38. Aria
38
ARIA
T oday is Angelica’s “real” wedding, and I couldn’t be happier for my best friend. The courthouse one was meant to be for convenience, but now, she and Evander have decided to give their marriage a real shot.
Ang has come such a long way since she left Cebrene , for the second time, a year ago. When she first got back, she was a shell of herself. Now , she’s taking her life back into her own hands, and she’s killing it. Literally . And I’m glad she and that shithead of Evan finally realized their true feelings for each other, though I’ll still be keeping an eye on him.
I stand at the front of the church, heart pounding in sync with the steady rhythm of the organ music. Sunlight filters through the stained, glass windows, casting a rainbow of colors across the pews. Next to me are Angelica’s best friends from Antium , Daniel , Nicole , and Amanda , their smiles bright and contagious. On the other side, are Evander’s best men, including Dion .
As we wait, my eyes wander to him, and for a fleeting moment, our gazes lock. My pulse flutters in my chest.
The heavy doors at the back of the church creak open, and I draw in a deep breath. All heads turn, and we watch as Angelica steps into view, her arm linked with Gianis’s instead of her father’s. A lump forms in my throat, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.
My heart swells with pride and gratitude for my best friends, seeing them still this close, even after everything.
Peter Kouvalakis never deserved to witness this moment, this beautiful testament to love and resilience. He was a vile man, one who almost destroyed Angelica’s spirit with his cruelty and manipulation. But she found the strength to stand up to him, to fight for her happiness.
I steal another glance at Dion , feeling the weight of my own unresolved issues with my father. Angelica’s courage reminds me that I need to find that same strength within myself.
As Angelica and Gianis draw closer, happiness radiates from her face, her eyes shining with love for Evander as he waits at the altar. Gianis looks proud, his face soft with a tender smile. I catch Angelica’s eye, and she beams at me. In that moment, I know that everything is as it should be. The past, with all its pain and struggle, has led us to this perfect, beautiful present.
Angelica stands next to me, awaiting the moment when she’ll be joined with Evander in holy matrimony. My heart races with joy.
The priest begins the ceremony, and I look across the altar once more. This time, Dion holds my gaze, and the intensity sends shivers down my spine. I can barely handle the heat of his stare as his eyes travel down my body. I see the same longing I’m feeling.
I miss him. I miss him. I miss him .
I find it difficult to focus on the priest’s voice. Thoughts of Dion swirl in my mind, distracting me from the sacred rituals unfolding before me. My palms grow clammy, and I clasp them tightly around the bouquet of flowers I’m holding to stop them from shaking.
The ceremony continues without a hitch, regardless of the silent tension unfolding between Dion and me. And as Angelica and Evander exchange vows, I silently pray for the strength to endure, to keep my emotions in check until this day is over.
As the priest’s voice echoes through the halls of the church, declaring Evander and Angelica husband and wife, a sudden, loud explosion reverberates in the air. Everyone in the church startles, shrieks ringing out in the space.
For a moment, I’m confused, but then, Angelica and I share a panicked look. We’re in fucking trouble.
Chaos erupts around us, time both slowing down and accelerating.
Another explosion rocks the church, a deafening roar that sends me crashing to the floor. Dust and debris fill the air, turning the beautiful sanctuary into a chaotic hellscape. My ears ring, and I struggle to catch my breath, heart pounding like a wild drum.
I lose sight of my best friend, so I turn around, trying to spot her.
“ Angelica !” I scream, my voice barely cutting through the noise. I push myself up on trembling arms, glancing around frantically. My vision is hazy from the debris, but I see her white dress, now marred with soot, as she stumbles near the altar. Relief floods through me—she’s alive.
Right then, a third deafening bang rips through the air, shattering the windows.
“ Angelica ?” I shout again, blinded by dust and panic.
I scramble to my feet, trying to stay low, my eyes darting from Angelica to the broken glass and the fallen pews. I have to protect her.
I feel a touch on my shoulder, and I freeze, afraid that it’s one of the attackers trying to claim me.
“ Aria . You have to take cover,” a voice says from behind me. I don’t really recognize it, but when I face it, I remember the man from the club. Dion’s friend.
He grabs my arm and tries to lead me to the back of the altar, but I tug away. “ I can’t leave without Ang ,” I yell through the loud noises. Gunshots are ringing through the air, and I have no idea where they’re coming from, but my mind is focused on one thing only.
“ Please , Aria . I have to get you all to safety,” the man pleads.
“ Xander is it?” I ask.
“ Yes ,” he replies.
“ I don’t know who told you I needed saving, but I don’t want your fucking help,” I snap, not caring that I’m being a total bitch. I know his intentions are in the right place, but I refuse to be paralyzed by terror and ditch my best friend.
A movement catches my eye at the far end of the hall. Dion . He stands there, shrouded in the haze of dust, holding a massive rifle. He looks like a grim reaper, cloaked in darkness. My breath catches in my throat—he’s terrifying, and yet, in some twisted way, mesmerizing.
I force myself to move, ignoring the warning shouts from Gianis and the others, and ducking behind an overturned pew. The wood is splintered, rough against my palms as I steady myself. Every instinct screams at me to run, but I can’t take my eyes off Dion .
When I finally do, I spot Angelica frantically looking for Evander , calling out his name.
I edge closer to the front of the church, my breath coming in shallow gasps.
My body is tense with fear and adrenaline. I glance back at Dion —he hasn’t moved, but his eyes are scanning the hall, predatory and sharp.
Then , everything happens in slow motion.
A masked man points his rifle at Angelica .
My head whips around. She hasn’t noticed him . I bite my lip, stopping myself from calling out, the taste of blood sharp in my mouth. I have to get to her.
The man raises his weapon further and takes aim. Without hesitation, I propel myself forward. My muscles protest, but I can’t stop. My eyes catch Dion and our gazes lock for a split second. A tremor of fear ripples through his frame when he realizes what I’m doing.
I position myself between Angelica and the attacker, my heart beating so hard it feels like it’s going to burst.
The shot rings out like a thunderclap, making time feel like a stretch.
The moment the bullet hits me, a searing pain travels through my body, momentarily overridden by adrenaline.
Time seems to slow. Memories flash before my eyes, snippets of my life, regrets, and moments of joy. I think I fall to the ground.
I strain to distinguish the voices calling out to me, urging me to hold on, to stay with them. But as darkness creeps in, enveloping me, a strange sense of peace overtakes me, knowing that I may have finally found solace. Perhaps this is the best thing that could happen to me and those around me. I won’t be a burden or a nuisance anymore. I won’t put my loved ones at risk or feel the shame of my mistakes.
And the last thought before I succumb to darkness is of Dion’s beautiful, green eyes.