Page 30 of Merciless

He grunted, barely sparing me a glance, attention pinpointed on Colton, who pulled him into his side. “Ah, that saves the introductions, then, since you’ve both met. Dad, Avery is my date.”

“Oh… of course,” I muttered. Are they together, together? “Welcome, Avery. If I knew Colt had a plus one, I would have added your name to the invitation.”

“No need,” he said, all flat and monotone.

Colton ran an affectionate hand over his head. “Why don’t you go and sit in the front row, honey?” Then he pressed a quick kiss to his temple.

My eyes widened as Avery’s narrowed into slits before he shoved Colton away and pivoted for the front pew, mumbled curses floating behind.

Colton waved an errant hand. “Lover’s quarrel. You know how it is. Maybe I’ll go and fuck someone else to make myself feel better.”

My jaw dropped, and before I could stop myself, I said, “Colt, that doesn’t sound like the right move—”

“Why not? I only learnt from the best, no?

And with that last statement, Colton beelined for the dais with confident steps. There was so much unresolved between us, so much that remained unsaid. I had tried multiple times to organise a meet-up before the big day, yet nothing seemed to align, his schedule booked and busy. And now that our reunion had finally come, I questioned for the first time if I’d made the right choice in inviting my son.

I blindly followed close behind, trying to set my mind right, when we encountered Noah standing in the best man’s position, his hand raised for introduction.

“You must be Colton, William’s son?”

Colton gave him a quick once-over, letting Noah’s hand hang midair. “Am I? Who are you?”

“Ah, Noah. William’s—"

“Substitute son? Well, I’ve arrived now, and you’re in my spot. Scoot over, will you?”

I gave a half-assed laugh, attempting to ease the tension when the crowd quietened. The air turned electric as everyone was keyed up, alert that the ceremony was about to begin.

The first to walk down the aisle was Jennifer, her gaze locked to the side, no doubt eyeing her boyfriend, Noah.

Yet it was my beautiful Nikita that took my breath away. She held everyone’s attention as my eyes filled with tears. I never thought I’d have this again.

That’s when I felt the pressure of a firm hand on my shoulder. Then, my son gifted me everything in that moment, giving me his blessing. “I’m so happy you found one another, Dad,” he whispered. “You both deserve the future you’ve made for yourselves. You both deserve each other.”

My tears then tipped over my lash line unchecked. I couldn’t remember when I’d been filled with so much joy.

Chapter 19

COLTON

I don’t know why I was so worried.

The day was progressing swimmingly—better than I’d planned, and that was difficult to match.

I loved fucking with them, lived for their discomfort, breathed that shit in like I was deprived of oxygen.

The unravelling began at the ceremony, when Jennifer marched down the aisle. Her gaze swung to me, disbelief warping her features before she slipped that pristine mask back into place.

Like mother, like daughter, I guess. Because the next one to catch the surprise was the bride herself.

Nikita had become sloppy in her old age, too comfortable with my imbecile father, and when she processed my position on the altar, her stride faltered for the briefest moment. The misstep made me giddy.

I’d clocked the tiny fissure in her well-maintained façade, and I was intent on claiming more. I was striving for maximum impact, the ultimate shattering of her soul, and to achieve that, I first had to establish a false sense of security.

I played the best man role well.

The ceremony had gone perfectly, and the guests were ecstatic at my miraculous return. I charmed and mingled with old family friends, ensuring the atmosphere was jovial and positive. Everyone was lapping that crazy up, ignoring the fact that I’d been missing for years.