Ana
The next morning happened in a whirlwind of chaos. Before I even woke up, the Moretti mansion was filled with countless people, all of them working together to set up a wedding.
My wedding.
When Dante and Apollo suggested doing the ceremony as soon as possible, I agreed. I didn’t expect them to suggest the very next day, but still, I didn’t protest. There was no reason to wait, especially when every moment counted. I knew that I’d need to return to the city, to give The Kings a leader and to mourn.
I knew that if Killian didn’t wake within the next few days, I’d need to arrange funerals without him—something I sincerely hoped would not end up falling on my shoulders. All I could think about doing was crawling into my bed to sleep for days, maybe weeks. So, a wedding thrown together in a single day would have to do.
It’s nearing noon now, and Jade and I are sharing a bowl of fruit salad. She’s shoving as much as she can get into her mouth while she has a free minute—a mom habit she developed since Cesar has started trying to grab every bit of food he’s too young to even eat. The mixed berries, melons, and grapes are cold and fresh, but I pick at them slowly, still finding it difficult to feed myself.
I haven’t taken any other medicine since last night, not wanting to be drugged up and groggy on my wedding day. Thankfully, there’s enough distraction and noise going around the house to keep me from retreating into my mind and being bombarded with unsavory images.
Mostly, I find myself wondering about my husband-to-be. I haven’t seen or spoken to him since agreeing to this union, though I haven’t exactly asked after him. I would hate to be a bother, especially since he likely has a million things to do in order to make today a success. And like me, I’m sure he’s still processing what we’ve agreed to.
Jade was possibly even more shocked than I was when we talked after last night’s meeting. She didn’t have the faintest idea that her father was going to suggest I marry into the family—let alone that Cassio of all people would volunteer to be my groom. After the surprise wore off, and I assured her that I was happy with the arrangement, she was thrilled.
We’re going to be sisters, she gushed, hugging me tight.
That excitement quickly turned to light stress when she realized we had less than twenty-four hours to pull a wedding together. She was a bit bummed when I told her that I had little interest in making any decisions regarding the final details, but I’ll try to make it up to her when it comes time to plan the ceremony she and Dmitri are yet to have. Not that she complained or made her disappointment known, because of course she didn’t. Jade has been nothing short of an angel to me this entire time.
A glistening bit of strawberry hovers inches from my lips when footsteps catch my ears. Letting my fork fall, I set it back on the corner of the bowl and look toward the sound.
Dressed in a white t-shirt, tactical jeans, black boots, and a leather jacket, Gerard Davies marches into the room. As our eyes meet, he comes to an abrupt stop and releases a heavy breath.
“Gerard,” I greet plainly. “You’re here.”
“You’re all right,” he says with a sigh, like he needed to hear the words aloud to believe them. “I wanted to see you as soon as I got here, but getting these men to trust me has been a task—even with Dustin’s word.”
“Dustin is here?” I swallow hard.
Dustin was probably Cole’s closest friend. And Cole didn’t have a lot of friends. It was one of the things we had in common. Slow to trust, surrounded by acquaintances, and picky about who we choose to let in.
“He is,” Gerard confirms. “He and his brother have been helping out. The mutual connection is how they knew to find me.”
“Oh.” That makes sense. “Okay.”
“Ana, I’m so—”
“Sorry,” I cut in, frowning. “Yeah, everyone is.”
A tense silence follows my snappish response, but I don’t regret it. I don’t need to hear more apologies and condolences from people who aren’t to blame. They won’t change anything.
“Your mum’s body has arrived in New York,” he informs me with a sorrowful timbre, shifting the topic. “She’s with the Catholic church’s morgue for now. The Russians in the area make sure no one messes with the sanctity of the place, so she’ll be safe there. I know that she’d want to be in a house of God—”
“Don’t,” I croak, interrupting him.
Jade looks between the pair of us and gives Gerard a tight smile that looks more threatening than friendly. “I’ll give you both a moment.”
I thank her with a single look, and she squeezes my shoulder before silently leaving the kitchen. Once she’s out of sight, I suddenly wish that I asked her to stay.
“I can’t hear about this right now, Gerard,” I whisper, trying to bury the painful thoughts of my mother before they sink in. “All I need to know is that it’s handled until we get back to the city.”
His sympathetic gaze makes my stomach twist. “It’s taken care of,” he assures me softly.
“Good.” Releasing a held breath, I rub my sweaty palms on my pants and steady myself. “Dmitri told me this morning that you wanted to review my marriage contract. Have you?”
“I have,” he confirms, sounding reluctant. “I vehemently objected to the consummation clause, until I was informed that you requested it.”
A warm blush reddens my cheeks. “Thank you for trying to defend my honor, but if I’m going to be married, it’s going to be legitimate.”
I don’t see Gerard as a father figure, but he’s old enough to be one, and I do not want to have this conversation with him. I know he’s only trying to do what Killian would want him to in this instance. The two men are close friends, and Killian trusts him absolutely. Still, I don’t need his approval, nor do I even want it. Dmitri looked out for me, and Gerard may not know or trust him, but I do.
“If that’s what you want,” Gerard relents, not in the position to argue.
“Are you staying for the ceremony?”
He dips his head in a nod. “I’ll be here. The Kings will want as much reassurance as possible, and having me in photos will help. As far as anyone knows right now, Bron is in London, and Killian is unavailable. Your groom, his father, and I all agreed that it’s better to keep it quiet until we’re back in the city to handle the fallout.”
“Okay.”
“This Cassio bloke,” Gerard begins, brows knitting like he’s searching for the right words. “He seems to have good intentions. Though, he isn’t very warm and friendly, is he?”
I shrug. “He’s nice enough. I haven’t spoken to him recently, but he’s probably just wary of you.”
“I don’t bloody blame him,” he gruffs. “I’m wary too—of everyone and everything. This shouldn’t have happened.”
“No,” I bite out. “It shouldn’t have.”
Sensing the strained shift in my mood, Gerard nods, taking a step back. “Let me know if you need anything, Ana. I’ll be here, and I’ll leave with you when it’s time to go home.”
Home.
The word is almost laughable.
Where is my supposed home? In the empty New York penthouse where the ghost of Cole will haunt my every sight? Or the London apartment where my mother’s life ended?
I doubt either location will ever be home again.
Nodding mutely, I turn back to the counter. The fruit looks even more unappetizing than before. Scowling at the bowl, I push away from the offensive food and slide off of the upholstered seat.
Determined feet guide me through the Moretti house, desperate to find comfort in the chaos. Being alone with my thoughts is not a good idea.
Fortunately, I don’t have to wander for long.
“Look at all these dresses Armani found!” Jade practically squeals. She’s holding an armful of white fabric, basically hugging it to her chest. The sitting room surrounding her is covered in it. There must be at least ten wedding gowns sprawled all over the space.
The man who Jade credits for the scene is standing nearby, a fond smile on his lips as he watches his sister gush. Armani’s actually one of the Moretti brothers I’ve had more interaction with. He was a weapons instructor at Empire Academy last semester, and he’s been home every time that I’ve come to visit Jade. He’s also one of the easiest brothers to remember, since he’s covered in tattoos and has silky brown hair down to his shoulders.
“Jade said you didn’t want to go shopping yourself, so I grabbed a few options in your size,” he tells me, nodding to the piles of dresses. “If you don’t want to rummage through all of these, I can tell you my top picks.”
Armani cares about fashion unlike any other mobster I’ve ever met. Jade’s closet is filled to the brim with unique pieces because of him, and he’s always dressed in something magnificent. So I have no problem trusting his judgement.
While trying on dress after dress might help to pass the time, I’m in no mood to play dress up. As it is, wedding dress shopping is something that girls tend to do with their mothers. I’d like to avoid the somber reminder that that isn’t an option for me.
“Do you have anything with sleeves and a high back?”
His lips quirk into a grin. “I do indeed. One of my favorites is this classically simple floor-length. It has sleeves, a fully buttoned-up back, but a lower neckline that has some lace peeking out in the middle. Very elegant but understated, which I prefer for someone with your natural beauty.”
Despite my abysmal mood, his compliment makes me flush.
“I’ll try it.”
“Eep!” Jade tosses up her hands in exclamation. “You’re going to look stunning! I can’t wait to see it. Do you want to go to my room to see how it fits?”
I’m glad that Jade is allowing herself to be happy. I like that she isn’t censoring her excitement. Maybe her joy will be infectious enough to seep into me through the air. And if it doesn’t, it’s still keeping me steady.
If I can give even a sliver of that back to her, I’m going to try.
“Do you want to try one on too? It’d be a shame to let all of Armani’s work go to waste.”
Jade gasps. “Really? You wouldn’t mind?”
“I’d like it if you would,” I admit with a shrug. “Neither of us ever went to prom, so we never got dresses then. Maybe doing this will be like that.”
Her responding smile is blinding. “Okay, let’s do it!”
