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Nineteen

C ALISTA

ONE WEEK LATER

“Look up, please,” Sarah, the makeup artist I’d hired for our wedding, instructed me. I blinked against the soft light, revealing my sisters just behind her, their curious gazes scrutinizing her work with eager anticipation.

“Oh my God, give her some breathing room, please?” I urged with playful exasperation in my tone.

They exchanged glances, shoulders shrugging in unison as they settled onto the bed beside me. Avra offered a flute of champagne, a smirk on her lips .

Even now, moments before my wedding, they were bent on getting me tipsy. The thought of swaying down the aisle, tripping over my gown, sent a shiver of panic through me.

I took a tentative, small sip, the bubbly fizz tickling my nose, before setting it back on the table beside the makeup clutter.

“I can’t drink too much right now,” I admitted as nerves bubbled up. “Why am I so on edge? Is this normal?”

“Of course, it’s normal,” Laya assured me, a teasing grin spreading across her face. “You’re taking a big step.”

“I know that,” I replied, my heart thudding against my chest. “I also know Leon is the right man for me. So why the nerves? I wonder if Mama was this anxious.”

The mention of her name silenced us instantly, an invisible weight settling over the room.

“I wish she were here,” I said, watching Sarah glide her brush over my eyelid in a practiced motion.

“She’d be crying with happiness, no doubt,” Laya offered, her voice tender yet tinged with longing.

“I’m so sorry she isn’t here, Cali,” Avra added. I knew she’d felt the same way at her wedding.

She squeezed my hand, our unspoken bond blooming in the shared silence.

“You two are practically both my mother, so there’s no need to apologize,” I said. “I couldn’t do this without you. You both basically raised me when you were kids yourselves.”

“We’re sisters,” Avra replied. “We would have done nothing less than take excellent care of you.”

“Oh, I love you both so much! ”

Tears sprang up, and I quickly blinked them away.

“Hey, stop making the bride cry!” Sarah said, jokingly scolding them. “At least let me finish first?”

They were both blinking away their tears. My mind wandered to our childhood and everything we had endured. There had been very difficult times, but before we were thrust into hiding by the traumatic murders of our parents, we had also shared plenty of joyful moments.

I cherished the memories of dancing with Mama in the kitchen and climbing on Papa while he drank wine and sat in meetings with his men.

They always made time for all of us girls.

The holidays were my favorite, with all the decorating and delicious treats and wonderful smells.

It was just wonderful. Even after everything changed, my sisters tried to keep as many traditions alive as possible.

They truly taught me most of what I knew.

They were my mothers, teaching me about clothes, makeup, and boys.

Most of what they taught about boys, they got wrong since they were learning it themselves.

But they were everything a little girl needed and more in a chaotic world.

As we all entered adulthood, their actions influenced my choices.

Their graceful and strong navigation of their own marriages served as a remarkable example that I was eager to follow with Leon.

Just the thought of him brought a thrill to my heart.

Within just a few hours, we’d be married.

We’d start our life together, hand in hand, side by side.

Leon never hesitated to include me in his decision-making.

The fact that he’d followed up on his promise about Xenos only endeared me to him even more.

He’d shown me nothing but respect, and I expected nothing less as we moved through our life together.

He’d even been graceful when I pivoted at the last moment with Xenos.

I’d been thrilled when he offered to allow me to make the first cut into Xenos’s body, and I’d done so with gusto. The satisfaction I’d felt at seeing that man in pain, at my hands no less, had surpassed every thrill I’d ever felt before then.

But it turned out that was enough. I didn’t truly need his bloody heart in my hands, after all. All I needed was to hear him begging, to see the tears rolling down his fat cheeks as the knife sank into his skin. I smiled now at how it seemed Leon had predicted my change of heart.

I’d glanced up at him, hesitating. He responded by handing me a pistol and taking the scalpel from my hands. He stepped back, and I unleashed the gun, sending bullet after bullet straight into Xenos’s brain.

My heart swelled with joy, a warmth radiating through me that lingered even a week later.

I’d finally discovered my soul mate. Leon’s deep understanding of me wrapped around us like a comforting blanket, creating a sense of familiarity and acceptance that grew richer with each passing day.

Every look and shared moment echoed with a profound and effortless bond.

He had given me what I wanted and what I needed, both in and out of bed.

For the last week, we’d spent hours languishing in his bed, closed off from the rest of the world and indulging in the most wicked acts imaginable. Leon had learned how to make my toes curl, how to make me scream his name out in ecstasy, unabashedly and unashamed.

He’d accepted my kinks and proclivities toward enjoying rougher sex, and once he’d been assured that I was thoroughly enjoying myself and the delicious pain, he’d jumped into pleasing me with both feet.

Or, rather, both hands.

Leon seemed to have learned every inch of my body, knowing exactly where to touch, when, and how, leaving me gasping for breath amidst wave after wave of decadent pleasure.

“Where did you go?” Avra interrupted my wandering thoughts with a curious tilt of her head.

I crossed my legs, noting the wetness between my legs as I did. My nipples were pebbled under my robe, and I felt a blush rise to my cheeks at her question.

“She’s thinking about how hard Leon’s going to fuck her later,” Laya chimed in.

I turned to her, glaring as if outraged.

“Oh, please.” Laya waved a dismissive hand, her eyes dancing with amusement. “I know that dreamy look all too well. Tell me I’m wrong.”

I let out a long sigh, the kind that releases a reluctant truth. “Okay, you aren’t wrong.”

“I can’t blame you,” Avra said, rubbing her swollen belly.

“Me too,” Laya admitted.

“Honestly, I’m still like that,” Avra said. “I don’t know why, but pregnancy has left me constantly wanting to devour Elias. ”

Laya agreed, “I was the same!”

“Oh God,” I replied, shaking my head. “Enough of all this sex talk!”

Avra chuckled, a playful gleam in her eye. “We’re sorry, Sarah! We’ll let you work your magic on her makeup. We’ll be outside with our dashing husbands, Cali.”

They blew a few quick air kisses my way before retreating, leaving the air humming with their joy.

The room fell quiet once Sarah applied the final touches, and I found myself alone.

As I slipped into my dress, I caught my reflection in the mirror, sparkling, elegant. It hit me like a wave.

Today, I was the bride. My heart raced as I imagined Leon’s reaction when he finally saw me, and my mind flickered to the moment I would catch his gaze.

But then, like a shadow, the thought of my parents crept in, deepening my longing to share this special moment with them.

A gentle whimper at my feet broke my reverie.

I bent down to see Leo gazing up at me, her small head decorated with a delicate wedding veil that beautifully complemented Cosmo’s tuxedo.

Today, they would be our ring bearers, proudly carrying our wedding rings, a role they embraced with pure delight.

These two shared an unbreakable bond, a duo that was nearly inseparable, moving through the day as if they grasped the importance of the occasion.

“Are you ready, Leo?” I murmured. She stared up at me, her big green eyes wide and adorable, as she enthusiastically wagged her tail.

“All right, Cali,” I whispered to myself, facing the mirror again. I lifted my chin, trying desperately to shake off the nerves. My fingers trembled as I pulled the veil over my face.

This was happening…

This was real…

I took a deep breath.

I was doing the right thing. Leon would always respect and be kind to me. I knew this without a doubt. And it was beyond time to move on with my life, to leave behind the horrors of the past and embrace the future.

My future with Leon.

I held my bridal bouquet close to my face, allowing the captivating scent of the pale pink roses to wrap around me.

“Let’s go, Leo,” I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips as I turned toward the door.

As I navigated toward the back exit, the murmur of conversation rose and fell in waves.

Glancing through the windows, I spotted guests settling into their seats, their chatter mingling with the rustle of fabric.

At the altar, the priest stood tall, and beside him, Leon awaited me, his stunning features almost ethereal, reflecting the jittery excitement coursing through me.

Just looking at him took my breath away.

“My God,” I whispered, shaking my head.

His tuxedo hugged him perfectly. He’d neatly slicked back his dark hair, accentuating those lovely brown eyes I adored getting lost in every day.

A flash of an image of him two nights ago burst into my head.

He had taken me with a violent almost possessed need, his gaze storming with heated desire as he sank his cock into me.

The idea of it made me shudder with desire for him.

My heart raced as I imagined the heated moments we’d share in a private room, a sly smirk creeping onto my lips.

Leo followed closely at my heels as I stepped outside, her presence comforting amidst the swirling crowd.

A hush fell, and the bold notes of the wedding march filled the air and drew every eye in my direction.