Chapter 26
Alexander
“Did you notice who didn’t show either to the wedding or reception?” Sinclair asked, clear amusement in his eyes.
I scanned the festive party, studying the guests who’d braved the actual wedding and reception. Everything had fallen into place. By now, Ivan Barishnikoff had been told of the losses he’d suffered.
He’d also learn soon enough the wedding had taken place. A new regime had been forged with the blood of two of the most powerful families in the south.
We would rule New Orleans and the surrounding area without question.
If the Russians dared try to overthrow us again, his entire family would be slaughtered. I’d spared him as a gift to my lovely wife.
At her insistence.
Maybe I was already growing soft after only being married for three hours.
“Uncle Armand.” I lifted my glass of whiskey, chuckling as I did. “I guess he didn’t feel welcome.”
“What do you want to do with him?” Montgomery asked.
I’d known the question would come up at some point. “Nothing. He’s family.” My chuckle was dark, the vile thoughts lingering. He would face my wrath one day.
“Mmm…” Jaxon huffed.
When Sinclair started to interject, I threw up my finger. “Don’t say it. We will keep an eye on him. If he tries to do anything to derail our business, he will answer to me. Until then, we simply move on. There’s been enough bloodshed.”
“I’m curious,” Sinclair pushed. “Do you trust the DA will do the right thing?”
I laughed as I noticed my lovely bride approaching. She’d changed clothes into something slinky and daring, and I was dying to rip the stunning dress from her body.
My cock ached just thinking about the filthy things I’d do to her later.
“He will. You have no idea how amazing my bride is as an attorney. He won’t cross her. If he does, he’ll face her revenge.”
“I told you she was right for you from minute one.” Sinclair backed away, laughing as he did.
“You said no such thing.”
“Talking about me again, boys?” My angel missed nothing.
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
She threw her arms around my neck, giving me one of her looks. “Remember. No business talk. This is supposed to be a happy occasion.”
I swung her around, enjoying the feeling of having her body crushed up against mine. “You seem to forget who’s in charge.”
“That would be me.”
“Our cue to leave,” Jaxon said, the others groaning as they walked away.
As soon as I captured her mouth, I felt all eyes on us. We certainly weren’t a traditional couple, but we did draw attention everywhere we went. I could only imagine the field day the press would have when the news hit the streets.
The taste of her was powerful and I could do this for hours, but we both sensed a presence standing a little too close.
I pulled away, eyeing my sister and grandmother. “What are the two of you doing?” My voice was a little gruffer than it should be, which prompted my wife to elbow me.
Hard.
“We have a gift for the bride,” Emmeline said, handing Catherine a small bag while winking.
“This is exactly what you need, dear,” my grandmother told her.
“Is this what I think it is?” Catherine was way too excited.
“What are you doing?” My challenge was met with laughter.
Emmeline squeezed my arm. “As a new member of the family, she’ll need all the help she can get.”
As soon as Catherine pulled out the small mesh bag, I cringed. “Gris-gris? Really?”
“Don’t worry, big brother. All for assisting with ensuring a happy marriage.” My sister grinned and all I could do was shake my head.
My grandmother placed Catherine’s hand on the bag, pulling my hand free until I allowed her to place mine on my angel’s. “May your love be blessed by all those who support you and those who don’t can go straight to hell.”
Catherine burst into laughter and nuzzled against me.
Emmeline blew us a kiss and both ladies walked away.
“I adore your grandmother.”
I noticed Jimmy approaching and bristled. “Just don’t spend too much time with her or she might indoctrinate you into becoming a witch.”
“You’re assuming I’m not already.”
“I learned a long time ago never to assume anything.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” I stepped away from her, even starting to block her. “Jimmy. What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry, sir. I know this is your reception. I just… Well, I brought you a wedding present. It’s not much but I had to say thank you.”
Catherine moved by my side. “Thank you. That’s very sweet of you.” She accepted the colorfully wrapped gift while lifting her confused gaze.
“For what exactly?” I pushed.
Jimmy nodded. “My daughter. The doctors have called it a miracle.” He smiled seeing my confusion.
“Her cancer. There’s no trace of it. They’ve tested her ten different times.
It just disappeared. I know that’s because of…
Well, the night in the cemetery and I just wanted to thank you.
” He held out his hand and as strange as it seemed, I shook it.
More amused than anything else. I doubted my poor attempt at handling gris-gris had anything to do with her improved condition.
“I’m happy for you, Jimmy.”
“You’re a good man.” He smiled, nodding to Catherine and walking away.
“A good man, huh?” She turned toward me, throwing her arms around me again. “Is there something I should know? Do you go around in the middle of the night creeping in cemeteries for fun?”
I had to laugh. “From time to time. Maybe I’ll take you there sometime.”
“Uh-huh. Curing cancer now on top of all your accomplishments. My, what an interesting man I married.”
“You have no idea.” I glanced toward the sky, wondering if by some chance… Oh, fuck, no. There was no way. I definitely didn’t believe in spirits walking the earth or talking to mere mortals.
Even my brother.
“You know what I think?”
“No, but I am certain you’re going to tell me.”
As usual, she rolled her eyes. “I think your brother is always with you and maybe, just maybe, curing a child’s illness was his greatest deed of all. Not just for Jimmy’s little girl, but for you to forgive yourself and live your life. Maybe for once, just believe in the unbelievable.”
“Now you read minds. Fucking fantastic. Black magic?”
“Maybe something even deeper. Like love.”
Love.
I had no idea what the fuck I was doing, but I did know one thing for certain.
Catherine was mine and I would do anything in the world to keep her safe.
And to make her smile.
Catherine
“What the fuck is taking them so long?” I was so angry spots were in front of my eyes. The courthouse was filled with people, one too many paying far too much attention to my presence.
It seemed the entire world knew of our marriage, but few had congratulated me.
In their minds, I’d bedded the devil.
Little did they know how sexy that was.
“Calm down. It won’t be much longer.”
While I appreciated Sinclair being with me at the courthouse, along with a half dozen guards who looked like bouncers in their dark suits, he wasn’t exactly making me feel any better. In fact, I was reminded I’d married into a mafia family.
Yes, the Russians had laid low, likely licking their wounds after the attack. The body count had been tremendous and somehow, some way, the Prince family had managed to shove everything under one huge rug as if nothing had happened on that beautiful sunny day when a church experienced a massacre.
I did find it interesting that through the Prince influence the attack on the courthouse had been linked to the Bratva. From what I’d heard through the grapevine, Ivan Barishnikoff was facing charges.
At this point, I just didn’t care.
All my energy was focused on whether or not Xander had followed through after my threat.
I had to laugh. I’d tossed aside all the law and order in my life for a single reason.
To do what it took to protect the man I loved.
How strange.
How amazing.
We’d found a rhythm in what we were doing as a couple, the passion still off the charts. Was he still a grouch, his darkness overtaking him during moments of self-doubt? Absolutely, but he was a different man.
Completely doting.
And totally possessive.
“I can’t stand this. I will fucking kill that man if…” My statement faded as soon as the courtroom door opened and Xander walked out.
By himself.
“You motherfucking son of a bitch. I’m going to ruin you.”
He glanced quickly from Sinclair back to me. “Relax, Catherine. You got your wish. He’s a free man. And I’ve resigned my position. With any luck, I’ll survive long enough to get my family out of town. But if I don’t, my blood will be on your hands.”
As he started to walk away, I laughed. “Not true, Xander. You made your bed with the devil. Now, you’re going to face the consequences. I should feel sorry for you, but I don’t.”
That was the truth. I didn’t.
What did that make me?
Someone willing to do what it took to protect my family.
The door opened again, Alexander walking through, automatically searching for me.
As soon as he saw me, his face was filled with relief.
“You’re free. I was worried. No, I was completely pissed off.”
“Watch out, my sweet angel. If you’re not careful, claws will replace your lovely fingernails.” While he gathered me into his arms, I couldn’t help but wonder.
“As it should be.”
Would we ever be free of the darkness surrounding the man and his family?
Maybe, just maybe I’d be able to provide the light to prevent the demons from consuming him.
The man I once called a monster.
And now, I called the love of my life.
The End