Chapter 26
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
ARI
Security is tight around the venue, even more so since the attempted kidnappings.
One is something you can usually ignore when you are a member of The Order.
I’m not sure there is a single member who hasn’t experienced it.
It may have been my first time outside of the arena, and I was scared shitless at the time, but I could shake it off.
A second time called for more concern. With the man from the party who approached Katie still unidentified, Aiden increased our security detail. Someone would need to work extra hard to take one of us and grease a lot more than just one palm.
If someone tried tonight, they wouldn’t make it past the entryway to the grand hall.
Isabelle had gone ahead with her plan to set up a rehearsal dinner.
Apparently the venue she wanted—the one everyone would ‘expect’—was only available tonight, six weeks out from the wedding.
So here I was in another white-ass dress, mingling with aging assholes.
Isabelle, for her part, did nothing halfway.
If I were honest with myself, I could even admit that I liked the decor and the ambiance.
But over my dead body would I be telling her that to her face.
She had chosen to rent out The Gilded Ash, a private event center amongst the elite that held the most fashionable events of the year.
On the outside, it looked like an abandoned brick warehouse from the industrial era.
But the inside had been remodeled a few years back to entertain a wealthy crowd.
The walls and ceiling were the same brick as the exterior, and the floor was smooth concrete.
But that is where the simplicity stopped, and the designer could take over.
Sheer fabric lined the ceiling in a drop style, with fairy lights strewn throughout to give the space a warm, elegant feel.
The only other light in the room came from the sconces on the wall and the tapered candlesticks on each table.
Cream linens and gold filigree plates and cutlery adorned each one, but my favorite detail was in the flowers.
Black roses, their petals, and baby’s breath made the venue look almost enchanted.
Like a villain’s dream. To put it simply, it was perfect. Which irritated the hell out of me.
Aiden was standing at my side. He hadn’t left me alone since the party last weekend.
It had been a week of him following me to class, demanding I watch his hockey practice, and even watching me brush my teeth.
It was becoming insanely tedious. A girl needed some alone time, too.
The only thing I didn’t seem to mind was him insisting that he watch me shower.
Something about not wanting anyone to blast TNT into the structure of the mansion and grab me mid-shower.
I just laughed at him until he dropped to his knees and drank my cum. I guess I could compromise on that one.
When I tense, Aiden stops talking to Reese and Hunter and directs his attention to his parents coming our way.
Anthony’s smile is so fake that it could crack a funhouse mirror if he looked directly into one.
Isabelle is soaking up the attention as host of one of the most talked-about events of the season.
I can only imagine how she’ll handle the wedding.
Aiden threads our fingers together and gives my hand a squeeze to let me know he can handle whatever shitstorm is coming our way.
With these two, it could damn well be anything.
Sweeping in, Isabelle reaches us first and greets Aiden with a kiss on each cheek.
“Darling, it’s so good to see you.” Turning, she greets me the same way, while Anthony just nods in acknowledgment.
“We wanted to show you where you will get ready for the wedding and the general flow. The place is currently set up for a different wedding tomorrow, so it won’t look identical, but it will be similar enough. ”
Without even waiting for our response, Isabelle turns and heads for a closed door near the back of the dining space.
On the other side of the space we currently occupy is another equally large room.
This one is lined with chairs, a long aisle breaking it up down the middle.
A man I don’t recognize stands at the end of it underneath an arch decorated in white daisies and baby’s breath. Clearly set up for tomorrow.
Isabelle is chatting to Anthony about where everyone will sit and how she expects everything will look on the day.
She greets the man with a hug when we make it to the far side of the room.
“Ari, Aiden, I want you to meet Shep. Shep is a nondenominational pastor, and he will be performing the ceremony. Given everyone’s general disdain for the church, I figured Shep was a good option.
Plus, he’s a close friend of the family. ”
Shep is a tall man with thick muscles and a full, trimmed beard.
He has laugh lines that highlight his piercing blue eyes.
His hair is cropped short on the sides and a little longer on top, the soft curls making me want to run my hands through his hair.
A leather jacket and tight pants don’t scream church man to me, but holy hell. Shep is hot, and he knows it.
Shep reaches out and shakes both our hands. “Nice to meet you two. I’m glad we could discuss some basics before the day of the wedding.”
Aiden side-eyes me before addressing Shep. “You as well. Forgive me, but you don’t look like a typical pastor…” Aiden leaves off what we are all thinking. How did this man even become a pastor in the first place?
Shep laughs to himself. “No, I don’t. But even villains need something to believe in. And that’s what I offer.”
I can tell Aiden appreciates that response, and I see the respect immediately take root in his eyes. “I can appreciate that.”
Isabelle interrupts and grabs Shep’s attention to go over the processional.
“So, this is really happening.” Aiden turns to me and doesn’t answer with words, just nods his head.
“It’s different than I imagined it would be.” More talking to myself, but Aiden catches it.
“Do you want to do it differently, Ari? If so, just say the words. I can have Isabelle work to move it if you truly don’t like it. Or fuck, we could just elope, consequences be damned…” He peters off, but it’s clear he has something on his mind.
“What?” I ask. When he doesn’t respond, I soften my tone. “Aiden, what is it?”
Clearing his throat, Aiden looks almost uncomfortable, which is not a look I’m used to seeing from him. “Or is it me?”
The perpetual ache in my heart pulses, but doesn’t linger at his question.
I don’t want to lie to him, so I consider my words before I answer.
“I mean, yes, that’s part of it. I never imagined he wouldn’t be here.
” Aiden lets go of my hand and attempts to turn away, but I stop him and move back into his line of vision.
I cuff the back of his neck and bring his head down to mine before whispering, “But that doesn’t mean you’re a disappointment. ”
Aiden closes his eyes and lets out a weighted sigh. For a moment, we just bask in each other’s presence. My loyal reaper. And it’s true, he’s mine. I feel it in every fiber of my being.
“Aiden…” I start.
Aiden hears something off to the side and interrupts Isabelle and Shep. “Shep, change of plans; we are writing our own vows for the ceremony.” My jaw drops at his words, and Isabelle is stunned into silence.
Shep clearly doesn’t read the room and makes a note. “No problem. That can be done.”
I shake Aiden’s hand and give him a confused look. He presses his lips to my forehead before saying, “Later, little venom.”
We can only stay a few more moments before dinner is served in the other room. Toasts from our friends make the evening more bearable, while Anthony makes some nauseating speech about unifying The Order. I wish Aiden could stab him.
After dinner, we mingle a little, saying hi to those who need their egos stroked before sending Gage for the car.
Aiden and I are waiting underneath the awning when he pulls me against him and twirls me so that he can wrap his arms around my front.
Nipping at my ear, Aiden talks low, “When we get home, I want to tell you something. Come to my room?”
A warm rush comes over me, and I feel the butterflies in my stomach. Tonight feels different. It feels special. And I am open to embracing more of this feeling. “Yes.”
He pushes his bulge against my backside and groans a little before stepping back. Reaching into his pocket, he groans for a whole other reason. “Shit, I left my phone inside.” Aiden looks around, but we are the only ones out here.
“It’s okay, just go grab it inside. You probably left it on the table.”
Aiden checks the perimeter. “Fuck it, I’ll just buy a new one.”
Stepping up to him, I kiss his cheek. “It’s fine. I’m a big girl. I can handle a few minutes alone. Just go quickly.” I can’t help but smile at his protectiveness—more like possessiveness, the crazy bastard.
“Absolutely not,” Aiden says, the tone brooking no room for argument as his arm comes around my waist.
Two of Anthony’s guards approach us with Anthony following a few feet behind. Aiden turns and addresses Anthony, “Do you need something?”
“Yes, I need to talk to you. Alone.” Anthony nods his head toward me.
Pulling me even tighter, Aiden shakes his head, “No. We were just heading out. Not only do I not want to, but I am not leaving Ari alone after everything that’s happened.”
Anthony glances over at Tony and they share some unspoken communication before he signals to his guards.