Chapter Thirty-Two
Bhodi
Four months later…
The early morning sun rises over the mountains in the distance, the dry desert heat already warming my face. Reaching across to pour myself my second whiskey to calm my nerves, I sit with my legs splayed, drink in one hand and my slow-burning cigarette in the other. Sitting in a pair of shorts, I take in the quiet of the day before people begin to arrive.
“Thought you’d quit.”
Jimmy pulls up his chair next to me, refilling his glass.
“Quitting.”
I smirk, pulling the cigarette to my lips and inhaling deeply.
The nicotine doing nothing for my frayed nerves, my foot nervously bouncing as I blow the smoke into the air, watching it whisk away and across the vast field in front of us.
“Heard from Axe?”
Jimmy turns to me.
“Nothing.”
I shake my head. “Fuck all for three days.”
“Where the fuck has he gone?”
Jimmy leans back in his chair. “Pamela hasn’t heard anything and she’s worried sick.”
“Axe wouldn’t just go without a good reason,”
I argue. “Even if his timing is shitty.”
“Think he’ll miss the wedding?”
“He’s got four hours.”
I glance towards my watch, eight a.m. nearing.
“Nervous?”
He cocks a brow, a slow grin spreading across his face.
“Not as nervous as you.”
I turn to him. “You know, seeing your favourite bridesmaid.”
“Fuck off, Bhodi.”
Jimmy laughs, taking a sip of his drink and rocking back and forth on his chair. “Why, has she said anything?”
His neck snaps to me.
“Ask her your fucking self.”
I smirk, taking the last drag of my cigarette and grounding the butt into the porch.
“Maybe.”
“Maggie, Strode and Father Dudley will be here in a few hours, you good to keep them company for a bit?”
“Sure thing.”
“Thanks.”
Downing my second drink, I wince as the hot liquid slides down my throat and leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and I shudder slightly.”
“What the fuck?”
I look down to Jimmy, who stands and points towards the two cars heading up the barren dry driveway. A black SUV and a black van following closely behind. We look to each other confused, no one knows we’re here apart from the very few guests and this property is rented for six months. With my knife firmly in the pocket, I feel for the handle and step down off the porch, Jimmy follows close behind as eventually both cars pull alongside each other and stop. Spotting a familiar face in the driver’s seat, a smug looking Axe slides from the passenger side.
“Where the fuck have you been?”
I stride over, grabbing him by the collar but he doesn’t back down. Just a shit-eating grin plastered over his face.
When the van doors open, another familiar face comes into view, one I wasn’t expecting to ever see again.
“Bhodi, Jimmy.” He nods.
“Carlos.”
I look to Axe, who seems unfazed. “What’s going on?”
One of Carlos’s men gets out of the back of the van, rounding the vehicle, he stands close by, the axel breathes a sigh of relief as he steps out. The same man from the hospital parking lot, however in this light his face is marred with brutal scars, his complexion could tell some haunting fucking stories if they wanted to. Looking towards him, he dwarfs us all, he must be pushing seven feet and could destroy anything in his path, but he doesn’t appear threatening, just standing guard for now with a blade strapped to his left thigh and a gun on his right hip.
“My father was incredibly grateful for your help in getting Luca to Mexico, and as a thank you from us both we have a gift for yourself and your beautiful bride.”
Carlos’s eyes flicker with amusement.
“And what would that be?”
“Well Axe called a few days ago, said someone you were very interested in had managed to make their way into my country.”
“I asked a few friends to keep track of him for me.”
Axe smirks. “I got a call from an old friend who retired and owns a bar down in Mexico and it just so happened to be the most perfect wedding gift.”
“We had a deal, Bhodi and I was more than happy to honour it. But my father suggested the hand delivery, as a thank you.”
He cocks his head to the van and proceeds to lead us towards the doors. Pulling both doors open, I’m met with the fear in his eyes. The four of us stand at the entrance of the van, the predator in me stirs, I feel the darkness of my soul begin to swirl and awaken from its slumber. The hidden monster stirring at the promise of torture and torment. The smile cracks across my face, my eyes lowering onto the gift and I know exactly what I’ll fucking do with it.
Summer
I feel my hands trembling, as both Eva and Pam help me into my dress. The ivory lace glides over my body and I do a little jump, adjusting myself as the zip goes up.
“All done.”
Eva leans in and whispers, her teary eyes meeting mine in our reflection.
“Thank you.”
I smile, happy tears threatening to fall.
“Here.”
Pamela passes me a glass of chilled champagne. “No tears.”
She smiles. “Not yet anyway.”
“You look so beautiful, Summer.”
Eva grins wide, slightly bouncing on her tiptoes with excitement. Her eyes gleaming with happiness.
“You both look amazing, such a beautiful colour.”
Both girls twirl in their floor-length baby-blue chiffon gowns.
A knock at the door pulls our attention away. Pam reaches for the door and pulls it open. She immediately pulls Father Dudley into a hug, he greets her with a warm smile before they pull away and he looks to me.
“Summer..”
He takes a moment. “You look truly beautiful.”
Wiping a discreet tear from his eye.
“I’m so glad you could make it.”
I sense his hesitation for a moment but Pam quickly pulls Eva from the room, along with the champagne.
“We’ll give you a minute, see you downstairs.”
She smiles and shuts the door behind them,
“The Vegas heat is definitely different to New York this time of year.”
He laughs, taking a seat on the sofa.
“I think we both agreed to get some distance, the memories for both of us were tough.”
“I understand, Summer, but I know your father would be so proud of you, of you both and what you achieved.”
I give a sad smile, nodding gently. “Thank you, I hope so.”
“No doubt about it, kid.”
“It’s good to see you again.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”
Father Dudley sighs, a slight sadness glossing across his face. “I knew Bhodi as a child, I went to visit his mother before she passed.”
“He told me.”
“I’d never seen such hope and determination in a young man like him before, his desire to be better, striving to succeed.”
He smiles. “When his mother was killed, he changed. He didn’t smile, wouldn’t speak, he closed off entirely.”
“We did talk about his childhood.”
I take a seat opposite. “He told me everything.”
“Then you know the man you’re marrying.”
I blink a couple times, his tone stiffening for a moment. I swallow hard whilst his eyes narrow on mine.
“I do.”
“He has and will do everything he can to keep you safe, cherish, love and protect you at any cost.”
My spine stiffens and I hold my gaze with the man before me, the seriousness that crosses his demeanour causes me to search deeper into his words.
“You...know,”
I say. “You know what...”
“I cannot confirm nor deny what has been discussed between myself and a partitioner, that is sacred in the confessional.”
He looks to his hands briefly before lifting his head towards me, his eyes softening. “I just wanted you to know, I’ve never seen a finer match between two people. The love you have for each other is unbreakable and I wish you nothing but happiness in your lives together.”
He smiles, rising from his seat.
Taking my hand in his, he pulls me into a tight hug. I feel my body tremble against his, feeling the weight of his beautiful words and the kindness he once showed a scared young boy. I wipe the tears from my eyes, trying my best not to smudge the makeup Eva took such time and patience with.
“I should probably head down.”
“Of course, may I?”
He holds his arm out to mine. Looping my arm with his, I pick up my bouquet and head down towards the front porch. When I step onto the porch, Father Dudley gives me a smile and heads towards the waiting guests. All stood together, smiling. A warmth begins to fill my heart, watching those who have shared this short journey between us. I never imagined during my darkest hours and through my fears that we’d be here, I never thought I would find the love of my life, someone who loves me and is willing to destroy anything that gets in our way.
“Summer?”
The voice pulls me from my thoughts.
Al stands at the bottom of the stairs, as he and both Father Dudley share a warm smile between each other as he takes his leave and joins the wedding party.
“I’m nervous.”
I smile weakly, my bottom lip quivering slightly.
Climbing the few steps onto the porch, Al stands next to me, still leaning on his walking stick. He follows my line of sight, a proud smile on his face as he finally looks to me.
“You’ll do great, kiddo,”
he reassures me.
“I hope so,”
I whisper.
When he holds his arm out to me, he gestures for me to take it. “I thought you could do with someone to walk you down the aisle. But make it look good, I had to fight Jimmy for this.”
He chuckles.
My grin grows wide, as I take his arm in mine. I rest my head on his shoulder for a moment, still studying the sight before me, taking in the love and warmth that fills the beautiful garden. The beautiful bouquet of sunflowers, white roses and Gypsophila complements the warm setting, our chosen family gathered. I feel the knot form in my throat. Looking to Al, I smile sadly. My dad should be here, walking me down the aisle, questioning my choices in a light-hearted way, protective of his little girl, claiming no man would ever be good enough. When I found out Luca was my father, I felt sick, like I was spiralling into a never-ending back hole. The anger I felt towards both him and Mom was raw, but even with my dad knowing, he never looked at me differently, didn’t treat me any other way than how he did before he knew. For that I’ll never be able to thank him, for loving me for who I am, always trusting me, supporting me and allowing me to grow into the person I am now.
Stepping onto the lush green grass, the gentle notes of Louis Armstrong – Le Vie En Rose begins to play. Bhodi stands facing the officiant, but when he hears the music, I see his spine stiffen. Both Jimmy and Axe stand next to him, both stealing a quick glance, smiling and leaning close to whisper something to him. His hand quickly moves across his face, as Eva and Pam wait at the aisle. They both flash a giddy smile before walking together towards the small gazebo. I clutch onto Al, and he gives me a reassuring squeeze with tears in his eyes. We take the slow walk down the aisle, the warm afternoon sunshine blowing across our faces, as all eyes turn to us. Met with joyful smiles and tears of love and happiness.
Al gives me a hug, turning to Bhodi to shake his hand. The admiration and pride between the two men cannot be broken or denied. When Bhodi turns to me, his gaze slowly moves from my feet, over the lace of my dress, observing each curve, each contour and line before his eyes finally reach mine. We both blink away tears, as he takes my hand in mine.
“I never thought you could look more beautiful.”
He smiles.
“You look very handsome, Mr Grey.” I blush.
“Mr Grey?”
He quirks a brow and leans towards me. “We’ll have to try that one later.”
He smirks, whilst the wedding officiant almost chokes.
We both giggle and he takes my hands in his. The words of the officiant begin to melt away, we both look lovingly into each other’s eyes and stand in front of our loved ones. Engulfed within the glory of this beautiful day, the warm spring air whirls through the trees, a peace gently falls around us. The rich and vibrant colours brightening our surroundings as the final words are spoken.
“I do.”
Wrapping his arm around my waist, Bhodi pulls me close, and I rise onto my tiptoes. Pressing my lips to his, I feel the heat bloom between us, the tears of yesterday washing away, the darkness lifting, replaced by the warm sunshine wrapping us in the safety of our marriage. Gently pulling away, a soft smile pulls at his lips, his thumbs gently caressing my cheek.
“I love you, Mrs Grey.”
He whispers against my mouth.
Taking my hand in his, he gives me a final loving look as we walk together into the cheers and whistles of the ones we love.
The sun begins to set off in the distance, the once warm air beginning to cool whilst our guests sit around a large circular table. Giggles, smiles and joy flood through the vast garden and I take a moment on the porch to admire its beauty and devotion. The trust inbuilt within us all to believe and fight past the people who never wanted the truth about their lies and corruption to reach the surface, but they failed and we won.
The question still lingers on the tip of my tongue daily: what really happened that day? For now I know I need to be patient and understand that Bhodi will share that with me in time and when he’s ready. Lost in thought, I soon feel his hands skim up and down my arms, his chest pressed into my back and his breath gently runs past the shell of my ear.
“What’s on your mind?”
he whispers.
I rest into his embrace, his arms snaking around my waist whilst I continue to enjoy the scene before me.
“Nothing, just enjoying all of this.”
“It’s not over yet.”
I look to Bhodi and grin, shaking my head before resting my head onto his shoulder. “I have something to show you.”
Turning around, I run my hands over his chest, the soft material of his shirt gliding beneath my fingers, concentrating on the subtle beat of his heart beneath my touch.
“And what’s that?”
I smile, my heavy eyes searching his.
“My wedding gift …to you.”
Running his fingers between a couple loose curls, I give him a brief questioning look.
“Can I see?”
The excitement in my tone is growing.
“Come with me.”
Taking my hand we head down the porch and away from the small party. As he leads me through the gate and towards the front of the property, I admire the quiet land surrounding us. The sky turning a deeper shade of blue with each passing minute, the tiny sparkling stars becoming more vivid, as they gently begin to pepper the sky above.
“Where are we going?”
I ask curiously, glancing around.
“Remember the day the commissioner was shot?”
I halt in my tracks, looking towards Bhodi with an alarmed expression. He takes a step back towards me, his face softening.
“Yeah.”
He swallows hard, his tongue gently runs along his bottom lip for a moment. When he takes a deep breath, his thumbs begin to run over my knuckles, the cool night air sends shudders up and down my spine.
“I made a deal, four months ago.”
I feel my heart sink a little. “What kind of deal?”
“The kind of deal that allows me to get the revenge I sought after most, the one person who got away. I couldn’t let them get away with what they’d done and I couldn’t sleep at night, or look you in the eye knowing that I’d let you down.”
“You haven’t..”
“I did, for a while anyway.”
“I don’t understand?”
My brows pinch and I see the conflict in his eyes.