating look that seems more suited to a boardroom than a wedding. His posture is stiff, hands clasped tightly in front of him. As if this is just another business transaction he is about to endure.
I turn to Lily, who’s dancing with excitement next to me. “Should we get you ready to walk down the aisle?” She danced with happiness when my sister asked her to be a bridesmaid, and I don’t want to stifle her spirits with my own concerns.
Silas pulls me closer, his warmth a comforting presence against my side. He kisses my head gently, his lips lingering for a moment. “It’s too late for Lottie. These are Colombians,” he murmurs, his voice low. “But we can save Emmie. I’ve been speaking to Max."
I nod, my throat tight with emotion. “I hate that Mom just ignored my concerns,” I reply, resigned.
The memory of Emmie’s upset face when I presented an offer to my mom to save her and Emmie during this evening’s reception. Lottie gave her blessing, but Mom brushed it off, and it still stings.
“We have a plan,” Max adds. “We need to get Emmie alone during the reception. I’m going to have the boat ready to leave at seven-thirty sharp with her on board.”
“Really?” I smile as hope blooms. “I’ll speak to her now.”
“Come,” Lily says, dragging me toward the other bridesmaids.
Emmie picks her up and cuddles her when we reach her. “You and I are chief bridesmaids today.”
“I need to speak to you after the wedding,” I tell Emmie.
She nods before I turn to find Lottie while Lily and Emmie have a conversation.
When I see Lottie, I have to double-check if it's her. This bride now looks surprisingly, dare I say … happy.
“What’s with your sudden turnaround?” I ask her.
She takes my hand and drags me away from everyone else. “This wedding isn’t taking place,” she whispers in my ear.
“You’re in a church. You’re wearing a wedding dress, and you have a future husband looking like he’s about to go into a business meeting while he’s waiting at the altar.”
She chuckles. “I met someone last week at my bachelorette party. He’s an alpha, and he texted me a few times since, and he’s going to stop the wedding.”
“No way. These are cartel men, Lottie. He’ll be killed. What are you thinking about? He should have done it before today.”
“He promised that no-one is going to have me but him.” She grins. “He’s perfect. He told me I was his. And he smelled delicious. We never talked about scents, but I know he is mine.”
“Oh my god, Lottie. You really fucked him?”
She pushes her shoulders back defiantly. “I told you I wouldn't be a virgin for Carlos.”
I glance at my watch. “I think whoever the man was just wanted to string you along. Nobody waits until today to save what is his.”
I watch as sadness clouds Lottie’s eyes. “He promised. This is the only time I haven’t been under lock and key,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.
“Who locked you up?” I ask, my heart sinking.
“Who do you think?” she replies bitterly. "Our lovely stepfather. He wasn't taking any chances for this deal to go wrong."
Suddenly, the organ plays the bridal chorus; the sound filling the church.
Lottie slides her hands over her ivory silk gown. It’s very demure, not sexy at all. With a sweetheart neckline, full arms, the bodice fitted, only flaring out slightly from the hips.
She lifts her arms and covers her face with the veil, her voice trembling as she says, “He’s coming for me. I know it. I feel it.”
I quickly kiss Lily before rushing back to the pew to sit with my pack.
A minute later, I watch as Lily dances past, her hand in Emmie’s. The joy on her face is a stark contrast to the bride’s demeanor.
Turning to look at the groom, I notice his face remains emotionless, as he watches Lottie get closer. There’s no warmth, no love, just cold indifference.
The tune stops and the priest begins the ceremony, his voice echoing through the church as Lottie and her soon-to-be husband go through the motions.
If someone is coming to save her, they’ve left it awfully late.
“If anyone here knows any reason why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the priest asks the congregation.
The seconds tick by.
There’s not a sound in the church and I know my sister’s heart is breaking. But suddenly, a door at the back opens with a creak.
Lottie spins around, a smile on her face as she stares towards the sound, but her delight turns to a flash of fear as a woman quietly takes a seat at the back of the church.
Lottie gasps. But it’s the flicker of sadness that crosses her eyes that makes my heart clench. She really believed that man.
She turns back to the altar, her shoulders slumping, resigned.
The priest continues the ceremony, and I feel a wave of helplessness wash over me. Lottie is visibly crushed, her body now shaking as the best man walks forward with the rings.
It’s like she is saying something to herself, a chant of sorts, before she drops to the ground with a thud.
Emmie rushes forward as Seb darts out of our pew to grab a crying Lily. The church erupts in shocked whispers.
Lottie quickly stirs as I reach her with Ella. She sits up, her eyes flitting between me and Ella. “Please,” she pleads, looking at her twin sister, “help Emmie. Don’t make her life hell, too.”
Only then do I realize Mom is crouched beside me. She stares at me, and for the first time, regret is in her gaze.
The groom, his face still indifferent, moves to pick up Lottie, clearly intent on continuing the wedding. But as he reaches for her, our mother swoops in, stooping to whisper in Lottie’s ear.
I can’t hear what she’s saying, but I see Lottie’s eyes widen.
Mom’s gaze flicks to me as she stands, and the priest asks Lottie if she’s okay to go on.
“What can I do?” Mom whispers. A spark of hope in her eyes that I haven’t seen in years.
“You can be at the boat at seven-thirty tonight.”
She nods. “I’m sorry for everything. But hopefully, I can save your sister.”