Chapter Two #2
The service is beautiful and simple. Much like Phoenix herself.
Kieran lets the tears flow freely down his cheeks.
In his line of work, that could flag for a weak man, but Kieran is the most feared enforcer to currently walk the streets of New Jersey, so his reputation stays intact.
The bride and groom seal their promises with a heated kiss just as I feel heat on the side of my head, turning to see who’s staring at me.
I notice it’s Elena Rossi. Elena is the slimmer version of myself.
Just enough that I think it skews our facial features.
If anyone makes the connection, we could immediately deny it.
I mean just check my birth certificate, my adoption was legit.
The officiant, who I think is Kieran’s childhood best friend, dismisses us to cocktail hour while the bridal party takes pictures.
Which really just means their family takes pictures, seeing as the bridal party is only Byrnes.
Jakob and I make our way to the area in front of the guest house where a giant tent for the reception is set up.
The pool has been covered with frosted acrylic to make a dance floor.
String lights hang delicately over the metal beams supporting the structure of the tent.
Greenery, lilies, and long tables decorate the area and provide a reception area that looks like it was picked straight out of a Pinterest board.
“What do we do now, Lee?” Jakob scans the crowd as we move into the area. He’s on full alert, and he’s being just twitchy enough to make my nerves skyrocket even more.
“Let’s find a bathroom, then we’ll stick to the outskirts, watch them dance, I’ll talk to Nix, then we can leave.”
“Fine, but no longer than that, something’s weird here.”
I roll my eyes at his ever-present paranoia, “Got it.”
We make quick work of taking turns using the restroom in the guest house.
As we’re walking out, I can hear their first dance song echoing throughout the space.
I know it’s her first dance song because I helped her pick it.
Starting in the direction of the tent, we’re abruptly stopped by none other than Declan Byrne.
He presses his hand to Jakob’s chest, attempting to back him up, but Jake doesn’t move a muscle.
Declan’s arms bulge under his dress shirt, which fits him just right.
I can even see his veiny and tattooed forearms rippling with the anger he’s carrying.
By all accounts, Declan Byrne is hot. Hell, all the Byrne men are hot.
It really isn’t fair that their parents made such attractive boys.
Declan’s too bulky for me, though. His eyes aren’t the right shade of green, and his hair isn’t the right color or shaggy enough to hold my attention.
But his eyes hold nothing but disdain and fire for my big brother, and his body language screams that he’d snap Jakob’s neck if given half the opportunity to.
People begin looking over our way, which causes me to start panicking.
“Get your fucking hands off me, Byrne.” Jake spits out at him.
“Why are you here, Fischer?” Declan asks in a low voice through gritted teeth.
“Because we were invited. Both in place of our father, and Lee received her own invitation seeing as she helped you guys out last year.” Declan’s emerald eyes whip over to mine, looking at me, scrutinizing me.
“You’re Lee? And you’re a Fischer?” He asks with disdain, but there’s something else in his eyes. It’s recognition, but it’s gone in a flash.
“The one and only. And since I know you’re friendly with my Papa, I’d suggest you remove your hands from my big brother, especially because he spared Kieran when he came to pick Nix up in his bar last year.”
“What the fuck.” Declan practically yells in annoyance as he lets Jake go. But not before sneering, “Go before I change my mind.”
He gives Declan the most infuriating smirk as he pats his chest in the most patronizing way, “Yeah, of course, Dec. Thanks man. Really good catching up with you.”
They both fell in love with the same woman years ago.
It seems neither of them has gotten over it.
But they were also best friends most of their lives, which means they know exactly how to piss off the other one.
Leaving Declan to seethe by the bathrooms, we move back towards the tent.
It’s then that I notice two things at once.
One is that Declan must have been louder than I thought, because Kieran has Phoenix positioned behind his back.
Two, that Theo and Elena Rossi, as well as Mac Byrne, are burning a hole in the side of my head with their stares.
Keeping a smile firmly on my face as I make my way closer to Kieran. I make sure he hears the sincerity in my voice, “Congratulations, Kieran.”
Phoenix peers around Kieran before screaming and throwing herself at me, “Lee!”
I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tightly, “Phoenix, you look gorgeous.”
Tears form in my eyes. She really is stunning. We pull away to get a good look at each other, smiling like we’ve lost our minds. We’re pulled out of our reunion when I hear Theo Rossi choke out, “Principessa.”
Simultaneously, Mac tilts his head looking at me like he’s staring into my soul, “Riley?”