Chapter 11
Eleven
TANNER
E xactly two weeks after I convinced her to move in with me, we’re getting married. Wryan agreed that she wanted to be married before Noelle arrives, which could be anytime now.
I stand in my office, getting ready. Ryan is going to be my best man, while she has Erika standing up with her. She wanted her friend Lorelei to do it, but Lorelei won’t be back from France for a couple more weeks.
Lucy, Wryan’s mom, has transformed my covered patio into a Christmas-themed wonderland for our wedding. I know my girl is going to love it. I didn’t want Wryan to do too much, so I was grateful when Lucy offered to take charge. As Wryan’s pregnancy has progressed, she’s become more tired and has a harder time keeping her heart rate and blood pressure under control.
I step out of the office and find Ridley, Rio, and Julian standing there.
“What?” I ask, knowing they are about to ruin our day.
“We have his identity,” Ridley says.
“Can we please do this after the ceremony?”
“Yes. But you need to know Browser found him on video footage near the tattoo parlor yesterday.”
“Fuck,” I respond.
“Okay. We’ll go over this afterward,” Ridley says.
I make my way through the great room to the covered patio, where people are already seated. I want to linger at the bottom of the stairs and wait to see her, but this is her moment. Her father is giving her away. I went to him the day after I proposed and told him my intentions. He thumped me on the back and chuckled, telling me it was about time.
I stand on the edge of the patio, a light snow falling but not sticking on the ground. The music changes, and I turn toward the door. My breath stops when I see her, and my heart thumps hard. She’s breathtaking. Her dress is a cream, off-the-shoulder gauzy material, with sleeves that cuff at her wrists. The sleeves are see-through. The gown would be too if not for the number of layers, adding a touch of modesty. It skims the floor as she walks, and when she reaches me, it’s like an angel is standing in front of me.
I’m lost in her blue-gray eyes. She’s not wearing a veil, but instead has a delicate halo of silver leaves and diamonds on her head mixed with her curls. When her father gives her to me, I take her hand and kiss her knuckles tenderly.
She sighs, and I see the tears glistening in her eyes. Our vows are quick, and soon I’m sliding the nature-inspired band that complements her engagement ring onto her finger. She places a black tungsten band with black diamonds on mine.
I’m never taking it off.
Wryan
Everyone I care about, except Lorelei, is here. I miss her but know why she didn’t come. She’ll be here in a couple of weeks and is staying with Tanner and me until she can tell her family about Colby. I’m sitting down with my gown fluttered all around me, while my new husband sits protectively on the arm of the chair. I’ve only been able to eat a bit of food, and I’m not feeling very well. The baby is so big that it feels like she’s taking up every part of my body.
“Can we talk now?” Julian asks, and I look up to see Tanner nod.
“Let me help her up,” Tanner says, and carefully helps me from my seat.
He leads me to the office, where he sits me in his big chair. Julian, Rio, and Ridley all follow us in.
“We’ve identified your attacker,” Julian says. He hands me a photo. I don’t need to take it because I can see his face clearly.
“I know him.” My head starts to swim as I clutch at my chest. “He was at the con the day I met Tanner.”
“I’ve seen him too. He was at the hospital, walking through the lobby earlier this week,” Tanner says, and I look up at him in shock.
“Browser is trying to get a bead on him. I suggest we have one of the guys stay here at the house and keep Wryan under constant guard,” Julian says.
“I agree, but what else aren’t you telling us?” Tanner asks, and I suspect I already know the answer.
“He’s not just a fan. He’s crazy—obsessed.”
“He’s the one who was Snapchatting me, isn’t he?” I ask.
“Yes,” Ridley answers.
“He wants to kill me, doesn’t he?”
“He wants to destroy you.”
I clutch at Tanner as a cramp slams into my body. I cry out and watch as Julian rushes to the door to get his sister. She is my doctor, but she’s also a friend. She comes running into the room and straight to my side.
“Call an ambulance,” she orders the room in general.
I’m hooked up to monitors. My heart rate is erratic, and I’ve been having contractions, but nothing else is happening. Tanner is worried and pacing the floor. So much for having a sexy wedding night.
“Husband.” I hold out my hand as I call to him. He moves to the bed and slides in next to me. He holds me as I lean into him. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” His voice is gruff and full of emotion. He hates seeing me in pain or suffering. “I don’t know how many more times I’m going to let you go through this, kitten.”
“I want at least three kids.”
“We can adopt them.”
“Tanner, I’ll be okay,” I say, reassuring him.
His eyes are intense as he takes me in. “Promise?”
“Yes.” I let my eyes drift closed and settle in for a nap. I need to rest as I prepare for our baby’s birth.