Chapter 15
15
TATUM
M ikhail arrives two days later. He cuts through the room with his expensive suit and shoes. He’s tall with short brown hair and a square jaw, his blue eyes alert and sharp. Despite his outward appearance, strong and handsome, I don’t trust him. The way he moves, the way he speaks is all so cold and calculating.
And yet, Angel sees none of it. He just blushes and fawns over him, clearly besotted with his soon-to-be groom. The wedding is tomorrow, and I’ve been avoiding Anthony, choosing to spend as much time as I can with my friend, helping him pack and pick out racy lingerie. But even when I’m with him, I can see that his mind is miles away. And when he leaves my side, he spends far too much energy trailing after Mikhail.
Mikhail, who spares him glances and small touches, but never giving him more.
He’s just shy, Angel said.
I don’t think that’s it at all. I have a terrible feeling about this entire thing.
A very bad, no-good feeling.
This is not a man in love. This is a man who is looking to get something and that something is not Angel’s heart.
I try to tell Anthony, but he dismisses me.
I try to tell Angel, once more, but he just clasps my face in his hands and shakes his head. “I’ll be fine. I’m happy.”
So I spend the night before his wedding in his bed, holding my friend close as I send up a prayer for his happiness. A prayer that he will find true love at the end of all this.
The day of the wedding is chaos. It’s a small affair and heavily guarded. Only people on the guest list are allowed in. At most, there are fifty people here, five of which are Ben and his partners, Cash and Ford, as well as Ben’s dad, Dean and his boyfriend, Avery. Diablo and Skylar are here as well, the two of them the funniest, most oddly paired couple I’ve ever seen. I can tell that Anthony is upset that his other son is here, not that he’s unhappy to see him, just that it’s one more precious thing he has to protect.
Thankfully Angel beams when he sees his twin and cuddles up next to him while I go in search of Ben.
As soon as I see my friend, standing with Cash and Ford protectively on either side of him, I jump into his arms and smash my face into his neck. He stumbles under my weight as I peck kisses to his cheeks.
“You have been avoiding me!” I chastise loudly, and Ben just rolls his eyes, trying to get me off of him.
“I’ve been busy,” he grunts and then blushes when Cash and Ford each place a hand on his shoulders, their eyes on me. Both are incredibly handsome, in a rugged older-man way. I can see why Ben fell and fell hard. And I also know why he’s been missing.
He’s been very busy getting railed into next week. I’m surprised he got out of bed to come here, if I’m honest.
“I know you’ve been, but I’ve missed you.”
“Me too. I did try to visit once, but Anthony told me I wasn’t allowed in.”
“What? Why?”
“Too dangerous at the time apparently. Something about a bomb.”
I roll my eyes and then hop off my friend and cup his cheeks. He looks just as amazing as usual, with his styled brown hair and eyes, his skin slightly tan as if he’s been sitting outside. I can see the bite marks on his neck despite trying to hide them with the collar of his shirt, and I smile inwardly.
Yeah, you get it, Ben-Ben. You little slut.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here now. Anyways, have you met Angel’s…intended?”
Ben snorts. “That sounds so old-fashioned.”
“I know. It’s so dumb. Can you believe this is even a thing these days?”
Ben shrugs. “I mean, yeah. With the mob, anything is possible, I guess.”
I sigh at his logic. Of course he’s challenging me and yet still, the words tumble from my mouth. “I’m worried about him, Ben. I’m serious. I think this is very bad.”
“Yeah, me too, but he looks so happy,” Ben replies, turning his gaze to Angel, who is wearing flowers in his hair, looking positively angelic in his white flowy suit. Mikhail is a lucky man, even if he is currently ignoring his future husband. He’s speaking with Luca, their heads bent low, their faces both serious.
I don’t know what they’re discussing, but it better not be business on the day of their wedding. That asshole.
“He better be happy, or I’ll fly there myself and rip Mikhail apart, mob boss or not,” I grumble, and Ben chuckles.
“Yeah, I’ll join you. Cash and Ford too.” He nods toward the refreshment table, obviously wanting something to drink and then asks, “And how is it with Anthony? Angel tells me you’ve been busy pushing his buttons.”
I flush and peer over at my friend. “Yeah, that’s one word for it.”
Ben holds out his fist, and I bump it. “Seems we like older men.”
“They do it better.”
We both grin at each other as we grab drinks, and I glance over toward the man who I’m still very upset with.
He’s talking with a tall, dark-haired and bearded man, someone I don’t recognize. The regal man is standing with a shorter guy who has a mop of curly blond hair and piercing blue eyes. I’m so intrigued by the couple and the energy that’s radiating off them, that I make my way over to where they’re standing as Ben moves toward Angel.
When I finally come to a stop near them, I incline my head toward the shorter blond man and grin.
“Hello,” I interrupt, and Anthony and the taller man’s conversation tapers off.
“Hello,” he says and then extends his hand. “I’m Matty. Anthony was just telling us all about you, Tatum.” He has a British accent much like Kingston’s, and I wonder if they know one another.
I turn my gaze up to the man we’re speaking about and scowl. The taller man chuckles and runs a hand over his beard.
“Seems you have a firecracker on your hands,” the man says, also with a British accent, and then nods toward me. “I’m Sebastian LeClerc. Nice to meet you, Mr. Barlowe.”
I nod and then wave my hand among them. “And how do you know Anthony?”
Sebastian rolls his lips between his teeth and then answers, “We’re old friends. We wouldn’t have come, but we were in the area when Anthony called. Matty insisted we stop by.”
“Because it’s polite,” Matty chides him.
“If you say so.” His stern expression softens as he gazes at his husband. “But yes, Anthony and I have had some business together in the past.”
Matty snorts, and I meet his sparkling gaze.
“Yes, but all business is above board now, right?” Matty asks.
Sebastian leans toward his partner, the one he clearly adores and caresses his cheek. “Of course, my love.”
I can feel the adoration radiating off of them both, and I scowl once more at Anthony. Even if Sebastian is a bit rude, he clearly worships the ground that Matty walks on. This is what Angel should be marrying into. Not some Russian man who is avoiding his intended at all costs and barely even glances at him.
He is not the man Angel described to me earlier. Mikhail doesn’t seem to care a lick about Angel and isn’t shy about letting that be known.
“Come on, Tatum,” Matty says. “This conversation is a little bit boring to me. If I hear the word knife one more time, I’m going to run away.”
Sebastian scoffs, and I nod in agreement. “Yes, they’re both terribly old and boring.”
I reach up and casually stroke my cheek with my middle finger, making sure it’s aimed right at Anthony. I can feel his frown as I link my arm with Matty’s and pull him away.
Sebastian starts to follow, but Matty stops him.
“I’ll just be right over here. I’ll be fine.”
Sebastian grumbles but does as Matty asks. As soon as we’re out of range, Matty leans toward me and asks lowly, “So, tell me all the gossip. Sebastian said this is an arranged marriage? I didn’t know those were still a thing.”
I frown and then nod. “I know we don’t know one another, but you seem like someone I can trust and I have a lot to bitch about. No one else cares to listen.”
“Oh, I know all about keeping secrets, and I’m a great listener,” he says, grinning at me. Something is open and kind about his face, and I can totally see how he bagged a man as dangerous as Sebastian looks.
“Do these secrets have anything to do with your man?”
“Oh yes.” He pretends to zip his mouth and then gestures for me to continue on.
“Alright…” I begin, dropping my voice even lower as we move toward the gardens. The ceremony is set to start in an hour so we have plenty of time. “Let me tell you everything…”
Angel looks beautiful standing in front of all of the guests, his hands clasped in Mikhail’s. He’s smiling beautifully, his eyes a little wet while Mikhail stands there stoic and unmoving. But Angel doesn’t seem bothered by the lack of affection.
I am though.
I am furious .
My hands are clasped tightly in my lap, and I force my face to remain neutral when all I really want to do is pull my friend away from that awful man and hide him away.
I can’t, though. I’m sure Angel wouldn’t appreciate the scene that would make.
I let my gaze wander over to Bane, who is sitting a few seats down, and he waggles his fingers at me, Kingston seated next to him, that eyeball pendant dangling from his neck.
I don’t know if he ever took it off, probably just paraded it around since Bane clasped it around his neck.
I blow Bane a kiss and then turn my eyes back to Angel at the makeshift altar overflowing with blooms from the garden, as they both repeat their vows and then lean forward to kiss. It’s quick and cold, nothing passionate about it. And even though I shift angrily in my seat, my body vibrating with frustration, Angel seems unperturbed.
He just turns around, facing us all, and lifts their linked hands in the air, beaming with tears tracking down his cheeks.
I don’t even look at Anthony. I can’t. I will gouge out his eyeballs.
But I can feel his gaze moving from his son to me. Diablo is sitting in the front row, twitching nervously and whispering continuously to Skylar. I bet he’s seeing what I am. I know he and Angel are close. They’re twins after all.
They have an innate connection.
I’ll have to chat with him when I can. I was so busy filling Matty in on all my theories that I haven’t had a chance to chat with Angel’s brother.
Anthony leans over to me, his lips brushing against me softly. Even though I’m furious, his proximity makes me shiver. “You can’t stay mad forever.”
“Watch me,” I hiss and then smile at Angel when he meets my stare.
“Thank you,” he mouths, and I know he means thank you for behaving. I didn’t jump up and protest at all. I sat there like a good friend and watched him sign his life away.
He and Mikhail walk arm in arm off to the side to sign the marriage certificate to make it official, while everyone starts to stand, making their way to the area where food will be served. Guards are omnipresent, guns slung on their backs as they keep watch.
I realize that if anyone were to strike, today would be the day. We’re all here.
And yet, I feel safe. Mikhail came with his own army. They’re dangerous, cruel. I can feel it.
For one brief moment, I understand why Anthony thought this would be best for his sweet Angelo, and yet I’m angry all the same.
I’d never. Never in my life. Angel would have been safe at home.
This was more than just safety. It was business as well.
Anthony gained something from this, and I can’t let that go.
I stand up quickly and make my way over to Diablo and Skylar, who are standing near a table of food.
“Hello, sorry to interrupt. I’m Tatum. I’m friends with Angel.”
Diablo’s eyes sweep over me and they narrow. “Yeah, he’s told me about you.”
He folds his arms across his chest, and I lean a little closer. “Are you just as mad as I am?”
“Oh, more so. My dad better watch out,” Diablo grumbles, and I sigh in relief. At least someone is on my side. I’m not alone in this. “And my brother’s new husband better as well. I will cut him to pieces if he harms him or makes him sad.”
“Diablo,” Skylar grumbles above him, but Diablo ignores him.
“I’ll let you come with me to do that, if you’d like. I can let you borrow one of my saws.”
“Perfect,” I say without hesitation and then feel Anthony move up behind me, his hand going to my waist.
I wiggle out of his touch, and his teeth grind, which causes Diablo to grin evilly at his father.
“See you’ve met your match, Daddy-o.”
Anthony’s eyes flick to his son, and he shakes his head. “You shouldn’t even be here. I explicitly forbade you.”
“And yet, here I am.”
“We’ll be leaving tonight. Don’t worry, Boss. I’ve got him,” Skylar chimes in, his voice low and calm.
Diablo huffs and then pokes at Skylar’s chest. “I know how to protect myself, thank you very much.”
Skylar looks down at him and ruffles his hair. “You do, little brat.”
Diablo’s cheeks heat and then he glowers at his father. “I’ll be keeping an eye on Angel, old man. If this goes badly…”
“It won’t,” Anthony bites out, and Diablo narrows his eyes even more, not quite sure.
“Well, I hope for your sake it goes as planned. I’d hate to see Angel’s beautiful soul turned ugly by this.”
I see Anthony’s face darken. Good. Let him worry. Let him think seriously about what he’s done.
I step away from the three of them, letting them catch up, finding myself in search of someone or something to take my mind off my friend who is now married.
And yet, I don’t find it.
I wander the gardens alone.