Page 102 of Mutual Obsession (Rivals of Blackthorn #2)

“Of course,” Indie says, as she reaches over and grabs Chloe’s hand before placing it right beside mine.

We both hold still for a few seconds, and it’s not long before she lets out a gasp, her eyes filling with unshed tears when she feels the baby kicking against us.

“I can feel it.” Her voice is full of wonder, and I know that feeling well. It’s exactly how I felt the first time I felt my baby move.

“We’re going to be late,” I remind them.

“Fine, but can I do this again another time, when I have longer?” she asks, sounding hopeful.

Indie nods, and Chloe’s smile grows. I usher both women out of the door and into the car that’s been waiting patiently for us, as we start the journey to the church.

When we finally arrive, Chloe is starting to show some nerves. Her leg is jiggling up and down, and if her bouquet were a person, she’d have suffocated them with how hard she’s grasping it.

Indie seems to have noticed too, and as soon as we arrive at the venue, she climbs out of the car first, letting us know she’s going to inform everyone that we’re ready to begin. Really, she’s giving us some time alone, and I’m super grateful.

I reach over and take Chloe’s hand, squeezing until she looks at me. “Are you okay? You’re not having any regrets, are you?”

She winces as all the colour drains from her face. “I want to marry Marcus, more than anything. I’m just nervous. You hear all of these horror stories about people changing when they get married. He’s my best friend, and I don’t want to lose that.”

I can’t help the chuckle that slips out as I smile at my little sister.

“Chloe, I can promise you, without a shadow of a doubt, this won’t change anything for Marcus.

He loves you, and as far as he’s concerned, giving you his last name is just another way for him to claim you in front of everyone.

If anything, this marriage will bring you closer together, not further apart. ”

“Is that what happened with you?” she asks.

My smile turns into a wide grin as I think back to our wedding day. We don’t really think much about the church wedding that Indie and I had, as that was more for other people, but the commitment ceremony the three of us shared was magical.

“Our ceremony was the day we finally became a family, all under the same name. It didn’t really change anything important, but we all felt closer to each other.

“The ceremony was our way of showing the world how much we mean to each other, and that made us stronger as a threesome. I suspect yours will be the same. This is Marcus’ way of telling the world that you belong to him, and nobody can do anything about it.”

She laughs as she nods. “He is very possessive and protective.”

“So, are we going in, or are we making a run for it?” I ask, hoping it’s just a joke.

“We’re going in,” she announces proudly, holding her head high, confident in her decision.

I slide out of the car and hold my hand out for her to take, and when she does, I feel an overwhelming amount of pride as I take another look at my beautiful little sister dressed as a bride. She really looks stunning, and more grown up than I can imagine.

With a lump in my throat, and my heart beating quicker than it did at my own wedding, we make our way towards where Indie is waiting for us at the entrance, along with the wedding co-ordinator.

Before we know it, the music starts and I grab hold of Chloe’s arm, ready to walk her down the aisle. She’s trembling beside me, but one look at her tells me it’s just nerves. She’s made up her mind about marrying Marcus, and now we’re here, she can’t wait to get on with it.

We wait patiently for the bridal march to start, and once we have the all clear from the wedding co-ordinator, we begin our walk down the aisle. I keep my steps slow and purposeful, just like we rehearsed, and my grip on Chloe’s arm is firm, making sure she doesn’t speed up or fall.

The minute her eyes land on Marcus, it’s like everything else in the world falls away, and it’s just the two of them. She breathes a sigh of relief, and the smile on her face is blinding as they just stare at each other.

I’ve known Marcus my entire life, and I’ve rarely seen him show any level of emotion. His biggest talent is remaining emotionless in the face of everything, but as soon as he catches a glimpse of my sister, his walls come crashing down.

His lips tip up into the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen, and I’m pretty sure there are tears in his eyes.

The way he stares at her, like she’s his whole world, settles my nerves instantly.

The love he gives her in just one look is enough to tell me this guy is more than good enough for Chloe.

He’s going to love her and cherish her in all the ways she deserves.

Looking at Marcus and Chloe as they share this moment almost feels like I’m invading a private moment, and so I take the time to look over the crowd that’s gathered to share in their special day, noting that a lot of them are the same people we had at our wedding.

Marcus’ dad is sitting in the front row on the groom’s side, with his girlfriend Courtney beside him. Courtney is smiling at her brother, Miles, who is standing beside Marcus as his best man.

Miles is still not happy with the strange relationship his younger sister seems to have with his best friend’s dad, but after several arguments, he’s no longer outwardly objecting.

I don’t know Maximus as well as Miles does, but anyone can see he cares for Courtney, which is a very new thing, as he hasn’t officially dated since Marcus’ mother died years ago.

I’m sure he didn’t live all of those years as a monk, but he also never publicly dated, so for him to announce to the world that he’s with Courtney, it must be more than just sex.

My mother and father are in the front row on Chloe’s side, both of them with forced smiles on their faces as they deliberately stare past us rather than at Chloe. Luckily, she’s too caught up with Marcus to notice, but I don’t miss it, and it’s something I will bring up at a later date.

Now that I’m in charge of the Santoro family, I’m going to make sure my father knows he’s no longer entitled to the level of power he’s grown accustomed to. He’s retired, and that means he doesn’t get any say in how this family is run.

If he’s not happy with that, he’ll be presented with options—none of which are good. I’m the leader now, and he either gets in line, or he gets out of my fucking way.

Sitting behind Maximus are Leo, Marcus’ driver and friend, and his daughter, Penny.

I’m more than a little surprised to see Jenny sitting beside him, much closer than I’d expect.

Not only are they smiling, they’re also leaning into each other.

Last I heard, they had an explosive argument and Leo refused to work with her again, stating she’s a brat who pushes his limits.

Right now, it looks like he’s tamed the brat, and they’ve moved past whatever hatred they had for each other. She also appears to be getting on well with Penny, who is twirling her finger in Jenny’s bright rainbow-coloured hair.

Scattered across both sides, I notice the Doughty family are all present. Teigan and Freya both became friends with Chloe after being introduced to her by Indie. Although the girls don’t live in Blackthorn, they make a point to meet at least once a month, and have become very good friends.

Teigan is sitting with Evan, the eldest and most stern looking Doughty brother, while Freya is with Kian. He has the same bright dimpled smile we’re used to seeing, and I’m sure he’s thinking that the next wedding we all attend will be his.

Bree is sitting with her husband, Liam, looking just as beautiful and scary as she always does. She’s smiling at my sister as we walk past the aisle she’s sitting on, and I nod my head at her in a show of respect.

It’s a big deal that she agreed to attend the wedding, but our families have become close over the last few months, and that only grew when they attended our ceremony.

Kellan is beside Liam, with his wife, Mia, and McKenna is with her husband, Finn. The only family members who couldn’t make it are Shane and Ryleigh, but they’re due to take their exams soon, and couldn’t spare the time away from university, which is understandable.

When we finally make it to the end of the aisle, Marcus takes a step towards me, and I’m shocked by the emotion in his voice as he reaches out a hand to me. “Thank you for doing this, Jake.”

I grab his hand, but instead of shaking it, I pull him in for a hug. “I’m honoured.” Then, in a whisper that only he can hear, I say, “You better not hurt her.”

As he pulls back, he gives me a hard nod, his expression serious as he tells me, “I’ll protect and love her with everything I have.”

“That’s all I ask.” I turn to face my sister, who is keenly watching our interaction. “You ready to do this?”

Chloe flicks her gaze between me and Marcus, and as soon as she lands on him, her whole body seems to relax, and she doesn’t even need to say the answer. It’s written all over her face.

“I’m ready.”

That’s the officiant’s cue to start the ceremony, and we all fall into place, doing exactly as we practiced just a couple of days before. I only play a small part, but it feels monumental to me.

The officiant asks, “Who gives this woman to be wed?”

I step forward, my arm still linked with Chloe’s. “I do.”

I then hold Chloe’s arm out for Marcus to take, and when he does, letting go is harder than I expected. I don’t see it as giving Chloe away, like she’s property, it’s more me handing over responsibility to Marcus.

I’ve loved, protected, and cared for Chloe my whole life, and now that will be Marcus’ job. He will be the one she turns to when she’s upset or in trouble, and I’m happy for her. I just never expected to feel the sense of loss I’m experiencing right now.

Just as I’m about to step back, to let the ceremony proceed, Chloe reaches out for me, tears in her eyes. “Thank you for being the best big brother. I will always love you.”

I can’t help throwing my arms around her, pulling her in for a big hug as my own tears threaten to fall. “I’m so proud of you, Chloe,” I tell her when I release her, smiling as I take a step back.

Both Marcus and Chloe thank me before turning to face each other. I feel a reassuring hand against my back, and twist to see Indie smiling at me as she leads me over to my seat, before returning to stand by Chloe’s side.

The ceremony plays out in front of me, and I’m a mess of emotions as I watch my little sister marry the love of her life, who just so happens to be my best friend.

I don’t know when exactly it happened, but my eyes drift over to Miles, as they so often do, and I find him sharing a smile with Indie, who is standing on the opposite side of the aisle to him.

I had been so caught up watching the bride and groom, I’d almost missed the moment my husband and wife were sharing.

They never got to stand at the top of an aisle, just the two of them, to declare their love for each other. I did with Indie, as we had to get married officially for show, but then the commitment ceremony was all three of us.

I didn’t think it mattered that they never got to do anything, just the two of them, and if it bothered them, they never said anything. But as I watch them together now, I realise they’re using this moment to their own advantage.

With each vow that Marcus and Chloe read aloud, Indie and Miles are mouthing the same words to each other. They don’t take their eyes off one another as they silently repeat the vows.

I’m sure nobody else in the audience has even noticed, but I have, and my heart doubles in size as I watch the two people I love make promises to each other.

Even though we made the promises as a triad, I can tell by the way they’re staring intently at each other, so full of love, it’s important for them to do this.

As Chloe reads her own vows, both of them turn to look at me, very aware I’ve been watching them throughout the ceremony. They both smile at me as Indie cradles her baby bump. Miles’ eyes shine the way mine do when he sees her mindlessly caressing her tummy, not even aware she’s doing it.

He mouths the words ‘I love you’ to her, before doing the same to me, Miles’ smirk growing as his gaze flicks between us.

As I sit here surrounded by the people who I care about the most, looking into the eyes of my husband and wife, I can’t help but wonder how the hell I got this lucky.

Eighteen months ago, the odds of me surviving from day to day could have been decided by the flip of a coin.

I was lost to addiction, struggling to cope with the world I was being forced into, feeling more alone than ever before.

I couldn’t picture a future, because if I’m being honest with myself, I didn’t want one.

Then, everything changed. I got sober, and I fight every day to remain that way, no matter how much of a challenge it is.

I have learnt to enjoy my job, and I’m good at it.

I threw away all the rules my dad gave me, and became the leader I wanted to be—fair but firm, someone who earns respect rather than demands it through fear.

But more than anything, I fell in love—not once, but twice.

I no longer feel lonely, and never will again.

I have so much love for Miles and Indie, and the love they give me in return keeps away my darkness.

They’re the sun in my dark world, and they’ve helped shine a light on a future I never thought was possible.

Now I’m a husband, and soon I’ll be a father too. I have people who depend on me, and that’s all I need to keep me on the right path.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still worried I’ll be a terrible father—I don’t exactly have the best role model—but Miles and Indie will be by my side, making sure I don’t mess up.

I have so much love for my husband and wife, and I know my heart will only grow when our little baby arrives.

It’s still driving me mad, not knowing if it’s a boy or a girl, but Miles and Indie outvoted me, saying they wanted it to be a surprise.

So, I’ll wait patiently, knowing it won’t matter either way, as I’ll still love them with every fibre of my being.

Life has certainly thrown more than its fair share of curveballs at me so far, some of which have hit me in the face, but now I’m prepared to take them on. I want to experience everything life has to offer, and with Miles and Indie by my side, I have no doubt I will love every second of it.

The End