Chapter Thirty-Two
Cooper
I stood at the altar beside Steele, trying to ignore the twinge in my leg as I shifted my weight. The cane at my side was a constant reminder of how close I’d come to losing everything. After all my careful therapy, Allegra’s father sent me back to where I started.
Ironic.
As I watched Martha and Henry, the flower girl and ring bearer, make their way down the aisle, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. Not for the wedding itself—god knows I learned my lesson about love—but for the happiness that seemed to radiate from Steele.
The garden was transformed, barely recognizable as the same place where we’d spent countless evenings planning heists and discussing business deals. Now it was a vision of white and pink, flower-laden arches creating a fairy tale setting for Steele and Ashlynn’s big day.
As the music changed and everyone stood, I saw her. Ashlynn, resplendent in her mother’s ivory dress, began her walk down the aisle. She was beautiful, of course, but it was the look on Steele’s face that caught my attention. I’d known him for years, had seen him in every conceivable situation, but I’d never seen him look at anyone the way he was looking at Ashlynn in that moment.
It was a look of pure, unadulterated love. Of promise and devotion. Of a man who had found his other half and couldn’t quite believe his luck.
And in that moment, as I watched my best friend prepare to bind his life to the woman he loved, I felt the full weight of my own loneliness crash down upon me.
Allegra.
Her name echoed in my mind, bringing with it a flood of memories. The way her eyes lit up when she laughed. The determined set of her jaw when she was focusing on my physical therapy. The softness of her skin under my fingertips.
I’d pushed her away, convinced that it was the right thing to do. That I was protecting both of us from the inevitable pain that came with my lifestyle. But standing here, watching Steele and Ashlynn pledge their lives to each other, I knew I’d made the biggest mistake of my life.
The ceremony proceeded, but I barely heard the words. My mind was a whirlwind of regret and what-ifs. Could we have had this—not a wedding, perhaps, but a partnership? A connection that went beyond the physical, beyond the superficial?
I knew we could. We already had.
As Steele and Ashlynn exchanged rings, I found myself thinking of the last time I’d seen Allegra. The hurt in her eyes, the tremor in her voice as she’d tried one last time to make me understand. I’d been so caught up in my own pain, my own fear, that I’d refused to listen .
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant’s voice broke through my remorseful thoughts. “You may kiss the bride.”
The small gathering erupted in applause as Steele pulled Ashlynn close, sealing their union with a kiss that spoke volumes about the depth of their connection. I clapped along with everyone else, genuinely happy for my friend despite the ache in my own chest.
As the newlyweds made their way back down the aisle, showered with rose petals and well-wishes, I found myself scanning the small crowd. A part of me, the part I’d been trying so hard to ignore, hoped to see a familiar face. But of course, Allegra wasn’t there. She was in Spain. I’d sent a security team over to protect her, but I felt a pang in my chest. I should be there, looking after her. But right now, I had to be there for Steele.
The reception was a small, intimate affair, held in the grand dining room of the estate. I’d always thought the room was too large, too ornate for just Steele, but today it was perfect. Filled with laughter and music, it felt warm and inviting in a way it never had before.
I nursed a glass of champagne, making small talk with the handful of guests I recognized. There were a few of Ashlynn’s friends, and a few of our men who had become close to Steele. No one else from the business. It was safer that way, I knew, but it also served as a stark reminder of how separate our lives had become since Steele had left the business.
“Cooper,” Steele’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He was at my elbow, Ashlynn by his side, both of them practically glowing with happiness. “Thank you for being here. It means a lot.”
I managed a smile, clasping his hand in a firm shake. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Congratulations to you both.”
Ashlynn beamed up at me, her bouquet covering her bump. She’d been trying to hide it all day. She normally cradled her belly non-stop, so I figured it must be for the photographs. “Thank you, Cooper. And thank you for everything you did to help make this day possible.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The raw gratitude in her features was almost too much to bear, knowing the darkness that lurked beneath the surface of our world. A darkness I was still very much a part of, even as Steele had managed to escape it.
“Cooper,” Steele said, his tone softening, “I know things have been...difficult lately. But I want you to know, you’ll always have a place here. With us.”
The sincerity in his voice threatened to undo me. I cleared my throat, fighting back the sudden rush of emotion. “I appreciate that, Steele. Really. But you know as well as I do that our worlds don’t mix well.”
A shadow passed over Steele’s face, but before he could respond, the wedding coordinator announced that it was time for the couple’s first dance. With a last, meaningful look at me, Steele led Ashlynn to the dance floor.
As I watched them sway to the music, lost in their own world, I couldn’t help but think of Allegra again. Of the dance we’d shared at the hospital gala. The way she’d fit so perfectly in my arms, as if she’d been made to be there.
I downed the rest of my champagne in one gulp, wishing it was something stronger. This was Steele’s day, his and Ashlynn’s, and I was happy for them. I was. But with every passing moment, the weight of my own choices pressed down on me, threatening to crush me under their weight.
As the evening wore on, I found myself drifting to the edges of the party. The joy and love that filled the room felt like a rebuke, a constant reminder of what I’d thrown away. I stepped out onto the terrace, grateful for the cool night air on my flushed skin.
The gardens stretched out before me, softly lit by strategically placed lanterns. It was beautiful, peaceful in a way that seemed at odds with the despair in my heart. I leaned on my cane, staring out into the darkness, lost in thought.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I turned to find Ashlynn standing in the doorway, a gentle smile on her face. She looked radiant, happiness seeming to emanate from her very being.
“Shouldn’t you be inside, Mrs. Steele?” I asked, forcing a lightness into my tone that I didn’t feel. “It is your wedding day, after all.”
She moved to stand beside me, her eyes scanning the darkened gardens. “It is. And it’s been perfect. But I couldn’t help but notice that you seemed...troubled.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Just thinking, that’s all. Nothing for you to worry about on your big day.”
Ashlynn was quiet for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice was soft with understanding. “You’re thinking about her, aren’t you? Allegra?”
The sound of her name, spoken aloud, sent a jolt through me. “How did you— ”
“I know you, Cooper,” she admitted. “Steele’s worried about you. We both are.”
Frustration bubbled up inside me. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s over. Done.”
“Is it?” Ashlynn challenged gently. “Because from where I’m standing, it doesn’t look very ‘done’ at all.”
I turned to face her, ready to argue, but the compassion in her look stopped me short. There was no judgment there, no condemnation. Just genuine concern.
“I don’t know what to do,” I admitted, the words feeling like they were being torn from my chest. “I pushed her away, convinced it was the right thing to do. But now...”
“Now you’re not so sure,” Ashlynn finished for me.
I nodded, unable to meet her knowing eyes. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, Ashlynn. Done things I’m not proud of. But pushing Allegra away...I think that might be the biggest mistake of all.”
Ashlynn was quiet for a long moment, her hand coming to rest on my arm. “It’s not too late, you know. To fix things.”
I laughed bitterly. “Isn’t it? After everything that’s happened, all the things I said to her...How could she ever forgive me?”
“Love has a way of forgiving the unforgivable,” Ashlynn said softly. “Trust me on that.”
Before I could respond, Steele appeared in the doorway. “There you are,” he said, smiling at his new wife. “I was beginning to think you’d run off with the best man.”
Ashlynn laughed, moving to his side. “Never. Though, I was trying to talk some sense into him.”
Steele’s eyes met mine over Ashlynn’s head, a silent question in them. I shook my head slightly, not ready to have that conversation. Not here, not now.
“Well, I hate to break up the party,” Steele said, “but our car is here. Time for us to make our grand exit.”
As the newlyweds said their goodbyes and made their way to the waiting car, I hung back. Watching them drive off into the night, heading for their honeymoon and the start of their new life together, I felt a resolve begin to form in my chest.
Ashlynn was right. Maybe it wasn’t too late. Maybe, just maybe, I could fix the mess I’d made with Allegra.
As the last of the guests began to depart, I made my way back inside, intent on finding a private room. I needed to call Allegra, to at least try to make things right. But as I reached inside my jacket, my phone began to buzz insistently, Mario’s name lighting up the screen.
“Mario, what’s going on?”
His voice was frantic. “We’ve lost Allegra. The security team, they’re just gone. I have no idea what happened, I can’t reach anyone in the city—”
“Fuck! I’m on my way. I’ll head to the airport immediately. Meet me there—Steele’s spending the night at one of his hotels, I’ll borrow his jet—he won’t need it until tomorrow.” I hung up, but before I could make another move, my phone rang again.
Viktor.
“You fucking prick, what have you done with her?”
“Straight to business, as always. I admire that about you, Cooper. It’s why I think we could have a very profitable relationship...if you’d only follow through on your commitments.”
“I’m not messing around, Viktor—”
“You have good taste, Cooper. Miss Rousseau is a lovely girl. Quite the spitfire, actually. It would be a shame if something were to happen to her, wouldn’t it?”
“It’s Prescott,” I snarled. “And if you’ve touched a single hair on her head, I swear to god—”
“Now, now,” Viktor chided, his tone maddeningly calm. “There’s no need for threats. Miss Rousseau is perfectly safe. For now. Whether she stays that way, well...that’s entirely up to you, Cooper.”
My mind raced, trying to process what was happening. How had Viktor gotten to Allegra? She was supposed to be at the conference, safe and far away from all of this. “What do you want?”
“It’s quite simple, really. You’re going to follow through on our original deal. The full shipment, all the revenue coming to me directly. Then you’re going to step back. Hand over your clients to me. Do that, and Miss Rousseau goes free, none the worse for wear.”
“And if my clients refuse?”
Viktor’s laugh sent a chill down my spine. “Then I’m afraid Miss Rousseau might find herself on an entirely different kind of journey. I hear there’s quite a market for pretty young things in certain parts of the world. It would be a shame to see such potential go to waste, don’t you think? It’s one way to recoup my losses on our deal.”
The threat was clear. If I didn’t comply, Viktor would traffic Allegra. The thought of her in the hands of traffickers, subjected to god knows what kind of horrors, made me physically ill .
“How do I know she’s really with you?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. I knew she was, because of Mario’s call, but I needed to hear her voice. “Let me talk to her.”
There was a pause, then the sound of movement. “Cooper?” Allegra’s voice, small and frightened, came through the line. “Cooper, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen—”
“Allegra,” I breathed, relief and fear battling inside me. “Are you hurt? Did they—”
“That’s enough of that, I think,” Viktor’s voice cut in. “As you can hear, Mr. Moreau, Miss Rousseau is indeed with us. Whether she remains in such good condition is entirely up to you.”
My mind raced, trying to find a way out of this nightmare. But I knew Viktor, knew what he was capable of. If I didn’t play this exactly right, Allegra would pay the price. And that was something I couldn’t allow to happen.
“Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “You’ll get your shipment. My business. But I swear to you, Viktor, if you harm one hair on her head--”
“You’ll what?” Viktor mocked. “Come now, Cooper. We both know you’re in no position to make threats. Just do as you’re told, and everyone walks away happy. You have forty-eight hours to transition everything over. I’ll be in touch with further instructions regarding Miss Rousseau’s release.”
The line went dead, leaving me standing there in the now-empty reception hall, my world crumbling around me.
Allegra was in danger. Because of me. Because I’d pushed her away, left her vulnerable. I should have never let her go without me. And now, the only way to save her was to dive headfirst back into the very world I’d been trying to protect her from.
The irony of it all wasn’t lost on me. In trying to keep Allegra safe from my world, I’d put her in more danger than she’d ever been in before.
As I stood there, the echoes of Steele and Ashlynn’s joyous celebration still hanging in the air, I felt a resolve harden within me. I would save Allegra. I would make this right. And then, if by some miracle she could forgive me, I would spend the rest of my life making up for the pain I’d caused her.
But first, I had a shipment to rearrange. And a dangerous game to play with one of the most ruthless men I’d ever known.
As I strode out of the reception hall, my cane forgotten in my determination, I pulled out my phone again. It was time to call in every favor, activate every contact I had. Viktor Petrov had no idea who he was dealing with.
Because when it came to Allegra, there was nothing I wouldn’t do. No line I wouldn’t cross. And heaven help anyone who stood in my way.