32. Vince
Vince
Every message and call went unanswered. Her family had the ten blocks around their house locked down. Any chance of getting to her would only bring attention.
After Nathaniels' funeral, her family disappeared from the public eye.
For over four years, I had managed to keep Damius uninterested in Madeline. Hiding her in plain sight. Now he knew, and if I ended our merger, it would only bring his focus to her more.
Fixing my cufflinks. I had no idea if I picked the ones she wanted.
“Apparently, she is here, so that is something.” Bastion fixed his tie, offering me another drink, “At least you know she isn’t going to stand you up at the altar.”
Her sudden disappearance hadn’t just affected me. It had affected my siblings. She had become a ghost.
For over two months, she hadn’t been seen. Luca looked for her at the hotel openings. Bastion did the same thing at the new nightclub. Rome won’t admit it, but I knew he was putting off buying that property to get Madeline's opinion.
And then there was Nikolai, who had a sudden interest in surveillance. Desperate to get information on her welfare.
“Well, her family has requested that we stay away from the bridal room.” Cecilia closed the door, walking in, “So unfair, as if Maddy would hold what you lot did to her, against me.”
I focused on forcing the cufflink through the fabric.
“What did you guys do to her, again?” Sofia asked. “Is this about her cousin?”
“Girls, another topic.” Nikolai spoke over them.
Over a thousand people waited out there, and most knew exactly what had happened. This merger now was more focused on restoring peace between the two families.
After I, the psycho Crow tried to drown her in her cousin’s blood. The facts had blurred over the months of people retelling the story.
But the image of her covered in her father’s blood hadn’t left my mind. Every time I closed my eyes. I saw her.
“Alright, let’s get this the fuck over with.” Finishing the drink bastion gave me.
I stepped out of the room. The ceremony would take over two hours. Followed by the reception.
Then everyone else fucked off.
All the Crows will relocate to the ballroom and the rituals started.
I’d never liked the idea of being locked in a house after the wedding. Now. I was grateful.
She couldn’t be a ghost when we were locked in the same building together for five days.
Finally, I would take her home. And I’d spend the rest of my life earning her forgiveness.
As expected, the overly large gothic church was decorated following traditions.
The lighting, the large displays of red and black roses. Every small detail was dictated according to the Crow's Oath.
From where I stood, it was just a sea of people.
Hundreds of people in the first section of seating. Every living Crow in attendance.
My stomach twisted again. Had she got the rest of the crest finished?
I glared at the tattoo artists, who were both waiting out of view of the guests. The bitch hadn’t returned one of my calls. I’d even gone to her parlor multiple times, only to find it always closed.
The music changed, and so did my attention.
Turning to look as she walked down the aisle. Which was too fucking long.
Madeline was breathtakingly beautiful.
Each step she took closer to me; I found it easier to breathe again.
She actually came.
Though it was painfully obvious Marco hadn’t attended.
Now to get all these fucking traditions done. The tattoos, the vows, reception and finally the rituals.
Even though she hadn’t looked at me, it was the happiest I had been in months.
Every dish placed in front of my wife left the table untouched. Every item on the menu was her favorite. I’d made sure of it. Perhaps it was nerves.
The idea of what followed later made her nervous months ago.
I watched my wife from across the room.
All Crow weddings had one rule that every guest was to follow. And I was sure everyone from her side was determined to break it.
I left my drink at the bar and walked towards them.
A man I sure as fuck didn’t know stepped closer to her, his hand hovering.
At this point, I would have to follow her around all night reminding them, no one is to touch my bride.
He leaned in, ready to hug her.
“ Madeline .”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t look at me. Swiping his hand away, before stepping back.
“Of course he is possessive.” He grunted, shoving his hands in his pockets. “That one is fucking psychotic.” He walked away. Not having the guts to say that sentence to my face.
Her tattoo was hours old.
And they considered me unreasonable, for making sure they kept their filthy unclean hands away from her.
“Sorry,” she forced a smile. She still hadn’t looked at me, and it really bothered me.
Her lack of personality around me was obvious. And fucking painful to experience.
The same feeling consumed me as I looked at her tattoo. She had got the crest finished without me.
I had spent the whole day staring at her and it was concerning to see her this thin.
Was she about to pass out? The lack of color on her face.
“Did you eat something?” I took a step closer to her. She looked sick. It took all my self-control not to reach for her. I had made sure only to touch her when I had to.
“I can’t,” she looked around the room, “I was sewn into this dress. Mom really had her heart set on it.”
I couldn’t tell if she was joking or not.
She touched her stomach. “It’s okay. It’s only day three of the fast. I’ve done longer.”
What was that supposed to do? Reassure me? No need to worry. My wife has starved for longer than three fucking days .
“Come with me.”
“Did I miss greeting someone?”
“No Madeline, you need to eat or drink something. I can’t have you passing out later.”
She stared expressionless across the room. “Oh. Okay.”