Chapter 23 #3
“Of course not. That would imply you’ll have a say in my marriage, and you don’t.”
I can marry her tomorrow if she says yes, but it’s too soon for her.
Lavender missed out on all these experiences, so we will date for as long as she wants and then have a grandiose wedding so my woman would feel like the fucking princess she is.
I’ve already requested Isabella to design an engagement ring for her.
A sapphire, of course.
“Can you honestly tell me that your relationship has nothing to do with what I’ve done to your family?”
Since my brother-in-law wishes to be so fucking honest…
“Truthfully, whenever I think about what you did and planned to do…a part of me urges me to kill you. Then I remind myself that my sister loves you, and you had your reasons.” A humorless chuckle rumbles from my throat.
“I loved the idea of hurting you with Lavender. Our current relationship has nothing to do with it.”
Something akin to amusement flashes in his gaze. “Still, the idea brings you joy, doesn’t it?”
I grin. “Oh, yes.”
“Our sister is a grown woman who fought for her right to live her life as she wants. If you are what she wants, we have no say in it.” I look at Rafael, and he lifts his glass to me.
“I would have preferred someone older and mature. Something tells me you’re all those things despite the numbers on your birth certificate though. ”
“You can’t argue the age gap.” Wyatt points out, and Rush throws an apple at him. He catches it before it can smack him in the nose. “It’s the truth. The Wright siblings seem to have a thing for younger people.” He huffs when I shove him hard in the side. “The hell?”
“My woman doesn’t have a thing for anyone but me.”
“And we don’t have a thing for anyone but our women,” Rafael adds, pouring another glass and giving it to Rush. “Wrights are very loyal.”
“Possessive, are we?”
Well, since Wyatt wants to go there…
“I don’t know, you tell me. I’ve heard the object of your hate went on a date the other day.”
His relaxed demeanor changes at once, viciousness replacing it, and a certain coldness coats his voice as he says, “Interesting.”
You see, the thing about my friend?
He’s possessive of everything to do with Aurelia, and I sometimes wonder if the girl’s greatest sin was meeting Ian first.
And that’s what Wyatt cannot forgive her for.
“He’s her partner in some biology project. Nice guy.” His hold on the bottle tightens. If he puts any more pressure on it, he’s going to break the glass, and still I push. “Adored by women for being a perfect gentleman.”
“Well, he sounds like a saint.”
“I don’t care about whatever that is.” Rush interrupts our stare-off, and we turn our heads toward him. “Knowing my woman, she’s probably pacing outside, ridden with anxiety, about how this is playing out, and I despise anything that brings her discomfort.”
Rafael continues. “As long as we have an understanding, Levi, we will not interfere.”
I like how they word it as if it’s their choice, and for the first time tonight, I decide not to object.
I respect the men, so there is no need to enter into competitions of whose dicks are bigger.
“We do. If Lavender is unhappy, do whatever the fuck you want to me.”
Another long pause, and my brother-in-law finally extends his hand to me. I shake it, holding back a smile at his tight grip, which serves as a warning for the future but, for now, settles the brewing storm in their veins.
They love her. I can’t fault them for protecting her even if it’s no longer their job.
It’s solely mine.
“That’s it?” Wyatt clicks his tongue. “I have to admit all this is very anticlimactic. These two were sneaking around all over New York to keep this forbidden romance a secret, getting us all involved, and this is the reaction? Complete acceptance?” He sighs.
“Disappointed doesn’t begin to cover it. ”
Rafael finishes his drink. “What did you expect?”
“A fight. Few punches here and there, blood spilling, and some dramatic shouts from you both about how Levi should stay away from your little sister while your wives screamed in the background.”
Since he delivers all of this with a straight face and monotonous tone, it’s hard to gauge if he’s serious or not.
Both brothers regard him for several beats, and finally Rafael answers, but not before giving Wyatt the biggest side-eye. “Again, we are not teenagers. Lavender is with him out of her own free will. Why exactly would we go around punching Levi?”
“You aren’t supposed to be mature and logical when it comes to her.”
“Oh, is that so? I must have missed the part where you punched me when I married Emmaline.”
“That was different.”
“How so?”
“We liked you more than her ex-fiancé.”
Which is funny, since Anthony is an all-around great guy.
“Not sure if I’m supposed to be offended or flattered.”
“Both.”
“Are you sure he’s your friend?” Rush flips his lighter through his fingers, his eyes trained on Wyatt as if he’s trying to figure him out.
“The very best. I’m merely pointing out how this doesn’t meet my expectations.” Wyatt puts his bottle away and claps his hands. “Well, if I’m not needed, then I’m going to go. I have plans tonight that do not involve you all.”
Rafael’s brow rises. “Is ruining Aurelia's date one of these plans?”
“Contrary to what everyone seems to believe, I do have a life that doesn’t involve my little side quest revenge.”
“If only everyone paid as much attention to their side quests as you do, I think their focus would have improved significantly.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, so I snatch it out and see Gordon’s name flashing on the screen. “Hello?”
“Levi,” he croaks, his voice barely audible. “There has been an accident. Someone took Lavender.” He coughs. “Fire everywhere. I don’t know where they went.”
Squeezing the phone, I disconnect the call while fear, anger, and fury spread through me, awakening the monster permanently living inside.
Because my woman was stolen from me, and I failed to protect her from him.
He has her.
“What is it, Levi?” Wyatt asks, and that’s when I notice the Wright brothers staring at me as well.
“He has Lavender.”
Just like he used to have my mother once upon a time, except this time I won’t let history repeat itself.
I was born in his darkness, but my woman?
She won’t die in it.
I won’t allow it.