64. Wynter
Wynter
B asilio and I stood by the archway, his hand holding mine. Like the perfect wedding couple.
His Hampton home was very elaborate. Too elaborate for someone so young; it seemed a bit extravagant. The white marble building could easily house thirty people. There was a line of expensive cars that circled the driveway. They all belonged to Bas.
Dozens of waiters waited outside holding glasses of champagne at the ready, along with small trays of appetizers.
As we stood, waiting for the first guests to arrive, we’d almost appear like happy newlyweds. Almost.
He bent down, his lips brushing my ear and whispered, “Smile, principessa.”
His hot breath sent a delightful shudder down my spine and memory flashed in my mind.
“I found you.” His breath was hot in my ear as our bodies moved together, the slow tunes of his car speakers filling the air.
The stars flickered above us and the city lights shone in the distance, but all I felt and saw was him.
“I want your lips and your body because you want to give it. Not because you want to repay the debt.”
Those times with him, I was the happiest. I never thought it would bring us here. The memories tasted slightly bitter after everything that had happened but I still wouldn’t trade them for anything. Those were fuel for my heartbeat, regardless of whether it was in pain.
I opened my mouth to assure him, again, that I really wasn’t going to run, when the first guests arrived in front of us. Uncle and Davina, along with their newborn. A handsome baby boy, Aiden.
“You good?” Uncle grumbled, his eyes on me like he expected to find evidence of abuse. I didn’t put it past him to kill Bas and call this whole charade over.
I forced my brightest smile. “Yes, wonderful.” From the corner of my eye, I could see Bas eyeing me suspiciously. Uncle studied me too, and somehow, I doubted either one of them was fooled. “Is Mom okay?”
Uncle nodded. “She insisted on being here.”
Surprise washed over me. “Really?”
He couldn’t blame me for doubting him. After twenty-one years of refusal to even visit the east coast, all it took was a wedding for her to come.
“Yes. She refuses to miss any more moments. Her words; not mine.”
Oh.
“Congratulations, Wyn.” Davina hugged me, little Aiden in her arms sleeping peacefully. “You look beautiful.”
She held her newborn with so much love, it brought tears to my eyes.
“He’s so small,” I whispered, scared to wake up my nephew in her arms. I brushed my fingers lightly over his cheek and little Aiden never stirred. “He’s my nephew, right?”
Uncle pulled me into a hug. “Yes, your nephew.” Then he whispered into my ear, “You want to be a widow?”
I pulled away and shook my head, hoping he was joking. Though you never could be sure with a crazy family in the underworld.
The Ashfords were next in line. “Wonderful wedding,” Byron congratulated, then turned to Bas. “You got your woman. I’ll expect that contact.”
My eyes curiously ping-ponged between the two. “What contact?” I asked hesitantly.
Bas shrugged. “My cousin here has a half-brother he wants to make peace with.”
“I’d never seen such a ceremony,” Royce Ashford announced. “And I’ve been to quite a few. That priest probably put in for his retirement right after marrying you two. Though that kiss at the end… yeah, smoochy, smoochy.”
I blinked at his odd comment. Bas flipped him the bird while the former grinned, mouthing psychopathic fucker right back at Basilio. Royce and Bas were the closest in age so maybe they understood each other better.
“Ignore him,” Kingston grumbled, the look in his eyes frightening. Of the four brothers, he made me feel the most uncomfortable. He gave off Alexei vibes and you knew he’d kill you without losing any sleep. “Congratulations.”
I nodded my thanks but remained quiet. It wasn’t like they’d believe me if I beamed like a gushing, over-the-moon bride.
The next guests were Aurora and Alexei with their little one. Honestly, I was surprised that families with little ones didn’t disperse. Especially after that fiasco in the church.
My eyes searched behind them but Sasha was nowhere to be found. For a moment, I met Alexei’s eyes but his unmoving gaze portrayed nothing.
“You look lovely,” Aurora said, then leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. “Sasha had to go cool off for a bit.”
“Ah, okay,” I muttered. It might be for the best, though I regretted not seeing him.
Kostya’s hand reached out. “Mine,” he wailed.
“Jesus, he’s already possessive,” Aurora mused “Must be the genes.”
Surprising all of us, Bas chuckled. “Ah no little buddy. She’s mine. You find your own princess.”
Aurora’s eyes flashed to him in surprise. “I didn’t know you joked, cousin,” she muttered.
Taking a step closer to her, I took Kostya’s little hands. “When I’m done with this charade,” I murmured into his hair, then kissed his forehead. “I’ll come and get you.”
The never ending line of guests took a lot longer than I thought.
* * *
I had no idea how we ended up with so many guests with such short notice. My cheeks ached from the fake smile I held for so long.
Every so often, I risked a glance up at Bas. He’d meet my eyes every time. Darkness and flames burned deep in his gaze. He was my love, lust, and happiness… despite it all. I couldn’t fight it. He was my flame and without him I wouldn’t live. I’d just exist.
“Bas?” I whispered so nobody else could hear us.
His gaze found mine and the memories of all our firsts flashed through my mind. There was so much I could see in the intensity of his gaze that I feared whether he felt it too. Or was it just my imagination?
“I wasn’t going to run,” I murmured softly. “In the church.”
A rumble of satisfaction, or maybe disbelief, traveled up his throat and he bent his head to press a kiss to my mouth. But he said nothing, leaving me to wonder whether he even believed me.
We were in this for better or worse. We’d have to learn to trust each other.
“Bas?”
“Hmmm.”
“Can we talk tonight?” The day of Gio’s attack would have to be addressed. He had asked me why I left. Repeatedly. If we didn’t clear the air and come to some agreement, it wouldn’t be a good start to our marriage.
“I was hoping we’d do more than talk on our wedding night,” he answered, his dark eyes full of sinful promises.
“But maybe we can talk about the day-” I paused for a moment. It was hard to think about that day, never mind talk about it. “Talk about the day I left,” I finished.
Surprise flickered in his eyes.
“Tonight,” he agreed.
He slipped his hand into mine, and we headed to our seats where the soft music filled the large backyard with views of the Atlantic ocean stretched for miles around.
Once seated, Davina took my hand that clutched my dress and squeezed it gently. “It’s almost over.”
Our table seated Mom, Uncle, Dante, Emory, Priest, Ivy, Juliette, Killian, and Basilio’s uncle. My eyes darted to my mother who sat stiffly next to Uncle Liam. I couldn’t help but remember what she had told me about falling in love with Gio’s brother. It had to be Bas’ uncle.
I wanted to apologize to her. Hug her and tell her Bas wasn’t his father. Tell her Priest was the son she lost. She hadn’t even glanced to their side of the table. Although I caught more than plenty of gazes flickered her way - by Priest, Dante, and their father.
I didn’t know what to think of it.
Dante rose from his chair and clinked his glass to get everyone’s attention. I tried hard to focus on his toast but my ears buzzed so loud, I heard nothing but the thunder of my own heart.
Uncle was next. From the corner of my eye, I caught the tattooed, bulky body moving gracefully through the tables to sit down at the Nikolaev table. I shot up and everyone’s eyes came to me.
I froze and Sasha’s eyes met mine. A terse nod and a resemblance of a smile. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was his reassurance that he wouldn’t hurt Bas.
Davina took my hand and tugged me down. Slowly, I lowered myself back into the seat. Bas’ lips tightened and his dark eyes held mine. He leaned over, his breath hot against my earlobe. “If I catch you with him, he’s a dead man.”
A strangled laugh escaped me. I worried about protecting Bas from Sasha, while my reckless husband threatened to kill him. How perfectly ironic! A fucking circus.
My uncle started his toast. “From the moment Wynter was born and I held her in my arms, I gave her and my sister a promise. I swore I’d keep her safe.” His eyes narrowed on my new husband. “She’s my family and no matter her last name, if she hurts, I’ll come for her.”
“Nothing beats that speech,” I muttered under my breath except everyone at our table heard it.
“I bet I could outdo him,” Juliette snickered.
I shook my head. “Please don’t.”
She grinned. “Only because I love you.”
“And she wants your Jeep,” Ivy added, which earned her a glare from Juliette.
“Juliette is not getting a car,” Uncle snapped. “Not until she can prove she is safe to others and herself while driving.”
“That would be never,” Davina scoffed.
“Hey,” she protested. “I’ve gotten so much better.”
“In your fucking dreams,” Davina muttered.
“Don’t say cuss words in front of my nephew,” I warned her. “It’s fucking rude.”
“I’ll buy you a new car,” Dante chimed in, his eyes on Juliette. “All you have to say is yes.”
And if looks could kill, Dante would be dead.
A round of snickers followed and another clink had me turning my head curiously to almost falling off my chair. My mom stood up, her eyes on me.
“I’d like to make a toast,” she started in her soft voice. “Would that be okay?”
My throat squeezed. She hated attention on her and yet, she wanted to make a toast. I nodded.
“Of course,” I choked out.
A waiter rolled over a cart with a big screen TV and nodded at my mom. She tilted her head in thanks and then turned to meet my eyes.
“I know I haven’t said enough how much I love you,” she started softly.
“It’s okay, Mom,” I rasped, emotions squeezing my throat.