Page 19

Jareth

" W hat are your plans after college, Connor?" Zoya's mom, Lauren, asks him at the rehearsal dinner.

"I'm hoping to go pro," he answers. "I have a good shot at the draft next year."

Knox immediately frowns, his brows furrowed. "You expect my daughter to abandon her dreams and follow you while you chase your dream?"

"Uh…" Connor shoots a furtive glance in Zoya's direction, at a loss about the game plan now that I know the truth.

She groans, taking a big gulp of wine before turning to face the music.

Her entire family is at the head table in the dining room, with the rest of the guests split between two tables on either side.

The entire room is full of laughter and raised voices as everyone relaxes, celebrating Nadia and Teo.

"I won't be following him," she says loudly enough for her whole family to hear.

They all look at her like they're waiting for an explanation.

"Um…" She actually squirms in her seat, her cheeks pink. "Connor and I aren't actually dating."

"Not dating?" Knox repeats, eyeing his daughter like she's not making any sense.

"I kind of asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend for…reasons?" she says, peeking up at her dad.

"What reasons?"

Her gaze flits to me and then away. "I was trying to avoid admitting something to myself."

Knox digests her response before he sighs.

"Ah, zaika ." He reaches out to rub her back, his gaze drifting in my direction as if he knows a lot more about the two of us than Zoya realizes.

I'm not really surprised. The man is perceptive as hell.

"Your spirit has always been so fierce, it drowns out your delicate heart. "

I don't think he's wrong about that. Zoya hides behind false bravado and her fiery attitude, but underneath, she's a scared little lamb, terrified of having her heart broken. She needs to be in control, and with me, she isn't. She doesn't know what to do with that.

But like I told her, I'm not going anywhere. She isn't something to break. She's someone I intend to keep close for a long fucking time. Forever if I have my way. I just need her to realize that's what's happening between us. This isn't a momentary interlude. It's forever.

"I'm not delicate, Dad," she says, rolling her eyes.

"Never," Knox says somberly. "You are fierce warrior like your mom. But you do not know how to let yourself be loved. You do not trust your heart." He pauses, shooting a glance in Lauren's direction. "Also like your mom. The right man will teach you."

Zoya's gaze flits in my direction and then away again. "Maybe," she whispers.

I groan softly, fighting the urge to scoop her into my arms. Going slow with her is impossible when I want everything, and I want it now.

I know she does, too. I'm already knocking down her walls, worming my way through the cracks. She doesn't have to soften for me. She can be just as fierce as she wants. But she doesn't have to guard her heart, either. I'll do that part for her.

"Sorry for not being honest," Connor says, nodding at Zoya. "I do what she tells me." His gaze darts around the table, a playful smirk on his face. "I don't know if you know it, but she can be terrifying."

"She's always been terrifying," Teo agrees. "She threatened to rip my balls off once. I'm still looking over my shoulder."

"She threatens me every week," Maxim mutters.

"I do not!" she cries in protest as her entire family laughs.

Bastian catches my eye from across the room, motioning for me.

I slide my chair back from the table as everyone teases Zoya, crossing the private dining room to my twin's side.

"What's up?"

"We have a problem," he mutters beneath his breath.

"What problem?"

"Paparazzi snapped pictures of Teo's teammate, Tyson Magara, arriving in town earlier. They also got photos of her and Teo's parents in town."

"Fuck," I growl. "How did they find out that they're here?"

"Don't know, but there is a whole line of cameras at the gates expecting a wedding. Trystan called the Sheriff's Department to run them off, but I don't know how long it'll last. We may very well have helicopters overhead by the time the wedding rolls around tomorrow."

"Fucking wonderful," I mutter, glancing over at Nadia. She's staring up at Teo with a soft smile on her face. He's got his hand on her pregnant belly. No one else in the world even exists to them right now.

"What do you want to do?"

"Keep the paparazzi off the property. I'll come up with something."

Zoya glances up and notices me talking to Bastian. Her brows furrow when I crook a finger, beckoning her over.

Bastian jerks his head in a nod. "Dad and Uncle Trevor are already out there with Trystan. We'll post up at every road leading to the property if that's what it takes."

"Thanks," I mutter as Zoya pads toward us, her hair bouncing around her head in a dark halo.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

"Paparazzi got photos of your parents and Tyson in town earlier. They're lining up at the gates," I murmur, keeping my voice pitched low so no one else overhears.

"Shit. How did they know where to find us?"

"I don't know, but Bastian is worried they may try to fly over during the wedding tomorrow."

Zoya's face falls, her gaze on Nadia and Teo. "What are we going to do?"

"We can move the wedding inside," Bastian suggests.

"No way," Zoya growls. "Nadia has been dreaming about this day for her whole life. They don't get to mess it up now."

"We could move it up."

Zoya and Bastian both look at me like I've lost my mind.

"Think about it," I murmur. "Everyone is already here. Everything is set up and ready to go for the rehearsal. If we do the ceremony tonight instead of the rehearsal, we can still do the reception inside tomorrow. If the paps get planes in the air tomorrow, they won't see a damn thing."

"It's not a bad idea," Bastian murmurs.

"It's a terrible idea," Zoya groans, shaking her head.

"Let Nadia and Teo decide. It's their wedding."

Zoya hesitates for a moment before sighing heavily and crossing to her sister and future brother-in-law to breath the news.

"Trystan told me that the two of you are switching offices," Bastian murmurs to me as Zoya whispers back and forth with her sister and Teo.

"Did he?"

"You going to tell me why, or do I have to guess?"

"Felt like a change," I lie.

"Right." My twin snorts softly. "I'm guessing your change is about five-foot-two with hazel eyes?"

I shoot a glance in his direction.

"I've been busy, motherfucker, not blind," he say. "Anyone with eyes can see the way you look at her."

"You mean the same way you've been looking at our new marketing expert?" I ask, one brow arched. He can't keep his eyes off Constance Maverick.

"Fuck," Bastian mutters, genuine surprise flickering in his expression.

"I've been busy, motherfucker, not blind," I say, smirking at him. "You like her."

"How about I mind my goddamn business, and you mind yours?"

"Fair enough." I pause. "You talk to Ridley yet?"

"About expanding?" He waits for me to nod before he sighs. "Yeah. It's a solid idea, like you said. But it's going to take a whole helluva lot of capital."

"We can swing it."

Bastian grunts noncommittally. He won't agree until he has thoroughly reviewed every detail himself. It's just the way he is.

Zoya catches my gaze, nodding slightly.

"Looks like we're having a wedding tonight," I murmur to my twin.

"Looks that way," he says as Teo rises to his feet, clearing his throat. "I'll get the judge here."

T he next two hours are a flurry of activity as everyone jumps into action to pull this wedding off a full day ahead of schedule. Bastian calls in my mom and aunts for reinforcements. As soon as they hear what's going on, they spring into action.

Before I know it, they're rushing the bridal party away for hair and makeup while my Uncle Eli and Uncle Nathan help my cousins and Teo's teammates hang lanterns all over the property to light it up.

By the time they're done, the entire vineyard looks like an enchanted garden, with soft light flickering everywhere.

Deputy Warner pulls onto the property with Judge Haskins in tow, just as Zoya slips out of the winery in a red dress that hugs her curves.

Her hair is piled on top of her head, her makeup soft and smoky.

I groan softly, pacing toward her.

"You look fucking edible, princess," I growl, pressing into her from behind.

She gasps softly before melting against me.

My lips touch her shoulder. I don't really give a fuck who sees us. I need to touch her just to remind myself that she's real.

"You can thank Nadia," she murmurs. "She picked the dress."

"And you wear it like it was made for you. Christ. How am I supposed to make it through this entire wedding with you looking like that?"

"Oh, I'm sure you'll find a way." She peeks over her shoulder at me, grinning. And then her expression turns sober. "Is everything ready?"

"Yeah, it's ready. Guests are already dressed and filing out to take their seats. How is Nadia?"

"Excited," she says. "I thought she'd be upset about the change, but she didn't even bat a lash. I think she's just ready to be Teo's finally."

"They've been waiting long enough."

"Yeah," Zoya whispers. "I should go. Can you get everyone in place?"

"Already on it, baby." I brush my lips across her cheek. "Go support your sister. We've got it handled out here."

She turns to slip back into the winery and then pauses, grabbing my hand. Her eyes meet mine, her expression brimming with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispers.

"For what?"

"For everything."

I cup her cheek, my expression soft as I stare down at her. "You don't have to thank me, Zoya."

She beams up at me, and it takes everything I have not to pull her into my arms and mess up her pretty lipstick. Instead, I release her with a groan, my eyes on her ass as she hurries back inside.

I'm not entirely surprised when Knox materializes at my side before the door even closes behind her. He crosses his arms over his chest, stretching his suit to the limit.