Page 29 of Reign (Kings of Chaos & Mayhem #8)

Jade

Fling Before the Ring

Two months later…

Tonight is my bachelorette party, and I am ready to fuck shit up.

The guys wouldn’t let me go to Vegas alone like I wanted to, so I settled on a night in the city.

But in the meantime, me, Ophelia, and Lucille go dress shopping.

I’ve been avoiding this part of the whole wedding planning.

I wish my mom were here for this. I should be finding the perfect dress with her, but reality is I’m all alone.

I don’t have many friends. Most of them are girlfriends of other associates we have.

I thought Kayla was my best friend, a sister at best, and we saw how that turned out.

Since then, I have had a very hard time trusting another female.

Ophelia is different though. If Spade trusts her, then I do as well.

Plus, she's been there for our family more times than I can count. Now, Lucielle was one of my mom's friends from the club. Before my brothers patched in, her late husband was John’s Vice President and she and my mom were inseparable when she came back from Ireland. She’s the only aunt I’ve known my whole life.

I’ve never met my grandparents on either side, which somehow makes me feel robbed of a family, which is why I’m so adamant about building one with my guys and showing them how it should be.

I’m honestly just winging it and hoping for the best.

“We’re here, dear,” says Carmichael, my driver and guard for the day. Getting out of the limo, I take a deep breath, looking at the bridal store near Time Square, which is by appointment only. Lucille and O get out behind me and gasp.

“This place looks really expensive,” O says, and I smile, flashing a black card Dario gave me. She laughs, shaking her head at me as she walks to the door, pressing the button.

“It really does, and these buildings are so tall. It’s freaking me out a bit,” Lucille adds.

“I can’t believe you’ve never been to the city in all your life. I’m so excited to be the one to pop your cherry,” I giggle, and she shakes her head.

“I wish Theresa were here to see this.” She smiles, grabbing my hand as a very tall woman with sleek black hair wearing a white pantsuit opens the door for us.

“Miss Rivers, welcome to Lotus. I’m Cynthia, and I will be taking care of you all today. Let’s start you ladies off with some champagne, or would you prefer wine?” She asks in a sickly-sweet tone that I actually don’t find annoying.

“Thank you, Cynthia, but call me Jade.” I smile, looking over to the girls as we enter the shop. “This is Ophelia, my maid of honor, and this is Lucille, the closest person I have to a mom.”

“Very nice to meet you all. Right this way. We have a private room set up for you today,” she says, guiding us to where we need to go.

Opening the door, we walk into a fully carpeted room with private dressing rooms, couches, and dresses hanging on racks and mannequins.

The wedding dresses are all in hues of black and red, all different styles.

There’s not a white one in the room, which I guess Jamie critiqued exactly what he wanted.

She delivered. The dresses on the opposite side are for the bridesmaids to choose from.

Of course, they are all black and cream. My husband certainly has a taste.

“Will there be others coming today?” Cynthia asks, and I nod.

“Yes, Presley and Giovanna will be here shortly. I assume my husband picked out a flower girl dress and 3 tuxedos for the kids?” I ask, and her smile widens.

“Yes, they are being delivered today, and the kids will be fitted,” she assures me, and I nod.

“Wine, you guys?” I ask, looking at O and Lucille. They both nod, and Cynthia leaves the room. I walk around, running my fingers along the different fabrics, thinking about how indecisive I am about which one I want to try on first.

“I like this one.” O holds up one of the bridesmaids’ dresses, and I smile.

“If you and the other girls can agree on a dress, or better yet, it doesn't matter. If you love that, then it’s yours. As long as it’s black, I’m not picky about style,” I tell her, and she heads for the fitting room.

I continue to walk around and Cynthia comes back with a tray holding wine glasses.

She hands me one, and I take a sip, groaning at the sweet, floral taste.

“This is so good,” I say and her smile widens.

“Perfect. It’s the wine that will be served with dinner at your reception. Mr. Jameson will be pleased,” she says, and I cock a brow.

“Word to the wise, my dear, don’t call him mister. Call him ‘Sir’. He likes that better,” I tell her, and she nods, making me giggle. Everyone is so afraid of Jamie. He’s such a big teddy bear, but when he’s in front of others, he exudes power and money.

“Hey, Fal. What do you think of this for me?” Lucille yells out, and I whip around, seeing her holding a deep green dress with a low neckline with a lace sleeve covered in intricate beadwork. My eyes widen.

“It’s gorgeous. Go try it on. Let me see,” I tell her, and she takes off for the dressing room.

Taking another sip, I groan again at how good the wine tastes as O steps out of the changing room.

I gasp at how gorgeous she looks in her long, black, mermaid-style, off-the-shoulder, lace dress with spots of cream shining through.

“I love it. I really, really love it,” she says, and I smile.

“Is Hayden coming to the wedding?” I ask, and she rolls her eyes.

“If he knows what’s good for him, he fucking better,” she says sternly, and I laugh.

“Thatta girl, you tell him,” I say, and she giggles, taking a sip of her wine.

“This really is damn good,” she says, and I nod, continuing to look through racks and racks of dresses. Cynthia clears her throat, and I look over at her.

“Are you ready to try some of the things that your husbands picked out?” she asks, and my eyes widen.

“They picked ?out dresses? Of fucking course they did,” I say, and the girls laugh from the dressing room. “Sure, let's do this.”

Hours later, and a million and one dresses later, I think I found the one.

Presley and Giovanna arrived just a bit ago and have already chosen their bridesmaids' dresses. But here I am sulking in the mirror, hating everything I’ve tried on.

I don’t know what it is. I don’t know if it's just a me thing or I just really wish my mom was here.

Zipping the dress, Cynthia turns me towards the mirror, and I gasp as she places the black veil over my face.

“You look amazing in this one. The perfect Bride of Death,” she says, and I roll my eyes.

“How much have you spoken to my husband, Jameson? I think he’s rubbing off on you.” I laugh, and she follows right along with me.

“A lot. He’s a very demanding man, but let's go show the others,” she says, and I take another sip of my wine, emptying the third glass. If I don’t choose a fucking dress in the next hour, I will be forced to get married in a band tee and some leggings because I am over it.

Stepping out of the room, I take a deep breath and look up at my friends and family. Lucille has tears in her eyes, and the others are just shaking their heads with wide eyes.

“Sooo…” I trail off, doing a little spin. “What do we think?” I ask, and Lucille gets up from the couch, walking over to me.

“This is the dress, Fallon. Don’t second guess, this is it.

I know I’m not your mom, and I know you wish she were here with us.

She is. Trust me, she is in spirit. She’d never miss this for the world, and everything in my body is telling me, this is the dress.

” She hiccups, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Okay, okay.” I turn and look at myself as I stand on the podium, lifting the veil over my face.

I get a good look at how perfectly this dress fits my body, and all the red beadwork that I assume are diamonds because my husbands wouldn’t have it any other way.

My heart pounds in my chest as a tear drops from my cheek, but the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. Something is not right.

“Did anyone bring a gun with them today?” I ask once again, feeling fucking stupid for not coming prepared. O shakes her head as Giovanna and Lucille take pistols out of their purses and Presley just looks like a deer in headlights. I laugh, shaking my head.

“It got oddly quiet in here, and my gut is telling me something is wrong. Someone get me out of this dress. I am not staining it just yet.” I panic as the girls get to work taking it off me. Giovanna hands me her pistol, and I cock it with a smirk.

“Your brother taught you well, I see.” But she doesn't reply, just winks at me.

Once out of the dress and in nothing but a red lingerie negligee the guys picked, I kick off the heels and head for the door.

Just as I go to open it, it swings back at me, forcing me to take a few steps back.

I roll my eyes, lift my gun, and point it at her head.

“Teagan, what can I fucking do for you?” I ask as she holds a gun to Cynthia’s head. The poor girl is shaking and crying. She’s clearly never encountered people like us before, and it shows loud and proud.

“Since your brother and Zayn can’t complete the job. I’m here to do it for them!” she spits, and I laugh as Lucille steps in front of me, pointing her gun at my aunt as well.

“Let Cynthia go, T. This isn’t the time or place for your crazy talk,” she warns.

“Still Theresa’s lapdog, I see,” she spits, and I growl.

“Give it up; you will never be your twin. You will never have the life she had. Grow up and fucking deal,” Lucille yells, and my eyes widen. Hell yeah. You tell the bitch.

“Yeah, because this bitch took it all, both her and her fucking sister! It was my life. Not theirs. They shouldn’t even be breathing!

” she yells as my guards come barrelling into the room.

Her eyes widen, and she shoves Cynthia, opening fire in the boutique.

She runs through the room as I point and shoot, missing her by a hair.

My guards run after her as she exits the back of the building.

Can I get just one fucking day? Just one?

“Anyone hit?” I ask as Cynthia and Lucille get to their feet.

“No, we're good,” Lucille says as Cynthia runs out of the room crying.

I look over at Giovanna and Presley, and they both are sitting on the couch, calm as clams. I burst out laughing because there truly are no dull moments.

Walking back to the dressing room, I get my clothes back on and take a deep breath, exiting the room.

“Time for dinner, then I need to drink! We ready?” I ask, and everyone nods as we exit the room. Walking over to Cynthia, I smile.

“I’ll take the shoes, dress and veil. The girls picked out what they wanted. Charge everything to my husbands and invoice them for any damages here. We will compensate you for the trouble today. Thank you for everything. See you soon.” I wink, and she nods, waving us off.

Stepping out into the evening, the sun had just set. We all climb into the limo, and Carmichael takes us to our next destination.

“Hey Car, can we not tell my husbands about this?” I ask, and his eyes widen, telling me everything I need to know.

Later that night, ?we are taking shot after shot and dancing our asses off in some club Ophelia picked out.

The girls gave me a crown and a sash to wear, which has gotten us a bunch of free drinks throughout the night.

My tits are killing me, but it’s so worth it.

I feel so fucking good as the alcohol flows through my veins.

Taking another shot of something pink, my hips move, and I throw my hands in the air and dance to the music.

Everyone seems to be having so much fun, and I can’t help but smile all night.

I finally found the dress, and everything is just perfect.

A few guys surround us, and O’s eyes widen.

I shrug because why would I care about dumb boys coming to dance with us?

All our men are over an hour away, and it’s my night to do as I please.

Sweat drips down my body, making my leather pants cling to my skin, and my red crop top is damn near soaked, but I keep rolling my hips, dancing to the heavy beat of the music as the strobe lights change colors above us.

Lucille and Giovanna left a few hours ago, saying they were tired.

I’m so glad they both came with us and were a part of my day. I’ll be forever grateful.

Arms wrap around my waist, taking me out of my thoughts.

I look over my shoulder and see a guy with a shaved head and tattoos covering his neck.

He presses his body into mine, rubbing his dick against my ass as his hands roam my stomach.

I look over at O, and another guy is dancing behind her, same with the others.

Presley's eyes shoot to mine and all I see is fear.

I know her history, so I immediately pull her over in front of me and sandwich her in.

“I got you, P. Don’t worry, you are safe with me,” I whisper-shout into her ear. She looks at me and nods, then looks at the guy behind me and her eyes widen. O grabs ?both of us and pulls us away, causing us to stumble into other people. I whip around and see metal glistening in his hand.

“Jade. We’re fucked!” O yells, but I can’t look back at her. I just try to keep a distance between us and the knife.

“Pres, talk to me. Why can’t I move us back?” I yell as the man takes a step towards us.

“The other guy has a knife to Ophelia’s neck,” she says, her voice trembling with fear. Mother fucker! The man in front of me comes at me quickly, and I rear my arm back, hoping to buy us some time to escape, but he shakes his head.

“Walk, or she dies!” the other guy whispers in my ear as I feel Presley fold into herself behind me. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Taking a deep breath, I nod and let them guide us from the crowd. I subtly reach into my pocket, thanking god, it’s dark in here. I swipe the screen open and pray I’m pressing the right buttons, but hands touch my ass, taking my phone.

“What am I pressing? They can’t see what I’m doing in between you two. I’ve already alerted Caspian,” Presley whispers, and I turn my neck slightly.

“Pull down the screen, click the red, and dial 1431. Close it and put it back in my pocket,” I say, then I feel her hand slide into my pocket. I just signaled for not only the guys but five of my soldiers. It’s no use, though. We are too far away for them to come. O is right!

We’re fucked!