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Tony’s face is mockingly amused as I practically run up to stand beside him. “You’re late. Had better things to do?”
Leo bursts into laughter behind us, failing to attempt to even stifle it. George, who stands beside him, at least has the decency to shush him.
“I’m here now. That’s all that matters. I didn’t miss it, so stop whinging.” I lift my chin, but I can feel my face burning hotter than the sand in the Sahara. It’s got to be red enough to show through the foundation because Tony cracks a smile so wide I’m surprised his face doesn’t split in two.
“He’s what you hoped for, then.” Tony’s comment provokes more chorales behind us.
“Alice found Wonderland, from the marks on the back of her neck.” All four groomsman erupt into loud and wild laughter.
My hand flies to the back of my neck. Shit. Joseph didn’t tell me he’d left marks. Why did he let me put my hair up? My eyes jump to where he stands at the back by the door. His eyes are glued to me, as if they’d never left me this entire time. A smirk ghosts across his lips, and I realise he did it on purpose. He wanted everyone to see me marked. The realisation hits me and washes away the humiliation. Why would I feel embarrassed to walk around with proof that I’m his, but more importantly, that he’s mine. I drop my hand, straightening my shoulders as I glance over my shoulder.
“I won’t tell you where else he left them.”
The laughter rises even louder, and even the pastor shushes them and sends them a disapproving look. “Composure! Please!” He shakes his head in disgust, then returns his gaze directly down the aisle as we wait for the bride’s arrival.
I feel Tony lean closer, his voice low in my ear. “I bet it’s been a while since you visited Wonderland.”
I smile at him, feeling as though I could explode with love. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by people who love and adore me. Mum and I struggled on our own for a long time before being welcomed under the Hasting’s Hounds.
A tiny seed of worry suddenly roots deep in the pit of my stomach as my eyes are drawn back to Joseph. What will he think when he finds out my best friend is boss to one of the biggest gangs in the South-East? The worry changes into something I can’t put my finger on when I realise that he doesn’t look out of place. He fits in with all the other men standing in the room—shoulders squared, proud to be a part of something that to us means so much. His gaze surveys the room like theirs does. He doesn’t look intimidated at all by the larger men and, instead, meets their gaze with an almost invitation that seems condescending. For the first time since we’ve been talking, a red flag pops up.
The music starts up, and the pastor raises his arms, gesturing for everyone to stand. I turn my gaze away from the large wooden doors where the bride will enter and, instead, look to Tony, wanting to see his reaction to his bride. His face has drained of colour. His neck bobs aggressively, as if he’s struggling to swallow, and every hair on my body stands up.
He doesn’t want this.
“Ton—”
“Shush!” The pastor sends me a warning look.
With dread, I witness my friend’s face shut down and look respectful as he watches his bride approach and stand in front of him. Why didn’t I see the signs? I never see him with her, and he always talks about her as little as possible. I thought he just expressed his love differently, but there’s no love in his eyes as he turns to face her.
Helplessness floods through me, and I feel like crying for him. Why is he going forward with this if he doesn’t love her?
She’s the daughter of the man who commands the biggest gang in Essex.His words from when he first told me about her pop into my head. This isn’t about love, and he didn’t tell me because he knows I wouldn’t have let him go through it.
My brain grapples for something to do. What can I do?How can we stop this now?
The large wooden doors that had closed behind the bride creak back open, provoking irritated stares from the guests, quickly turning to confusion as a dark-haired woman walks timidly down the aisle. I don’t even realise the pastor has asked if anyone objects until she answers.
“I do.” Her voice shakes with fear as her gaze turns to Tony.
“Daisy.” His face morphs to horror, but behind it is the love and affection I know Tony wants to give. “What ar—”
“I’m sorry.” Her face crumples as tears begin to stream down her cheeks. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Tony steps away from his bride without a second look and rushes to stand in front of Daisy, his hands grasping her by the tops of her arms, worry and fear completely softening his face.
“I’m pregnant.”
A collective gasp echoes throughout the church. Curses erupt, and men stand in outrage. The air in the church seems to electrify as tempers rise and everyone realises that this business deal has just fallen through. Everyone is about to be very angry at Tony.
I glance back at Leo, panic rooting me to the spot, but before I can get out the words to ask him what to do, he’s pushing forward. He grabs my arm, ushering me to Tony and his mystery girl. Tony’s standing tall, his shoulders squared against the rising hostility in the room.
“Alice, get Daisy out of here. You both need to leave right now and go somewhere safe.”
Which means we are definitely not safe here. Both sides of the church are beginning to square off to each other, blocking the aisle. My eyes search for Joseph, but he’s gone from where he stood near the door. I scan the church and realise he must of left. Why wouldn’t he leave, surrounded by aggression and chaos? My heart drops to my feet. He’s left me.
Leo is still rattling off instructions for me to do, but I can’t focus on them. Fear makes noise rise in my ears, deafening me. I’m going to have a panic attack.
