Chapter Twenty-Five #2
“Good girl.” He steps back, green eyes flashing. “I’ll take your ass tonight.” The warning is quiet, a whisper that brings a chill down my spine, but he doesn’t say anything else; he turns and walks out.
My heart drops, exploding into excitement and fear.
I put my makeup on, the one Flynn got me. I do it a little heavier than I usually wear, with my hair loose, long waves down my back. The deep red lipstick puts it all together.
I walk to the hallway and stop, seeing Flynn and Kaden near the bar, both in tailored black suits, their shirts with three buttons open.
Flynn’s chest tattoos peeking out. Their hair slicked back, Flynn has some strands looser, covering part of his eyes.
I look to the hand holding the glass, and I see it, our wedding ring. Glowing under the dim light.
I married Flynn Brady.
My breathing picks up, and I catch myself in the mirror near the bar where they stand. The air feels too heavy. “I can’t.” I say, and run back to the room.
“Autumn.” Flynn calls after me, but I don’t stop. I enter the room and slam the door, but I hear him catching it.
“Autumn, look at me.” He orders, but I can’t move. My head is going a hundred miles. It’s Flynn, six foot six of pure muscles, tattoos, money. And I’m a photographer.
It’s childish, but I can’t fight the feeling of insecurity. Showing up at Teine as his wife is terrifying me.
“Autumn!” His voice is louder, and I flinch. “Turn the fuck around.”
I swallow and turn; he stands there, in his full height, breathing heavily, hands in fists.
“Talk to me.” His tone is controlled, but his body tells another story.
“I can’t go to Teine.” I tell him.
“Why? You were the one who asked to go.” His eyes are locked on mine, those beautiful burning green eyes that look like a forest.
“The women there—” I stop myself, knowing how ridiculous it sounds.
He lets out a breath, his body relaxing. “I thought you got a text from—” He stops and strides towards me.
“Autumn, I don’t give a shit about anyone else but you. I’m thirty-six years old; if I wanted to marry any of them, don’t you think I would’ve?” He grabs my chin. “You are the only one for me. The only one I can lose myself with and show my true self to. You are my every fucking thing.”
He kisses me, hard, his hand pressing on my lower back, and I let myself melt into him.
He grabs my hand, and we walk out of the room. Kaden is waiting at the door; he and Flynn exchange a look, and smile. We head down the elevator and head to Teine.
We arrive, and there is a huge line outside, but Kaden drives around the building and heads to the back. A huge bouncer stands at the door.
Flynn opens the door and helps me out; my breathing picks up as we head to the door. When it opens, the sound makes my entire body jump, the bass pulses, I see the lights flashing in the distance.
We approach the main floor, and my feet feel heavy, my skin is burning, and as my mind starts to spiral, I feel him.
Flynn, his huge hand on mine, holding, intertwining his fingers with mine, and I look at him.
He is staring ahead, chin imposing, strong, a menace in a black suit and tattoos, and it hits me all over again.
I’m married to him.
The clubgoers move as we walk, Flynn next to me and Kaden behind, two massive men that could probably kill everyone here and not feel a drop of guilt.
We head upstairs to the VIP balcony, and I see Viviana; she jumps from her seat and runs.
Flynn lets my hand go as I move my arms to hug her, feeling the tears in my eyes, but I push them down.
The memories of my life before the fire come to mind, the time when I thought Viviana was just a talented, amazing woman and not the wife of the goddamn mafia boss.
“I didn’t know Autumn.” I can feel the warmth of her tears on my face as she whispers. “I swear I didn’t. They did it all in secret.”
“I know.” I wrap my arms tighter around. I know Viviana wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me; if she knew, she would probably be in that church kicking and screaming with me. But I’m glad Declan didn’t tell her.
“I’m okay.” I pull her back and meet her eyes. “It was hard, but Flynn told me the truth. I know why.”
Viviana nods and gives me a kiss on my forehead. “I love you; you know that.”
“I know.” I smile, gently brushing her hair from her face.
She picks up my hand, then turns to Flynn. “Where is the diamond ring?”
He smirks and winks.
“She’s not the type for a diamond ring.” His eyes are fire, and I press my legs together, remembering the promise of what will come later.
Viviana rolls her eyes.
“He’s right, you know?” I whisper, “I hate diamonds.”
She gasps, faking shock, and I laugh. God, I missed her.
“Let’s go dance.” She grabs my hand and pulls me. I barely have time to glance at Flynn, but he doesn’t move, doesn’t try to stop me. He stands with Declan, Kian and Connor, but Kaden follows behind us, keeping his distance.
We hit the dance floor, and Viviana, in a gorgeous black and red dress, twirls, pulling me closer to her, our bodies moving with the sound of the music.
I let the music quiet the thoughts, the fear, the changes my life had in the few days. Then she comes closer, her hands on my waist, and she whispers. “Declan said he has never seen Flynn like this. You have a good man beside you; if you didn’t, I would stab him myself.”
My brows shoot up, and I stare at her; she gives me this look, and I think she means it. I’m starting to get why Declan calls her Firecracker.
I look to the balcony, and I see him, no suit jacket now, his black sleeves rolled up, the skull tattoos and celtic knots visible under the lights. His green eyes locked on me, and I smile up at him. He’s gorgeous, and mine.