28. Twenty-Eight
TWENTY-EIGHT
THEO
T onight was Archer and Mila’s rehearsal dinner, and I was excited to finally introduce Wrenly to my brothers. Laurent helped me pick out the perfect dress for her, and he was currently doing her hair and makeup while I put on my suit. I smiled as I heard him fussing over how her skin was like porcelain and her eyes reminded him of being at a beach and watching a storm roll in. The water, tumultuous and gray, yet hints of blue and green danced beneath the surface, reflecting the sky’s hidden hues.
Of course Laurent was a fucking poet.
The sound of her laughter drifted from the bathroom, and I couldn’t help but smile again. She had a way of lighting up any space she was in, and I knew my brothers and their girls would adore her just as much as I did.
I adjusted my tie, wincing at the soreness in my muscles, compliments of the fight with Connor. I stepped out of the bedroom, my breath catching as I saw her. The deep gold dress hugged her curves perfectly, the shimmering fabric cascading elegantly to the floor, catching the light as she moved. Her hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and Laurent had expertly highlighted her striking eyes with a smoky shadow that made them appear even more mesmerizing .
Her eyes met mine, and a radiant smile graced her lips. “Well, don’t you clean up nicely. You almost can’t see the bruises all over your body,” she teased, her voice soft and melodic.
I grinned, stepping closer to take her hand in mine, and found myself momentarily speechless. “You look stunning,” I breathed, unable to tear my gaze away from her. I brought her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
Laurent clapped, a satisfied smirk on his face. “My work here is done. You two lovebirds better get going, or you’ll be late for the dinner.”
Wrenly laughed and gave Laurent a quick hug. “Thank you, Laurent. You’re a true artist.”
I offered her my arm, and she took it gracefully as we headed toward the gardens, where the grounds had been turned into an ethereal wonderland. Twinkling lights were strung between the trees, glowing warmly over the carefully manicured hedges and fragrant flowers. The soft strains of music drifted through the air, mingling with the gentle murmur of the guests’ conversations. Standing gas fire pits were placed strategically near each table to help keep the chill out of the air. I couldn’t help but steal glances at Wrenly, marveling at how the golden hues of her dress seemed to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding ambiance. She looked like a Greek goddess.
Her hand tightened around my arm as we made our way down the path, her eyes wide with wonder. “It’s like something out of a fairy tale,” she said in awe.
“I would expect nothing less from Evelyn King,” I explained. “Archer’s mother is very excited that they’re getting married.”
I spotted Archer and Mila greeting their guests as we approached the gathering. Archer’s face lit up when he saw us, and he quickly made his way over, Mila following close behind.
“Wrenly, it’s wonderful to finally meet you,” Archer said warmly, taking her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you from this one,” he added, nodding in my direction with a playful grin.
Mila embraced Wrenly, her smile genuine and welcoming. “We’re so glad you could join us tonight. You look absolutely beautiful.”
Wrenly blushed, returning their smiles. “Thank you both so much for inviting me. Everything looks incredible. Congratulations on your engagement.”
As we mingled with the other guests, I felt proud to introduce Wrenly to my friends. My parents were out of town for the week, but Wrenly charmed everyone else with her quick wit and easy laughter, and I fell even more in love with her as the night progressed.
The dinner was lavish, with delectable courses and fine wine flowing freely. Toasts were made, and heartfelt speeches were given, each one celebrating the love and devotion Archer and Mila shared.
As the evening drew to a close, Archer pulled me aside, his eyes shining with happiness. “I’m so glad you found her again,” he said, clasping my shoulder. “She’s perfect for you, and I think Thomas and Margaret would be thrilled that their daughter chose you out of all of us. Margaret always was sweet on you.” He chuckled.
“That’s because I was the only one smart enough not to chase tail in front of them.”
“That you were.” He nodded, then his face grew more serious. “You’ve been through so much but never let it break you. Seeing you with Wrenly, after everything she’s been through, it just makes sense. It’s clear you’ve found your other half. Who would have thought we’d all be settling down?”
“I never thought I’d find someone who understands me so completely,” I confessed. “I didn’t think I deserved happiness.”
He shook his head, his expression earnest. “You’ve always been too hard on yourself. Embrace the gift you have. You know, in our line of business, each day is not promised.” I glanced over at Wrenly, who was at the bar, ordering us drinks. Archer followed my gaze. “Hold on to that feeling, brother. It’s worth fighting for every single day.” He squeezed my shoulder and returned to Mila, who was dancing with Cassian.
I snuck up behind Wrenly, wrapping my arms around her waist as I kissed her neck.
She leaned back into my embrace, a soft sigh escaping her lips. “Mmm, I was just thinking about you,” she said, turning in my arms to face me .
“Oh really?” I grinned, pulling her closer. “And what exactly were you thinking?”
She smiled mischievously as her fingers toyed with the lapel of my jacket. “I was thinking about how beautiful this rehearsal dinner is and how lucky I am to have you in my life. Thank you for bringing me here, for sharing this part of your life with me.”
“There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side,” I replied softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
“Wrenly?”
Fuck.
I knew that voice.
Things were about to get really awkward.
She turned, and the shock on her face told me her brother, Gage, was the last person she had expected to see here—which also told me she didn’t know he worked for us.
“Gage? What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean, what am I doing here? I work here.”
“Work here? You mean you’re the doctor for The Brotherhood ?”
His eyes widened as he realized the implications of his sister’s presence at the rehearsal dinner with me. “Theo, care to explain why you are here with my sister?”
The tension in the air was palpable as Gage’s question hung between us. Wrenly’s grip on my arm tightened, and I could feel the confusion and worry radiating from her. I took a deep breath, knowing this moment had been inevitable, considering I hadn’t talked to him about her.
“Gage, let’s talk about this in private,” I suggested calmly, trying to diffuse the situation.
He crossed his arms. “I think I deserve an explanation right here, right now. What the fuck are you doing with my sister, Theo?”
Wrenly stepped forward, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hand. “Gage, Theo and I are together. What’s going on with you?”
His expression shifted from shock to anger. “Together? How could you not tell me about this, Wrenly? And you.” He turned to me, his finger pointing accusingly. “How dare you involve my sister in this life? ”
“Gage—” Wrenly began, but Gage cut her off with a raised hand.
“I don’t want to hear it from you, Wren. I want to hear it from him,” he said, his furious gaze locking onto mine. “Who the fuck do you think you are, involving her in this fucking corrupt life of yours?”
“This life of mine ? You mean the life she was born into?” I felt my anger bubbling to the surface.
Wrenly’s head shot in my direction as her eyes darted between us, her brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about? What do you mean, the life I was born into?”
I clenched my fists, trying to keep my temper in check. “About where you really come from.”
Her gaze settled on me. “I don’t understand . . . Speak plainly, Theo.”
I took a deep breath, hating that, in my anger, I’d blurted out a secret that would change her life forever. I stared at her, willing time to go back, but Pandora was out of the box now. “It’s not my place to tell you.”
She scoffed, “Oh, it’s not your place to tell me?” She looked over at Gage, her eyes accusing.
Gage’s face paled. He cleared his throat, his voice strained as he spoke. “Wrenly . . .” But instead of explaining, he looked back at me, pure malice combined with hurt in his eyes.
I did not doubt that what I’d said had hurt him. It meant he had to come to terms with his bloodline while simultaneously bringing Wrenly into this world—a world he despised for the loss of their parents, and now a world where he couldn’t protect her anymore.
“Do you have any idea what you’re getting her into? The danger you’re putting her in just by being with her?” he hissed.
I stood my ground, meeting Gage’s furious gaze. “She deserves to know the truth, Gage. You can’t keep her in the dark forever.”
“You mean in the dark you’ve dragged her into? But somehow I’m the asshole?”
Wrenly’s voice cut through the tension, her tone demanding. “Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on? What ‘truth’ are you talking about?”
Gage’s shoulders sagged, the fight draining from him as he turned to face his sister. “Wren, I . . . I never wanted this life for you. There’s too many risks?—”
“I’m well aware of the risks, Gage.” Wrenly moved between us. “I love him.”
He let out a mirthless laugh. “Love? You think that’s enough to protect you from their enemies?”
“Gage, stop. I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need your approval on who I choose to date.”
“Clearly, you do. Do you know how many women he’s been with?”
“I don’t care. Now, what truth?”
“Hundreds,” he spat in disgust, ignoring her question. He was too far gone in his anger at this point. “Maybe thousands.”
I stepped forward. “That’s enough. You’re out of line.”
He scoffed. “Am I? She deserves to know the truth about you , Theo. About all of you.”
My fists clenched at my sides, my jaw tightening as I fought to control my temper. “I’d be real careful about what you say next,” I warned him.
“Or what?” His eyes flashed with defiance. “You’ll get rid of me like you do everyone else who gets in your way?”
I could feel the other guests’ eyes on us now, and the music and chatter were fading into an uncomfortable silence.
I held up a hand, my voice low and controlled. “I understand you’re upset, but this isn’t the time or place. We can discuss this later, in private.”
He shook his head vehemently. “No, I think now is the perfect time. She needs to know what kind of man she’s gotten involved with. A criminal and a goddamn murderer.”
“Watch your mouth. You may be her brother, but that doesn’t give you the right to disrespect me or what we do.”
“Gage, please,” Wrenly pleaded, pressing her hands gently on each of our chests, separating us.
Kai and Haven made their way over, their expressions grim.
“Kai,” I greeted him, my voice snipped.
He looked between all of us before speaking, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of recognition in his expression as he looked at Wrenly. His eyes lingered on her and then quickly moved back to me. “Just wanted to make sure everything was alright over here. It’s Archer and Mila’s big night, after all.”
“I apologize for the commotion,” Wrenly said, shifting her eyes from Kai to Haven and back to Kai, as she too recognized Kai from the hospital. “Just a little misunderstanding.” She shrugged, trying to make light of the situation, but I could see how many emotions were warring behind her eyes.
But Gage wasn’t done.
He scoffed loudly. “Misunderstanding? Is that what we’re calling it now, Wrenly?”
She put a hand on his arm, pleading with him to calm down. “Gage, please. Let’s not do this here.”
“I think we’ll all be thankful later that we chose to handle this in a more civil manner,” I interjected.
“Right, because I should just be thanking you for soiling my sister with your diseased dick?”
“Soiling?” I laughed. “I think the word you’re looking for is fucking. I have been fucking your sister.”
Wrenly whirled around to face me, her anger now directed solely at me. The sharp crack of her hand against my cheek echoed through the sudden silence. My head snapped to the side, and I blinked, stunned by the force behind her slap.
“Jesus, Theo. What the fuck? I am not some object for you to degrade and humiliate.”
I couldn’t explain it, but feeling her hit me and seeing the fury in her eyes had me harder than concrete, and I turned my head back to her and smiled.
She knew what that smile meant, and I swear I saw a sliver of lust flash across those stormy gray eyes. “Don’t smile at me like that, you sick fuck,” she sneered.
Gage lunged forward, and I prepared for his fist against my face before Kai stopped him.
“ Enough ,” Kai scolded, his voice low and dangerous. “This ends now. This is neither the time nor the place for this conversation. We are guests at Archer and Mila’s rehearsal dinner. Show some respect. ”
Gage wrenched his arm free from Kai’s hold, his chest heaving as he made me a promise. “This is far from over.”
I held his gaze. “Anytime, anywhere,” I retorted.
He looked like he wanted to respond, but Wrenly’s glare caused him to clamp his mouth shut and storm off.
Wrenly sighed heavily, her face flushed as she gently touched my cheek. “I’m sorry about this.” Her sweet voice was tinged with regret. “I didn’t mean for things to escalate to this point. Gage is just . . . overprotective.”
My gaze softened as I looked at her. Her eyes were full of tears, and her lip was trembling. “Your brother needs to learn to mind his own business.”
She bit her lower lip, nodding in agreement. “Can we talk about this later? In private?”
“Fine.” I nodded, tabling it for now.
She smiled appreciatively and then turned to Kai and Haven. “I apologize again for the disturbance. Please enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Then she glanced at me and pushed past them before walking away without another word.
Kai let out a low, drawn-out whistle and then smiled. “Gage’s sister? Damn, Theo. You sure know how to pick them.”
“Fuck off, Kai.”
He placed a hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”
I sighed. “I will be. I need a minute.”
He nodded. “Take all the time you need. We’ll cover for you if anyone asks.”
I responded with a nod and headed in the direction Wrenly had walked. We had some things to discuss.