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Lennox and I wait in the lobby of his apartment, as we watch Beckett pull his Escalade in front of the building. Lennox hasn’t spoken to me all morning, and I haven’t spoken to him. We both said and did a lot of things last night that we have to be sorry for, but voicing the apology won’t change anything.
Lennox walks out, and to my surprise, holds the rear passenger door open for me.
I give him a slight nod of acknowledgment, but before I climb in, I have to do something. I move around him and open the passenger door, where River is sitting.
“I’m sorry. I should have never risked your life like that.” Tears well in my eyes. “But I’m so, so happy for you.”
Moisture builds in River’s eyes as she breaks out into a big smile. “I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t want you to fire me as your security team when you still clearly need me. And you have nothing to be sorry for.”
I wrap my arms around her, and she squeezes me tight.
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but you are starting your maternity leave early if you won’t quit outright,” I say.
River glares at me.
“Lennox and the guys can protect me.” I put my hand on the small curve of her stomach, only just beginning to show what is hidden beneath. “You have to protect my niece or nephew.”
Tears fall down her cheeks, but she nods her head.
“We need to go, or we’re going to be late,” Beckett says from the driver’s seat.
I nod and wipe my own eyes.
And then I climb in the backseat where Lennox is still holding the door open for me. He shuts it and walks around to the other side, giving a quick congratulations to River as well before climbing into the backseat next to me.
The car is silent as Beckett drives toward Vincent’s condo. We are all thinking about what this meeting is going to involve. As much as we are all Vincent’s favorite people, it doesn’t shield us from his temper or wrath. It won’t stop him from killing one of us if we piss him off.
When we arrive, Beckett takes River’s hand, while Lennox and I follow solemnly behind. One of Vincent’s guards shows us to his office when we arrive, where he’s already seated behind his grand desk. Four chairs have been arranged in a semi-circle facing him. We all take a seat without a word, waiting for Vincent to begin.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Vincent says.
“Thank you,” River says as Vincent walks over and hugs her. The second he does, everyone is at ease. I don’t know how he found out, but it reminds us that we are all the family the man has. River—his adopted daughter. Beckett—his son-in-law. Me—his daughter. And Lennox—his soon-to-be-son-in-law and future successor. We are all the man has.
They take their seats again, and then Vincent starts again. “I wanted to speak to you about the wedding and ensure everything is in order. We’re only a few days away.”
“Three days,” I say under my breath.Three days, two hours, and twenty minutes to be exact.I could probably count down to the exact second if asked.
Everyone’s eyes go to me, but when I don’t say more, Vincent continues. “River, you are in charge of getting the decorations, dresses, tuxes, et cetera, in order. The wedding will be at Holy Name Cathedral, which I’ve already booked. And the reception will be at The Langham. Spend as much money as necessary.”
“Already on it. I have most of the decorations planned, and the tuxes are already ordered. And I plan on taking Rialta dress shopping this afternoon.”
I suck in a breath at River’s words and glance over at Lennox, who seems unfazed by the talk of the wedding planning. It doesn’t bother him at all. Honestly, I could care less what dress I wear, or what the decorations are, or what the cake flavor is. None of it matters. The only wedding I will ever care about is to a man I love, and Lennox doesn’t fit the bill.
“Beckett, you are in charge of security. Ensure your men are prepared for any scenario, and I will give you a list of the men I trust most.”
“Of course,” Beckett answers.
“Rialta…” Vincent starts but stops, then clears his throat, his voice turning harsh. “Give him up.”
I frown, but I know whohimis. Give Kit up. I side-eye Lennox out of the corner of my eye, assuming he ratted me out, but he’s frowning, too, as if he doesn’t like this news any more than I do.Interesting.
“And Lennox, does our deal still remain? Are you prepared to take the blood oath on Saturday?”
“Yes,” Lennox replies sternly.
All of our eyes turn to him, trying to read between the lines of what the blood oath is and what deal he’s made. I assume it has to do with protecting me and being loyal to the Corsi line, renouncing his connection to the Retribution Kings. Otherwise, he’ll become Vincent’s greatest enemy. But staring at Lennox, something tells me it’s more than that. He’s trying to show no emotion, but I see the way his jaw tightens, his body stiffens, and his nostrils flare ever so slightly.
“Good, then you all have your orders. I’ll see you all on Saturday,” Vincent says, dismissing us.
