“Just make sure you watch your back,” he replies, “because it definitely can become your problem pretty quickly.”
“That’s what I have you for. My problem solver.”
Although he’s usually quiet, he’s a highly efficient killer. If Adahlia becomes a problem, I’ll either send Asva to handle her, or I’ll deal with her personally.
“Any direct threats?” I ask as we wait for Hugo and Arabelle to arrive.
Everyone, I’m sure, knows by now that I’m getting married, but only the men here know it’s happening today.
“None,” Alrick answers instead of his brother. “If there are, they are keeping silent right now. But you really need to head Adahlia off before she gets out of hand, Florian. Don’t underestimate her. A woman scorned and all that bullshit.”
Alrick and Asva are both right. I shouldn’t underestimate Addie, but I hope she’s more talk than action. I’d hate to kill her if something happens to Arabelle. I don’t particularly like to kill women, but I will if she fucks with me, and Arabelle is harmed.
“Have Nero keep an eye on her,” I say as I watch Hugo pull the black Range Rover to a stop in front of the courthouse steps.“If she makes a move, just take care of it. I will deal with the fallout afterward.”
“Ja,Beast,” Asva responds.
Hugo jumps out and then goes to the other side and opens the back door. The moment Hugo helps her out of the SUV, my breath gets caught in my throat. It’s like watching an angel.
Her tight, cream-colored, off-the-shoulder dress accentuates her petite frame, and her matching heels highlight her toned legs. Her hair is elegantly pulled into a bun with sprigs of baby breath intertwined, which emphasizes the string of white pearls draped around her slender neck and the teardrop pearl earrings swaying gently from her ears.
“Beautiful,” I mumble.
“You’re one lucky man,” Asva says, clapping me on the shoulder as we all watch her walk up the stairs with the grace of a queen.
“Don’t fuck it up,” Alrick chimes in.
I have no intention of fucking it up. Arabelle will be my wife until I’m cold in the grave and beyond.
“Trust me, I will not fuck this up. This is my dream come true, and it will be ‘until death do us part.’”
When she reaches me, I clasp her hand and press her knuckles against my lips, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine.
“You look amazing.”
Despite the nervous energy emanating from her, a genuine, breathtaking smile spreads across her face.
“Thank you. You look handsome, too.”
Her smile is contagious, and I find myself unable to resist smiling back.
“Are you ready?” I ask, handing her the bouquet of roses I made for her.
She takes hold of them and brings them to her nose, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply, savoring their fragrance. When she opens her eyes and focuses on me, she takes a moment to breathe in the crisp, clean air before exhaling slowly.
“I am.”
I give her a wink, intertwine our fingers, and we enter the courthouse together. As I walk inside, I’m walking toward my future.We’rewalking toward our future.
“Where are we going?”
Despite the quick ceremony, I sense the exhaustion in her voice. Not only did I get my fill of her most of the night, but she also had an early start this morning to get ready for the wedding. The wedding ceremony didn’t match my vision of marrying Arabelle, but it fulfilled its purpose. Once things calm down, I’ll give her the wedding she deserves.
“It’s a surprise,” I tell her as we navigate to the back of the house.
I decided to give her a tour of our new home. I know she’s used to doing things herself, but now, she doesn’t have to.
“You can do anything to the house that you want.”
