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The groomsmen were lined up next to him—including the best man.

Don’t look.

But I had to.

My eyes slid from Jordan to the man beside him. I stumbled, and a wave of soft gasps rippled through the crowd before I quickly found my footing again.

“Everything alright,mare?” my father asked out of the corner of his mouth.

“Yes,” I lied.

It wasn’t. Because standing in the best man’s spot, his expression happy but a little confused, was Jordan’s cousin. Vuk was nowhere in sight.

Part of me was relieved I wouldn’t have to face him when I said my vows; another, larger part of me crumpled at his absence.

I’d counted on seeing him again today, despite the way we’d left things. I craved his presence the way an addict craved their next fix, and it’d been two weeks since I last had mine.

Perhaps it was irrational, but his absence made me feel like I would never see him again. Like our hotel room tryst had been my last chance to hold on to him, and he’d slipped through my fingers without me noticing.

Fresh tears stung my eyes.

I shouldn’t have let Vuk leave. I should’ve…I don’t know, donesomething. Explained myself better. Brainstormed ways we could make a relationship work. Called Jordan and asked him whether I could tell Vuk about our arrangement.

At the very least, I should’ve reached out in the weeks after and stolen a few more moments with him.

Now it was too late.

I managed to reach the altar without falling apart. I blinked back my tears and smiled harder as my father officially gave me away.

“You look beautiful,” Jordan said. Up close, his eyes were bloodshot, like he’d been crying, drinking, or both.

“Thank you.” I hesitated. Should I ask about Vuk? Was his absence the reason Jordan looked so miserable?

Before I could make a decision, the minister began the ceremony, and the church fell silent.

Jordan and I faced forward. I tried to focus on the minister’s words instead of the growing hollow in my chest.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Jordan Ford and Ayana?—”

The doors banged open, interrupting his speech.

I whirled around. For a brief, shining moment, I expected to see Vuk stride in and object to our marriage.

Instead, three men in dark suits marched inside, their faces grim. I recognized the one in front as Sean, Vuk’s head of security.

Confused murmurs filled the air. Jordan’s grandmother rose, her frail health no match for her fury as “outsiders” ruined her grandson’s long-anticipated wedding. My father stood and stepped forward, only for my mother to pull him back.

“What are you doing? What’s the meaning of this?” Jordan demanded when Sean neared.

“I’m sorry for the disruption, sir, but you have to evacuate the church. Now,” the security chief said. His men were already ushering the baffled guests up and out of their seats.

“The hell I do. Where’s Vuk? Did he put you up to this?” Jordan’s face reddened. “Of all the?—”

“Sir, please.” Sean sounded strained. “The wedding has been compromised. You have to leave now, or you’ll be in danger.”

I glimpsed the gun at his hip. My mouth dried.

What was going on? The church was compromised by whom? Why had Vuk sent his team instead of showing up himself?