AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My best-man duties would keep me from seeing her until after the ceremony, but I made sure to text her once Rhys and I arrived. She promised that everything was great, and I told myself that Den would keepBKunder lock and key—especially after King consoled her the other day. That had surprised all of us, and my best friend texted me that night that I better get my shit together because King was special. Elle had no mean bone in her body, so she was the least of my worries. The only unknown variable was Lilly's soon-to-be official mother-in-law, Heather. What had happened to Lilly hit her hard, and once she found out who King was… I hoped Lilly would stand up for King, as she had so many times before.
Lilly and Rhys ended up choosing a private property outside of town, set in the mountains. It was regularly used for weddings, and the view was breathtaking. A small banquet hall was attached to the main building and decorated minimally, but tastefully. Lilly never liked fluff, and it represented her and Rhys perfectly. We got fresh snow as well, and the whole scene was a winter wonderland—in April. The guest list was small, but that didn't keep the paps away. If there was something to report about Lilly, they found out about it—especially our all-time favorite stalker: Lancaster.
The guy was relentless. After he lost his life's purpose when Lilly's case was solved, one would think he would move on. He did the opposite. Lancaster became obsessed with everyone involved in the case. He even followed me for a month and a half after starting at MPU.
The good thing about this venue was that it was reduced to one access road leading up to it, and George had complete control. His men were everywhere. I had no clue he commanded this many scary-looking dudes in cargo gear. It also helped that the narrow access road was about three miles long and required all-wheel drive.
"If one of these vultures wants to track through the snow, they deserve to get a picture," Rhys had joked as we drove up. I didn't know how he could see it so lightly, but I guessed he'd also been living with this for years. It wasn't my wedding, yet I was the one with the twitchiness in every muscle at the chance of anyone crashing the event.
I was in my designated spot in the front when King walked in with Elle, arms linked together. Heat flooded my veins and went straight to body parts that had no business being awake right then. She was breathtaking. Her black gown emphasized every curve, and my mind was back in her bedroom the instant our eyes met. Her cheeks turned pink, and I smirked—guess she went there as well.
"Bro, if you have a boner while I'm getting married, I'm replacing you with Marcus," Rhys whisper-shouted in my direction.
Thankfully, only George and Rhys's father, Tristen, were in earshot. Both men barely glanced in our direction; they were used to worse.
Directing my focus back to my…girlfriend? Was she my girlfriend? The term didn't seem enough—she was carrying our baby—but I also couldn't come up with an alternative. We didn't get to have the relationship talk, other than we were trying. There was so much to figure out. Would we live together and where? Would I continue school? Would she work at The Grizz? How the fuck would I tell my parents? My mother was open minded, but making her a grandmother before fifty…she was going to have my balls. Shit.
My momentary panic attack of my mother whipping my ass got interrupted when King took her seat in the front. She and Elle were on the bride's side, with Elle's twin siblings next to them. Elle's brother, Hudson, leaned over his sister and said something to King, making me clench my jaw. She laughed and—
"Jesus, did you just growl?"
My head jerked to Rhys, who stared at me incredulously.
I narrowed my eyes. "Fuck off."
He smirked and shook his head. At that moment, a piano version of Canon in D started up, and I was no longer important.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
The wedding was a dream.I'd never attended an event this beautiful or fancy. From what I was told by Denielle and Elle—both coming from money—this wasnothing. Lilly didn't care about any of it. All she wanted was to marry her soul mate.
Wes meets me at the entrance of the reception hall and immediately pulls me to the side and away from the other guests. He wraps his arms around me, and at his touch, my heart flips. Spending the day apart was torture. I kept envisioning his hands on me on more than one occasion, blushing ferociously when Elle checked if I was okay.
I'm about to ask why he's not with Rhys when his mouth comes down on mine. My knees weaken, and I hold on to the lapel of his dark suit. I've never been attracted to men in formal attire, but Wes has changed that. The way his broad frame fills out the dress shirt and jacket, my mouth waters at the sight.
He grudgingly breaks the kiss. "You look stunning, Princess." He places his hand on my belly. "Did she kick at all?"
I shake my head. "She knew you weren't around." Nugget moves, but she only stretches her limbs when Wes is with me. To say he's proud of that would be an understatement. Seeing him this excited makes me feel light headed and giddy. A massive weight has been lifted off me, though, even after falling asleep in his arms last night, I'm still not letting myself dream big—long term. But I have hope again. Hope that maybe we can be a family—in our own dysfunctional way.
"You're doing it again." Wes frowns, and I smooth out the wrinkle between his brows with my thumb.
"What?"How does he read me so well?
He rolls his eyes and interlaces our fingers together. "Come on. You're sitting with me."
I let him pull me forward and stop abruptly. "What do you mean?" I was supposed to sit with Elle and her family.
"Lilly changed the seating arrangement. Marcus took your seat, and you are with me."
I let my eyes wander and find Marcus at the far side of the room, next to one of the other security guards. They've been everywhere all day, and I should be scared—they're the enemy—but I feel oddly safe. Marcus's posture is stiff, arms crossed. The other guy talks, and it appears Marcus is listening, but his gaze bores into Denielle's back. She's at the head table, downing a glass of champagne. It seems almost purposeful how she's positioned herself to him.
I let go of Wes and touch his forearm. "I'll be right back."
His features harden as I dip my head in Marcus's direction. Then he nods. I can't explain the odd friendship developing between Marcus and me. There's nothing romantic on either side. It's as if we recognize something in each other, which Wes understands without me having to go into lengthy explanations I don't have. Plus, in its twisted way, Wes's possessive side is a huge turn-on.
I make my way over and position myself next to Marcus. He glances down at me. "Monroe." The strain on his face makes my jaw hurt.
"Baxter." I fold my hands in front of me, interlacing my fingers under my belly.
