Page 61 of Through Any Fire (Any x #1)

“ R eady?” Jenna enters the room, shutting the door behind her softly.

Butterflies erupt in my belly, but I’ve never been more sure of a decision. I nod, a bright smile burning my cheeks.

In the vanity, a new woman faces me. With a few pieces left to frame her face, she piled her chestnut hair atop her head. A glow radiates from her skin, her hazel eyes twinkling with unshed emotion.

It took me about an hour to shape my hair and paint my face, but the results were so worth it.

I went with simple glam, dark lashes, and mauve lipstick.

Given the day, my cheeks are naturally flushed, but I added a soft pink blush on top and a shimmery highlighter on the highest points of my cheekbones.

Altogether, I look refreshed, which is saying something after the events of the last few months.

When Cal and I got back to the Keane residence after fight night, he made Doc check out my hands.

Turns out I had a hairline fracture in my wrist and had to keep it wrapped for a few weeks.

The broken skin on my knuckles left thin white scars, but even as I feel the rigid tissue now, all it does is fill me with a sense of pride.

For years, I learned to defend myself in the ring, but I’d never had to actually fight to survive.

But twice now, I’ve fought. And twice now, I’ve won.

Over the next few months, we helped right the Bianchi house and Mason’s ascension of power.

With Elias still in a coma, Mason was the next in line to be the head of the family.

A tentative truce has been wagered between the Bianchis and Keanes, and Cal’s been helping to teach Mason the ropes.

It’s gone surprisingly well so far, but if I know my brother—and my husband—there’s an expiration on Cal’s goodwill.

Eventually, Mason is going to want to launch himself full speed ahead without the training wheels, and I’m nervous for that day.

It doesn’t help that another warehouse was set on fire two weeks ago.

It happened while Mason was over for dinner, and I knew my brother wouldn’t do something like that.

It begs the question: Who else is out there that wants to take the Keane business down?

Jenna picks up the white tulle and slides the comb into the base of my bun on the crown of my head. Her eyes twinkle with emotion and she sniffles, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

I stand, my dress falling into place. The material is soft under my palms, and I release a shaky breath. It’s the most beautiful gown you could imagine, and it’s what I should’ve worn the first time around.

I scold myself. No, the first time around didn’t count. This is the real wedding.

Its sweetheart neckline leaves my shoulders and collarbone exposed, and the boning of the bodice gives the illusion of a corset.

The floral lace covering my breasts and waist transforms into vertical layers of ruffled tulle, almost resembling feathers as it falls to the floor.

My feet are bare, and the only jewelry I added were a pair of drooping diamond earrings and Cal’s necklace.

I know now that he put a tracking device in it, but that doesn’t bother me.

It actually makes me feel quite safe. My left ring finger feels empty without my ring, but Cal made me give it back to him just so he could symbolically place it back on my finger.

I had rolled my eyes, but it’s sweet. Given recent events, it’s comforting.

Jenna hands me my bouquet of blush pink peonies, and I take one last look in the vanity. I’m filled with an overwhelming sense of need to get down that aisle so I can kiss my husband. For real, this time.

Jenna slips her arm through mine, and we exit the bedroom.

The lake house we spent half the summer at is just as I remembered it, with log walls and rustic furniture.

When we discussed where we’d renew our vows, we decided to take the trip north to the cabin.

This time around, only our closest friends and family attend.

A pang pulls in my chest. I wish Alice was here, but she took off a few weeks ago, and no one’s heard from her since.

Cal says they’ll keep an eye out for her, but she likely fled Roswell, and if she needs space to heal, it’s probably best to give her that.

With any luck, she’ll be back to the old Alice soon.

She’s not the only one missing, either. Tinley is gone, too.

No one—not even Mason—has heard from her since the fight night where everything changed.

If not for the resignation letter on Cal’s desk, I’d think she disappeared into thin air.

I try not to worry about everyone all the time, but it’s difficult after so many hard losses.

The dirt is warm under my feet, the sun shining through the sycamore trees. A gentle breeze plays with my veil, and our loved ones turn as I round the corner. Mason stands off to the side, a teary smile matching my own. I throw my arms around him, careful not to mess with my hair too much .

He kisses my hair and whispers, “Happy for you, sis.”

Tears burn my eyes, but I don’t let them fall.

Mason props his arm out, and I slide mine through his.

This time, he’ll be here to walk me down the aisle.

Warmth spreads from my chest, my heart thudding as Jenna takes her first step down the aisle.

We planned to keep the ceremony short, so everyone stands as she throws peony petals onto the ground.

At the end of the aisle, where the forest blends into sandy shore, Cal stands in a warm brown tuxedo and crisp white shirt.

His eyes are glued to me, and I heed the command of their pull.

Without thinking, I march toward him, catching Mason by surprise.

He scrambles to catch up, and together, we walk the twenty feet to my heart.

When we reach the end, Mason squeezes my hand and places a gentle kiss on my cheek. Then he takes a spot in the front row. Matthias stands behind Cal; since I only have Jenna, Cal had to pick just one of his brothers.

This time, Matthias doesn’t seem so upset to see me marrying his brother.

The group here today is quaint, with only about ten people.

Everett is at the front of the crowd, and Darla links her arm through his.

Their faces shine with pride. Mason and Cohen are on my side of the aisle, watching with warmth in their eyes.

Jude stands stoically in front of Jenna, his gaze never leaving his wife.

Tears burn my eyes, and my attention is pulled back to Callahan.

Before we start, I hand my bouquet to Jenna and slide my hands into Cal’s.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hi, Ren.” His voice is rich, and I squeeze his fingers. He squeezes mine back .

“You ready to get married? Again?”

Cal throws his head back, and laughter rumbles from his chest. It’s a perfect late spring day, with a gentle breeze swirling and birds chirping lyrically. It’s made only more perfect by this ceremony.

“Ren, I’ve been ready to marry you since I was seventeen.”

My heart swells, and a tear slips over my cheek.

“You look so beautiful, sweetheart.”

Blood rushes to my cheeks, and I feel them heat. “Thank you. So do you.”

We’re interrupted by Lucas clearing his throat. “You ready, love birds?”

I look to Cal and smile widely. Brown eyes twinkle with love, and I fall even deeper for this man.

Lucas speaks, but I can’t pull my attention from Callahan. The fresh shave of his jaw, the twinkle in his eyes, the dimple in his left cheek that’s ever present today. When it’s time for our vows, Cal’s throat bobs.

“Ren, I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you, my life was going to change. You stole every breath from my lungs, occupied every thought in my mind, and you weren’t even trying…

” He tails off, humor sparkling in his eyes.

“Before you, I was sentenced to a life of misery. Locked in the cage that was my name—my duty —I dreaded waking up. Then suddenly, there was hope. You, Loren, are my hope.” He swallows thickly, and I squeeze his hands.

“When I broke us— broke you —a piece of me died.” He laughs bitterly.

“Fuck, all of me died. I wandered with no purpose, no direction but my father’s.

I spent every day of four years wondering what I’d say to you, if I’d ever have the chance to see to you again. ”

Cal exhales a long breath, and he blinks away his tears. My lashes are wet, and I make a note to thank Jenna for the waterproof mascara .

“Ren,” Cal continues, but the tone sounds like he’s reciting something from memory. “Is your life as bleak as mine? Fuck, I hope not. I’d pray to any god that would listen if it meant you weren’t living this misery.”

My breath catches, and I realize he must be reciting the letter he wrote me. The one that was stolen when Leon broke into my house.

“Each day, I wonder what this world would look like if I’d chosen differently.

If I had chosen you. God, what a different life we’d be living in.

I can’t help but think we’d be happy. We could run away together.

What do you think? You and me, somewhere far away from all the blood, all the history.

Would you run with me? If I found you, would you take my hand and put your faith in me one more time?

I know it looked bad, but you have to believe me.

I would never betray you. Not then, not ever.

My heart is forever held in your palms. Should you choose to tend to it like a bird with a broken wing or crush it between your gentle fingers, your choice is my fate.

Oh, what a merciful death that would be.

Ren, if I ever get the courage to mail this letter to you, please write me.

Tell me I haven’t lost you forever. I think the only fate worse than death would be knowing I have. ”

I swallow thickly, but Cal continues.

“If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I’ll be waiting in our spot each year on your birthday.

Rain or shine, I’ll wait for you until my dying breath.

Please, oh please, put me out of my misery.

” Cal clears the emotion from his throat, starting anew.

“Loren, I don’t know how else to say I love you, but I plan to show you every day for the rest of our lives.

I promise to protect you, to worship you, and to never take you for granted again.

I’ll spend the rest of my life on my knees if it means you’ll spend even a second loving me back. ”

Cal’s barely finished speaking when I throw my arms around his neck and press my mouth to his. His steady arms catch me, wrapping around my waist and clutching me tightly as we kiss. A cheer erupts from our loved ones, but we pay it no mind, until Lucas clears his throat.

“I didn’t even say you could kiss the bride yet,” he grumbles.

I playfully swat an arm toward Lucas, but Cal commands my attention once more, thumbs swiping over my cheeks. I cradle his face with my hand, and he twists to place a gentle kiss to my palm, whispering, “Your turn, darling.”

My stomach clenches, but this time, in need. I need to drag my husband by his tie into a closet and do things to him that would make a nun blush.

Until then, I straighten, returning my hands to his to hold.

“Callahan…Sometimes I wonder how my life would’ve played out if I had ignored the boy with intelligent eyes and a curious sort of kindness.

Perhaps the way it happened was the way it was supposed to.

Perhaps it was always inevitable. I’d like to think that we were always inevitable, and the journey we went on during our years apart was necessary somehow.

What I’ve learned is that there’s a boundless well inside of me, and it’s overflowing with my love for you.

I can’t breathe without feeling the depth of my love for you, and I never want to again.

I may have forgotten once, but I promise that from this moment forward, every breath I take will be for you, for us.

I’ve always loved you, Callahan. Even after my last breath on this earth, I will love you. ”

Cal smiles, and my heart thuds against my ribs. Somehow, we manage to wait for Lucas to speak the five words, and we collide like a force of nature. His hands wrap around my face, cradling me as he worships me .

“For the second time, let’s hear it for Mr. and Mrs. Callahan Keane!”

Cheers erupt around us, and we break from our kiss, leaning our foreheads against each other’s. My heart swells, and I can’t help the laugh when he sweeps me into his arms, carrying me back down the aisle.

“Where are you going? We’ve got a party to start!” Cohen shouts as Cal leads us to the cabin.

“Start without us,” he throws over his shoulder. Then, just to me, he whispers, “I’ve got a marriage to consummate.”

A giggle so unlike me escapes my lips, and Cal growls, speeding up as he kicks open the door to the cabin.