Hazel and Marie offer their well wishes, then make their way out to the space where the ceremony will be held. The music starts, and Ashlynn steps between the curtain to walk down the aisle and take her place as my maid of honor. Taking in a shaky breath, Nick steps up next to me and holds his arm out. I loop my arm through his, and exhale. The curtain opens and my heart stops at the sight of the man who waits on the other end for me.
He stands tall and stoic, in a perfectly tailored black suit and plum colored tie. He’s speaking to Karson, and his head snaps up in my direction when the music changes toDrag Me Underby Sleep Token as Nick and I step forward. A bright, devastating smile pulls at his lips and I can see from here that his eyes fill with unshed tears.
The walk down the aisle seems long and tedious, but finally we reach the end. Uncle Nick places my hand in Maverick’s then gives me a kiss on the cheek. He extends a hand to Maverick, who takes his palm and they shakehands. Nick pulls him into a one armed hug and pats him on the back. They pull apart and my uncle keeps a hold on Maverick’s shoulder, and Maverick gives him a soft and reassuring smile.
“I’ve got her.” Maverick says with a promise and I watch Uncle Nick’s adams apple bob as he nods. He gives my hand a gentle squeeze, then places it in Maverick’s. Tattooed fingers wrap around my palm and Nick turns to take his seat next to Elias–the man who’s been like a father to Maverick since he turned eighteen. My heart feels like it could burst watching the two men exchange a friendly handshake, then look toward the children they raised. Both look like the proud fathers they are.
“Are you ready for this, Sweetheart? Forever is a long time.” Maverick says with a playful wink.
“It’s not nearly long enough.” I say and a lone tear slips down my cheek. He smiles, and the officiant begins the ceremony. It passes in a haze, and before I know it, I’m saying ‘I do.’
“You may now.” Without waiting for the officiant to finish, Maverick pulls me into him for a long, slow and passionate kiss. I gasp into his mouth and his tongue sweeps over mine. When we part, the officiant speaks again.
“Introducing for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Maverick and Parker Cain. Congratulations.” Applause erupts around us as he takes my hand and we make our way back inside where our short reception will be held. Neither of us wanted anything big, long or showy, so we settled on cake and a first dance. When that’s over, we’ll be taken to the airport for our honeymoon in Santorini. And I’m more than ready to skip straight to the honeymoon part.
Our friends and family join us inside after a few minutes, and we cut into the cake.Safe with meby Ike Dweck begins to play, and Maverick stands from his chair. He offers me his hand, and I look up at him.
“Care to dance, Mrs. Cain?” His sage green eyes sparkle with excitement, and I can’t help the chuckle that leaves me.
“Absolutely.” I say. He pulls me to a stand and leads me to the center of the dance floor.
Wrapping an arm around the small of my back, he grabs my hand with his free one. He wraps that hand in his and places it to his chest. We sway to the music as I press my head against his chest and close my eyes, searing this moment into my mind.
“I love you.” I say and lift my head to look him in the eyes.
“And I love you, Mrs. Cain.” He leans down to peck my lips and I smile against his mouth.
“I’ll never get tired of hearing that.” I say softly and a deep chuckle rumbles in his chest.
The song ends, and our guests make their way outside. We follow behind them, and walk through the open doors that lead out into the parking garage of the Hades tower. Our friends stand on either side of the open back door of our limo, offering hugs and handshakes as we near the vehicle.
Stopping next to the door, I lean forward and pull my uncle into a hug.
“Be good, Princess.” He whispers as he hugs me back and I giggle.
“Always.” Pulling away, he looks to Maverick.
“I have something for you as well.” He reaches into his suit jacket, and pulls out a small envelope. Maverick eyes the envelope and looks back at Nick with furrowed brows.
“What’s this?” He asks, taking the envelope from Nick.
“After you two came back here, I had my team of people do some digging. You had mentioned what happened with your mother, and I wanted to see if I could help in your search.” I gasp and cover my mouth. Maverick reads over the paper and clears his throat.
“How did you find her?” He asks softly.
“I found an article about her disappearance online. It had a photo and she looked so familiar. It took a while, but I realized I had seen her before.”
“When, how?” I ask in disbelief.
“Did Preston tell you why Sam went after your parents?” Nick asks and I nod.
“He said embezzlement.” Nick shakes his head.
“It was trafficking. Somehow it came to your father and I’s attention that Sam and a group of politicians were involved in a trafficking ring. Your dad was working tirelessly to take them all down and send them to prison. When he was close, Sam ordered the women he had been holding captive to be killed, and disposed of.” Nick starts and I grip Maverick’s arm and look up at him. He listens to my uncle intently, and nods for him to continue.
“One night, a 9-1-1 call was received about a body being discovered along the river banks. Anthony and I had them dismiss the call, and we went to investigate ourselves. The woman we found, Maverick, was your mother. No one ever came to claim her body, so she was cremated and her ashes buried in a cemetery close to where the Moretti’s are buried.” Silence stretches between the two for a moment before Maverick reaches his hand out to shake my uncles.
“Thank you for this.” He says and Nick nods.
