“Hey,” he says softly, palm cupping my cheek. “It’s gonna be okay. We’re gonna get through this.”
I nod, but my hands are unsteady as I finish the tie. When I’m done, I grip the back of his neck and haul him in for a kiss. He tastes like toothpaste and tension, and I want more. I always want more.
We’re still catching our breath when the adjoining dooropens and Lina walks in with Sean right behind her.
And fuck me… she’s breathtaking. Even with that hollow look in her eyes, she moves like a goddamn queen. The wedding might be fake, but her pain isn’t. Watching Johnny walk down the aisle to another woman? It’s gutting her.
Axel lets out a low whistle. “Princess...”
She steps closer, wearing a champagne dress that fits like it was sewn on her body. Tiny little straps, plunging neckline, thigh-high slit. Her Medusa tattoo peeks out, and when she turns, the open back shows off her freshly healed ink.
Unable to help myself, I walk over and trace my name with my finger. If I didn’t already love Axel, I would definitely love him for branding our woman.
“You like?” she asks over her shoulder.
I lean in closer, her sweet perfume filling my nose. “If we didn’t have somewhere to be, I’d snap these straps with my teeth and have you screaming our names in under a minute.”
She shivers, lips curving, cheeks flushing. “Promises, promises, Daddy Nik.”
Axel snorts. I practically growl.
Oh, it’s a promise alright.
“You looking for a spanking, brat?”
Her cheeks flush, but before she can answer, Sean clears his throat.
“You guys ready?”
Axel nods. “As ready as we’ll ever be.”
Sean exhales, and the room falls quiet. Tension settles.
“Let’s do this,” he says.
And just like that, the clock starts ticking.
∞∞∞
Axel and I flank Lina as we make our way through the promenade. The mission’s simple: put her on display. Make Joe notice. Make him reckless.
If it works, he’ll follow her to the secondary location. Johnny will handle the rest.
Axel walks a step ahead, eyes scanning everything. I stay close to Lina’s right, hand grazing her back, anchoring us both. Across the ballroom, the guests are mingling, champagne flutes in hand, glittering under chandeliers that probably cost more than my old apartment building. Rachel’s guests are polished and pristine. The kind of people who smile while laundering blood money.
Sean trails behind, blending in as a groomsman. I know he’s already scanned every exit, clocked every threat. He gives a subtle nod as we pass a long wall of windows. So far, we’re clear.
Lina walks like she was born in heels. Head high. Gaze straight ahead. She commands attention without trying. Peoplelook. That’s what we want. That’s what Joe won’t be able to resist. He never could handle people admiring what he considers his.
But twenty minutes in, something feels off.
“We should’ve seen him by now,” Axel mutters, eyes still sweeping the crowd.
“Nothing?” I ask under my breath.
He shakes his head. “No sign. I’ve checked everywhere.”
I press my hidden earpiece. “Sean?”
