Chapter Twenty-Two
DEE
After the ceremony, Colt and I are swept away for photographs while the crew sets up the reception beneath the willow tree.
Joseph and Danny organized one of their restaurant chefs to cater the event, and knowing them, I have zero doubt the food will be next-level. Fine dining under the stars with the love of my life? Yes, please.
We can’t keep our hands off each other during the shoot.
The photographer tries to give us direction, but we keep getting distracted—touching, kissing, teasing.
Every time Colt tucks a strand of hair behind my ear or whispers something filthy in my ear just out of the photographer’s range, my heart skips a beat.
Princess Sofia is just as enthusiastic. She’s in several of our photographs, prancing around like the proud fur baby she is. She jumps up, licking our faces as Colt kisses me, making everyone laugh.
The bridal party watches us with a mix of amusement and eye-rolls, but I don’t care. We’re married. I get to kiss him whenever I want now, every second of every day for the rest of our lives.
By the time we head back to the reception, the sun has dipped below the horizon. The sky is a dusky navy, and the willow tree is glowing beneath hundreds of fairy lights strung through its sweeping branches.
Lanterns line the winding path leading toward the lake, casting a golden shimmer against the darkened grass.
A makeshift dance floor sits just to the right of the tree, its surface catching the soft light as petals flutter gently across the lawn.
White tables circle the space, set with lilac florals and flickering candles, ready to host the hundred guests who mean the most to us.
It’s absolutely breathtaking.
Like something out of a dream.
“Anna,” Colt says, glancing around in awe. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
She lifts her chin, smug. “I know.”
The reception kicks off with laughter, champagne, and a blur of dancing and stolen kisses. I don’t even remember sitting down to eat because Colt keeps pulling me onto the dance floor, whispering dirty promises in my ear that have me completely distracted.
Everything feels magical.
When the energy begins to mellow and guests settle back into their chairs, a single spotlight switches on near the dance floor. I blink at it, confused. It’s aimed at an area I hadn’t noticed before, shrouded in a black curtain.
“What the hell?” I murmur.
Anna claps her hands together excitedly. “Okay, it’s time!” she calls to the band, who are loitering over by the makeshift bar.
Colt gives them a nod, and the guys spring to life, abandoning their drinks and heading toward the curtain.
It drops all at once, revealing a full setup—drum kit, guitars, microphones, amps—the whole 12GUAGE-Slayed arsenal.
My heart skips a beat, and a smile spreads across my face.
Colt is about to perform.
At our wedding.
Anna and Sia grab me by the arms, dragging me right up to the edge of the dance floor. I don’t even resist.
Colt steps forward, taking the mic, looking like sin in a tux with his guitar slung low on his hips.
“Hey, everyone,” he says, voice deep and smooth. “Thanks so much for coming to celebrate the best damn day of my life. Dee…” His eyes find mine, locking on. “Baby, I love you more and more every day. And I know this song holds something special between us, so I wanted to sing it for you tonight.”
My breath hitches, knowing exactly what’s coming.
“Until the End of Time” begins, and that familiar, emotional melody floods the air.
Everyone joins in softly, but I only hear him.
Colt belts the lyrics with everything he’s got, the power and pain in his voice reaching into my soul.
The song takes me back to the moment when I didn’t know where we stood.
When I didn’t know if we’d make it. When he couldn’t say he loved me, he played this instead.
That night changed everything.
And now, hearing it again, as his wife… it’s almost too much.
Sometimes the most powerful moments are the ones that make us wait.
When the song ends, I don’t hesitate, I run straight to him and kiss him like my life depends on it. There’s something about seeing him perform that ignites every part of me. He’s already drop-dead sexy, but on stage? In a tux? With his voice raw and eyes locked on mine?
Yeah. I’m done for.
Let’s just say the silk beneath this dress is officially soaked.
“I love you,” I whisper against his lips.
He smirks, that cocky Slade smirk that always sets me on fire. “I love you too, Mrs. Slade.”
Then he leans in, mouth close to my ear, and lowers his voice to a private growl. “So… want me to play another set, or do you want to head upstairs?” He deliberately turns the mic away so the guests can’t hear him, but the heat in his words burns through me like wildfire.
It’s an impossible decision, and for a second, I actually have to think about it. Watching Colt perform is my favorite drug. But being alone with him—husband and wife, no interruptions—that’s the hit I’ve been craving all day.
I lick my lips, stepping back slowly, teasing him with a smirk of my own. “Play a little longer,” I murmur. “I’m getting off on it anyway.”
His eyes darken instantly.
Then later?
Yeah, later, we’ll consummate the hell out of this marriage.
And I cannot wait.
12GUAGE-Slayed play a few more songs, and we all lose ourselves on the dance floor beneath the glowing willow tree. It’s like time has stopped for this one night—our night. The music pulses through the grass, the fairy lights shimmer above, and everyone dances like they’re in a dream.
Eventually, the band wraps their final song, and Colt steps down, returning to my side.
As the cool night air brushes over my skin, he pulls me close, wrapping his arms around me like I belong there because I do.
We sway gently as The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame” plays through the speakers, its haunting melody wrapping around us.
It’s slower than the others, quieter, more intimate.
Colt leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “This day has been perfect. This night has been perfect. And you, my wife… are perfect.”
I melt under his words, under his gaze, under the feel of his mouth as he kisses me again, slow and tender.
But of course, the moment can’t last forever.
A tap on his shoulder pulls him away slightly, and I notice the shift in his body. His back straightens, his jaw tightens. Colt’s instincts are sharp, and I feel his protective energy kick in before the security guard even speaks.
“Sorry to interrupt, sir,” the guard says. “But you told me to alert you if there was any trouble.”
Colt’s entire body goes still. “What is it?”
“There’s a man and a woman at the gate,” the guard explains. “They claim they were invited to the wedding, but they don’t have an invitation. They were quite insistent, sir, and… intoxicated. They also attempted to climb the front fence.”
My eyebrows pull together. “You’re kidding.”
“Do you have their names?” Colt asks, voice low and clipped.
The guard glances at his notepad. “The man is Jarrod Coslecki, and the woman is—”
“Let me guess,” I cut in, the irritation rising fast. “Jessi Bradbrooke?”
Colt groans. “Of course.”
“Yes, Mrs. Slade,” the guard confirms with a nod. “Would you like me to let them in?”
“No!” Colt and I say in unison, loud enough that a few heads turn our way.
The guard gives us a respectful smile. “Understood. I’ll personally escort them off the property. And sir, ma’am… congratulations.”
Colt reaches out and shakes his hand. “Thanks, Rudy.”
As the guard walks off, I exhale sharply. “My God. I never thought they’d actually show up. And not even separately?”
Colt shrugs, jaw flexing. “I had my suspicions. I’ve seen them together recently, lurking at industry events. Always hanging back. Never trying to talk to us. But I had a gut feeling they might try something tonight.”
“Seriously? Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.
He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. “Because I knew it’d upset you. You already get anxious about fans, and I didn’t want you stressing about those two fuckers as well. They’ve never made a move, they probably miss the attention we used to bring them. That’s all this is.”
I nod slowly, but I can’t help the twist in my chest. “I get your reasons, Colt. I do. But I don’t want secrets between us. Not now. Not ever. I’m your wife now, remember?”
He softens immediately, stepping in closer.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I was trying to protect you, but I promise, no more secrets.
Not from you.” His hand slides to the back of my neck as he kisses me, firm and full of intent.
Then he leans in and whispers, “So… think we can ditch this place yet and head upstairs?”
I chuckle, resting my forehead against his. “Not yet. Just a little longer. We’ve got the rest of our lives, remember?”
He groans but smiles, looking over my shoulder as Hux and their mum approach.
“Hux in a tux. Who knew you could clean up so well?” I tease, taking in his slightly disheveled look.
Colt pinches my butt playfully, making me yelp as his mother bursts into laughter.
“Oh, Huxley,” she tuts, swatting his arm while adjusting his tie. “You need to look presentable for once in your life.”
“Mum, seriously,” he grumbles, trying to escape her touch.
“Yes, seriously,” she snaps back, wiping the lipstick from his cheek with a motherly huff. “Now say what you were going to say.”
Hux sighs dramatically but finally looks at me. “Welcome to the family, Dee. We’re glad you make Colt happy. Just keep it that way, yeah?”
It’s simple.
But meaningful.
Things between us have been rocky, and hearing those words from him eases something in my chest.
“Thanks, Hux. I will.” I lean in to hug him, and to my surprise, he hugs me back, tight and sincere.
His mum’s eyes shimmer as she hugs me next. “We’re heading off,” she says warmly. “Actually, I think most people are leaving now. You two should get some private time.”