AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Salvatore
When Angelina strolled into the kitchen, talking with Donna like they’d known each other forever, Luca and I were a little less tense. This had been a great idea, and by the end of the evening, our lovely mate had relaxed. We understood she was still raw and hurting from Cassie and Jake’s loss, but having someone like Donna would help her through this sad time.
“That was delicious, Diane. Did I ever tell you how much I love you?” My words were full of warmth for our friend.
“Many times. Don’t forget, I had help from Angelina.”
Diane threw her a look of real affection. She’d have everyone eating out of her hand at the ceremony.
“Apart from all your jealous ex-lovers. I may end up with a dagger in my back.”
“They wouldn’t dare, bella,” I protested.
“I’m going to take the girls to the main living room so we can discuss dresses. You men are welcome to come…” She left the sentence hanging with a mischievous grin.
“Hell no.” Michael stood up, looking a tad scared. “We’ll be much happier washing the dishes and having a beer.”
We all agreed with him. As much as Luca and I wanted to know what Angelina would wear, discussing clothes shopping would be worse than facing an army of the undead.
“Cowards,” Angelina teased in our minds, “I don’t want to go clothes shopping, either. I wonder… shall I go naked?”
“Get out now, or we won’t be held responsible for our actions,” Luca warned her.
“Promises. Promises.” And with one last giggle inside our minds, she headed out the door.
“You know,” said Antoine, after we’d cleared up and sat down with ice cold beers, “they’ll require security when they go clothes shopping. Viktor will be desperately thinking of ways to separate you and put you all to death.”
“He’s right,” Michael agreed. “Seeing the women out alone will be like a red rag to a bull. He’ll at least have familiars keeping an eye on this place.”
“Donna will be as mad as hell if we go. How about we send Sacha and Lilah to keep watch over them? They’re both accomplished Hybrid warriors.”
It was a good call by Antoine. We’d trust them with our mates’ lives. They’d both been alone for a long time, which saddened me. I really hoped they discovered their mates before perishing.
“Agreed. And we’ll ensure we aren’t too far away in case they require backup.”
* * *
Angelina
“You know what? I am sorely tempted to turn up in ripped jeans, Converse trainers, and a T-shirt to this ceremony.”
I knew I sounded like a whingy teenager, but dressing up really wasn’t my thing.
“Maybe we should,” Donna agreed.
“Stop it, the pair of you. You’re both beautiful and should show off just how gorgeous you are. Think about how jealous your mates’ exes will be when they see you in amazing gowns.”
Diane could be really sneaky when she put her mind to it. And she was right. It would give me great pleasure to piss off anyone who’d been near my men. I could see Donna was coming around to her way of thinking too.
“And we do have endless funds, so the sky’s the limit.”
“I don’t know about that, Donna. Spending huge amounts of money on a dress I’ll probably never wear again doesn’t sit well with me.”
“You’re right. Don’t know why I said it, either. Any suggestions, Diane?”
Her eyes lit up. “Yes. I know just the right place. A lovely, intimate little boutique on one of the side streets in the city. After we’ve got dresses, we can have a spot of lunch. What do you think?”
I loved this woman. I went to her and kissed her cheek. “Sounds like exactly what we want.”
By the end of the evening, we’d arranged to have our little shopping trip on Thursday. The ceremony was Saturday, and I wanted a day in between to prepare myself for what I was now calling the ordeal. Knowing I’d have people with me would help, but it still unnerved me. Each time I felt happy about my life; Cassie popped inside my head. No matter what anyone said, I would always be responsible for hers and Jake’s deaths.
I walked in silence up to our private apartment after saying goodnight to Diane and Michael. The guys were securing the downstairs. Sitting on our vast bed, sadness covered me, and I sobbed. I curled up into a foetal position, hugging a cushion to my body. My chest hurt with my loss, and more guilt hit me. By the time Luca and Salvatore reached me, my sobs were almost hysterical, my breath coming in ragged pants.
They put me between them, their warmth and love cradling me close, allowing me to mourn for my friend. No words were uttered. They understood that nothing they said would help to ease my heartache. And so, they continued to hold me, allowing me to cry. How long this went on for, I had no idea. But when I was eventually all cried out, my eyes felt sore and swollen.
“Come, bella. Let us help you out of your clothes. You need to rest.”
I gazed into Luca’s eyes and then Salvatore’s. There was concern and love for me in their expressions, which almost set me off again.
“I want to sleep, but I’m not certain if I will. Each time I close my eyes I can see Cassie’s broken body.”
Luca stroked my back while Salvatore tilted my chin upwards. “We can help you to sleep, if you’d like us to.”
His warm breath on my face, and Luca’s soothing touch, made my eyelids droop. “Yes, please.”
The last thing I remembered was the warmth of my mates’ minds inside mine, and then sleep claimed me.
* * *
