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“I can’t wrap my head around your dynamic with your brother,” Mila said with a frown. “Sometimes Maverick drives me crazy, but I’ve never actually wanted to kill him. Whereas you always seem ready to help anyone who wants to murder him.”
“I have my reasons.”
“We’re not going to talk about Cannon and your willingness to help Piper bury his body,” Violet chided. Grabbing my hand that held my muffin, she took a bite off the top. If it were anyone else—except maybe Jags or Love Bug—I would have pushed them out of the moving vehicle. Instead, I just stuffed the rest of the muffin into my mouth before she could steal another bite.
Laughing, my best friend threw her hands in the air. “You’re getting married today!”
After the stress I’d fallen asleep to, the realization of what the day meant only hit me when she squealed so happily. Pushing down the guilt of not telling Vi about what had happened online, I mentally told myself it was for her own well-being. I wouldn’t be responsible for Vi having to deal with Megan’s bullshit again. With the guilt out of the way, I allowed myself to enjoy the moment, and by the time we reached the airport, I was already laughing and dancing to the music Vi was playing on her phone.
It was a little chaotic getting everyone on the planes, but Emmie had us in the air in no time—and not once did I see a single flashing camera from the paps. Whatever she’d done after getting Jagger’s phone call had obviously ensured we wouldn’t be bothered any longer. I knew Jags had been worried about the day being perfect for me, but he kept forgetting it wasn’t just about me.
This was our day.
Our wedding.
The first day of the rest of our lives started the moment we said, “I do.”
Music blasted from the overhead speakers while I played games with my friends and honorary female cousins. The tiredness from my lack of sleep didn’t even bother me. I was too amped up from excitement. Honestly, the rest of the world could catch on fire, but as long as I still got to marry Jagger at sunset, I didn’t give a single fuck.
We arrived on the island just in time to be shuttled to the private resort, where everyone had a spa treatment before being pushed into a chair for hair and makeup. Every now and then, my mom would shove a bottle of water into my hands and stuff something to eat in my mouth between getting ready herself. When I was younger, that had always been our dynamic on the sets of photo shoots or fashion shows. She hadn’t wanted me to follow in her shoes and become a model—something that had been forced on her by her own mother—but when she realized it was my passion, she’d relented and made sure I learned the ins and outs, so I didn’t have to worry about being taken advantage of.
Emmie supervised, going between where we were getting ready and where Jagger was with the guys. At one point, she discreetly gave Violet a document, telling her she just needed a signature. Because it was Emmie, and we all trusted her with our lives, Vi didn’t even hesitate to scribble her name where she was told to. Green eyes caught mine, and my soon-to-be mother-in-law gave me a wink before taking the signed documents and rushing out the door.
“I don’t like people touching my face,” Mila complained when she was done with makeup. “How do you handle a stranger constantly fixing your face on shoots?”
I shrugged. “It’s just something I got used to over the years.” With my own hair and makeup complete, I stood, checking the time as I did.
Seeing it was close to the moment I was supposed to walk down the aisle, I took one last bite of my sandwich and wiped my fingers on a napkin. “Riley!” I called when I didn’t see her.
“Right here,” the pocket Venus designer said as she came in, carrying the bag with my dress in it. “I’ve guarded it with my life from the moment I got on the plane this morning. I swear not even my husband has seen what is beneath this garment bag.”
Having spent the majority of my life walking around in front of complete strangers in nothing more than my bra and panties—sometimes less—I walked over to the mirror in my white thong and matching strapless, push-up bra. With my hair in soft curls falling over my left shoulder and a tiara made of sapphires, I anxiously waited for Riley to unzip the bag.
Everyone grew silent as I stepped into the dress, and Riley did up all the buttons on the back. The gown was stunning—strapless, white mesh embroidered with intricate white threading that formed a beautiful lace overlay across a light nude liner. The bodice had hidden support boning that gave it a sexiness I was hoping would knock the air right out of Jagger’s lungs the moment he saw me.
The instant the last button was in place, I turned to get everyone’s reaction. I saw tears in Mom’s eyes as she grasped one of my hands and twirled me around. “You are so damn beautiful. I can’t believe I created you.”
Laughing, I gave her a light hug, not wanting to wrinkle either of our dresses. “I think Dad would say he helped.”
“Nah, you’re all mine,” she argued. “He can claim Cannon.”
“Why are you being mean to Dad?” I teased as I stepped back. “No one wants to claim that asshole.”
“He has his moments,” Mom defended. Behind her, the door opened, and Dad walked in. “Ax, look at this beautiful creature I made.”
“We made,” he corrected, his hazel eyes drinking in the sight of me before filling with tears. “I’ve changed my mind. He can’t marry you. No one should be lucky enough to call you their wife. You have to stay my baby girl forever.”
“Fight me!” I heard Jagger shout from outside the door.
“Jagger!” his mom scolded. “I told you to stay in the other room. Stop trying to sneak a look.”
“Ma, Axton is trying to talk her out of marrying me!”
“He’s bullshitting,” she attempted to soothe.
“Language!” Luca shouted from somewhere. “Love Bug is right here.”
“She’s supposed to be with Layla,” Emmie snapped. “What are you doing with her? She’s going to spit up all over your tux.”
