Kaden
Chapter sixty-one
SAINT:
She fucking bit me twice, but we made it. She’s getting dressed now. Sergey’s wife is helping her.
I pocket my phone before fixing my tie in the long mirror of my dressing room. Ivan and a few of the guys take up the lounge area, glasses of whiskey in their hands as they celebrate my nuptials.
The Plaza was a nice choice. It was Melody’s first pick before the price discouraged her from choosing it.
After Saint did some digging and found all of her tossed plans, I swooped in and made sure everything was set in stone.
It cost a pretty penny to book at the last minute, but money will never be a problem. She’s set for life and has no idea yet.
The warm glow of the chandelier above me bathes over us in soft lighting.
The staff has been running ragged around the banquet hall to set up everything with a promise that it’s all taken care of.
The centerpieces my girl wanted, the orchestra she couldn’t book in time, and the catering company she originally reached out to have set up their stations.
She deserves her special day. Even if she’s furious with me right now.
The door opens as Saint sweeps in with a bloodied knuckle. His navy tie is hanging unfastened around his neck, and his suit jacket is open as he flashes his wounds to me with a shit-eating grin. “She’s so fucking mad at you.”
I shrug casually as I button my jacket. “She can’t stay angry forever.”
Ivan sighs deeply, sitting forward as he rests his elbows on his knees and presses a thumb to the bridge of his nose. “I can’t believe you’re making me do this…”
Simeon throws a smile over his shoulder as he raises his glass. “To the new addition of our family!”
The guys cheer, knocking back their drinks as Ivan has an existential crisis.
I fix my cufflinks, making sure I look the part of a husband and not the being I am at my core. Death won’t be making an appearance today. Instead, Kaden Wilder, the groom, will.
“Is everyone here?” My eyes flicker to Saint in the mirror as he plops down beside Ivan and pours himself a glass of whiskey.
“Present and very confused,” my friend concurs with a tilt of his chin. “It’s chaos out there. Your mom and dad have no idea what’s going on.”
“Good,” I praise as I get one last look at myself in the mirror for approval. “The less time they have to think, the better.”
“I hope you’re ready for war,” Ivan says with an edge to his tone as he sits back. “No one will agree with this, you know that, right?”
“Which is why I have a failsafe in place,” I respond as I catch Simeon’s eye. He nods subtly, the plan still fresh.
“You’re fucking insane,” Ivan shakes his head in disbelief.
The door to my dressing room opens again as Sergey saunters in with an unlit cigar between his lips. “We’re ready to begin, Smerti.”
Saint is the first one up, brimming with something sinister as he leads our group out the doors. Ivan walks beside me, his face set as he stares straight ahead. He’s calculating again—preparing to bury bodies before I’ve even made a move. The inner workings of a true Pahkan.
The corridor stretches on, lights twinkling softly as hardened criminals from the underworld taint the fine halls of this establishment.
It’s almost comedic to see how hard they’re trying with their tattoos pitifully covered by their suits and their constantly searching eyes as if they expect us to enter a turf war in the middle of The Plaza.
It’s the thought that counts.
As we near the grand double doors, Saint doesn’t hesitate to throw them open widely.
Inside the banquet room, tables are lined with fine satin linens, and white roses overflow from crystal vases.
A floral arch stands tall near the windows, draped in ivory fabric.
Candle clusters line the aisle, flickering against the white runner that leads to the center stage where we’ll speak our vows.
It’s everything my sister wanted it to be.
The room quiets at our arrival, murmured voices dipping into hummed sounds as multiple sets of eyes find us. Mom and Dad rise from their table in the front, their brows drawn as they take in my entourage.
Kodi sweeps through, her beige satin dress trailing behind her as she stalks towards us with a fierce expression. Simeon intercepts her, pointing his gun into her side as he leans close, and her eyes round in terror.
“Go back to the altar,” he instructs slowly. “Don’t make me correct you again.”
She swallows, her eyes flickering to me as her chest heaves with a deep breath. “What are you doing?” She hisses.
“Getting married,” I respond as I pass her without a glance back.
She follows, her head tucked before she takes her place on the altar and holds her bouquet so tightly that it bends the stems. Her jaw flexes as she shifts uncomfortably in place.
As I step up, Mom and Dad attempt to leave their table, but are stopped short when they receive the same treatment as Kodi—the barrel of a gun jammed into their spines.
“Son!” Dad projects across the room, his voice booming. “What’s the meaning of this? What’s going on?”
“It would be best if no one tried anything,” I warn. “Anyone makes a move, and you won’t be leaving here alive.”
Mom gasps, grabbing at the skirt of her satin green dress as she gawks at me like she doesn’t know who I am anymore. “Kaden, what’s gotten into you? What’s this about?”
Dylan’s family is corralled towards the left, enforcers closing them in as they take their seats with their weapons brandished. It’s a silent threat that carries weight.
Ivan steps up beside me, slapping a hand over my shoulder. “I hope she gives you hell.”
“She’s heaven,” I respond. “There are no depths she could drag me to that I wouldn’t gladly drown in.”
Ivan snorts under his breath as he shakes his head and looks out at Dylan’s shaken relatives. His men stand like pillars behind them, their suit jackets pulled back to reveal the sleek black of their weapons. No one speaks—breathes.
It’s coil wrapped tension, thickening the atmosphere until it’s suffocating. Dylan’s mom grabs her purse, pulling it close to her as she leans into her husband for support. He takes her hand, intertwining their fingers as he gulps.
“You’re sick,” Ivan finally says.
“I’ve always been sick,” I muse. “You know this.”
He sighs, looking away from me. “If only I could have stopped you back then.” He retreats to his spot on the altar as my best man before the orchestra swells into soft music.
“Kaden!” Dad shouts, throwing his hands up. “Talk to me! What’s going on?”
I smirk cruelly, letting the mask I’ve practiced my whole life finally slip away. “It’s a wedding. What do you think is happening, Father?”
Mom’s eyes widen as she lifts a hand to her mouth. “Where’s Dylan?”
“Next flight back to California,” my eyes crease. “So he can be with his mistress and their newborn.”
Gasps ring out before low whispers begin. Hurt lances across Mom’s delicate features as she shakes her head slowly. She’s trying to process the bomb I just dropped.
Dad’s face turns red as he whips around to Dylan’s parents. “Did you know about this?”
The father rises, frowning. “Of course we didn’t! How do we even know he’s telling the truth?!” He throws a hand towards me. “My son would never cheat on Melody!”
My jaw grinds. “Oh, would you like proof? I have plenty, but you’ll spoil the ceremony if I show you now.”
He scoffs, holding his hands up. “We’re done here. Let us leave.”
Simeon jams his gun into the man’s spine before using a strong hand to force him back down to his chair. “Stay sitting. If I have to intervene again, I’ll blow your brains all over your beautiful wife here. We wouldn’t want that, now would we?”
The man gulps, shaking his head.
My gaze returns to my parents as Dad glares at the Callahan family with distaste. Mom shifts, her hands falling to her sides as her chin wobbles. “Where’s Melody?”
“Getting ready,” I say softly.
She blinks back her tears. “Ready for what, Kaden?”
Dad’s eyes snap to me, realization dawning in him as his voice tumbles past his lips. “No…”
“It would be in your best interest if you didn’t try anything,” I warn again.
“You can’t do this, Kaden!” Dad bellows. “You’re siblings!”
That fucking word.
It’s always used as a deterrent, yet it registers in my brain differently. It doesn’t matter how Melody and I are related. All that matters is that my sister is mine, and no amount of disgust or revulsion on our parents’ part can dim that.
It makes the sicker part of me fester into some horrible, living organism as my head tilts dangerously. “Be glad we aren’t blood related. I still would have fucked her then, too.”
Mom’s mouth falls open in terrible shock as Dad’s face becomes so red that I expect steam to billow out of his ears.
“KADEN THEODORE—”
Dad is cut off mid-yell as another enforcer drops him to his chair with a sharp movement. The barrel of a gun is pointed at my father’s temple as Ivan curses from behind me. The orchestra nearly pauses, their arms halting before they resume with tense frames and hurried movements.
The double doors open as Sergey shoves past the threshold.
His wife is standing to the side, her hands out as if she can stop Melody from barreling past. My sister pinpoints me across the venue, her chest rising and falling with her panted breaths as the chiffon dances around her.
Her veil drags behind her, leaving a long train of sheer fabric in her wake as she stomps towards me.
Her arms swing by her sides as her lips twist into a snarl.
Her bouquet is clutched tightly in her right hand, and I close my eyes as I piece her plan together.
Her heels click closer and closer as a hush falls over the room.
When I open my eyes, she’s a few steps away from me before she rears her elbow back and throws the bundle of roses into my face.
I tilt my head, not rewarding her with a reaction as her flowers slink to the floor. My gaze is hard and unforgiving as I wait for her tantrum to pass.