That’s the difference, Demetri. You thought you enlisted a devil for the job, but you got an angel instead. I’m not putting Skyla in the shredder just to screw with her. I’m making her fight with all cylinders firing. There’s no point in the both of us lying down and dying until this season of our existence is over.
It’s the only way I can still demonstrate my love for her people—by making her fight for them. It’s what I would have wanted if I were still lying by her side at night. It’s what I still want for her, for them. They are still, in fact, my people. But they cannot reign. No. But Skyla truly reigns in my heart, and that’s why it’s so damn important I spend eternity with her. I’ll trade a few fleeting earthly nights for the greater good of eternal security. Dudley comes to mind, and I suddenly want to vomit.
A hard slap comes over my back and it’s Wes, that shit-eating grin on his face sours as soon as I look his way.
“Brother,” he growls it out like the curse it is. “Chloe wants us to change into our casual suits. She’s putting on her second gown.”
I nod as I scour the crowd and spot Skyla and Logan, each holding one of the boys.
“Well done,” I say. “I’ll take it from here.”
“You bet your ass you will,” he seethes. “Don’t ask for any more favors. You’re not getting them. Enjoy the wedding night. I couldn’t think of two people who deserved each other more.”
I pull him in and offer up an embrace that perhaps he never wanted. “I owe you.”
“Yes, you do.” He pulls back, still glaring. “But you can never repay me for the things I’ve done for you.”
Wes and I head back to the groom’s room and do a quick change both with our clothes and the color of our eyes. We head back out and Wes makes a beeline for Laken and snatches her from Coop’s claws as if he were plucking her from a fire and he just might be.
Cooper Flanders is the only soul outside of Wes who knows the truth, and that’s exactly what scored him an invite. Cooper is making inroads, and if my brother isn’t careful, he’ll be more like me than he cares to. Watching the love of my life linger in Logan Oliver’s arms, her head on his shoulder as he whispers words of comfort into her ear is an agony I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But he could never truly comfort her. It’s me she craves.
Logan comes at me with Nathan in his arms trying to kick his way down. The boys are almost too long, too heavy to hold like that anymore, and it grieves me.
“I don’t know what to say.” Logan’s brows bounce as Nathan kicks me hard in the chest as he struggles to get to the floor. Both Logan and I share a warm laugh as he puts him down and he darts back into the crowd. I have no doubt he’s safe here, so I don’t bother chasing after him.
“I thinkcongratulationsis the word you’re looking for,” I say as I inspect the jovial crowd. The music has picked up and there are waiters and waitresses hobbling around with champagne.
“No, I’m pretty sure it’s far from that word. More likeI’m sorry.” His serious eyes meet with mine. “As in I’m sorry you felt the need to do this. I’m sorry you can’t understand how deeply you’re wounding Skyla. I’m so very sorry that somewhere between here and eternity, you have lost your damn mind. I’m sorry I let you get away with it because I am certain the old you, the one that I believe is the true blue version, would say that I let you down. I should have tied you up, found the spirit sword that has the power to disable you, even if it is temporary, and hacked you to pieces with it.” He starts to tear up and takes a deep breath. “Mostly, I’m sorry that I can’t be there for you. I can’t stand beside you like a brother and help you navigate this new life of yours because I don’t understand it. And Chloe.” He shakes his head as he says her name below a whisper as if he were afraid to summon the demon. “In a few short months you’ve damned us all to hell. And for what? Demetri? The fact you feel a bleeding homage to a form of wickedness that you would have died to protect us from just a few months back? I’ve never seen such loyalty turn on a dime. I’ve never seen or imagined anything like this. A fire has consumed you. A passion to watch the world and the woman you love burn to the ground has gripped you. All I can think is that whatever evil was lying in wait in your DNA has finally unleashed, and here we are eating shit from the fallout.” He blows out a deep breath.
“Feel better?” It comes out genuine, heartfelt. I want him to get it all out because in all of this madness I need to have Logan to turn to even if it is superficially. Having Skyla detest the sight of me is the plan—but Logan, I still very much need him. He is my only connection to that genuine part of me.
He grimaces. “You don’t get it, do you? No, I don’t feel better. Do you know why? Because tonight, just like that first ridiculous wedding night of yours, will kill Skyla. Do you know how much torture it is to realize that the one you love is pouring out all of their physical affection on someone else? Her imagination will skewer her. The fact it’s a reality will bring the flames.”
Shit. “Be with her tonight. Don’t leave her alone.” There’s a pleading in my voice for him to do it. And here come the words I dread. The next big sacrifice on my list that I am not looking forward to. “Do whatever you need to do to bring her comfort.” The words come out soft and low as if my vocal cords wished they had remained unspoken. As much as I understand all of my actions are nothing more than a road map to bring Skyla together with Logan, it hurts like hell to think about it. “With you, I know she’s safe. With you, I know she can be happy once again. She’s still in love with you. She has never stopped. I have never doubted that.” And yet, I have never doubted her love for me either. Skyla has my entire heart, and once upon a time I had hers, too.
He offers a half-smile my way, his hands gliding into his pockets as if he were amused. “She’s sleeping with Dudley.”
“What?” It thunders out of me without my permission.
Logan moans, “Knew it. You still love her. You still care about her.” He shakes his head while examining me. “It’s true, though. He has been impaling your beautiful wife with his oversized dick and she has not protested the endeavor. In fact, she’s initiating it.”
My vision is red with rage, my veins pulsating with their own heartbeat, and I’m moved to rip this entire building apart with my bare hands. In some sick way I liked the thought of controlling where Skyla’s body went next. And the thought of her going to Dudley, the thought of him touching her that way, the unimaginable thought of her wanting him to do it, makes me furious—even a little furious at her. How dare she do that to me. How dare she—
Chloe comes to mind, and for a brief moment I taste a touch of what Skyla must feel and I hate myself even more than I already do.
I glare at Logan, because truthfully, he’s closest and I wouldn’t mind crashing my fist through his jaw for letting this circus ride.
“Fix this shit,” I say as I start to take off and he yanks me back by the sleeve.
“I am fixing this shit.” Logan pulls me in close. The rife look of anger on his face pleases me just enough. “It’s your shit I’m trying to clean up in the event you didn’t notice.” He gives me a hard shove before taking off in the crowd.
I watch as he heads to Skyla—Skyla whose eyes look laced with crimson and the sight lacerates me from the inside out. They scoop up the boys and head for the exit just as Chloe comes over, dressed in blood red, her hair wild, framing her face with snakelike tendrils.
“My husband.” Her lips curl with the promise of another blowjob. Newsflash, it ain’t happening, sweetie. She turns and does a double take before dragging me by the hand to the foyer where we cut off Logan, Skyla, and the boys at the pass. “Leaving so soon?” There’s an uptick of glee in her voice. A not-so-subtle fuck you to Skyla. I think we can all hear it. “We haven’t even cut the cake. Boys? Would you like some cake?”
Both Nathan and Barron chirp for cake and look to Skyla, pleading.
Skyla shakes her head. “I’m sorry. Mommy’s tired and so are you. We’ll stop and get something to eat on the way home.”
