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I’m downstairs, waiting for Liv to finish getting ready. She’s been up there with Paola for a while now, and I swear to God, I’ve paced this damn floor so many times I’m wearing it down.

“What’s taking so long?” I bark at Kota.

He shrugs. “You know women, man. They need to look perfect.”

Just as he says it, I see mySirenastepping onto the staircase, and every thought in my head screeches to a halt.

Her black dress hugs every inch of her just right, stopping above her knees, showing off too much leg. My eyes drag down, taking in the black high heels that make her legs look like they were made to be thrown over my shoulders. She’ll be wearing nothing but those later, I’ll make damn sure of it.

Her curls are down, wild and untamed, exactly how I like them. She always messes with that flat iron, trying to straighten them out, and I’ll never get why. Her curls make her look every bit theSirenaI’ve fallen for—feral and fucking impossible to resist.

She reaches the bottom of the stairs and stops in front of me, her makeup soft, just enough to highlight thoseemerald eyes, I can’t get enough of and her full lips glossed in a peachy shade that makes them look way too fucking kissable.

I drag my gaze down, then back up, catching her smirk. “Like what you see, Warden?” she teases, tilting her head up to me.

I scoff, reaching out and running my fingers over the fabric at her waist, pulling her closer. “You already know the answer to that.”

Her eyes flick down, taking in my suit before returning to mine. “All black Armani suit, no tie? Are we leaning too hard into theMafiosacliché?”

I smirk. “You’re one to talk. We look like we’re about to bury someone, not get married.”

She grins, leaning in, “Well, the day’s still young. Maybe it can be both.”

A dark chuckle rumbles in my chest as I slide a hand down to the small of her back. “That’s why I’m marrying you,Sirena. Always thinking ahead.”

“Ready, lovebirds?” Kota asks, standing by the door with his arms crossed.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Liv says, sliding her hand into mine. Our fingers intertwine, a perfect fit, as we step out the front door,making our way toward the SUV.

But not just any SUV, a new bulletproof, indestructible Navigator that I had customized, complete with reinforced panels, shatterproof glass, and a mechanism to lock the doors from the outside so the doors won’t open from the inside. Just methinking ahead. If shit ever goes south, I need to make sure mySirenais safe.

I pull the door open, waiting for her to slide in. Liv glances back at me, smirking. “Always the gentleman.”

I slap her ass mid-step, making her yelp before she drops into the seat. “You bet your sweet ass I am.”

I slide in next to her, reaching over to buckle her in before fastening my own. Kota jumps into the driver’s seat, but all I feel is Liv’s small hand slipping into mine, fingers curling around my knuckles.

“Don’t forget, you owe me a date tonight,” Liv says, her fingers still wrapped around mine.

I lean in, my lips brushing just below her ear, my voice low enough that only she can hear. “I didn’t forget.” My free hand slides up her thigh, just enough to tease, just enough to make her breath hitch. “It’s all planned.”

For our wedding night, instead of a reception, Liv asked for a real fucking date planned by me. No over-the-top bullshit. Her words, not mine.

Her only request is that it be something meaningful. So, I thought of the one thing I know she’ll love. Something that’ll hit deep, whether she admits it or not, and the best part is that she has no idea what I have planned. I guess I have my new father-in-law to thank for that, as long as this is theonlyfucking input he has in my marriage.

The drive isn’t too long, and when we finally pull up to the chapel, I take in the sight of it. It’s small and tucked away on the outskirts of town, like something straight out of a movie.

White stone, arched windows, and a structure almost resembling a mini castle. It’s not some massive cathedral, not flashy or overdone, but there’s something about it that fits. The kind of place where words mean something. It’s simple and intimate, like Liv wanted.

I glance at her, watching her reaction. This is the first time she’s seeing it, and we made sure no one but us would be here.

Liv stands beside me, fingers fidgeting, looking equal parts nervous and excited.

Just before we’re ready to walk through the door, I stop her and turn her to face me. “Are you okay?”

“Since I’m the best man and manly maid-of-honor,” Kota cuts in, dramatically flipping his invisible hair eventhough his real hair is pulled up in a man bun. I’ll go announce your royal entrance.”

He takes a few steps toward the door but glances back with a wicked grin. “Also available for rent as father-of-the-bride. I’ve got a killer emotional speech ready, full of fake tears and everything.”