12. Ivy
Ivy
As I walked up the steps of the courthouse running incredibly late, Rayne squeezed my hand in reassurance. I didn’t know how she did what she did. It wasn’t something we discussed openly, but Hunter had highly suggested that they all were involved in Strathmore‘s criminal underground. How many times had her life been at stake? Has she ever been in my position?
None of that mattered, though. At least not right now.
Rayne stopped in front of the wooden door that led inside, where my future sat waiting for me. Her brow furrowed, and concern lined her tone as she spoke. “Are you sure about this? Completely positive?”
I wanted to scream yes; I was sure. This wasn’t just about protecting me, but it was about protecting those around me. It was about safeguarding the people I loved, and I would do whatever it took to ensure their safety, even if that meant going back to Caleb‘s grandfather.
Plus, Maya had been through enough. They all had .
Instead, I gave her hand a squeeze in return. “I’m positive. I’ve never wanted something more in my life.”
“As long as you’re sure. I want you to be happy. I think we all do.”
As soon as I walked into the courthouse, I thought about the difference between this moment and the last time I was getting married. It had been less than a week ago, but I felt like so much had changed. This time, no one was forcing me to. Sure, I was still doing it for those that I loved, but it didn’t feel like there was a literal weight on my back. Or a gun strapped to my thigh—even though Rayne had suggested that.
At least this time, it was someone who I knew, someone that I loved. At least this time, it was to someone who wasn’t 35 years my senior. Someone who had never tortured me. The worst thing that Caleb had ever done was hide his engagement to Ros from me, but even then, it was to protect me in his own way.
As soon as everyone saw me, smiles were on their faces. The first person to step forward was Trey. He wrapped me in his arms and squeezed tightly. He whispered in my ear, his voice low. “You look so beautiful, new girl.”
Niko punched him on the shoulder and laughed. “You’re hogging her. Shouldn’t we all get a turn?”
Niko and Cam kissed my cheeks, their eyes filled with desire. Their looks promised that later, they would show me how they felt. Hunter gave me a soft smile as Rayne stood by his side.
Caleb stood from the bench beside the door and enveloped me in a warm embrace. He didn’t speak, choosing to use his actions instead of his words. When his lips found mine, they seared my very soul. The emotions that had been hiding directly beneath my skin threatened to spill over. His lips reassured me I was making the right decision for everyone.
Even though we were doing this for the safety of the people surrounding us, it felt real. His kisses told me he loved me, no matter how broken I was, even if there was blood on my hands.
Hunter ushered us into a small office down a long corridor. Inside, an older woman with short, curly hair dyed chestnut brown appeared. Glasses were perched on the edge of her nose, and she gave us an admonishing look. “Everyone out but the girl. I need to speak with her first.”
There were audible grumbles, but she ignored them, shooting them a scathing stare. Once everyone had departed, she stood and cleared her throat. “My name is Judge Henriksen and I understand that you’re getting married today. It seems like this is a last-minute decision. I’m happy to perform the ceremony, but I want to confirm that you truly want this. I want to ensure that you aren’t doing this under duress or that there isn’t a reason you haven’t stated.”
There were many things I hadn’t stated. Things like the fact that less than a week ago, I killed the man I was being forced to marry. Things like I had spent an undefined amount of time trapped in a basement chained to the wall. I couldn’t tell her that one of the men standing outside of the door was the reason I attempted to take my life. All I could do was smile and nod at her like the radiant bride I was supposed to be.
I was happy because, at least this time, I felt like I had a choice. At any point, I could’ve put a stop to today’s events. I could . If I walked out of the courthouse, there was a chance I could disappear forever and run away from everything. I didn’t have the money or the means, but it was still an option available to me.
“You’re the second person to ask me that today. I promise I am here and not under duress.”
I didn’t add that I knew there were worse people than Caleb to marry. At least he understood I would never be willing to let go of the men who stood beside him. That was probably the reason I hadn’t run away.
“Well, I guess that means that we have a wedding. It’s not that I don’t trust Hunter Nicholson or Dominic Butler. Both have never given me a reason not to. When I received a phone call in the middle of the night, I knew things were dire.” She walked around and opened the door for everyone to return. With everyone standing inside, it was more crowded than I expected. I wouldn’t have had it any other way, though
The rest of the ceremony went by in a flash. I tried concentrating on what Judge Henriksen said, but it was impossible. The only thing tethering me to the event was the feeling of Caleb‘s hand holding mine. Everything was so surreal. The light was too bright, the air was too hot, and the dress I wore was itchy. It was beautiful, but something I would never have chosen myself.
The judge asked if I wanted to take Caleb as my husband. Caleb gave my hand a squeeze, bringing me back to reality. I squeaked out a tiny yes, hoping that was the right answer. He slid a ring onto my finger I didn’t recognize. I didn’t know how he’d gotten it or when, but it was beautiful. It was probably another miracle that Hunter or Dominic performed.
When the judge declared us husband and wife, Caleb‘s lips chased mine once more. It was chaste enough given the current company, but it said he meant every word of the vows he’d uttered. Even if this was a fake wedding, as he had declared the day before, he still wanted me.
After everything I’d been through, that was all I could ask for. In the back of my mind, I tried to ignore the thoughts that ran through it unbidden—thoughts that reminded me I was broken, that I would never be the person I was a year ago.
As the kiss lingered, everyone surrounding us whooped in celebration. They were my forever, but they didn’t realize it yet. All of them. As long as they would have me.
When we returned to the apartment at Jupiter Financial, Hunter gave me a small hug and leaned in. “I have a surprise for you. Neither of your weddings has been the type a little girl dreams of. You haven’t been surrounded by friends and family or had the perfect dress.”
I didn’t know what he was talking about. I was surrounded by the people I loved, including him. Everything made more sense as we stepped inside the new place we called home. The entire living space was decorated, and flowers and a small white cake topped with roses were placed on the dining room table.
“It’s not much, but I wanted you to celebrate. Even if Caleb thinks this is only for a little while, the look on his face says something very different. I only want you to be happy, no matter what that looks like.”
Ethan stood by the wall. The third of the Kings had been absent since we arrived in Strathmore. Dominic was beside him, messing with the remote. He mumbled under his breath until, finally, music streamed from the television. He said nothing, but Ethan did. Ethan strolled across the room and hugged me, whirling me around. “I’m so happy for you. We may not have known each other for very long, but I know you deserve it.”
He was a virtual stranger to me. What I knew about him was so little, but that he wanted to see me happy meant more than I could express. It’s not like I had an enormous family. And even my father—or the man I considered my father—didn’t care about my happiness. He sold me to people he knew who didn’t give a shit about my well-being.
A message on my phone flashed, and I glanced down.
Rhyker: I know we aren’t close, but maybe one day we can change that. Congratulations on the big day. May all of your dreams come true.
We didn’t know each other well, but he was family—the half-brother that I’d never know I needed. The text made me smile. Somewhere deep down, I wished that Ros, Rhyker, and Frankie were here to celebrate with me.
The afternoon was spent eating cake and appetizers and drinking wine. Hunter was right; it wasn’t the grand reception I dreamed of when I was younger, but it was everything I wanted and then some.